The Greed of Gehazi

2 Kings 5:20-27

 

Still studying the section of the miracles of Elisha,

This morning our story takes a strange and unexpected turn.

 

We still see a miracle, but it is one that is very unnatural.

For this miracle does not occur to bless a life, but to curse it.

This miracle is not for the purpose of deliverance, but for bondage.

 

It is a miracle meant to serve as punishment.

 

What we see is that Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, is cursed

That he and his descendants forever will wear the leprosy of Naaman

 

That is a stiff judgment poured out.

But it is far from the only time things like this happen in Scripture.

 

On the mild side,

• Zechariah was mute for about 10 months until the day of John’s birth.

• Saul of Tarsus wore blindness for 3 days before the scales fell from his eyes.

 

On the severe side:

• Nebuchadnezzar eating grass like a cow for 7 years…

• Ananias and Sapphira being struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit…

• Lot’s wife being turned into a pillar of salt…

 

And from each of those judgment type miracles, we learn valuable lessons.

• Zechariah teaches us not to doubt God…

• Saul taught us to pay attention to the truth…

• Nebuchadnezzar teaches us to humble ourselves…

• Ananias and Sapphira teach us not to lie to God…

• Lot’s wife taught us to flee the world without regret…

 

And therefore you get the point.

 

Incidents like this serve as vivid reminders and illustrations

To warn us against specific sins that people committed.

 

Gehazi is no different.

 

Here was supposedly a man of God.

Just as Elisha was the servant of Elijah and his eventual successor,

Now Gehazi is the servant of Elisha and is expected to one succeed him.

 

But Gehazi was not up to the task.

He had a certain wickedness in him that rendered him unfit

To ever fill those shoes of prophecy and ministry.

That wickedness was a greedy and covetous heart.

 

Such wickedness is forbidden among the servants of God.

 

Paul wrote of preachers:

1 Timothy 3:2-3 “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.”

 

Peter wrote of shepherds:

1 Peter 5:2 “shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness;”

 

And so this morning, Gehazi becomes a vivid illustration of

The dangers of pretending to be a minister for God

While harboring a covetous heart.

 

Jesus said it very clearly:

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”

 

And we will see that this is certainly the case for Gehazi,

The servant of Elisha.

 

There are three divisions in our text this morning.

#1 THE DESIRE OF GEHAZI

2 Kings 5:20

 

And at this point, you remember the story from last week.

 

After Naaman was cured of his leprosy

He desperately tried to pay Elisha for his services.

 

2 Kings 5:15-16 “When he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him, he said, “Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; so please take a present from your servant now.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will take nothing.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused.”

 

Naaman wanted to pay Elisha,

But Elisha would not take money for this miracle.

His goal was not to get rich, his goal was to bring glory to God.

 

And for whatever reason, Elisha (although a poor man) knew that God would be better glorified if Naaman were healed for free.

 

What now becomes apparent to us, is that during that conversation,

Gehazi can’t believe what he is seeing.

• It is bad enough that Elisha has let this Naaman escape from his grasp…

• Worse still that Elisha has actually cured this general who had defeated Israel…

But now, Elisha even refuses to plunder the man…

 

It is obvious that Gehazi is in total disagreement with Elisha’s decision.

 

In fact verse 20 gives us insight into Gehazi’s thought process.

“But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, thought, “Behold, my master has spared this Naaman the Aramean, by not receiving from his hands what he brought”

 

It is clear that Gehazi was taken back by the treasures Naaman brought,

And he saw this as a great opportunity to get more comfortable in life

 

So Gehazi has an idea.

“As the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.”

 

And in one small decision,

We instantly see the heart of Gehazi revealed.

 

He reminds us of Simon the Magician

Who thought he could buy the Holy Spirit from Peter.

 

Acts 8:20-23 “But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”

 

Until that point Simon had seemed genuine,

For he believed the preaching of Philip and was even baptized.

 

However on this one occasion the true intention of his heart was revealed

And Peter called him a fraud.

 

So it is with Gehazi.

