Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

2. and then he rebukes him for his cowardice in that he will not carry out this mission to itscompletion3. I don't know how the king was supposed to know how many times to strike the ground, butobviously his failure was part of his character, his inability to complete the tasks God gave him (cf.perhaps he wanted to keep Syria as a weakened buffer between Israel and Assyria)4. ultimately Syria will win out and be the tool in God's hand to punish his IsraelC. Elisha's Demise (Second Kings 13:20-21)1. that was Elisha's last duty and having fulfilled it, he breathed his last and they buried him2. but that was not the end of Elishaa. the next spring, the Moabites raided the cemetery while another man was being buriedand in their haste, the undertakers just threw him in with Elisha's bonesb. when he contacted those bones, the dead man revived3. the last episodes in Elisha's life teach us about our judgment and securing eternal lifeIII. Some ApplicationsA. Legacy1. indirectly, we see in the journey of Joseph's bones, his legacya. we see his grandchildren attaining the promise that he only beheld in hopeb. we see them revering his memory and upholding godly faith2. grandparents, I want you to be concerned about your legacya. if your grandchildren do not see working faith at home, do they see it in yours?b. when they visit, are they persuaded to come to worship with you?c. are you available to bring them to services, teach them Bible and help them pray?3. when your family tree sprouts a few more branches, will citizenship in the church of Christ bea only a footnote, an inner ring in that tree surrounded by despair and ignorance of Jesus?a. souls are at stake (those of your family still in rompers and even yet to be conceivedb. what will be your legacy?c. will your Christian legacy end with you (Proverbs 17:6)?4. so many young folks have a great desire to come to Bible class and to sing praises and we letthat die by our neglect; then we wonder why they haven't become Christians and blame the preacher andthe elders and the teachers; but where were you?B. The Importance of Grandparents1. I have heard many lessons for fathers and mothers and children, but rarely are grandparentsever preached about2. I am afraid that is a failing of our society (unlike other cultures where the old are revered andbrought near in their twilight years, we make fun of them and push them away into a closet to die (Mark7:9-13)a. grandparents have a place in our families that ought to be respected with gratitudeb. but grandparents also must walk a tightrope (not to intrude in their children's right to raisetheir own kids but to offer the guidance and experience that comes with time3. but there are ways that grandparents should be ready to offer themselves as spiritual teachers iftheir own children are failinga. it is probable that Timothy's father was a Greek, which left his spiritual upbringing tosomeone else; these teachers are commended by the apostle Paul in a letter to the young preacher (SecondTimothy 1:3-5)b as Timothy's father chose to absent himself from his son's instruction in these matters, hisgrandmother was there to help his mother teach him about God and obviously they did an excellent job4. but there are other cases more severe nowadays in which neither father nor mother does muchto train up a child in the nurture and admonition of the Lorda. if that child is fortunate, he has a grandparent that will do all he or she can to fill thatchasmb. Genesis tells us that Joseph bounced his grandchildren on his knee; no matter whatManasseh and Ephraim taught them, Joseph had his opportunity as well18! Jeff S. Smith