Elisha’s Closing Ministry
167
when, entering the camp, they found “no man there.” With none to
molest or forbid, “they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and
carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and
came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and
went and hid it. Then they said one to another, We do not well: this
day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace.” Quickly they
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returned to the city with the glad news.
Great was the spoil; so abundant were the supplies that on that day
“a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of
barley for a shekel,” as had been foretold by Elisha the day before.
Once more the name of God was exalted before the heathen “according
to the word of the Lord” through His prophet in Israel. See
2 Kings
7:5-16
.
Thus the man of God continued to labor from year to year, drawing
close to the people in faithful ministry, and in times of crisis standing
by the side of kings as a wise counselor. The long years of idolatrous
backsliding on the part of rulers and people had wrought their baleful
work; the dark shadow of apostasy was still everywhere apparent, yet
here and there were those who had steadfastly refused to bow the knee
to Baal. As Elisha continued his work of reform, many were reclaimed
from heathenism, and these learned to rejoice in the service of the true
God. The prophet was cheered by these miracles of divine grace, and
he was inspired with a great longing to reach all who were honest in
heart. Wherever he was he endeavored to be a teacher of righteousness.
From a human point of view the outlook for the spiritual regen-
eration of the nation was as hopeless as is the outlook today before
God’s servants who are laboring in the dark places of the earth. But
the church of Christ is God’s agency for the proclamation of truth;
she is empowered by Him to do a special work; and if she is loyal
to God, obedient to His commandments, there will dwell within her
the excellency of divine power. If she will be true to her allegiance,
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there is no power that can stand against her. The forces of the enemy
will be no more able to overwhelm her than is the chaff to resist the
whirlwind.
There is before the church the dawn of a bright, glorious day, if
she will put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness, withdrawing from
all allegiance to the world.