OUR CARING, FAITHFUL GOD. 2nd Kings 4
Elisha and the woman in debt, v.1-4 When apostasy is active in government and religious circles, we tend to think that God has abandoned His people and that the only thing we can look forward to is judgment. However, among all the declension and departure, God works in tender concern as He cares for those who love and obey Him despite all that is happening around us. The miracles recorded in this chapter show us areas in our lives where God works to meet the needs of those who call on His name.
He met the financial needs of a poor widow, gave life when hope was gone, purified what would have brought death, and created what was needed out of nothing when he provided bread for one hundred men and had some left over. He is the God of all grace, the Giver of life, the Power over death, and the Creator who creates much out of nothing. He is our caring, faithful God.
In ancient times, widows in the Middle East were at the mercy of family members to sustain the basic necessities of life. The Lord looked upon widows and orphans with special attention and expected them to be cared for by the people around them. It is our responsibility today to ensure “widows indeed” are cared for in a way that suits their needs.
The widow in this recorded incident had two sons depending on her. Perhaps her husband, a prophet, was one of those Jezebel had killed. It was a practice permitted under the law for a person to pay off a debt by serving a term under bondage to the creditor. It would have been particularly hard for this widow, who had lost her husband, also to lose her two sons.
The creditor to whom the widow owed money did not act according to the law of God toward the widow and her sons. Debtors were indeed allowed to settle their debts by becoming indentured servants until their debt was paid or six years had passed, but the Israeli creditors were not allowed to take advantage of debtors in times of extreme need. When the Lord worked a miracle for the widow through the oil that flowed from her almost empty jar, His provision kept coming as long as there were containers to receive it. The law is the standard, and it is true, but compassion for the needy should be shown. The only things required of the widow were faith and obedience. She did what God said through Elisha, and she could pay off the debt and live on the rest of the proceeds from the sale of the oil.
Faith and obedience work in the lives of God's people when we do not limit God to working within the limits of our boundaries. His grace is sufficient and abounding beyond all we can ask for or even think. In difficult times, it is easy to focus on what is bad and unfair, as was happening in Israel at the time of this event. The Holy Spirit moved the writer of the book of the 2nd Kings to put this incident of love and care in the scriptures for our learning.
God knows our needs and how we use what we have and spend what comes to us. He gives grace when grace is needed from His abundance. Our response should always be obedience to God and unwavering faith in His fullness to “supply all your need.” One of the key lessons about this is that some of our spiritual experiences are to be kept private. The door is to be shut in some circumstances lest we become proud of what God does for us, and others think that what He has done for us should be done for them.
Elisha and the woman of Shunem, v.8-37
"A holy man of God" was the term used by the Shunemite woman to describe Elisha to her husband. This is the only place we read of this when referring to a prophet. Even though she was "great" in the sense of being prosperous, she recognized the importance of one who served the Lord among His people even in their time of apostasy. In Elisha's service for the Lord, he passed by her home often and stopped to eat. Out of the kindness of her heart, she sensed a need he had that she was able to meet.
The word "hospitality" means that a need is being met. The Lord recognizes that we can serve and help others by being hospitable. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, My brethren, ye have done it unto Me." A place to stay, a meal provided, and an invitation to the lonely are all ways we can practice hospitality to the benefit and the well-being of others.
The room, the stool (chair), the bed, and the candlestick comforted Elisha, and to show appreciation, he wanted to do something for the woman of Shunem. She was a younger woman married to an old man. When her husband died, she would have no son to provide for her. To have a son was certainly the desire of the woman's heart, but the fear of disappointment seemed to be her concern even more than lack of confidence in the prophecy of Elisha. What Elisha said did come to pass and confirmed the fact to her that he was a true prophet.
Gratitude and appreciation are never out of place and should be given to one who has shown us kindness and helped us. "A man's gift maketh room for him" still holds true today. A token of appreciation is often remembered for a long time. In these dark days in which there is so much said by those who lead us in various areas of life, and yet little is produced that has been promised, we may forget that "God is still on His throne, and He will remember His own."
The birth of the boy was evidence that God cared for the woman and, in grace, provided that which she wanted most. His word is reliable today, even as it was to her when He promised her a son. But the death of her son was a test of her faith. "Women received their dead raised to life again" stands in the hall of faith in Hebrews 11 as a testimony to the Shunemite woman's faith.
