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II Kings 4:8-37 - Part One

The Risky Ministry of Hospitality

II Kings 4:8-37

"She said to her husband, 'Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God  (Elisha) who is continually passing our way.  Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.'"

It is often assumed that giving hospitality is for those with all their ducks in a row. You know, the woman who has it all together: every task is completed, her house is in magazine condition, and her family is a shining testament to her virtue and organization.  Even if there are times when one might achieve such polish, the shelf life is brief. If it is your aim to impress others, understand that it is not necessarily inviting to be in the midst of perfection, guests prefer neatness balanced with organic indications of reality.  

Fortunately the Shunammite woman in II Kings 4:8 is not too self absorbed.  She sees an opportunity to be helpful to the prophet Elisha and houses and feeds him whenever he passes through town. She just makes her home open and available. Initially, he must have slept in the barn or the floor in the kitchen, perhaps the roof, or some such less than luxurious corner. This doesn't stop her from hospitality.  And it is this willingness to open the door and let Jesus in, as represented by the prophet, which propels us and the Shunnamite woman into a transformation.  We are shown how the hostess is impressed even more than the guest!

Everywhere Elisha went he brought the presence of the Living God.  Not the one made of stone and the hands of man, but the Holy One of Israel.  The Shunammite was compelled by God to draw closer.  That is what we say to guests, whether it is a traveler or a neighbor, when we invite them in.  "Please enter my world and become a part of my life."  Is this something we avoid?  The gracious Shunammite, and her generous husband, took that risk with Elisha in a time of famine.  And we see how it resulted in something she didn't expect:  vulnerability to the invited one.

 If you read the passage you will see in 2:12 that Elisha is moved by the generosity of the hostess.  He tells his servant to call the woman up to the chamber she has had built.  He tells the woman through the servant/interpretor that he wants to do something in return for her.  You can imagine that if they need an interpretor the conversations must have been minimal.  It would be easy to keep up the pretense of perfection, no need to go too deep in conversation or touch upon sensitive topics.  But all of the work done by the Shunammite household demonstrates to Elisha something more than generosity.  Mediocre generosity can be self serving.  We can make ourselves look good by sharing.  The Shunammite took hospitality further than most. She and her husband went to great lengths to invite the prophet closer in.  They went from generosity to sacrificial giving.  Building an addition for Elisha demonstrates true insight and depth in this woman's hospitality.  She perceived his need for a home and family, not mere food and shelter. 

And yet, he is told by his servant that this woman does not have a child and that her husband is old.  Isn't it interesting that the woman offered something to Elisha that she did not possess in completion? Childless homes are a tragedy in the eyes of an Israelite.  To not have a child is so painful a void for this woman that she pretends all is well and doesn't even mention it to the prophet!  Two of the things that fade away when relationships reach a level of spiritual authenticity are pretences and pride.  In the face of Elisha's prayer and blessing, the woman could verbally deny that she had need, but the presence of God belied such reserve.  There will be healing when we take the risk with Jesus.

This is the risk:  God, through his people, might see your need.  Someone will see that you are not totally together, or self sufficient.  There will come a point when the truth of your imperfection and limitations will be seen if you let God's people into your life and home.  And here is what I call a beautiful thing:  Elisha correctly assesses the need of his hostess.  He tells her, "At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son."  This is an exquisite example of God answering prayer before it is uttered.  He knows the heart's longings.  While this woman was putting aside her disappointments and choosing to follow God's leading, the answer to those very disappointments was being developed through a relationship with Elisha.  Think of the possibilities for us when we refuse to indulge our feelings of failure and isolation and instead invest in others!

  God does give her a child.  Not just a child.  But a son , which is the cherished hope of every ancient family.  A son who will be the leader of the next generation.  A generation which will be nurtured by the Shunammite woman. Yet this woman had to be willing to make herself somewhat vulnerable to open up her home and life to Elisha.  My next devo will focus on the very gutsy faith of the Shunammite when her answer to prayer is struck down.  Please read II Kings 4:11-37.

Many Blessings,

B. Gardner 

June 17, 2008 

  Part Two

                                            The Unspoken Need                                               

  II Kings 4: 8-37

            The Shunammite woman in this passage is incredulous at the promise of a son from Elisha.  In response to her generous act of having a guest chamber built for him, the prophet tells the woman, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.”  Earlier, she told Elisha she didn’t need anything when he asked how he could repay her for her kindness.  The woman seems to have all of her needs met.  She is likely married to a prosperous man, living in the security and sufficiency of her own countrymen, and doesn’t have apparent need.  Elisha and his servant, Gehazi have to put their heads together to speculate as to what this woman might appreciate.  In view of her older husband and childless home, Elisha perceives her need.  Hence, the prophecy of a future son. 

            The mere foretelling of this provision from God unsettles the woman.  She says to Elisha, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.”  This sounds like fear to me.  Fear of believing and hoping for something you have given up on.  Isn’t it ironic when God finally answers the very prayers we have suspended?  When resigned to barrenness, the woman made a home for the prophet.  She nurtured him and blessed him with her hospitality and friendship.  Now God provides her with the very thing that left a void in her life.  Without that void, she might not have been available for Elisha.  Without Elisha in her life she would not have seen her innermost longing satisfied.

            This is such a recurring theme in Scripture.  Think of all the people in the Bible whose prayers were inexplicably answered with silence by God, only to be miraculously bestowed by God in his own timing.  Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Rachel, Hannah, Moses, Elizabeth, etc…. 

