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“Is Not This the Carpenter’s Son?”
137
over all the land; and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to
Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And
there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha;
and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” RSV.
The servants whom God had chosen were not allowed to labor
for a hardhearted, unbelieving people. In the days of Elijah, Israel
had rejected the Lord’s messengers. Thus God found a refuge for
His servant in a heathen land, with a woman who did not belong to
the chosen people. But this woman’s heart was open to the greater
light that God sent through His prophet.
For the same reason in Elisha’s time the lepers of Israel were
passed by. But Naaman, a heathen nobleman, was in a condition
to receive the gifts of God’s grace. He was not only cleansed from
leprosy but blessed with a knowledge of the true God. The heathen
who choose the right as far as they can distinguish it are in a more fa-
vorable condition than those who profess to serve God but disregard
light, and by their daily life contradict their profession.
Jesus Set Their Real Condition Before Them
The words of Jesus to His hearers struck at the root of their self-
righteousness. Every word cut like a knife as their real condition was
set before them. They now scorned the faith with which Jesus had at
first inspired them. They would not admit that He who had sprung
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from poverty and lowliness was other than a common man. Their
unbelief bred malice. In wrath they cried out against the Saviour.
Fierce national pride was aroused, and His words were drowned in
a tumult of voices. Their prejudices offended, they were ready to
commit murder.
The assembly broke up, and laying hands on Jesus they thrust
Him from the synagogue and out of the city. Eager for His destruc-
tion, they hurried Him to the brow of a precipice, intending to cast
Him down head-long. Shouts filled the air. Some were casting
stones at Him when suddenly He disappeared. Heavenly messengers
were with Him in the midst of that maddened throng and conducted
Him to safety.
So, in all ages, the confederacy of evil is arrayed against Christ’s
faithful followers; but armies of heaven encamp about all who love