Until now, he seems to be suitable side kick to Elisha

Until his greed gets the better of him and he is revealed a charlatan.

 

LET US SAY IT VERY CLEARLY:

There is no room for covetousness or greed in the redeemed heart.

 

We as believers are adamantly told not to love this world, let alone desire it.

 

1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

 

John saw the desire for worldly riches and comforts

As an indicator of an unredeemed heart.

IT WAS OBVIOUS TO JOHN THAT SUCH PEOPLE HAVEN’T DIED TO SELF.

• They are too comfortable here…

• Their heart is here…

• Their desires are here…

And therefore they are not children of God.

 

It is therefore by no mistake, that much of the Bible

Deals with the topic of greed, coveting, and wealth.

 

It started on Mt. Sinai with the final of the 10 Commandments which says:

Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

 

The Psalms came along and said:

Psalms 49:10-12 “For he sees that even wise men die; The stupid and the senseless alike perish And leave their wealth to others. Their inner thought is that their houses are forever And their dwelling places to all generations; They have called their lands after their own names. But man in his pomp will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish.”

 

The theme carried into the prophets as Isaiah would say:

Isaiah 5:8 “Woe to those who add house to house and join field to field, Until there is no more room, So that you have to live alone in the midst of the land!”

 

Then Malachi would echo:

Malachi 3:8-9 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!”

 

When John the Baptist came on the scene he simply told people to repent.

When those to whom he preached wanted him

To be more specific in regards to what they should do, this is what he said:

 

Luke 3:10-14 “And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.” And some tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you have been ordered to.” Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, “And what about us, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages.”

 

It is by no coincidence that each thing John spoke of

Had to do with money.

 

John understood that if God could get a hold of person’s wallet,

He could get control of a person’s heart.

 

Which is of course what Jesus said:

Matthew 6:21 “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

 

That is also why when Jesus came on the scene

Much of His teaching had to do with covetousness and greed as well.

Luke 6:24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.”

 

TURN TO: Luke 12:13-21

 

Jesus said to “be on your guard against every form of greed”

 

Jesus saw greed as a sin that would steal your heart from God.

He saw this world as the ultimate harlot to lead you to be unfaithful.

 

That is why James wrote:

James 4:4-6 “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

 

James would then give a grave warning to those

Who had spent their lives in pursuit of worldly riches.

 

James 5:1-6 “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.”

 

And so it is apparent that there is absolutely no room

For greed or coveting or love of the world in the redeemed heart.

 

It is apparent that regardless of one’s religious exterior,

When such sins are present a person has not been redeemed.

 

It was this that exposed the Pharisees.

Matthew 23:25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.”

 

Even James said, when such greed or ambition is present,

It is evidence of evil not redemption.

 

James 3:14-16 “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.”

 

On the flip side,

• It was the disciples who left everything to follow Jesus…

• It was Abraham who left Ur looking for a better city, a heavenly one…

• It was Zaccheus who gave back all his stolen wealth…

• It was John the Baptist whose very lifestyle condemned the world…

 

Throughout the Bible we reminded over and over again,

That covetousness, greed, love of the world, and things like this

Are not indicators of a redeemed heart,

But are instead indicators of a person still in love with the world.

 

That is precisely where Gehazi is.

Despite his position as Elisha’s servant…

Despite his record of service in the ministry…

 

Gehazi’s greed exposes him as a fraudulent prophet,

Worthy of judgment.

 

And so first we see Gehazi’s desire.

#2 THE DECEPTION OF GEHAZI

2 Kings 5:21-25

 

Is it any wonder that Gehazi moves from greed to deception?

Certainly not!

 

DECEPTION IS NOTHING FOR A HEART CONTENT WITH GREED.

 

Gehazi wants this wealth so bad that he will lie to get it,

And that is precisely what he does.

 

(Verse 22) “He said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, ‘Behold, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothes.'”

 

And once again we see that he has more characteristics

Of a false prophet than a true one.

 

Peter and Jude described false prophets.