            “But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.”  Yes, God always keeps his promises.  And we should learn that his timing is impeccable.  It is not according to a biological time clock or world events.  In fact, those factors are according to His sovereign will, not the reverse.  As we will see with the Shunammite and her son, God has a plan not only for when he answers but why he answers.  It is as if he plants these needs in our hearts and lives so that we will take our place in history as his agents of glory.  His glory.  As you reread the passage consider this for our next devo: 

1.)    If God can give an answer to prayer, can he not also take it away when he deems fit? 

2.)    What is my response to God when the things and people he has given me are threatened?

 We will study the Shunammite’s example in the next devo.

Many Blessings,

B. Gardner

7-22-08

Part III – The Prayer of a Lioness

Please read II Kings 4:8-37

            The unspoken need of the Shunammite woman is perceived by Elisha and promised out of gratitude for her generosity in building a room for him on the roof of her house.  Her entire story centers on her gutsy faith even when providence goes against her.

            The “grown” child goes out to his father to help in the fields. He complains of a headache and falls victim to what must have seemed like a simple sun stroke.  The father orders a servant to take the boy to his mother who cradles him on her lap until noon, and then he dies.  I picture this loving mother humming to the boy and wiping his brow with a cool rag, only to realize that her miracle child is lifeless in her arms.  Tragedies and deaths like this happen more often than we like to think. However, let’s say that this child’s death may also represent any number of moral tragedies or crisis which plagues families.  

            Remember, this woman was given this son by God even though it seemed unlikely that she and her much older husband would ever have children.  From the start everything good in her life has been an obvious blessing from God.  Abundant food, shelter, and resources during a time of famine.  The promised son and the years of raising him.  Even more, the many visits from Elisha have brought the presence of God into her life.

            Fortunately, her knowledge of God is consistent with her experience of him.  Which completely explains her actions when she is faced with the death of her son.

            This lioness of a mother knows something of God’s ways.  By God’s grace, which is how all faith is dispensed, she sees her child’s death, not as a punishment, but as a challenge.  Her actions, like those of all who live by faith in the unseen God, are bizarre, from a worldly stand point.

            She rises to her feet while cradling her weighty babe and makes the trek up the stairs to the prophet’s chamber.  The room in which Elisha stays when he visits represents the very presence of God.  She places the boy on the prophet’s bed, putting him as close as she physically can to her God.  But she is not satisfied with this.  If only we would be so obedient to God’s call of faith to press on in prayer and seeking him.  A mysterious drive from God must have compelled her to do more, to push further.  Did a supernatural awareness of the limitlessness of God permeate her very being?  She knew that time, distance, language, daylight, and all logistical obstacles were mere earthly challenges for her, and nothing to God.  When questioned as to her reasoning in departing so urgently for the prophet she assures her husband, “All is well”.  Wait for no one, take “no” from no one.  Get into his presence she must!  She would claim her destiny as a child of God and claw her way to Mt. Carmel, where the prophet communes with God.

            So few Christians appreciate this desperation.  It is well understood by grieving parents who are faced with death in its many forms.  Is there a parent who has grieved more than the Heavenly Father?  Do not be put off by cold interceptors like Gehazi for whom everything is a matter of logic and organization, enemies of prayer and true surrender.  The Shunammite’s passionate cries reach Elisha.  And Elisha’s God revives her son with the warm breath of His Spirit.  Yet the bizarre, even macabre methods of the prophet are indicative of the caliber of God’s terms.  “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  I cannot save my child, no prophet can, but Jesus can. We must be persistent and passionate in prayer. We should not settle for casual scuffles, do not think a battle has really been fought until that loved one is taken before God’s throne.

The threat for our families and our own too easily satisfied souls is very real.  The danger is more real than the phony happiness or fleeting health this world parades.  Pray for the hearts and minds of your children.  And when they stray or are attacked by the evil one, take your babe, no matter how heavy, with you to the very presence of God.  Don’t let rationalizations, complacency, resentment, or stoicism keep you from prayer.  Make it your urgent secret mission each day.  You have received his blessings, he chose you before the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4)  Do the work of the Shunammite woman and claw your way on bended knee into his presence through Jesus Christ.

Many Blessings,

B. Gardner 

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:26-28

Archives...

We don't currently have archives you can access, but here is a listing of past devos.  I keep a file of anything we have featured, whether it is a devo, poem, etc.  At your request I will e-mail a copy or send it the old fashioned way, which is quite popular around here!

barbsgardner@aol.com 

Dr. Lisa Fink

1.  "Putting into Practice"

2.  "Places that Use to Fit"

3.  "To Do Is Done" (New Years) 

4.   "Choose Your Way"  

Mrs. Ann Wilkinson 

1.  "Illumination" (11-7-07)

Mrs. Bobbie Anderson

"Lessons In the Garden"

Mrs. Robin Winkel

1.  "The Spirit of Christmas"

2.  "Where Has God Placed You"

Mrs. Ginger Hanchey

1.  "The Music of the Glorious Conductor"

2.  "Blooms From the Night"

Mrs. Barbara Gardner

1.  "I Have Calmed and Quieted My Soul"

2.  "What Glorifies God at Christmastime?"

3.  "The Offensive Guest"

4.  "Whispers of Grace" (poem)

5.  "The  Beautiful Gospel Message for Women"

6.  "A Woman's Search for Virtuous Woman of Pro. 31"

Mrs. Lila Chandler

1.  "See A Label, Pray For China"

If you authored something not listed, please refresh my memory!