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where we dwell with thee is too strait for us。 Let us go； we pray thee； unto Jordan； and take thence every man a beam； and let us make us a place there； where we may dwell。〃 2 Kings 6：1； 2。 Elisha went with them to Jordan； encouraging them by his presence； giving them instruction； and even performing a miracle to aid them in their work。 〃As one was felling a beam； the axhead fell into the water： and he cried； and said； Alas； master！ for it was borrowed。 And the man of God said； Where fell it？
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And he showed him the place。 And he cut down a stick； and cast it in thither； and the iron did swim。 Therefore said he； Take it up to thee。 And he put out his hand； and took it。〃 Verses 5…7。
So effectual had been his ministry and so widespread his influence that； as he lay upon his deathbed； even the youthful King Joash； an idolater with but little respect for God； recognized in the prophet a father in Israel； and acknowledged that his presence among them was of more value in time of trouble than the possession of an army of horses and chariots。 The record reads： 〃Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died。 And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him； and wept over his face； and said； O my father； my father； the chariot of Israel； and the horsemen thereof。〃 2 Kings 13：14。
To many a troubled soul in need of help the prophet had acted the part of a wise； sympathetic father。 And in this instance he turned not from the godless youth before him； so unworthy of the position of trust he was occupying； and yet so greatly in need of counsel。 God in His providence was bringing to the king an opportunity to redeem the failures of the past and to place his kingdom on vantage ground。 The Syrian foe； now occupying the territory east of the Jordan； was to be repulsed。 Once more the power of God was to be manifested in behalf of erring Israel。
The dying prophet bade the king； 〃Take bow and arrows。〃 Joash obeyed。 Then the prophet said； 〃Put thine hand upon the bow。〃 Joash 〃put his hand upon it： and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands。 And he said；
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Open the window eastward〃toward the cities beyond the Jordan in possession of the Syrians。 The king having opened the latticed window； Elisha bade him shoot。 As the arrow sped on its way； the prophet was inspired to say； 〃The arrow of the Lord's deliverance； and the arrow of deliverance from Syria： for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek； till thou have consumed them。〃
And now the prophet tested the faith of the king。 Bidding Joash take up the arrows； he said； 〃Smite upon the ground。〃 Thrice the king smote the ground； and then he stayed his hand。 〃Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times；〃 Elisha exclaimed in dismay； 〃then hadst thou smitten Syria
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till thou hadst consumed it： whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice。〃 2 Kings 13：15…19。
The lesson is for all in positions of trust。 When God opens the way for the accomplishment of a certain work and gives assurance of success； the chosen instrumentality must do all in his power to bring about the promised result。 In proportion to the enthusiasm and perseverance with which the work is carried forward will be the success given。 God can work miracles for His people only as they act their part with untiring energy。 He calls for men of devotion to His work； men of moral courage； with ardent love for souls； and with a zeal that never flags。 Such workers will find no task too arduous； no prospect too hopeless； they will labor on； undaunted； until apparent defeat is turned into glorious victory。 Not even prison walls nor the martyr's stake beyond； will cause them to swerve from their purpose of laboring together with God for the upbuilding of His kingdom。
With the counsel and encouragement given Joash； the work of Elisha closed。 He upon whom had fallen in full measure the spirit resting upon Elijah； had proved faithful to the end。 Never had he wavered。 Never had he lost his trust in the power of Omnipotence。 Always； when the way before him seemed utterly closed； he had still advanced by faith； and God had honored his confidence and opened the way before him。
It was not given Elisha to follow his master in a fiery chariot。 Upon him the Lord permitted to come a lingering illness。 During the long hours of human weakness and
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suffering his faith laid fast hold on the promises of God； and he beheld ever about him heavenly messengers of comfort and peace。 As on the heights of Dothan he had seen the encircling hosts of heaven； the fiery chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof； so now he was conscious of the presence of sympathizing angels； and he was sustained。 Throughout his life he had exercised strong faith； and as he had advanced in a knowledge of God's providences and of His merciful kindness； faith had ripened into an abiding trust in his God； and when death called him he was ready to rest from his labors。
〃Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints。〃 Psalm 116：15。 〃The righteous hath hope in his death。〃 Proverbs 14：32。 With the psalmist； Elisha could say in all confidence； 〃God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave： for He shall receive me。〃 Psalm 49…15。 And with rejoicing he could testify； 〃I know that my Redeemer liveth； and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth。〃 Job 19：25。 〃As for me； I will behold Thy face in righteousness： I shall be satisfied； when I awake； with Thy likeness。〃 Psalm 17：15。
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Chapter 22
B〃Nineveh； That Great City〃
Among the cities of the ancient world in the days of divided Israel one of the greatest was Nineveh； the capital of the Assyrian realm。 Founded on the fertile bank of the Tigris； soon after the dispersion from the tower of Babel； it had flourished through the centuries until it had become 〃an exceeding great city of three days' journey。〃 Jonah 3：3。
In the time of its temporal prosperity Nineveh was a center of crime and wickedness。 Inspiration has characterized it as 〃the bloody city； 。 。 。 full of lies and robbery。〃 In figurative language the prophet Nahum compared the Ninevites to a cruel； ravenous lion。 〃Upon whom；〃 he inquired； 〃hath not thy wickedness passed continually？〃 Nahum 3：1； 19。
Yet Nineveh； wicked though it had become； was not wholly given over to evil。 He who 〃beholdeth all the sons of men〃 （Psalm 33：13） and 〃seeth every precious thing〃 （Job 28：10） perceived in that city many who were reaching
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out after something better and higher； and who； if granted opportunity to learn of the living God； would put away their evil deeds and worship Him。 And so in His wisdom God revealed Himself to them in an unmistakable manner； to lead them； if possible； to repentance。
The instrument chosen for this work was the prophet Jonah； the son of Amittai。 To him came the word of the Lord； 〃Arise； go to Nineveh； that great city； and cry against it； for their wickedness is come up before Me。〃 Jonah 1：