35
Elijah Fed by Ravens.3
By Newton
1 Kings 17:6.
I
Elijah’s example declares,
Whatever distress may betide,
The saints may commit all their cares
To Him who will surely provide:
When rain long withheld from the earth
Occasion’d a famine of bread,
The prophet, secured from the dearth,
By ravens was constantly fed.
II
More likely to rob than to feed
Were ravens, who live upon prey;
But when the Lord’s people have need,
His goodness will find out a way.
This instance to those may be strange
Who know not how faith can prevail;
But sooner all nature shall change
Than one of God’s promises fail.
III
Nor is it a singular case
The wonder is often renew’d;
And many can say to his praise,
He sends them by ravens their food.
Thus worldlings, though ravens indeed,
Though greedy and selfish their mind,
If God has a servant to feed,
Against their own wills can be kind.
IV
Thus Satan, that raven unclean,
Who croaks in the ears of the saints,
Compell’d by a Power unseen,
Administers oft to their wants:
God teaches them how to find food
From all the temptations they feel;
This raven, who thirsts for my blood,
Has help’d me to many a meal.
V
How safe and how happy are they
Who on the good Shepherd rely!
He gives them out strength for their day,
Their wants he will surely supply:
He ravens and lions can tame—
All creatures obey his command;
Then let me rejoice in his name,
And leave all my cares in his hand.
36
The Meal and Cruse of Oil
By Newton
1 Kings 17:16.
I
By the poor widow’s oil and meal
Elijah was sustain’d;
Though small the stock, it lasted well,
For God the store maintain’d.
II
It seem’d as if from day to day
They were to eat and die;
But still, though in a secret way,
He sent a fresh supply.
III
Thus to his poor He still will give
Just for the present hour;
But for to-morrow they must live
Upon his word and power.
IV
No barn or storehouse they possess
On which they can depend;
Yet have no cause to fear distress,
For Jesus is their Friend,
V
Then let not doubts your mind assail;
Remember God has said,
“The cruse and barrel shall not fail—
My people shall be fed.”
VI
And thus, though faint it often seems,
He keeps their grace alive;
Supplied by his refreshing streams,
Their dying hopes revive.
VII
Though in ourselves we have no stock,
The Lord is nigh to save;
His door flies open when we knock,
And ’tis but ask and have.
37
Jericho; or, the Waters Healed
By Newton
2 Kings 2:19–22.
I
Though Jericho pleasantly stood,
And look’d like a promising soil,
The harvest produced little food,
To answer the husbandman’s toil.
The water some property had
Which poisonous proved to the ground,
The springs were corrupted and bad,
The streams spread a barrenness round.
II
But soon by the cruse and the salt
Prepared by Elisha’s command
The water was cured of its fault,
And plenty enriched the land.
An emblem sure this of the grace
On fruitless dead sinners bestow’d;
For man is in Jericho’s case
Till cured by the mercy of God.
III
How noble a creature he seems!
What knowledge, invention, and skill!
How large and extensive his schemes!
How much can he do if he will!
His zeal to be learned and wise
Will yield to no limits or bars;
He measures the earth and the skies,
And numbers and marshals the stars.
IV
Yet still he is barren of good;
In vain are his talents and art;
For sin has infected his blood,
And poison’d the streams of his heart.
Though cockatrice eggs he can hatch,
Or, spider-like, cobwebs can weave,
’Tis madness to labour and watch
For what will destroy and deceive.
V
But grace, like the salt in the cruse,
When cast in the spring of the soul,
A wonderful change will produce,
Diffusing new life through the whole:
The wilderness blooms like a rose,
The heart which was vile and abhorr’d
Now fruitful and beautiful grows—
The garden and joy of the Lord.
38
Naaman
By Newton
2 Kings 5:14.
I
Before Elisha’s gate
The Syrian leper stood;
But could not brook to wait—
He deem’d himself too good:
He thought the prophet would attend,
And not to him a message send.
II
“Have I this journey come,
And will he not be seen?
I were as well at home
Would washing make me clean;
Why must I wash in Jordan’s flood?
Damascus’ rivers are as good.”
III
Thus, by his foolish pride,
He almost miss’d a cure;
Howe’er at length he tried,
And found the method sure:
Soon as the pride was brought to yield
The leprosy was quickly heal’d.
IV
Leprous and proud as he,
To Jesus thus I came,
From sin to set me free,
When first I heard his fame:
Surely, thought I, my pompous train
Of vows and tears will notice gain.
V
My heart devised the way
Which I supposed he’d take;
And when I found delay,
Was ready to go back:
Had he some painful task enjoin’d,
I to performance seem’d inclined.
VI
When by his word he spake,
“That fountain open’d see;
’Twas open’d for thy sake—
“Go wash, and thou art free;”
Oh! how did my proud heart gainsay—
I fear’d to trust his simple way.
VII
At length I trial made,
When I had much endured;
The message I obey’d—
I wash’d, and I was cured.
Sinners, this healing fountain try,
Which cleansed a wretch so vile as I.
39
The Borrowed Axe
By Newton
2 Kings 6:5–6.
I
1 The prophets’ sons in times of old,
Though to appearance poor,
Were rich without possessing gold,
And honour’d though obscure.
II
In peace their daily bread they eat,
By honest labour earn’d;
While daily at Elisha’s feet
They grace and wisdom learn’d.
III
The prophet’s presence cheer’d their toil,
They watch’d the words he spoke,
Whether they turn’d the furrow’d soil,
Or fell’d the spreading oak.
IV
Once as they listen’d to his theme
Their conference
