for ever. 2. After the God that Elijah served, and honoured, and pleaded for. The Lord God of the
holy prophets is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; but what will it avail us to have the
mantles of those that are gone, their places, their books, if we have not their spirit, their God? See
Elisha's dividing the river; God's people need not fear at last passing through the Jordan of death
as on dry ground. The sons of the prophets made a needless search for Elijah. Wise men may yield
to that, for the sake of peace, and the good opinion of others, which yet their judgment is against,
as needless and fruitless. Traversing hills and valleys will never bring us to Elijah, but following
the example of his holy faith and zeal will, in due time.
Verses 19–25
Observe the miracle of healing the waters. Prophets should make every place to which they
come better for them, endeavouring to sweeten bitter spirits, and to make barren souls fruitful, by
the word of God, which is like the salt cast into the water by Elisha. It was an apt emblem of the
effect produced by the grace of God on the sinful heart of man. Whole families, towns, and cities,
sometimes have a new appearance through the preaching of the gospel; wickedness and evil have
been changed into fruitfulness in the works of righteousness, which are, through Christ, to the praise
and glory of God. Here is a curse on the youths of Bethel, enough to destroy them; it was not a
curse causeless, for it was Elisha's character, as God's prophet, that they abused. They bade him
“go up,” reflecting on the taking up of Elijah into heaven. The prophet acted by Divine impulse. If
the Holy Spirit had not directed Elisha's solemn curse, the providence of God would not have
followed it with judgment. The Lord must be glorified as a righteous God who hates sin, and will
reckon for it. Let young persons be afraid of speaking wicked words, for God notices what they
say. Let them not mock at any for defects in mind or body; especially it is at their peril, if they scoff
at any for well doing. Let parents that would have comfort in their children, train them up well,
and do their utmost betimes to drive out the foolishness that is bound up in their hearts. And what
will be the anguish of those parents, at the day of judgment, who witness the everlasting
condemnation of their offspring, occasioned by their own bad example, carelessness, or wicked
teaching!
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
Jehoram, king of Israel. (1–5)
War with Moab, The intercession of Elisha. (6–19)
Water supplied, Moab overcome. (20–27)Verses 1–5