2 Peter 2:3 “and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

 

Is that not what Gehazi is doing to Naaman?

 

He continues:

2 Peter 2:14-16 “having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression,for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.”

 

Jude would sound a similar alarm:

Jude 16 “These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage.”

 

And this is precisely what sort of behavior we see from Gehazi.

Luke Achan in the old testament,

His heart goes after worldly wealth and he is not happy

Until he can deposit it in a safe place for later enjoyment.

 

His desire has now born disastrous fruit as it has led him into deception.

 

The Desire of Gehazi

The Deception of Gehazi

#3 THE DISCIPLINE OF GEHAZI

2 Kings 5:26-27

 

Now it is time for Gehazi to become and example

To any who would follow in his foot steps.

 

He goes in very innocent manner before Elisha

As though he is still a righteous man.

 

But “the eyes of the Lord move to and fro”

And God chose to reveal to Elisha all that occurred.

 

And therefore Elisha immediately confronts the greed of Gehazi.

(Verse 26) “Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you, when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves and vineyards and sheep and oxen and male and female servants?”

 

Some would say, that Elisha is too hard on Gehazi,

For Gehazi did not ask for olive groves or vineyards

Or sheep or oxen or servants.

 

But you and I know, it was just a matter of time.

GREED NEVER SAYS ENOUGH.

 

Ecclesiastes 5:10 “He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity.”

 

In fact in Proverbs we see some modern day symbols of greed.

Proverbs 30:15-16 “The leech has two daughters, “Give,” “Give.” There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, “Enough”: Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “Enough.”

 

Greed is contagious.

There is no satisfying it, and so Elisha knew that

Two changes of clothes was just the beginning.

 

It would grow and eventually he would even fall into the sin of Ahab,

Who would kill a man for a vineyard.

 

And Elisha calls his servant on his sin.

“Is it a time to receive money…”

 

Elisha was trying to set Gehazi straight,

That our aim is not to get rich, nor to be comfortable.

 

Our aim is righteousness in our own lives and in the lives of others. We long to see God glorified.

 

But we certainly do not do what we do

For the purpose of getting rich.

This is no time to be concerned about wealth.

 

WHEN IS THE TIME?

Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”

 

Matthew 6:20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;”

 

There is a time to store up treasure, and that time is eternity.

 

Gehazi had missed the point.

He had fallen miserably because of his greed.

 

And now comes his discipline.

(Verse 27) “Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.”

 

Remember, when you want the world,

You did not get to pick and choose which parts you receive.

 

This world has many things that sparkle and catch the eye.

But this world is also fallen and beset with many labors and hardships.

 

Be careful when you want to attain the world, for that is what you might get

 

Gehazi received Naaman’s riches,

But he also received Naaman’s disease.

And not only Gehazi, but all his descendants.

 

No doubt Gehazi would now learn to hate this life

And look forward to the next one.

 

And so the proverb is certainly true for Gehazi:

 

Proverbs 21:6 “The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.”

 

AND FOR US, WE GAIN A VALUABLE LESSON.

 

There is no room for greed in the Christian life.

And attaining the world is now glorious prize.

 

1 TIMOTHY 6:3-19

 

Could Paul make it any clearer?

 

• Don’t have wealth? – Don’t crave it, rather flee from it!

• Have wealth? – Share it!

 

 

“storing up for [yourselves]

The treasure of a good foundation for the future,

So that [you] may take hold of that which is life indeed.”

 

Naaman The Leper

2 Kings 5:1-19

 

We are presently in the “miracles” section of the book of 2 Kings.

We are systematically dealing with the works of Elisha.

 

Thus far we have said that he is working miracles

For those who are seeking him.

A Poor Widow

A Prosperous Woman

The Prophetic Witnesses

 

This morning we continue on this theme, although

We come upon a situation that is unique to the other three.

 

This morning the miracles of Elisha travel beyond the borders of Israel.

 

We know that when Jesus came to earth,

His miracles were primarily for the lost sheep of Israel,

Yet on occasion His miracles ventured out to the Gentiles.

