Reading: II Kings 4-5
And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people (II Kings 4:12-13).
Chapters four and five of the Book of Second Kings offer us a brief respite from the harsh realities of the ungodly behavior of kings as we turn our attention to the miracles of God worked through the person of Elisha. Here we are allowed to witness the glory of God as He goes about the business of caring for His creation in ways both great and small, showing us how easily lives can be irrevocably changed by His tender mercies. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows (Matt. 10:29-31).
The first recorded miracle involves a heavily indebted widow and her two young sons. Her situation is desperate, but she has not given way to fear. Faithfully she turns to the man of God, seeking and receiving aid (II Kings 4:1-7). The God that saved this widow is the same God that we serve today, and His promise to all who willingly place themselves in His care still stands: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened (Matt. 7:7-8).
The second miracle is granted in quite a different manner. A Shunammite woman has sought out the man of God not to request aid, but to offer it. Elisha gratefully accepts her hospitality, and inquires thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? The woman’s answer makes it clear that she seeks no reward. She was providing for Elisha out of godly love and compassion and expected nothing in return. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me (Matt. 25:40). God’s blessings upon her life came in acknowledgment of her simple, unassuming service to Him.
The healing of Naaman the leper is the last and most well-known of the miracles recorded in this section. Unlike the first (a request made in faith) or the second (an unsought reward for loving service), this miracle was intended to be public, not personal. Naaman was not a follower of God; he sought out Elisha because he had heard rumors of the MAN’S power. Nonetheless, God healed the leper in such a way as left no doubt as to the source of the healing. God used this miracle to reveal Himself; by bestowing grace upon the graceless, He demonstrated for all to see that the power of God was not dependent on human actions.
Three different miracles, three different reasons, all occurring within the scope of God’s perfect will, and all recorded here so that we might come to know Him more fully.
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19).
Thought for Today: Not all of God’s miracles involve a parting of the sea or the restoration of the sick; sometimes the most precious and wondrous miracle of all is when you find love and support in an otherwise fallen world.
Christ Revealed: By the meal that took the poison out of the pot (II Kings 4:40-41). Meal, made of crushed grain, speaks of Christ, who was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised (crushed) for our iniquities (Is. 53:5), thereby removing the poison of sin from us.
Word Studies: 4:3 borrow not a few = get as many as you can; 4:6 stayed = ceased flowing; 4:10 candlestick = oil lamp; 4:27 vexed = deeply distressed; 4:29 Gird up thy loins = Fasten your loose, flowing garments with a belt.
Pray for Staff: Tifany Parisi • Government Official: Rep. Peter Welch (VT) , Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA)• Country: Maldives (393,988) Indian Ocean • Major Languages: Dhivehi, English • Christian witnessing is banned • Muslim (Official) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray each day for the Lord to protect you from evil (I Pet. 5:8).
Optional Reading: Romans 5.