2 Kings 5:2-4 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid… Syria was a kingdom near to Canaan. For some time a little girl lived in Syria. She may not have been more than eight or ten years old. We wish to say seven things about her. I. THIS LITTLE GIRL WAS A JEWESS. She belonged to the best land and the best people. What advantages she had! In this respect you are equal, yea, superior to her; Canaan and the Israelites then compared with England and the English now. A complete Bible and a Saviour who has come. To whomsoever much is given, of them much shall be required. II. THIS LITTLE GIRL WAS A SLAVE. Think on her sad condition. Forced away from her land, home, friends, and parents. Many children have been in the same circumstances — Rome, Greece, America. Some even in the present day — Madagascar and Africa. "Slaves cannot breathe in England." Why? Education. Government. Above all, the Gospel. Should you not believe it and love it? III. THIS LITTLE GIRL WORKED AS A SLAVE IN THE HOUSE OF NAAMAN. She was in his house, and waited on his wife. A lady's maid. From this we learn that, though young, she was clever, and did all her work well. Imitate her in these things. Never be careless about what you do. Try to read, write, spell, etc., in the best way. In after-life you will then do things easily and well. This will be a great comfort to yourselves and others. IV. THIS LITTLE GIRL WAS VERY KIND. Here was kindness to one who had not been kind to her. This was the spirit of Jesus. Hear Him and see Him on the cross. It should be your spirit. You cannot have it without a new heart, any more than there can be a stream without a fountain. Because the little maid had the one, she had also the other. He who gave her a new heart will give you one. Ask Him for it. V. THIS LITTLE GIRL WAS EXCEEDINGLY INTELLIGENT. This is how she reasoned: Elisha, who, by the power of God, could raise a dead body to life, could also, if it pleased God, restore a diseased body to health. Wonderful reasoning for a little girl. Learn to put things together in your minds. Do this with your school lessons; when you are reading books, looking at persons, watching the birds flying, and the ships sailing. You will then be not dull, but clever, and so be able to push your way through the world. VI. THIS LITTLE GIRL DID A GREAT AMOUNT OF GOOD. Naaman was delivered from his leprosy, and likewise from his heathenism. Besides, the whole narrative has been used by thousands to illustrate the Gospel, by which multitudes have been saved from sin to holiness. Similar results have been produced by a single book, tract, action, or word. You can all do good; do it every day.VII. THIS LITTLE GIRL WAS HIGHLY HONOURED. By the attention she received from so many in Syria; by obtaining a place in the Bible; by having thousands speaking well of her, as we have been trying to do. Her case illustrates the text, "Them that honour Me, I will honour." Go ye and do likewise. Speak for God, like her. Speak for others, and especially the suffering, like her. (A. M'Auslane, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife. |
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