The Most Sold, yet Neglected Book

Have you ever seen someone attempting to complete a task or goal, and they struggled? Have you ever seen someone attempting a task or goal and they did not avail themselves of a resource that was readily available…and this neglect caused delay, unnecessary hardship and even failure? Thus it is with man! There are times that we forget that GOD is on our side. We have the greatest support available to us through the medium of prayer, yet many neglect to look up until they are flat on their back. 




Each generation has obstacles and challenges they must overcome and meet, yet through self denial and determination each generation sets higher goals. Every parent wants a better life for their family. Thomas Jefferson said it best when he pinned the words:

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

This is the dream of America, and the truth of GOD’s word. When you hear the name Elijah, what do you recall about this prophet? Many here recall the mighty man of GOD, and when they hear the name Elisha, some may think that someone has mispronounced Elijah’s name. Nothing could be further from the truth!

They were two distinct prophets of God that lived during the biblical times of the Kings of Israel. As Elijah came to the close of his ministry, he was joined by another prophet Elisha. Elisha’s desire was to bring deliverance to his people Israel through the power of God.

One day as Elijah prepared to leave his earthly ministry he asked Elisha, "What do you want me to do for you as I leave?"




Elisha replied, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."
Elijah said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so." As they walked and talked with each other "suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried out to Elijah, 'My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!' So he saw him no more. And Elisha took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and Elisha went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan." 2 Kings 2:11-13. The Bible records that through God’s grace, Elisha preformed double the miracles Elijah preformed and his life was one filled with power and anointing. Elisha never doubted the word of God, even though there was one miracle that was not doubled during his life. While Elijah was traveling about a mile from the coast of the Great Sea now called the Mediterranean Sea midway between Tyre and Sidon; he encounters a widow’s son who had died of starvation in the town of Zarephath. It is here where Elijah performed the miracle of raising the widow’s son of from the dead restoring him to life.

Elisha knew the miracle that Elijah had performed; however he had only raised one person from the dead during his life. It was when Elisha stayed in Shunem with a woman and her husband. Whenever he passed through their town their family always invited him to stay. The Bible tells us that the couple built a room for him to use. In a show of gratitude for their hospitality Elisha promised the woman she would have a son in a year’s time. The woman did have a son, and one day during harvest time when child was in the field with his father gleaning he developed a headache so his father sent a servant to take him home. When the boy arrived at home his mother held him in her arms till noon, but despite all her efforts her son died. The woman placed her son on Elisha’s bed and went to get the prophet of God. When Elisha arrived at the house he prayed and laid himself over the child’s body; Elisha then arose paced back and forth and again laid over the child. The child sneezed seven times and the boy came back, restored to life. Elisha continued in his ministry until he died and was buried in a tomb never doubting Gods word. Later in the spring of the year raiding bands from Moab invaded the land of Israel. One day when the children of Israel were burying a man they saw a raiding party drawing near them. Fearful of an approaching conflict they rapidly placed the dead man in the tomb of Elisha and when his dead body touched the bones of Elisha he was revived and stood up on his feet restored to life, fulfilling the promise that Elisha would perform double the miracles Elijah had performed.

There are many truths we can claim from the life of Elisha. The first truth we all claim is:

    1. That God’s word is true. The second truth we forget.

    2. That Gods time is not our time. The third truth we must never forget.

    3. We should not let discouragement, doubt, and unbelief keep us 
        from obtaining the blessings God has in store for us.

Have you ever felt that no matter which way you turn, there was another obstacle staring you straight in the face? This is how many of us feel as we struggle through these economic times. If you had asked me 2 years ago was I going to retire at Emerald High School? I would have replied yes. Now as our legislature cuts the budget for education, almost daily and schools are forced to cut positions, restructure, and assign forced furloughs. I like many of you just don’t know what the future holds for me and for us collectively as a nation. There are so many factors that affect our bottom line and now China holds the majority of the United States Debt. While 43 cents of every dollar the United States Government spends is borrowed. I fear that the dream of America has been forgotten. I pray that God will intervene and defeat America’s greed and call us as a people back to our foundation, firmly fixed upon the principles of the Bible. Our country was founded on Gods’ Holy word and the tenants inculcated in our fraternity.

We the people must take charge of our government and be accountable for the direction we allow our country to go. We are borrowing $4.2 billion dollars a day. Through America’s greed our generation will be the first generation in America’s history to transfer a lower standard of living to our children and grandchildren. In 55 B.C. Cicero said “The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and assistance to foreign hands should be curtailed, lest Rome fall”.  Rome, one of the greatest nations upon the face of the earth was conquered from within because of greed, fanaticism, and a disobedient spirit to the will of God. Unlike Rome, who was conquered due to its arrogance and vain glory, history is also littered with stories of nation rising up against nation. There are times a nation’s enemy seeks to destroy that which they don’t understand, but through divine providence the hand of God does not allow this to happen. Yes God’s ways are not understood by a sinful nation.

