So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
So he went with them, and when they came to Jordan they cut down wood as the sons of the prophets went with Elisha to build and enlarge a dwelling and place of instruction for themselves. The prophet joined the students in their practical work at the school of the prophets, with teachers and students laboring together in cutting the wood. Manual labor was part of the training in the schools of the prophets, where various useful industries were taught and many of the students supported themselves by their own work, and this honors everyday labor.
Ancient prophetic education thus united physical work with mental instruction, showing that vigorous physical exercise in the open air belongs with school study. Such labor keeps the animal passions in proper bounds by giving them a healthy outlet, strengthens the muscles, encourages proper circulation of the blood, helps preserve the body from disease, and greatly aids spirituality. The surrounding account includes a miracle that saved a borrowed ax from loss and relieved one of the sons of the prophets from distress while they were enlarging their dwelling, showing that God helps His people in difficulty.
The account gives the pattern for schools now, which are to be established not in elaborate form but in simple style with humble buildings, conducted as nearly as can be understood after God's plan after the school of the prophets. By that pattern teachers are men and women who not only have a knowledge of the truth but are doers of the Word, voicing “It is written,” and missionary work to help those who are fallen, degraded, wounded, bruised, and ready to perish is always to be connected with the school. The account is also the pattern for erecting and increasing institutions now for the education of workers for Christ, by putting means into the treasury to create rather than diminish these agencies for good so that a great work may be done in a short time, with faith and works joined. Those found doing this work when the Lord comes will be called good and faithful servants.
So he went with them, and when they came to Jordan they cut down wood as the sons of the prophets went with Elisha to build and enlarge a dwelling and place of instruction for themselves. The prophet joined the students in their practical work at the school of the prophets, with teachers and students laboring together in cutting the wood. Manual labor was part of the training in the schools of the prophets, where various useful industries were taught and many of the students supported themselves by their own work, and this honors everyday labor.
Ancient prophetic education thus united physical work with mental instruction, showing that vigorous physical exercise in the open air belongs with school study. Such labor keeps the animal passions in proper bounds by giving them a healthy outlet, strengthens the muscles, encourages proper circulation of the blood, helps preserve the body from disease, and greatly aids spirituality. The surrounding account includes a miracle that saved a borrowed ax from loss and relieved one of the sons of the prophets from distress while they were enlarging their dwelling, showing that God helps His people in difficulty.
The account gives the pattern for schools now, which are to be established not in elaborate form but in simple style with humble buildings, conducted as nearly as can be understood after God's plan after the school of the prophets. By that pattern teachers are men and women who not only have a knowledge of the truth but are doers of the Word, voicing “It is written,” and missionary work to help those who are fallen, degraded, wounded, bruised, and ready to perish is always to be connected with the school. The account is also the pattern for erecting and increasing institutions now for the education of workers for Christ, by putting means into the treasury to create rather than diminish these agencies for good so that a great work may be done in a short time, with faith and works joined. Those found doing this work when the Lord comes will be called good and faithful servants.