Comparisons by Joseph Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 26, 1857

Comparisons.

By Joseph Clarke

"ARE not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus better than all the waters of Israel?" 2 Kings v, 12.

Such was the haughty exclamation of Naaman the leper when directed by Elisha to wash in Jordan seven times and be clean. So now the modern Naamans stand up in the same spirit, saying, "Is not the first day of the week better than the old Jewish seventh day?"

Naaman despised everything Jewish; so do these. Naaman had a way of his own; so have these.

Naaman had a river he wished to wash in of his own country, how could he come down so low as to wash in Jordan, a Jewish stream? Says Constantine, "Let us do nothing in common with this odious brood of the Jews." Says Naaman, the rivers of Damascus are better. Says custom, the day of redemption is better. Now doubtless the rivers of Damascus were clear and pure but the Lord directed the prophet to say to Naaman, Go, wash in Jordan seven times. So is the work of redemption a great work, but God has said, The seventh day is the Sabbath.

What was it to Naaman whether the Jordan was a clear or turbid stream? or whether the rivers of Damascus were better? His errand as a suppliant, a leper, was not to prescribe for his own case, but to obey.

What is it to us, which day is greatest? Our duty as suppliants, sin-infested, leprous, and diseased by transgression, is to obey God. Christ was a Jew, the apostles were Jews, and as Naaman finally washed in Jordan, so must we to be cleansed, wash in the Jewish fountain, and read and receive the Bible written by inspired Jews. We must be Jews inwardly. Christ says, "Salvation is of the Jews." JOSEPH CLARKE.

Portage, Wood Co., Ohio.