 

And when they did, those Gentiles

Proved to be a sort of condemnation towards Israel.

 

Remember the Centurian who trusted Jesus authority?

 

To him Jesus said:

Matthew 8:10-12 “Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. “I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 

And of course, this Centurion is just one example.

 

We could also talk about the Samaritan Leper who came back to give thanks…

We could talk about the Canaanite woman who saw her daughter healed of a demon…

 

And each of these are included in the gospel record

As a sort of condemnation against Israel.

 

The Messiah was sent to Israel, and they would not believe.

The Messiah was not primarily sent to the Gentiles

And yet you couldn’t stop them from believing.

 

Naaman is exactly that kind of an illustration.

In fact, he is even mentioned by Jesus in the New Testament.

 

After Jesus preached in His hometown, He made an observation.

TURN TO: Luke 4:22-30

And so we see exactly why the Naaman story is included in Scripture.

Not only does it add to the resume of Elisha,

But it also reveals the hard-hearted and blind condition of Israel.

 

There were not many in Israel who would take advantage

Of the presence of God, nor that would listen to His word.

 

As a sort of condemnation to them,

God extends His blessing away from them and into a foreign nation.

 

And so with that, we know how

To approach this miracle done for Naaman the Leper.

 

I have divided this text up into 6 parts this morning.

#1 NAAMAN INFORMED

2 Kings 5:1-5

 

Before we get into the actual flow of this story.

The writer wants us to know exactly

Who it is we are dealing with in this Naaman.

 

We have already seen that he was a foreigner, which is quite significant, but beyond that we see:

• He is quite an individual.

• He is a high-ranking military leader.

• He holds high status with the King, and has quite a reputation.

 

• “Captain of the army of the king of Aram”

• “a great man with his master”

• “Highly respected”

• “by him the LORD had given victory to Aram”

• “A valiant warrior”

 

It is fairly safe to say that this Naaman was a national icon to his nation

 

“but he was a leper.”

 

Matthew Henry said this:

“Naaman was as great as the world could make him, and yet the best slave in Syria would not change skins with him.”

 

He was a good and successful man, but a hopeless man.

 

How many Naamans there are in the world.

Highly successful, yet utterly miserable.

 

Zaccheus – The Rich young Ruler – Cornelius

 

These were men who were worldly successful,

Yet absolutely miserable in life.

And our world is full of them today.

 

Namaan reminds us you can only go so far in your own strength.

 

There are many problems in this life that only have God as their solution.

Israel needed to understand this, Naaman is about to.

 

It is at this point, that Naaman’s life is about to change.

VERSES 2-5

 

We see again that Naaman must have been a good man,

For this servant girl holds him no ill will.

 

In fact, she reveals a means by which Naaman could be healed.

And the interesting thing is that Naaman believes her.

 

Many would say,

“What can this dumb little slave girl know. Every doctor in Syria tells me this is incurable, there is no way I’m going to Israel to some sort of “Faith Healer””.

 

But not Naaman.

He heard truth, he heard good news,

And it did not matter to him that the messenger was a slave girl.

 

Many today should learn this.

There are many who disregard the gospel because they don’t trust

Or don’t like the messenger

 

But Naaman had no such prejudices.

He was informed and he immediately took the news to the King,

Who bid him good luck.

 

Naaman informed

#2 NAAMAN INQUIRING

2 Kings 5:6-7

 

So we see that Naaman has listened to the slave girl and has determined to seek out deliverance if indeed deliverance is possible.

 

And so Naaman inquires of the King of Israel.

 

The interesting thing here is the King of Israel’s response.

 

The King of Israel at this time was Jehoram.

He was the son of Ahab.

 

He was the one who according to 3:3 “clung to the sins of Jeroboam”.

He had rejected the Law of God,

He embraced the false gods of Jeroboam.

And the result was that he was a powerless, nervous wreck.

 

When Naaman shows up the King of Israel is beside himself.

He is certain that he is about to be in a war he cannot win.

