03.31. Elisha's Command

Elisha’s Command The man from Baal-shalisha must have been a most welcome visitor; not merely on account of the value of his gift, but because, as the firstfruits of a new harvest, it was a joyous intimation that Jehovah would again smile upon the afflicted land. His arrival in Gilgal with the bread, like that of Joshua and Caleb with the grapes of Eshcol in the Hebrew camp, and the dove with the olive branch in the ark of Noah, must have chased the gloom from their desponding minds, and opened the future to their view in bright and promising prospect. Thus in our days of spiritual dejection and barrenness, we breathe more freely, and indulge a more cheering hope, if we meet with a person whose life manifests a healthy, glowing, and joyous faith. The exalted piety of such a person affords us clear evidence, that heavenly grace is not withheld; we seem to recognize in it the first indication of a general pentecostal visitation; we indulge the hope, that our community may soon be the scene of a revival; the bare thought of which raises the very soul, and brightens the dim night of our earthly existence with a cheering dawn. As the miner, when he discovers, after much toil and labor in subterranean darkness, the smallest particle of gold, regards it as a favorable sign, so that his hopes are raised, and he joyfully exclaims, "This will no doubt lead to greater treasures;" so is it with us in the spiritual kingdom. The news of a single conversion among the heathen fills us with delight; for it serves to open to us the meaning of prophecy, and indicates, like a streak of early light, the nearer approach of morning. A single believing Jew, taking up the cross indeed, and addicting himself to the ministry of the saints, serves to give a more cheering aspect to his whole nation; and the new birth of such a person, is like a powerful breathing upon the thousand-stringed harp of the promises, awakening its tones to louder and livelier strains. As the twenty barley loaves lay upon the table, we may imagine with what complacency the younger members of the family would look, first upon them, and then upon the giver, as ready to embrace him, and give vent to the fulness of their thankful hearts. The elder ones, also, would be fain to acknowledge that it was long since such beautiful bread had been seen in Gilgal. It has been even supposed that such bread had never before been set before them. It is true, it was not from that table in the kingdom of God, at which men sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; but to these sons of the prophets it would appear to resemble it much more than ordinary bread. The only alloy to their satisfaction was, that the loaves, being neither large nor very many, would soon be consumed. One or other of them may indeed have been disposed to think, "If God intends to relieve us, why not at once, rather than by halves?" Thus discontented and presumptuous, we are a people whom God can rarely please. We find nothing more difficult than to suspend our judgment till his purposes are ripened; for, if our desires are not instantly gratified to their full extent, we become distrustful of His power, goodness, and faithfulness. Were he to remove the veil from our eyes, and show us the gifts designed for us, how should we be abashed and ashamed of our want of faith, and of our low-thoughted cares and presumptions! As Elisha surveys the loaves, he would doubtless consider them as sent by the Lord, and as entrusted to his hand for the sustenance of his poor brethren. But will they suffice to relieve the cravings of more than a hundred persons? Undoubtedly they will, for the Entertainer is Almighty. It depends not on the quantity of the food; its nourishing quality consists on His blessing. We have not to learn the power of the bread, but the power of Him who gives it and bestows it daily upon us. These we may easily conceive would be the thoughts of Elisha, which would encourage to further cheerful confidence in God. Entering, therefore, magnanimously into the spirit of their Divine Provider he commands his attendant to take up what is before him, and "give unto the people that they may eat." It was spoken in faith, purely in the name of God, and in God’s stead. This circumstance may remind us of the late pastor Henke, who once acted in a spirit similar to that of Elisha. It happened that a Christian friend called upon the worthy man, who at once invited him to stay and dine, though he knew that he had nothing to set before him. At noon the servant passed several times through the room, in order, if she could do it unobserved, to call her master out. The pastor, however, not perceiving her intention, only reminded her that it was time to lay the cloth. The servant went away embarrassed, but soon returned, and requested him to come out for a moment. "Sir," she said, with a sorrowful countenance, "you have desired me to lay the cloth for dinner, but you have forgotten, that there is scarcely a piece of bread in the house, and you have sent, as I heard you declare, your last farthing to a poor sick person." "Ah," replied Henke, smiling, "is that all you have to tell me? Lay the cloth just as usual; the dinner will be in time enough if it comes when we are seated at table." The servant, not a little astonished, did as she was desired. The pastor and his guest took their seats, and the good man, with a cheerful countenance, as at other times, offered up a prayer, in which he spoke much of "the fowls of the air," and "the young ravens." As he pronounced his "Amen," a ring at the bell was heard. The servant flew to the door, and what did she discover? A basket with handsome provisions, which a neighbor had been irresistibly prompted to send. With the utmost placidity, as if nothing extraordinary had happened, the pastor directed the whole to be arranged upon the table; then turning to the servant, he inquired, with a smile, if there was "any thing in the entertainment to find fault with?" These are delightful instances of trust in Providence, but we are not to ape them. It is easy to order the table to be prepared; but that of itself is not sufficient. Remember Gehazi with Elisha’s staff at Shunem. Yet have you Elisha’s or even Henke’s faith? Then hesitate not; for a royal Provider will supply you.