This is how the King of Syria felt when he sought to destroy the children of Israel. Every way he turned his evil design was spoiled and the children of Israel were victorious. The King of Syria called all his men to him one day and asked “Will ye not shew me which of us is for the King of Israel?” One of his servants declared that it wasn’t the Kings servants, but “Elisha the prophet of God that told the King of Israel the very words you speak in your bedchamber”. So the King of Syria sent spy’s and found Elisha in the town of Dothan.

Then the King of Syria sent a great host of chariots and men under the cover of night and surrounded the city. The next day Elisha’s servant got up early in the morning and to his fear and surprise found the city surrounded by the Syrian Army. He ran to Elisha and cried what shall we do? Then 16 of the most profound words recorded in the Bible were spoken by the man of GOD. Elisha said “Fear not: for they that are with us are more than they that be with them.” And Elisha prayed and said Lord; I pray thee, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant and he saw. Behold the mountains were full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. Yes God had sent his mighty host to protect his servant Elisha.

Now there were two men of God, both side by side, watching the events unfold, yet one could see while the other was fearful, confused and blind to God’s protection. Why does this happen? We have seen this unfold many times in the life of America. Two families lose their source of income, one family is distraught, and while the other seems positive and certain that better days lay ahead. Why does one family refuse to be controlled by life’s uncertainties? This happens for several reasons, because they know and believe:  
1. God’s word is in their heart and guides their path.

2. God’s promises are a strong foundation, therefore when calamity enters their life they stand firm in God’s grace.

3. Gods’ word is Holy and his precepts binding.

4. God’s word contains the bread of life to sustain us.

5. God’s word proclaims he has already won the battle, and the victory is ours.

Through faith we see, learn and apply many truths we can claim when despair enters our lives. It is not sufficient just to know God’s word, we need to be willing to open, apply and claim what God has promised us. If we don’t than life will mold and shape us into a quarry slave who is free, but fearful of asserting his rights. Such was the case with the Canadian Pacific Railway and the Blackfoot Indian Chief Crowfoot.

It was the custom of the Blackfoot Nation that children would have to earn an adult name, thus due to his bravery in battle despite being wounded he stayed in the heat of battle to protect his family, therefore he was given the name of Isapo-muxika (Crowfoot). History records that Crowfoot was a mighty Chief in the Blackfoot Nation. I often look at events in history and see what events were unfolding in South Carolina Masonry during that time. This is where I found the story of Crowfoot. In 1877 the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of South Carolina granted a dispensation to Inman Lodge #201 to work in the town of Inman, that same year the Canadian Pacific Railway sought to build their mainline through Blackfoot territory. Negotiations with Albert Lacombe (a missionary serving in that area) convinced Crowfoot that it should be allowed. Lieutenant Governor David Laird and Colonel James Macleod drew up Treaty #7 granting a right away through Blackfoot territory. Crowfoot was instrumental in persuading the other Chiefs to sign the treaty. In show of gratitude William Van Horne, the President of the Canadian Pacific Railway gave Crowfoot a lifetime pass, to ride the railway. Crowfoot kept the pass in a leather pouch around his neck. It was there, all he needed to do was open it and claim its promise. Some 12 years later Crowfoot died of Tuberculosis on April 25, 1890 never having used the pass.

We like Crowfoot have a lifetime pass, yet many never open it to discover its truths. The Bible is full of God’s promises. This evening we have only looked at a few of those contained in the Bible, all we need to do is open it and claim its promises. The Bible is the most sold, yet neglected book. At every meeting, it lies open on our Alter. While in many homes the Great Light of masonry lies closed and this neglect allows darkness to permeate our lives. Remember Elisha, how he never doubted God’s promises? Yes God’s time is not our time, but I know that in these trying economic times we must draw close to God. “The first duty of a man is the seeking after and the investigation of truth” Cicero. The Bible is God’s Holy word spoken to man.

Many years ago an unknown author pinned these words when talking about the Bible. They are as true today as the day they were pinned.

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.

Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions immutable.

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy.

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's charter.

Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and hell disclosed.

Christ is its subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart and guide the feet.

Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully.

It is a mind of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.

It is given to you in life, will be open in the judgment, and be remembered forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its holy precepts.  

We each have obstacles, and challenges in our life. There may be some here this evening that have adversaries in your circle of acquaintance that seek every opportunity to bring defeat into your life. It is my prayer that we seek God’s truth in his Holy word and that the Lord open our eyes that we may see his mighty host that he has sent to protect his children and that we may find comfort and grace in the knowledge that God is still on his throne. “Fear not: for they that are with us are more than they that be with them.”

May God Bless America and May God Richly Bless you and your family is my fervent prayer.

Your friend and Brother from Inman

Jay Adam