gtcotr/ws070517
Lesson
One
We do not choose the situations we face
… We only choose how we shall face them.
2
Kings 4 KJV
1 ¶ Now there cried a certain woman of the wives
of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, …
* This account happened around 850 years Before
Christ in a familiar region of Israel north of Jerusalem known as Samaria. The
prophet Elisha was a disciple/servant of the old prophet Elijah and had become
the senior prophet in Israel after God took Elijah to heaven.
* This woman we read about in 2 Kings 4 is the
wife of a man who had been a student in the school of the prophets under
Elijah’s ministry. This family most likely from Bethel. (2 Kings 2:3) Men in these schools were for the most part
non-Levitical, non-priestly men who felt called and compelled to learn the ways
of the Lord and dedicate their lives to His service.
* Since the days of Samuel and continuing
throughout the Old Testament period, men who entered the school of the prophets
were prepared to stand beside monarchy and the priest, to guard the nation and
to proclaim and protect the God ordered rules of life and reward. Schools were
established at Ramah, Bethel, Gibeah, Gilgal and Jericho. Before Elijah’s final
departure he found it desirous to visit these schools and give parting
instruction to the young prophets.
* In answer to the call of God, this woman and
her husband had relegated their lives and futures to a meager existence. In
these times of spiritual drought for the masses, without a secure job and
secular occupation, those who had dedicated their lives to serving God could
not expect income as it was almost non-existent and certainly undependable.
* Perhaps it is because she had learned the
value of a Godly man’s counsel from having a husband so committed to God that now
in her desperate moment she seeks out the advice of one she trusts as a true
servant of the Lord.
saying, Thy servant my husband is dead;
* This evidently was a sudden and unexpected
death that had not been prepared for. As often does, sudden departures, even of
servants of the Lord, can cause great and continuing hardship on those left
behind to manage the affairs of life.
* Since Elisha is Elijah’s recognized successor
and chosen replacement, (2 Kings 2:15), it seems reasonable that
this widow would go to Elisha for assistance in solving her problem. Thus she
continues:
and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the
LORD:
* The widow establishes that her late husband
was not a careless nor reckless man who did not pay attention to his affairs
but rather this statement lends credibility to the thought that he died
suddenly and without fair notice or opportunity to make arrangements himself
for the payment of his debt and provision for his family after his death.
* The widow reminded Elisha that he was
personally familiar with her husband’s service to God and his spiritual
credibility.
and the creditor is come to take unto him my two
sons to be bondmen.
* The husband has left family debt that the
widow and surviving sons cannot pay.
* Even though they have faithfully and fearfully
served the Lord and been employed by choice and at personal cost in the
spiritual service of God’s Kingdom, nonetheless, the current laws of the land
apply to them. One cannot claim to be exempt nor excused from the laws
governing others just because they have given their all in service to God. Even
Jesus paid taxes, rendering custom to whom custom is due. (Luke 20:25) The Apostle Peter encourages saints to obey every ordinance of
man while the Apostle Paul encourages us to submit to the magistrates who are in
place. (1 Peter 2:13 & Romans 13)
* The two sons, regardless of age, must by law
fulfill the contract of payment either by monetarily satisfying their father’s
debt or by serving out the debt as slaves until the year of Jubilee sets them
free again.
* This woman’s cry was for the immediate freedom
of her sons. She is no doubt also grieving for her own recent loss. The added loss
of her only two sons seems an unbearable eventuality unless someone intervenes.
2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for
thee?
* It is unclear from which frame of mind Elisha
ask this question. Whether he is truly wondering or from an attitude of despair
as to what to do. Even seasoned men of God can and do feel both when faced with
solving others’ problems in the visible place of God. The Apostle Paul
rehearsed that daily there came upon him the care of all of the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28) and he wondered at times if he had actually run and sown and
labored in vain. (Galatians 4:11) No matter, genuine care and dedication was present
in the prophet’s life and actions. His counsel will give this woman a chance to
change things.
