Elisha and Jonah 245
habit of standing without the door. This induced many to turn away and go home, for they reasoned that, if the house were not full to overflowing, Gehazi would not be standing outside. Only after Gehazi's dismissal did the disciples of Elisha increase marvellously. That Gehazi had no faith in the resurrection of the dead, is shown by his in- credulity with regard to the child of the Shunammite.1"
In spite of all these faults, Elisha regretted that he had cast off his disciple, who was a great scholar in the law, especially as Gehazi abandoned himself to a sinful life after leaving the prophet. By means of magnetism he made the golden calves at Beth-el float in the air, and many were brought to believe in the divinity of these idols. Moreover, he engraved the great and awful Name of God in their mouth. Thus they were enabled to speak, and they gave forth the same words God had proclaimed from Sinai : " I am the Lord thy God — Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." Elisha accordingly repaired to Damascus to lead Gehazi back to the paths of righteousness. But he re- mained impenitent, for he said : " From thyself I have learned that there is no return for him who not only sins himself, but also induces others to sin." " So Gehazi died without having done aught to atone for his transgressions, which were so great that he is one of the few Jews who have no share in Paradise.18 His children inherited his leprosy. He and his three sons are the four leprous men who in- formed the king of Israel of the precipitate flight of the Syrian host.1*
Elisha's excessive severity toward his servant Gehazi and toward the mocking boys of Jericho did not go unpunished.
