And the Man of God Wept.
The sermon emphasizes the importance of compassion, love, and tears in ministry, highlighting the example of Elisha and Jesus.
F.B. Meyer reflects on the profound compassion of Elisha, who wept for the impending suffering that Hazael would bring upon Israel. Despite his strength and ability to influence kingdoms, Elisha's tender heart was moved by the plight of his people, reminding us that true strength is often accompanied by deep empathy. Meyer emphasizes that as we grow closer to God, our hearts should break for the brokenness in the world, urging us to weep for the lost and the suffering. He draws parallels to Jesus, who also wept over Jerusalem, and calls for believers to embody this compassion in their lives. The sermon encourages nurturing the next generation to prevent future despair, highlighting the importance of teaching love and self-control from an early age.
Text
And the Man of God wept. 2 Kings viii 11.
ELISHA foresaw all the evil that Hazael would inflict on Israel, and it moved him to tears. Though he was a strong man, able to move kingdoms by his message and prayer, yet he was of a tender and compassionate disposition. This was he who one moment upbraided the king of Israel for his crimes, and the next called for a minstrel to calm his perturbed spirit with strains of music. The men that can move others are themselves very susceptible and easily moved.
The nearer we live to God, the more we deserve to be known as men and women of God, the more will our tears flow for the slain of the daughters of our people. Consider the ravages that drink, and impurity, and gambling, are making among our people; enumerate the homes that are desolate, the young life that is wrecked as it is leaving the harbour, the awful dishonour done to woman; and surely there must come times when tears well up for very humanity's sake, to say nothing of the pity which they acquire who look at things from God's standpoint.
Jesus beheld the city and wept over it. Give us this day, 0 Son of Man, thy compassion, thy love, thy tears, that we may speak of thy grace graciously, of thy love tenderly, and even of thy judgments with brimming, eyes.
"A broken heart, a fount of tears:
Ask, and it shall not be denied.'
Wouldst thou avert such issues; begin with the cradled babes of your homes. Win them for God; teach them how to curb passion and subdue themselves. Tenderness and wisdom may arrest the making of Ben‑hadads.
Sermon Outline
- The Man of God Wept
- The Consequences of Sin
- The Example of Jesus
- Elisha's Compassion
- The Necessity of Tears
- The Ravages of Drink, Impurity, and Gambling
- The Desolation of Homes and the Wreckage of Young Life
- Jesus' Compassion for the City
- The Importance of Emotion in Ministry
Key Quotes
“A broken heart, a fount of tears: Ask, and it shall not be denied.” — F.B. Meyer
“The men that can move others are themselves very susceptible and easily moved.” — F.B. Meyer
“Give us this day, 0 Son of Man, thy compassion, thy love, thy tears, that we may speak of thy grace graciously, of thy love tenderly, and even of thy judgments with brimming, eyes.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We should be moved by the suffering of others and be compassionate and tender in our relationships with God and others.
- We can avert the issues that lead to tears by winning our children for God and teaching them to curb passion and subdue themselves.
- We should speak of God's grace and love with tears in our eyes, as Jesus did when he wept over the city.