A
Chance is only a Chance …
* It is perhaps certain that Elisha knew that
there was nothing which he, of himself, could do. This would require a miracle
and thus he needed to move this woman into a position to receive from God. In
order for a person such as this to receive a miracle they must:
1. Be motivated to depend on God and not the arm of man;
2. Offer what they have to God for His touch;
3. Obediently follow the
prescribed course of action required for God’s intervention
*
This can be anything from dipping in the river Jordan seven times, to walking
the isle at a church and humbly submitting to the laying on of hands for help);
and
4. Must use the blessings
and benefits received for that which God intended when He thus blessed them.
* Perhaps Elisha is using this interim time to think
of a way to move this woman into faith filled action or maybe he is waiting to
receive divine direction from God. At any rate there seems appropriate to the
moment a certain pause after this question and before the next one. 2 Kings 4:2
continues:
tell me, what hast thou in the house?
* It might seem to some that a true prophet of
the stature of Elisha could have already discerned what it was that the woman
had in her house. This brings to mind two possibilities of which both are, at
times, true.
>
First: Even
true and gifted men of God do not always know what to do, but they do know Who
does! Sometimes leaders don’t even
know what to do about the works and miracles they themselves are involved in.
But given time, God gets through and direction for the day comes to life. (such
as the Prophet Nathan: 2 Samuel 7)
>
Next: Often men of God, though they know, they await others to come to the
knowledge as though arriving at it by themselves. People guided to truth who
uncover it often feel more joined to it since they feel they discovered it.
Counsel is in the heart of man and a man of wisdom draws it out. God is always
speaking to those in need encouraging them what they can do … counsel hopes to
awaken the sleep soul to the voice of God and hear a hearty Amen from the one
who needs.
* Note the prophet is going to identify
something personal and costly to the widow … something in her house. Even
though she has recently lost much, still the road to her salvation is to offer
yet more of what she has. Much like the widow of 1 Kings 17, this woman must act in
faith for her miracle. Trusting God is often
easier when it is out of one’s abundance, however, seldom does that type of action produce miracles for
the ones who supply even though it often is a miracle for those who receive.
And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in
the house,
* She evidently did not go immediately running
to Elisha on the first day her husband died, but rather she waited, most likely
trying every other natural means to supply. Now, only when she possesses
nothing, do her creditors come as vultures, in their right advance, to lay
claim to her most prized possessions. It can seem like when all else fails and
there is no ability in reserve, that the problems of life unfairly pile onto
the shoulders of God’s people. Through necessity many finally despair of any
other way and turn to The Way, Jesus.
save a pot of oil.
* The things we so lightly esteem are often
raised to become our salvation. God chooses the simple things of this world and
the things which are nothing to bring about great things. (1 Corinthians 1:28) Little David, from the backside of the desert, tending a few
sheep, was brought from obscurity to greatness in the hand of the Lord. (1 Samuel 16:11 & 17:28) God has decided to place more of His honor on
the unseemly. (1 Corinthians 12:23) In our humility we are exalted and in His
gentleness are we made great. (1 Peter 5:6 & Psalms 18:35) It is in the weak of this world that God chose
to place His greatest treasure. (2 Corinthians 12:10) These ignorant and unlearned men, earthen
vessels of clay, just because they had been with Jesus were elevated to eternal
recognition as their names are written on foundation stones of our New
Jerusalem, the holy city ascending down from God. (Acts
4:13; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Revelation 21:14) As then, so now, the stone that the builders rejected becomes
the head of the corner. (Matthew 21:42)
* How appropriate it is to have only a little
oil become much more than enough. Oil is representation of the Holy Spirit in
the house. At one time there was most likely oil in abundance and in reserve.
Probably there was a plentiful supply for the daily needs of the home and
family, any unexpected visitors and even enough to share with others in need.
Now, with the loss of the spiritual head of the house, the oil had dwindled.
However, the great truth is seen in that only a little oil of the Spirit of God is more than enough when it is:
1. Dedicated
to God
3.
Given opportunity
It is enough to meet any need, solve any problem
and last for the whatever season is to come.
Thank
God for the bountiful and abundant grace which pours from and earthen vessel
containing oil in the hand of God.
Is
there some small thing in your life which you can offer to God for the miracle
you desire?
·
What
do you need?
·
What
do you have?
·
What
are you willing to do?