 

GOD IS RATTLING HIS CAGE

God is reminding the king of Israel that he is impotent

And that all of his false gods are as well.

 

God is still working in Israel

To get them to turn from their false gods and turn to Him,

And He takes this opportunity to reveal Himself.

 

Naaman Informed

Naaman Inquiring

#3 NAAMAN IN A RAGE

2 Kings 5:8-12

 

You really have to like this.

It is Elisha to the rescue.

 

He approaches the king with a message.

 

“he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.”

 

That is a message for Naaman that is also intended for Israel.

They had forgotten this truth.

 

More than even Naaman, God wants Jehoram to know

That there is a prophet in Israel.

 

And when Naaman shows up, he expects a great performance.

 

But Elisha won’t even come to the door to see him.

Instead Elisha gives him a simple, effortless command.

 

And it infuriates Naaman.

(11) “But Naaman was furious and went away and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.’ “Are not Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.”

 

And you see that while Naaman is seeking,

His old carnal nature is still shining through.

He doesn’t like Elisha’s answer because it is not spectacular enough.

 

He struggled with the simplicity of God’s command.

 

And we see this as well today.

 

Some men will not come to God unless they can also attain glory

For what they did to aid God in deliverance.

 

It is not enough to testify of God’s grace.

They want some of the credit as well.

 

“God saved me because I…”

“God delivered me when I…”

 

They are trying to hold on to a reason to boast and attain glory.

 

But you and I must remember that when God delivers,

God gets the glory.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

 

Romans 4:1-2 “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.”

 

Perhaps you remember that age old story

In the Old Testament about Gideon.

Judges 7:1-2 “Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him, rose early and camped beside the spring of Harod; and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley. The LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me.’”

 

We see that throughout the Bible.

That God ordains deliverance in such a way

That He is the One who gets the glory for it.

 

And in this case, God gets glory because

There is nothing impressive about what Naaman is asked to do.

 

But it upsets Naaman.

 

Naaman informed

Naaman inquiring

Naaman In a rage

#4 NAAMAN CALMED

2 Kings 5:13

 

It is obvious that Naaman had good and wise servants.

Being servants they understood simple obedience and humility,

So they taught it to Naaman.

 

We have to learn it as well.

There is no room for arrogance or obstinance

In regard to responding to God.

 

We simply humble ourselves before Him and do whatever He asks.

• And like it or not the salvation of God is not mystical.

God doesn’t require some ecstatic show or display.

 

• It is also not partial, in which He requires any help from you.

God doesn’t require some extra work to help Him save you.

 

The salvation of God requires only faith, all the power belongs to Him.

 

And the good news is that Naaman listens to their advice.

 

#5 NAAMAN CURED

2 Kings 5:14

 

There we see that by simply trusting the command,

Naaman was cured of his leprosy.

 

It was all about the power of God.

In fact, Elisha wasn’t even present at the miracle.

 

God has the power, God has the willingness,

And when we follow His directives, then deliverance occurs.

 

 

And there is one more thing I want you to see in this story.

 

#6 NAAMAN CONVERTED

2 Kings 5:15-19

 

Now Naaman returns to Elisha and the mission has been accomplished.

 

“Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel;”

 

You may remember that that is what Elisha said he would know.

It was the main objective and Naaman is convinced.

 

And Naaman even tries to pay for his cleansing,

But you and I know grace better than that.

 

WHAT PAYMENT COULD BE MADE FOR REDEMPTION AND DELIVERANCE?

 

There was no payment necessary or adequate.

 

And so Naaman makes requests.

 

“two mules load of earth”

 

He is a little mistaken about the omnipresence of God.

He can be worshiped anywhere, not just on Israel soil.

 

And he is a little mistaken about total surrender,

For he asks a pardon in advance for questionable behavior.

 

It is clear that Naaman is a little confused as a baby Christian,

But the fact that he has truly been converted

Is evidenced by Elisha’s statement to “Go in peace”

 

Naaman was a hopeless man in need of God.

 

When he was willing to believe the good news, seek out God,

And humble himself before Him, he found deliverance.