Being able to buy everything you need, go where you want, and do what you want because being well off financially doesn’t bring contentment or satisfaction. “A man’s life does not consist of the abundance of things he possesses,” the Lord Jesus said. The meaningful things in life are not what we have or can get for ourselves but what we can do with what God has given us to use.
The young Shunemite woman married to an old man simply invited Elisha and his servant to eat at her table when they passed by. That became an expected stop as she served the “holy man of God.” She must have listened to his words and learned from what he said and did to conclude that he was truly set apart for the service of the Lord.
When we know a man of faith who serves the Lord, trusting his Lord to meet his needs, we will usually find ways to support him and participate in his work by meeting some of his needs. A special room with a bed, table, chair, and lamp means a lot to one who is weary in their service for the Lord. The impact of hospitality goes a long way and may even include entertaining angels unaware that those who look like people are on a special mission for the Lord.
Showing gratitude is always important when we realize there are needs we can meet for the benefit of those who showed kindness to us. When one of God’s people blesses another, we give God the glory for the privilege of giving to them what is in our power to give. There are usually comments made in conversations that reveal things close to another person’s heart. Disappointment, dreams unfulfilled, desires, and what delights a person are often referred to when sitting at a table, sharing a meal, and enjoying the interchange of fellowship.
Along with casual conversation, there often comes an opportunity to see some way to express fellowship. It may be in meaningful dialogue that reveals fears, hopes, grief, and personal concerns that trouble a person, but they have been unwilling to share with others lest they take what we say wrong. Great loss and tragedy may come to us as a test of our faith rather than just an act of life and death. Testing times usually come when we are exercised before the Lord to live by faith.
Both Elisha and the Shunemite woman expressed the vitally important teaching of the scriptures to be thankful: " In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” We need to be ready to receive and to give, to express thankfulness with words and deeds. Never wait to give thanks for blessings received, kind words expressed, and thoughtful actions done for us. “What can I do for you?” is always a good question to ask.
The birth of her son was confirmation of the words of Elisha and God’s grace to the hospitable woman. But when her son died, her faith was put to a severe test. Her immediate actions demonstrated that she had great faith in the face of great tragedy. Instead of mourning, she laid the body of her son on the prophet’s bed, shut the door on it, and, in faith, went to the source of her blessing, nor was she distracted by holding a conversation about her loss until she got to the prophet.
The woman of Shunem did not settle back and grieve but, in faith, went out to the one who had promised the blessing of God upon her. In faith, she stated the cause of her distress and left the results to the Lord. She was not satisfied with Elisha’s staff, even though it seemed like Elisha thought that was all that was needed. When Elisha finally got to his room and, shut the door, saw the body of the child on his bed, he realized that only he and God were involved in this matter. God gives and takes away life.
The staff was only symbolic of the responsibility God had given him. He had to identify himself personally with the problem. Each time he stretched himself on the child’s body, he realized that life did not come from him but from God, in whose hands life and death are held. When the child sneezed seven times, the evidence was there that life was given to him from within, beyond the reach of a prophet.
When God chooses to work in grace on our behalf, we must give Him all the glory. Life and death, health and sickness, fullness or emptiness, are all in the hands of the Lord. He is the Life-Giver, the Great Physician, and the Fullness of the Godhead. Grateful acknowledgment of His grace and goodness may be without words, as with the Shunemite woman, but God looks on the heart and knows what we mean when words fail us.
Our God is trustworthy. In the Lord's own time and way, He demonstrates His love and grace again and again. We may wonder what will happen next, but the power of God is not limited when He chooses to act on behalf of His own people. Elisha knew it was God who was the Giver of life, so he prayed before taking the resuscitation action. Elijah had acted similarly, which may be why Elisha took the action he did. The grateful woman acknowledged the blessing of God on her knees when she bowed down in thanksgiving before taking her son and moving on with her life. For any and all blessings we receive, it is appropriate to express our thanks to God and move on with a strengthened faith.
Elisha and the Deadly Gourd, v.38-41 In times of famine, people are willing to try to eat things that are not necessarily good simply because nothing else is available and they are hungry. Making a pot of stew mixes things that taste good with things that don’t because of the need for sustenance. This famine may have been the seven-year famine we read about in chapter eight. The wild gourd looked good, so it was shredded and put into the pot of stew, but “death was in the pot.”
