Chapter 310 of 1163

2 KINGS 4

Elisha ministered to individuals and accepted the hospitality of friends. He was like Jesus Christ in that respect, while Elijah was more like John the Baptist: alone, rugged, a preacher to the nation. Although God equips different people to work in different ways, He is Lord of all (1 Cor. 12:1–11). It is too bad people do not recognize this fact and receive the ministry no matter who the minister is (Luke 7:31–35; 1 Cor. 1:10–17).

A husband died, yet God met the needs of the family (vv. 1–7). A son died, yet God raised him and restored the family (vv. 8–37). A group of prophets almost died because of poisoned stew, yet God removed the danger (vv. 38–41). A group of believers would have died from starvation, but God multiplied the bread and sustained them (vv. 42–44). All of these miracles remind you to give God what you have and let Him do what He wills.

Gehazi is declining spiritually, but the consequences will not appear until later. He was unkind to the Shunammite woman (v. 27; see also Matt. 15:23; Mark 10:13; Luke 9:49), and he had no power to help her. He went through the motions, but no life came. You can fellowship day after day with people of power, like the prophet Elisha, and still backslide. Beware!

Three Important Questions

What are your answers to the three questions the prophet asked the Shunammite woman? “Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband [or wife]? Is it well with the child?” (2 Kings 4:26).

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