Homilist 2 Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you, before I be taken away from you… The two names here mentioned represent two of the most remarkable men in the history of the world. Both stood faithful in a faithless age. Through both, heavenly wisdom announced its truths, and Almighty energy wrought its marvels. Both were valiant for truth. In this final interview of these illustrious men, we find something to lament, something to admire, something to study, and something to imitate. I. HERE IS SOMETHING TO LAMENT. The departure of a great and good man from this world is a subject for lamentation. There are two things that show this to be a lamentable occurrence, 1. The event involves a positive decrease in the amount of means for the world's improvement. Heaven's plan to raise the world is by the ministry of the good. Good men are God's agents to improve the world. 2. The event involves a positive increase in the amount of the world's responsibilities. The world's responsibilities are proportioned to its means of improvement; — "Unto whomsoever much is given, cf him shall be much required." The life of a good man adds to the world's responsibility. Thus its mighty sum of accountability daily augments. The more good the life, the greater the addition to the amount. Christ's life was the best, and hence He said, "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin." II. HERE IS SOMETHING TO ADMIRE. What do we see here to admire? 1. Sublime calmness in the most solemn crisis. Truly solemn was the position Elijah now occupied, for he stands on the line that separates time from eternity. On one side of the line there were many scenes on earth dear to memory, many persons precious to his heart, many works that he had wrought, and much that he had left unfinished. On the other side there was eternity. 2. A generous interest in friends in the last hour of earthly life. "Ask me," he says, "what I shall do for thee before I be taken from thee?" Though in close approximation to eternity, his affection for his friend was unimpaired. Death does not quench our love. 3. A consciousness of power to confer benefit in the last hour, "Ask what I shall do for thee," implying a consciousness of power to confer good. A good man has power at all times to confer good, even on his deathbed; on his expiring couch he can exhibit fortitude under suffering, resignation to the Divine will, intercessory sympathies for the living. Deathbeds have often proved signally useful to attendant friends. III. HERE IS SOMETHING TO STUDY. There are two important principles suggested in this text which demand our attention: — 1. That men can only benefit their race while they are living upon earth. "Before I am taken away from thee," said Elijah; implying I shall do nothing for thee when I am gone. I shall be where I cannot communicate thought, or render one act of service. Our work on earth is done when we leave it. When we die we cannot return to discharge any neglected duty. 2. That our power to benefit men will depend upon their consent. "Ask what I shall do for thee." If men resist we are powerless; our instrumentality is moral, our best thoughts, our purest sympathies, our devoted efforts will all go for nothing, if men will not consent to our influence. IV. HERE IS SOMETHING TO IMITATE. In the conduct of Elisha we see two things worthy of imitation. 1. A perception of real worth. "I pray thee let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me." 2. An aspiration after real worth. "I pray thee let a double portion." Here is coveting earnestly the best gift. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. |
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