Note: For most of our readers this lesson is for May 11, Mother’s Day. It’s appropriate to be focusing on the prophet Elisha’s encounters with one of the most courageous and faith-filled MOTHERS in the Bible.
Focal Passage: II Kings 4:8-17, 32-37
From the series Elisha: Seeing the Hand of God at Work, this week’s lesson is entitled “God’s Hand in Meeting Other’s Needs.”
Our focal passage, 2 Kings 4:8-17; 32-37, reveals two ways God’s hand works in meeting other’s needs:
First, how individual believers meet needs of God’s faithful servants (verses 8-17)
This woman was prominent (the KJV calls her “notable”). Evidently she was a person of substance; she persuaded Elisha to eat some food — which he did, whenever he passed by! God can use well-to-do believers and poorer ones alike. A wealthy lady contributed generously to the ministry of D.L. Moody (the Billy Graham of the 1800s). She said she was “grateful for the letter m,” noting that “the Bible doesn’t say that not ANY noble shall be saved, it says not MANY.”
The Shunammite was also a sensitive woman; she recognized Elisha as a holy man of God.
And she was a person of stewardship; she and her husband built and furnished the upstairs room for the prophet, so that whenever he comes, he can stay there.
Even though we’re never told her name, God Himself obviously saw her as noteworthy. He revealed four outstanding things about her:
(1) She felt a responsibility for the work of the Lord, verses 8-10. She didn’t hesitate to provide that guest room to adequately meet any need of the prophet.
(2) She had no requirement on the part of the Lord, verses 11-13. Elisha volunteered to put in a good word for her in high places, but she chose to decline: “I am living among my own people” meant “I don’t expect special treatment; my needs are met.”
(3) She was respectful to the servant of the Lord, verses 14-15. Even though Elisha sent for her to come before him she humbly just stood in the doorway.
(4) And she was rewarded by the blessing of the Lord, verses 16-17. One Bible researcher has compiled 30 clear promises to childless wives who long to become mothers. Elisha’s promise to this good but barren woman was beautifully fulfilled; she joyfully gave birth to a son.
Secondly, how God’s faithful servants meet needs of individual believers (verses 32-37)
The next fifteen verses (not in our focal text) tell of tragedy: that beloved son grew into childhood, only to die suddenly. Elisha got the sad news, and sent his servant Gehazi, who was unable to raise the boy to life. Elisha rushed to the home; now in the room — on the very bed — which had been provided for him was the dead body of the promised son! Elisha prayed, stretched himself over the body, and breathed life back into the child.
Think of our Lord: praying for us, and bending down — stretched out — on the cross; there He died in our place. And breathing His Spirit into our lives, He raises us to new life. Seven sneezes, Spurgeon said, were simple, involuntary evidences of being alive. Then — like the boy to his mother — we are restored!) B&R