The Spirit of God here sets before us in a systematic and progressive way the great results for faith now of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, going on to the day of His glorious manifestation when the dearth which man has brought in (2 Kings 4:38-4138And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. 39And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not. 40So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. 41But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot. (2 Kings 4:38‑41)) shall have been cast out, and the abundance of the earth made to be sufficient, and more than sufficient for the blessing of such as acknowledge God and His Man-the “man Christ Jesus” (vers. 42-44).
The immediate result of the world's rejection of Christ was not, as might have been supposed, instant judgment, but the sending down of the Holy Ghost to witness to the sufficiency of Christ's work for the satisfaction of every demand of a righteous God upon man. The “Creditor” indeed come, but to make known to all who acknowledge themselves debtors that every claim had been fully met. In proof of this He who had become bondman for us has been released by divine power and glorified in the heavens. This was made known at Pentecost in every known language, that all might know and rejoice in the liberty wherewith Christ makes the believer free. There was no longer any creditor to fear except for those who despised and refused such a settlement. “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses... Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:32, 36, 38, 3932This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (Acts 2:32)
36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:38‑39)). “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (3:19). Again, “through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses” (13:38, 39).
But God had still greater blessings than this for believing man, as the result of Christ's presence in heaven, and the Holy Ghost's descent upon earth. To be delivered from the fear of death is a great relief indeed to the soul, but what shall we say of the positive blessing into which the emancipated one is introduced? If “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death,” it is “that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit “'(Romans 8:2-42For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:2‑4)). Here is the spiritual meaning of the words, “Live thou and thy sons of the rest.” As believers, “we boast in hope of the glory of God.” We know that, ultimately, things on earth shall be reconciled as perfectly as things in heaven; that the state and condition of man on earth will then answer to the mind of God in virtue of Christ's death on the cross. But the power by which He is able to subdue all things unto Himself is, as regards our souls, already known by faith, and will be known also for our bodies by and by (Philippians 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)). We have here, then, God's immediate answer to the proved wickedness of man, and especially of Israel, in the rejection of Christ. That answer was the gift of the Spirit, and justification from all things, that we might enter upon the enjoyment of every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ. Times of refreshing for this poor world have indeed been postponed meanwhile, yet are held in reserve, when the futility of all man's energy and forethought shall give place to the glorious results for Israel and for the earth which shall be brought in by the Second man—the Lord from heaven. Our more blessed portion is to walk by faith, not by sight. The millennial earth shall be the theater of the displayed glory of Him who has already triumphed over death and Satan; but the world as it now is gives occasion for the moral victories of faith in which we are more than conquerors through Him that loveth us.
“And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where [was] a great woman, and she constrained him to eat bread. And [so] it was [that], as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this [is] an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 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. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. 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? Wouldst thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among my own people. And he said, What then [is] to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily, she hath no child, and her husband is old. And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, [thou] man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life” (2 Kings 4:8-178And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10Let 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. 11And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. 12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13And 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. 14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 16And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. 17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. (2 Kings 4:8‑17)).
This story of the Shunammite woman is of exceeding beauty, and sets before us in figure what the Spirit will accomplish in the heart of the nation in a future day, when it shall turn to the Lord, and the veil that is now upon their hearts shall be removed.
The husband (of whom we hear but little) appears to have been profoundly indifferent to the presence of Elisha in their immediate vicinity, and as little affected by divine things and objects as Nabal the Carmelite, who only saw in David one of the many “servants that break away nowadays every man from his master” (1 Samuel 25:1010And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. (1 Samuel 25:10)). But with this man indifference did not develop into aversion, contempt, or hostility, as it did with Nabal. Still, there is no evidence of spiritual desire being awakened, or of any such response to the grace of God as was manifested in his wife. A veritable son of Issachar, “in whose inheritance they dwelt” (Josh. 19:1818And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem, (Joshua 19:18)), he seems to have answered fully to the prophetic blessing of that tribe pronounced by Jacob. “Issachar [is] a strong ass, crouching down between two burdens, and he saw that rest [was] good, and the land that [it was] pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute” (Genesis 49:14, 1514Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: 15And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute. (Genesis 49:14‑15))—a description which is undoubtedly applicable to Israel as now. Here, however insensible the responsible man may be (as now with the nation at large) we see in the deeply interesting history of his wife how much God can accomplish with but indifferent materials and environments. His ways and methods are full of instruction for us, for we have in the case before us the general characteristics of the Spirit's work in the soul as in all true cases of conversion to God. There is first Israel's awakening; then, after severe and protracted trial, a re-awakening of faith and hope towards God on the part of Israel so long unbelieving. But it is not Israel after the flesh reawakened, but “the Israel of God.” “Behold, I will gather them out of all countries whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God; and I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them; and I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart, and with my whole soul” (Jeremiah 32:37-4137Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: 38And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: 39And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: 40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. 41Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul. (Jeremiah 32:37‑41)). “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh and I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them]. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God” (Ezekiel 36:25-2825Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:25‑28)).
God will accomplish this in His own infinite mercy by working on the hearts of His people, who will become the nucleus of the new nation. It is now brought about in the case of any Jew now believing the gospel. He is henceforth separated from earthly hopes, being made “partaker of a heavenly calling” (Hebrews 3:11Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (Hebrews 3:1)). The apostle Peter very forcibly puts it, “Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3-73Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 1:3‑7)).
Observe here how carefully the inspired writer avoids giving the least encouragement to those false hopes of regaining earthly blessing and worldly power, which then occupied (as even in our day) the hearts of so many. Begotten again unto a living hope, the inheritance is reserved in heaven for them and believers are kept by the power of God, not for immediate possession but to be revealed in the last time. There is a marvelous similarity in the work of God in all ages. Our love to God whom we have not seen is manifested' by our love to our brother whom we have seen. Interest in divine things is evidenced by appreciation of such as minister them to us. Faith in God finds in the need of His servants its opportunity for fruit-bearing. So will it be in the last days, as Matthew 25 shows us. There are precious fruits of faith, and evidences of life, peculiarly gratifying to the Lord's suffering and faithful servants; but how offensive when looked for or demanded as a right! There is a gracious way of proffering, as of receiving, such acts of kindness as may be rendered one to another in the fear of the Lord. Christ is the divine test, and faithfulness to Him establishes a claim upon those who belong to Him. The love of God gives its own character to both giver and receiver.
The Shunammite had rightly gauged the need and ministered to it in simplicity and delicacy, not stepping out of her place in so doing. Her husband might be indifferent to the fact that God was visiting his house in the person of Elisha, but she joyfully and heartily owned it. Nevertheless, it was not for her to act, but rather to suggest. It would have spoiled all and given occasion to the enemy had she ignored her husband in such a matter. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation teaches us “that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godlily” (Titus 2), and to this grace, as far as then revealed, she was, we may say, in her day a witness. [G. S. B.] (To be continued)