A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant, my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” (2 Kings 4:1)
Under the regulations of Mosaic Law, a creditor had the legal right to enslave a debtor and his offspring. This was permitted until the Year of Jubilee - a time of debt forgiveness. This system allowed debts to be worked off through servitude.
So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” (2 Kings 4:2)
When we encounter situations where our needs greatly surpass our available resources, we often dismiss what we have as 'nothing'. Yet, it's crucial to remember that God specialises in turning 'nothing' into miracles. Just as illustrated in 2 Kings 4:2, God can multiply what little we have to meet our needs, be it a small amount of money, a modest talent, devoted prayer time, or our personal sacrifices like fasting. In God's hands, 'nothing' is the starting point for divine abundance.
Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbours—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. (2 Kings 4:3)
In her obedience and faith, she carried out the instructions she was given by the man of God. This choice, however, might not have been understood by her neighbours and could have invited curious, perhaps even intrusive, questions. Yet, her steadfast faith overcame potential social awkwardness, demonstrating an unwavering trust in the word of the Lord given by the prophet of God.
4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. (2 Kings 4:4-5)
In prayer, when you shut the door to all the negative voices, doubts, and comparisons with others, it is then that God's blessings can truly begin to pour into your life. Closing off these distractions enables you to focus on your personal relationship with God, fostering a more profound spiritual growth. The outpouring of blessings starts when you stop comparing yourself and start appreciating the uniqueness of your call and spiritual journey in the Lord.
6 Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.” (2 Kings 4:6-7)
The widow's oil only ceased when she stopped pouring, signalling that the flow of God's blessings is directly tied to our continuous acts of faith.
This implies the importance of persistently giving and serving others, regardless of whether our efforts are appreciated or reciprocated. When we face rejection or betrayal, it can be tempting to retreat and stop pouring out our love and service. However, in doing so, we effectively halt the flow of blessings in our lives.
Remember, the measure of the miracle was tied to the widow's prior act of faith—how many vessels she borrowed. The excess oil she received not only settled her debt but also ensured her future provision. If she had borrowed more vessels, her blessings would have multiplied accordingly; if she had borrowed fewer, she would have received less.
Therefore, it's critical that we continue to pour forth our service and gifts, irrespective of the reactions of others. In doing so, we keep the door open for God's blessings to flow into our lives. Each act of giving—whether it is appreciated or not—sows the seeds for future miracles. Let's not limit God's blessings by our hesitation to give. Instead, let's strive to give unconditionally, knowing that 'Give, and it will be given to you' is not just a promise but a divine principle.
8Now, it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. 9And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly.10Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.” (2 Kings 4:8-10)
The Shunammite woman demonstrated her deep respect for God's work by making room for the prophet Elisha in her home, symbolising the act of creating space for God's presence in her life. This wasn't merely about making physical space but about prioritising spiritual matters above worldly concerns.
The question we must all consider is this: Are we making similar room in our own lives for God's work? Are we dedicating time, energy, and resources to embrace His presence and carry out His will? Doing so requires a conscious effort to accommodate God's anointing, welcoming His divine guidance in every facet of our lives. Just as the Shunammite woman experienced blessings for her hospitality, we, too, can receive divine rewards when we learn to host God's anointing.
So he said, “What then is to be done for her?” And Gehazi answered, “Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old.” (2 Kings 4:14)
Despite being a powerful prophet, Elisha was unaware of the Shunammite woman's desire for a son. This reveals that even God's messengers do not possess omniscience. Some things remain hidden, even from them. God alone knows our deepest wishes.
16 Then he said, “About this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!” 17 But the woman conceived and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her. (2 Kings 4:16-17)
The promise of a son to this barren woman must have seemed like an unimaginable gift. In the ancient world, barrenness was a harsh stigma that women had to endure, often causing great sorrow and isolation. This divine promise would not only fulfil her deep-seated longing for a child, but it would also remove the social disgrace associated with her barren state.
