2 Kings 4.
HERE we have several examples of the character of God’s dealings with a people from whom, as a nation, He had withdrawn. We may say, reading the story of verses 1 to 7, here is an example of what the Lord said in Matthew 8:13, “As thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.” And likewise, the scene in Gen. 18:23-33, as long as Abraham stood interceding, the Lord stood promising, as another has said,
It was what the poor widow had, that was to be used in faith, —she had nothing “save a pot of oil,”—and what was that with which to meet the creditor? “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” It was enough, under God, to supply the full measure of the faith that now, at the prophet’s prompting, counted upon Him. And this in no public display of power, but unseen by the world (verse 5).
The second portion of the chapter (verses 8-37) deals with the “great woman” of Shunem. She marks this prophet of God, that he walks alone and has nothing, and speaks to her husband so that a little room is provided for him in their dwelling.
Was she not herself one who knew God, and for His sake sought to do something for His servant? Blessing then was to be hers, though earthly honor (verse 13) had no attraction for her. She believed the promise, and as with the widow we have just been considering, faith’s demands are fully met.
There was more; as with Abraham and his dearly loved Isaac, the sentence of death is laid on the child of promise, that the lesson of resurrection may be learned in the heart. No wavering in either case do we see: faith is lively, and calmly in energy of faith the bereaved mother goes, through the prophet, to God for help, and seeks not in vain. And when her faith is answered, it is not astonishment that she exhibits, but gratitude (verse 37); she had counted on Him Who is able (Eph. 3:20).
Lastly (verses 38-44) we have a time of famine, and death is near. The meal (verse 41) is a figure of Christ Who entered this scene of death and Satan’s power, to intercept the course of things. He has “destroyed (annulled the power of) him who had the power of death” (Heb. 2:14).
Carelessly, heedless of consequences, the gathering of the wild fruit had been carried out—such has been the history of man from Adam down. Note that this was not part of Elisha’s provision (verse 38); it was “one” that went out into the field who brought in the deadly thing, spoiling everything. But it becomes harmless, and presently there is abundance to eat.
So God has met in the ruin of all things here, the desires and needs of those who put their trust in Him, so that they can appropriate the words of Psalm 23,
“The Lord is My Shepherd: I shall not want ... ..Thou preparest a table before memy cup runneth over ... ..”
ML 10/23/1927