MANY, many years ago, a little boy, an only child, went with his father to the reapers, who were gathering in the corn. The little boy's home was in Palestine, where, as you have often heard, the sun is very hot.
It was customary in those days for the father to take his eldest son into his fields, or through his gardens, and to point out those portions of the corn-fields, or of the grapes or figs, which were to be reserved as the first-fruits for the Lord. For in the land of Judah, in those old times, the best of the corn and fruits of the earth were given to God. We cannot tell whether the little boy of whom we are about to speak was accompanying his aged father on some such errand, or whether the child was merely running by his father's side. However, while the day was still early, the boy suddenly cried to his father, “My head, my head " Some sharp pain had seized him. As we read the story, we can but think he must have suffered from a sun-stroke. Then his father bade a lad carry the child home to his mother, to place him under her tender care.
I am sure if my little boy's head ached very badly I should say, "Carry him to his mother," or I should myself run with him in my arms to her; for who cares for little children like a mother? who can nurse as she? or whose tender voice and hand can soothe so well as hers?
When he was carried home the child sat upon his mother's knees, growing worse and worse, till the sun was at its noon-day height, and then he died.
But why does the great God tell us this story in His holy book? for many a child has cried out, "My head, my head," because of violent pain, and many a little boy has died upon his mother's knees. Why, then, is the record of this boy given to us?
The boy's mother had cared for one of Jehovah's prophets, Elisha by name. Elisha is a beautiful name, and in our language its meaning is, "God's salvation." What a grand name for a man to have given to him! Just suppose a great preacher of Christ having such a noble name given him by God, how we should all crowd round to hear him tell us of Jesus our Saviour, and of God the Father, who sent the Saviour of the world. We should feel that such a man must know by the Holy Spirit's teaching much of the salvation of God, in order to be called by such a name. Elisha told people long ago of Jehovah and His salvation, and because the mother sought the good of His prophet, God had given her the little son who now was lying still and cold in death.
This is how the mother had cared for Jehovah's prophet: she had set apart a little room in her house for him, and in that room she had placed a bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick. The prophet had often slept on that bed, and knew the little room well, for he was always welcome in that mother's house; and now with a broken heart she took up her dear little boy to Elisha's room, and laid him upon his bed.
Then she went out immediately to seek the prophet. Nothing could satisfy her but seeing him. Elisha was dwelling upon a mountain, named Carmel, not far from her home, and to the mountain the mother went as swiftly as her love could lead. Think you not, your mother would go anywhere or do anything for your good? How she would hasten for help if you were ill!
When Elisha saw the mother riding on her ass as quickly as she possibly could, he bade his servant run to meet her, and ask if it were well with her, her husband, and her child. She answered the servant, but hastened on to the prophet, and then casting herself at his feet, cried out about her little son, Then the prophet saw at once that the child was either sick or dead.
So he sent on his servant with his staff to place it upon the child's face, but the mother was not satisfied with that— nothing but Elisha himself coming to her child would do for her.
I trust your mothers are as earnest for your souls as this Shunamite was for her boy, and that nothing can satisfy them save the salvation of God coming to you just where you are. Now that is what we all need who are not saved, for we are by nature " dead in sins," and nothing but the salvation of God coming to us where we are in our " dead " state, can give us life and blessing.
So Elisha came to the house, and, lo! the child was dead, and laid upon his bed! Where the prophet had slept, there the mother had laid her sleeping child, just as by faith the Christian mother now, as it were, lays her darling boy or girl in the place Jesus took when He slept in death for His own—as we should say, " Lord Jesus, Thou didst die for sinners; my child is a sinner—by nature dead in sins—I plead Thy death for him." Your dear parents cannot save you, but they can, by faith, put you, as it were, in spirit, where Jesus died for sinners. He will then show Himself as the Life-giver. We who love you and write for you can do no more, but we do it again just now, and in happy confidence that some of you shall find life—new life, everlasting life—in Christ.
Then the great prophet of God shut the door of his little room, and prayed unto the Lord. None was in that room but “those twain "—the lifeless little boy, and the man of God. And Jehovah in heaven was looking down into that room, and listening to His servant's prayer. God is the answerer of prayer.
The prophet then took, as it were, the child's place. He laid himself upon him, "his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands." Picture it, my dear young friends, to yourselves—the dead little boy, and stretched upon him the prophet whose name signifies God's salvation.
Did you ever really think how Jesus took the sinner's place? Look at Him upon the cross. See Him nailed there, bleeding and dying for sinners. Ah! He was taking, nay, He had then taken the sinner's place of death. This is what God teaches us, and we love to think of the blessed Jesus dying for sinners, taking our very place of death in order that He might save us and give us life.
After a while the flesh of the child waxed warm; his life came back to him. Then, when a little more time had gone by, he opened his eyes. Who was the first person, do you think, that he saw? His mother! No; the prophet of God! Who is it that we first see in our hearts when Jesus our Lord gives us life, and then opens our eyes? Why, the Lord Himself This is secret work between you and the blessed Lord alone; but I trust, nay I am sure, many of our dear young friends know the Lord Jesus Christ as their life and salvation.
Then Elisha opened the door and called his servant, and bade him fetch the mother, “and when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. Then she went in, and fell at His feet, and bowed herself to the ground." She first gave God the glory and the praise through His servant, and then she “took up her son, and went out."
How she must have kissed her child and looked into his eyes with love and joy. Her son, who was dead, was alive again. God had answered her faith and her earnestness, as indeed He always does. Her boy was in her bosom. Ah! dear boys and girls, you who have Christian mothers, but are not yet saved, believe on the Lord Jesus who died and rose again, and who gives life everlasting to all who come to Him. What joy will it be to your parents! What untold thankfulness to God will fill their hearts, and what joy your souls. H. F. W.