The woman who so generously provided material things for the prophet of God was now blessed by the God of the prophet. The Lord never forgets what you have done towards His name.
And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door upon him, and went out. (2 Kings 4:21)
The woman's faith was unwavering and profound. Upon the demise of her son, she prepared for his resurrection rather than his burial. Her conviction stemmed from stories she had undoubtedly heard about Elijah resurrecting the widow's son of Zarephath.
But the man of God said, “Let her alone; for her soul is in deep distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” (2Kings 4:27)
This is the second time that the Lord did not reveal things to Elisha but kept it hidden. The first time the Lord did not tell Prophet Elisha about the Shunamite woman not having a child, and the second instance was when the son of the woman died.
32When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. 33He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. (2 Kings 4:32-33)
Elisha, the prophet, was a man of steadfast faith who had witnessed and experienced firsthand the miraculous works of God through his mentor, Elijah. This influence was pivotal when he encountered the Shunammite woman's lifeless son. In the face of despair, Elisha demonstrated profound faith. He knew God had worked such miracles before, through Elijah, in similar circumstances (1 Kings 17:20-23).
His faith, however, was not solely founded on past experiences. Elisha also had a discerning spiritual perception, sensing God's intention to raise the boy from the dead. He leaned on this combination of learned faith from his mentor and his own spiritual intuition, trusting wholly in God's power and goodness. Elisha's fervent prayer was thus a testament to his faith - a faith rooted in past evidence yet open to present divine guidance.
38 And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” (2 Kings 4:38)
The famine mentioned in verse 38 may be the seven-year famine alluded to in 2 Kings 8:1-3.
39 So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were. 40 Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. (2 Kings 4:39-40)
The gourd mentioned in 2 Kings 4:39-40 is believed to be a wild cucumber native to the region in biblical times. Consumed in small amounts, this plant may cause stomach upset due to its bitterness, but in larger quantities, it can lead to severe digestive complications and even death.
So he said, “Then bring some flour.” And he put it into the pot, and said, “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot. (2 Kings 4:41)
This demonstrates a valuable principle for spiritual nourishment and growth. Rather than trying to purge the poisonous substance from the stew, Elisha added something wholesome – flour. This transformed the dangerous concoction into a life-sustaining meal. This reflects a profound spiritual strategy: instead of merely trying to remove harmful elements or erroneous beliefs (of course, there is a place for that), we should focus on infusing as much good, wholesome, and spiritually nourishing content as possible.
Lord Jesus is expressed in John 6:35 as the Bread of Life. The focus, therefore, should be on Him and His life-giving words. By centring our faith, thought, and devotion on Christ, we can transform what was once harmful into something beneficial and life-giving. The 'poison' of faulty doctrine or misguided understanding is neutralised by the enriching and life-affirming message of Christ. The more we immerse ourselves in the life-giving teachings of Jesus, the less room there is for harmful elements. This is a divine process of spiritual renewal, a transformation similar to the miraculous event when Elisha made the poisoned stew safe to eat.
42Then a man came from Baal Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain in his knapsack. And he said, “Give it to the people, that they may eat.” 43But his servant said, “What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?” He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the Lord: ‘They shall eat and have some leftover.’ ” 44So he set it before them; and they ate and had some leftover, according to the word of the Lord. (2 Kings 4:42-44)
Prophet Elisha feeds 100 men with a small amount of bread, draws an undeniable parallel to the miracles performed by Lord Jesus, especially His feeding of the multitude. This similarity underscores Elisha's role as a precursor, or "type," of Christ, illustrating similar divine attributes and actions.
Just as Lord Jesus miraculously multiplied loaves to feed thousands, Elisha, too, through God's power, expanded the modest provision of bread to feed 100 men, thus demonstrating God's providence and care for His people. This event in Elisha's life strengthens the connection between Old Testament figures and the coming Messiah, preparing people for the person and ministry of Lord Jesus Christ.
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