The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Kings — Section 94

in his own heart and life I The lnte Rev. Dr. Cooke of Belfast once said that "an educated ministry is desirable, but a converted ministry is essential."-C. H. I. Vere. 8-16.-God's presence with his people. There has been a sudden change In the horizon of Elisha's life. From the quiet work of cutting down trees and build- ing a college, he is suddenly called upon to stand a siege from a Syrian army. 'l'hcse changes do come in the Jives of most of us. Health suddenly changes into sickness. Friendship suddenly changes into hostility. Wealth suddenly changes into poverty. Such changes will come in the life of the believer and in the history of the Church of God. A.t one time all.seems bright; the next moment the prospect seems dark and discouraging. It is well to be prepared for such changes when they come. The true servant of God will heed them very little. He Jives not under, but above, the things of earth. "As some tall cliff that lifts its awful form, Swells from the ve.le, and midway cleaves the storm, Though round its breast the rolling clouds are spread, Eternal sunshine settles on its head." So it was with Elisha. Wherever you find him, he always seems the same. On the present occasion the circumstances were such as to strike terror to the stoutest heart. Elisha's servant trembled at tbe sight that met him when he rose that morning and looked forth from the city walls. A mighty host, with horses and chariots, encom- passed the city round about. It was an unexpected attack. No forces were within the city to defend it against such, a mighty host. Elisha was the only one whom the besieging army wanted. In the desire for self-preservation, it was not unlikely that the inhabitants of Dothan might give him up to the enemy, and thus turn away the invader from their gates. From a human point of view it was no wonder that Elisha's servant said, "Alas, my master I how shall we do?" There was no terror in Elisha's face, no panic in his heart, at this startling news. What calmness, what courage, what sublime confidence there is in that answer of his, "Feat· not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them I" And what was the secret ef his con- fi,dence 1 The one reason of Elisha's confidence and calm was that G0d's presence was with him. What a beautiful fulfilment of that promise, "Thou shalt hi,le them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man ; thou shalt keep thelll secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues",! We learn from this story- I. Gon's PRESENCE WITH BIS PEOPLE IS NOT GENERALLY REALIZED BY THEIR ENEMIES. It was so on the occasion before us. The King of Syria commenced another war against Israel. He held, as we should say, a. council of war, aud consulted with his generals concerning the arrangements for the campaign. He thought, by skilful strategy, to take the King of Israel unawnres. But all his plans and manreuvres were thwarted in some mysterious way. The King of Israel seemed to know all his movc11,ents with more certainty than a clever pla.yer at a µ:arne of skill might anticipate the moves of his opponent. Several times in this way the King of Israel saved himself. At last the King of Syria began to be suspicious. There must be a traitor in the camp. Some of those enjoying the king's confidence must be revealing his plans to the enemy. And so he asks," Will ye not show me which of us is for the King of Israel?" '!'he King of Syria was an able general; but like another great general of modern times, Napoleon the Great, there were some forces that he did not take sufficient account of. The mce is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. There are other things than military skill and big battalions to be thought of in µ:oing forth to battle. When Edward, the English king, came forth to view the Scottish troops before the battle of B,mnockburn, he was astonished at the small force waiting on foot to receive the attack of his mighty army. But they were putting their trust in the God of battles, and presently he saw the unusual sight of the whole Scottish army, as their custom was, kneeling down and offering a short prayer to Goel. "Believe me," said the general who rode by his side, "yon men will win or die." Of that unseen Power, in whose hands are the issues of battle, the Syrian king took no account. He d-id not realize that God's presence waa with Ma people. Is not this the mistake which the enemies of God's people have made in all ages? It was tho mistake of the persecutors and oppressors of Israel. It was 132 THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS. [CH. VI. 1-33,