2 Kings 7:3-8 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?… 1. Fulfilment of the Divine Word in opposition to human appearances. 2. Illustration of strange instrumentalities which God uses to accomplish His purposes. Here lepers. In Elijah's case, ravens. "No restraint to save by many or few." 3. God's mercies must not be retained in a miserly or selfish spirit. 4. Unbelief will be confounded, while faith will be honoured. The case of these leprous men is, however, analogous to that of certain sinners. They are — I. IN A POSITION OF PERIL. What was likely to prove a fatal disease: "Until we die." 1. Suffering from famine. Illustrate by Prodigal Son: "I perish with hunger." Soul needs feeding as well as the body: "My soul shall be satisfied," says the Psalmist., 2. Isolated. from. the city and its supplies. Sin has separated from God the soul's true satisfaction. 3. Pursuing a policy of inaction which rendered them more hopeless: Law of degeneration that is unerring; "Evil men shall wax worse and worse." Nothing so inimical to spiritual interests as inertia. Illustrate by death of Professor Nettleship on Alps — powerless to move. II. A GLIMMER OF HOPE. (ver. 4). Two ways were closed. One seems open — if it fail there is nothing to lose. The men were brought to this by reflection. Look where you are. Certain ways of deliverance are hedged in. 1. Self cannot save self. 2. By bitter experience many of you have proved the world is vain. Pleasure, riches, passion, have increased famine. 3. Christ may save. He professes to do so. At least He makes great claims. Will you try Him? Our duty is to examine probabilities. In discoveries men have followed this course. So in religion, "Then shall we know if we follow on to know." Look at the circumstantial evidence, it may furnish a clue. You may be like a drowning man with the last chance of life. Hope multiplies the chance. III. THE UNEXPECTED SATISFACTION (vers. 5, 6, 7), Probable becomes possible, possible becomes actual. "Now none but Christ can satisfy." 1. God's way of deliverance is miraculous. "If He should make windows in heaven." 2. To the venturing soul there are constant surprises of blessing. Faith is a venture, but is honoured. The curtain rises on new scenes; we pass from famine to banquet. IV. SONGS OF DELIVERANCE (ver. 9). 1. Gratitude prompted. 2. Despised instrumentality used to testify. 3. Testimony begets faith and action.It led the host to verification of the facts announced. Do we well to hold our peace? No. "I'll praise my Maker while I've breath." (J. E. Wakerley.) Parallel Verses KJV: And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? |
    |