"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." 2 Kings 4:1010Let 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. (2 Kings 4:10).
The simplicity of faith-"When he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither." Do we have that confidence which results when Christ is before us and we are walking in separation from evil, both secular and religious?
"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." 1 John 3:2121Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (1 John 3:21). In John 14 the Father Himself and the Son come and make Their abode with us down here, but it is in connection with the keeping of His commandments and walking in the path of faith. We do not refer to the law of Moses but to the precepts of Scripture which the new nature rejoices to keep, desiring to please the One whom we love. Soon we will go up and live with the Father and the Son in heaven. What grace!
The great woman felt that she and her husband must make a place for the prophet to stay, but she was tested in that there was little response from her husband, and she must act alone. Soon there was a room on the wall, furnished. There was a table for communion and a stool to sit at his feet to hear his words, the precious words of life. As Mary of Bethany sat at Jesus' feet to hear His gracious words, so we picture the great woman sitting at the feet of Elisha as he ministered grace to her heart. We, too, can sit at Jesus' feet to receive needed grace. "Grace is poured into Thy lips." Psa. 45:22Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. (Psalm 45:2).
The prophet would find (in the room prepared for him) a place of rest, the bed. He also would find the candlestick, which is the light, always found where the bed, table and stool are. Testimony is the overflow of communion.
Are we so near to Christ that we anticipate His likes and dislikes, and are we confident that we have His mind to do what would please Him and that He will accept our work? As pilgrims, these are sufficient until Jesus comes-a bed, a table, a stool and a candlestick. Anything else mars the simplicity and joy of the path of faith.
In building the chamber on the wall the great woman was gradually preparing, perhaps unknowingly, for a rich blessing to come, connected with the inheritance in view, and the wall itself would suggest that she realized the truth of separation to God alone.
Let us meet the tests as they come, for to miss them is to be unprepared for the blessings the Lord would bestow, and they will be a guard and solace for the days of sorrow and disappointment along the path of faith.
She fully expected Elisha to turn into the room; he did so and was pleased to rest there. Faith is never disappointed, and there is sure to be a reward for anything done for the Lord.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor. 15:5858Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Here Elisha refers to the great woman as the Shunammite, thus commending the faith which anticipates a lasting inheritance. Israel worshipped idols at that time, unable to enjoy their inheritance in peace, and because of their sin, God allowed them to be the target of their enemies who spoiled their land. Israel had rebelled and, with no spiritual vision, they ignored God's promises for blessing, but individual faith had never given up, and the Shunammite believed God.
Today we also find ourselves in the midst of confusion (Babylon), but individual faith looks beyond circumstances and dwells, in spirit, in the heavenlies since our inheritance is there with Christ. We have a blessed hope, "one hope," the coming of the Lord to take us to be with Himself.