ABSTRACT
Legendary as much of Elisha’s story unquestionably is, the portrait of his character is real enough. His virtues represent the ethical ideal of the ancient Israelites at their best. The Elishas, who keep Naaman waiting at their humble door, and send out their message to him by a servant, are few and far between; and equally rare is their refusal of the gifts that the big man presses upon them. For nothing but wretchedness lies in an undue exaltation of the value of money and the worth of its possessors. Sturdy independence, the hatred of being beholden to any man for gifts or worldly boons of any kind, contempt for material goods when measured against serenity of mind and inward dignity—these were the virtues that our ancestors honoured most. The gentler virtues get their full meed of recognition; the sturdier ones, which meant so much for our forefathers, get less attention, and enjoy only a diminished vogue.
