2 Kings 2:25 - Homilies By J. Orr

Carmel.

Elisha, after his endowment with the prophet office, retired for a time to his master's old haunt at Carmel, and then returned to Samaria. So Paul, after his conversion and call to the apostolic office, retired to Arabia ( Galatians 1:17 ).

1. Retirement as a means of preparation for active duty . The need of retreat, of private communion with God, of time to digest the lessons of the past, of reflection and meditation.

2. Active work as the fruit of retirement . Retirement is not to degenerate into monkery.—J.O.