"Death in the pot" in a time of famine indicated that there was a need that exceeded the normal careful preparation of food. Famine was in the land because the people of God had ignored their covenant relationship with Him. The young man who gathered the wild gourds did it innocently, seeking only to contribute to the needs of those with whom he was associated. Death in the pot does not limit God, and the meal put in the pot was how the Lord assured His faithful servants that He was still in control of life and death.
Not everything that happens in our lives will be good for us. We can only be “delivered from evil” by applying the tried and proven truths of sound (health-giving) doctrine from the word of God. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and they became to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.” When problems come up or mistakes have been made, we need to turn to the word of God immediately, and we will find the answers to the problems or find a way to rectify the mistakes we make.
The meal that was put into the pot had no magical properties; it was simply the way the Lord effected a miracle and provided for those who were faithful to Israel’s covenant with God while others suffered under the curse of a broken covenant.
Elisha and the multiplying bread, v.42-44 We cannot disassociate ourselves from the results of departure, but we need to be consistent in our lives before the Lord despite most people's departure from the truth of God. He alone has the power to give life and authority over death. Some things may seem insignificant to us as of little value, but even bread, when given to the Lord, can be a source of blessing to many because He adds His blessing to the gift. When we do something or give something that is following the word of God, He can use that in ways that we never even thought of.
The loaves of bread that came from the first fruits of the harvest were given by someone who looked on Elisha as the true representative of God, not the idol-worshipping king and false priests. God didn't create something different but used the same thing and enlarged upon it until it was more than sufficient for the needs of one hundred men. This miracle foreshadows the miracle the Lord Jesus Christ did when He was here.
When we give to the Lord, He can use that to multiply blessings that reach far beyond our capacity. Those people who are godly will want to pass on to thosethey know are God’s true servants and true representatives of the kingdom of God, those things they want to give to the Lord. Contributions to meet the needs of God’s people are often multiplied in various ways to go far beyond the original intention because of God’s grace and power.
In passages of scripture like this one, we are brought to consider God's blessing, kindness, and care even in times of departure, not just the righteous judgment of God. There are consequences for sin that will surely come to pass. But there are also blessings for faithfulness in dark times that shine like lights to guide us to the way in which the Lord wants to lead us. Perhaps in these times, we may be the light to guide others.
When we are in fellowship with the Lord despite all the evil that is going on around us, it may be that the Lord will graciously do for us “above all that we ask or think.” There is power in the word of the Lord, and those who hide the word of God in their hearts so they will not sin against God are wise and are in a state of mind and heart in which God can bless us with spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus.
There are different ways of meeting other people's needs if we take time to consider who they are, their age and situation in life, and what we have at our disposal that we can use. We are all quite different, so there is no template to follow, but we have the Holy Spirit to guide us. Miraculous things tend to attract a lot of attention and may become well-known. The simple things that are essential for life, comfort, and well-being often stay hidden even though their needs have been met miraculously. God's power is shown in the miraculous things that have been done for us. Meeting needs is a way to reveal Him and provides a way to introduce an unbeliever to the Savior. In the little things, though to most unknown, God’s gracious care through you is given to one who needs your help.
To a weary traveler, a little private room with a bed, table, stool, and light to chase away the gloom is all that is needed to give comfort. These simple things become special tools we can provide for others to prepare our guests for the coming day. When new tasks await our attention, what we do and say can bless us and others. When we take some time, which soon becomes fleeting, the cost to us is worth the effort, and the benefit to others may last. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”
Providing money from a source you have at hand or nursing one back to health by taking time to care for them blesses you and them. Purifying food by cleaning it well and cooking it right has the potential to keep it from hurting those who hunger. Using your wealth to provide food for those in need will never be wrong. Whatever means God chooses to use, and whoever He uses, is marvelous to behold, especially when given from a full heart of love. Even the simple things we are willing to lose can show evidence of God’s grace to others through a cheerful giver.
God knows each person’s needs but will often plan a way for us to share with Him the work of His kingdom even though we’re only men. Through us, He reveals His care; if I look around, I will surely see a way to assist others. A fundamental principle for me as a child of God in His family and a Christian in an ungodly world is to see those in need as brothers.