2nd Kings 4 OUR CARING, FAITHFUL GOD When apostasy is active in both the government and in religious circles, we have a tendency to think that God has abandoned His people and 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 in spite of all that is going on around us. The miracles recorded in this chapter show us areas in our lives in which God works to meet the needs of those who call on His name.
He met the financial needs of a poor widow. He gave life when hope was gone. He purified that which would have brought death. He 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. He is the Giver of life. He is the Power over death. He is the Creator who creates much out of nothing. He is our caring, faithful God.
The creditor to whom the widow owed money did not act according to the law of God toward the widow and her sons. It is true debtors were 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 to take advantage of debtors in times of extreme need. The law is the standard it is true, but compassion for the needy should be shown. 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. Faith and obedience work in the lives of God's people when we do not limit God to work within the limits of our boundaries. His grace is sufficient and abounding beyond all we can ask for or even think.
The term "A holy man of God" was 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. By us being hospitable, we can serve and help others and that is recognized by the Lord. "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 were a comfort to Elisha, and to show appreciation he wanted to do something for the woman of Shunem. Gratitude and appreciation expressed is never out of place and should be given to one who has shown us kindness and been a help to us. "A man's gift maketh room for him," still holds true today. A token of appreciation is often remembered for a long time.
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. 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. Great loss and tragedy may come to us as a test of our faith rather than just an act of life and death. When we are exercised before the Lord to live by faith, then testing times usually come.
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 with the Lord. In the Lord's own time and way, He demonstrated again His love and grace. Our God is trustworthy. We may wonder what is going to 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, and so he prayed before taking the action of resuscitation. Elijah had acted similarly and that may be the reason 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.
"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 the covenant relationship, they had with Him. The young man who gathered the wild gourds did it innocently seeking only to contribute to the needs of those who with whom he was associated. We are not able to disassociate ourselves from the results of departure, but need to be consistent in our lives before the Lord in spite of departure from the truth of God by the majority of people. Death in the pot does not limit God and the meal put in the pot was the means by which the Lord assured His faithful servants that He was still in control of life and death. He alone has the power to give life and has authority over death.
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. 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. 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. When we do something, or give something that is in accordance with the word of God, He can use that in ways that we never even thought of. This miracle is a foreshadowing of the miracle the Lord Jesus Christ did when He was here. When we give to the Lord, He can use that to multiply blessing that reaches far beyond our capacity.
In passages of scripture like this one, we are brought to consider the blessing, the kindness and the care of God 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.
2Kings 4:10. “Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.”
MEETING NEEDS. There are different ways of meeting needs For we are all quite different. The miraculous things may be well known, And the simple things stay hidden. In the miraculous things God’s power is shown – Meeting needs is a way to reveal Him – In the little things, though to most unknown, God’s gracious care through you is given.
To a weary traveler a little private room With a bed, a table and a stool – Plus, a light to chase away the gloom – Are all that is needed as special tools To prepare one for the coming day When new tasks are there awaiting Our attention by what we do and say In a time, which soon is fleeting.
Providing money from a source at hand Or nursing one back to health – Purifying food that has potential of hurting every man Even multiplying food by using personal wealth. Whatever means God chooses to use, Is marvelous to behold – But even the simple things we are willing to lose, Can evidence of God’s grace to others unfold.
God knows each need but will often plan A way that with Him we can share – The work of His kingdom even though we’re only men. Through us He reveals His care; If I look around, I am sure to see A way to assist some others. A fundamental principle for me Is to see those in need as brothers.
“Gracious Father, I thank Thee for believers who have made bed chambers for me to use. I am so grateful for those people. Bless them I pray, for blessing me. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
2Kings 5:1. “Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was great man with his master, and honorable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was a mighty man in valor, but he was a leper.”
BUT HE WAS A LEPER. Admired and Accomplished; Brave and Beloved; a Courageous Captain – but he was a leper.
Decorated Deliverer; Experienced leader; Famous soldier – but he was a leper.
Great with his master; Honorable with his people; Judicious in judgment – but he was a leper.
Keeper of the king; Leader of his household; Master of his servants – but he was a leper.
Naaman was his name; Opportunity came; Prophet to see – because he was a leper.
Quickly to go; Recovery to get; Simple instructions – for he was a leper.
Turned away in a rage; Understood not God’s ways; Victim of his pride – he still was a leper.
Wash and be clean; eXactly what he was told he did; You are clean – no longer a leper.
Zeal for self or the wrong reasons, cannot cure a leper. Zeal for God is evidence of being clean.
It’s not enough to know what’s right, or even where to go; This information, though it’s good, can never heal the soul. To face up to a problem, and our helplessness to face; Is probably the first step taken by all sinners saved by grace.
Pride is a dangerous enemy; it triggers all the rest – Self-will and evil anger, follow after pride’s bequest. The only way to overcome pride’s stiffened back for sure, Is to stop and humble down oneself, and to act on grace’s cure.
I learn from this great man of old, how not to act when told, Of the simple act of faith to take, when of grace I do take hold. The alphabet of this man’s life, makes it very plain to see; The pride that almost damned his soul, can be the pride in me.
To listen to instructions, though simple they may seem; Is the first faith-step that I can make, that my soul can be made clean. Grace is always waiting for the humbled, longing soul, To come in true repentance, and the sinner will be made whole.
“Holy Father, I learn a lesson again today that I have been taught often before – pride is a dangerous foe. I am asking here today for willingness to learn the lesson of humility, and how valuable it is. I need grace, not pride. Amen.”