 

He wasn’t perfect…

He still had some misconceptions…

But God clearly blessed his willingness to seek and trust.

 

And according to Jesus, Naaman was a judgment before Israel.

 

Luke 4:27 “And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”

 

It is certainly not that God loved Syrians more than Israelites,

But rather that none of the Israelite lepers

Were willing to do what this Syrian leper did.

 

The difference between Naaman and Israel?

 

Naaman listened to the good news, Israel did not.

And that is a major distinction.

 

TURN TO: Matthew 7:24-27

 

Of course Israel was like the foolish man,

Who had Elisha in her midst and couldn’t even see it.

 

They would make the very same mistake when Jesus showed up.

 

Luke 19:41-44 “When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. “For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

 

What a tragedy when we fail to recognize the nearness of God

And to take advantage of His available word.

 

Amos actually speaks of the end result of resisting God too long.

Amos 8:11-12 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD. “People will stagger from sea to sea And from the north even to the east; They will go to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, But they will not find it.”

 

Amos actually saw those who refused to seek God

Eventually losing the ability to find Him at all.

 

Certainly Israel is here today as they have been broken off and by in large today have rejected the Messiah.

 

No wonder Isaiah says:

Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”

 

What Isaiah says there is what Israel should have recognized.

They should have called on God, and they would not.

 

But for those who recognize the nearness of God and take advantage of it, there is blessing and deliverance to be had.

 

 

TURN TO: PSALM 32

 

 

There again it is the importance of seeking and trusting God.

 

 

Don’t resist God, He blesses those who humble themselves and seek Him.

He is looking for those whose heart is completely His.

 

Turn to Him and trust Him with your life,

But do not miss your time of visitation.

 

2 Kings 4:38-44

 

We are in a unique portion of Scripture

As we study through this book of 2 Kings.

 

A rapid fire listing of the many miracles and fulfilled prophecies of Elisha.

 

As we have said a couple of times now.

• The miracles are done for those who are seeking God.

• The prophecies will be to convince those who are not seeking God.

 

So far we have seen two miracles on behalf of God’s people.

 

1) We saw God miraculously provide for a poor widow.

She was a faithful woman.

She was a desperate woman.

She was a poor woman. (about to sell her two sons)

 

But God saw this woman and sent Elisha to supernaturally meet her need

By multiplying her oil so that she could sell it and get our of debt.

 

2) Next we saw God bless a prominent Shunammite woman.

She was prominent

She was hospitable and generous

She was also barren.

 

God blessed her with a son, and then allowed that son to die

To prove that this woman was “wholly devoted” to God,

And then God raised her son back from the dead.

 

In many ways these women were opposites.

One was prominent, one was poor

One was married, one was a widow

One was childless, one had children

 

But the unifying characteristic is that they each

Had a sincere love and fear for God, and God blessed them.

 

As we said last week:

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…”

 

God isn’t just looking for the wicked that He may punish them.

God is also looking for the committed, that He may bless them.

 

Such is certainly true in Israel during this time.

 

You may remember that of all Israel,

God saw that there would only be a faithful remnant.

 

By in large, most of Israel would turn apostate.

God told Elijah.

1 Kings 19:18 “Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

 

God had allotted that in all of Israel, the number of people

Who were wholly devoted to Him would be a rather small number.

 

Isaiah will come on the scene in a few years

And God will reveal to Him the exact same truth.

 

Isaiah 6:9-13 “He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not perceive; Keep on looking, but do not understand.’ “Render the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes dim, Otherwise they might see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.” Then I said, “Lord, how long?” And He answered, “Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, Houses are without people And the land is utterly desolate, “The LORD has removed men far away, And the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. “Yet there will be a tenth portion in it, And it will again be subject to burning, Like a terebinth or an oak Whose stump remains when it is felled. The holy seed is its stump.”

 

God revealed to Isaiah that the remnant would only be a tenth.

 

Yet despite the fact that there are not many,

God is systematically seeking them out

In order to deliver them,

In order to bless them,

In order to provide for them.

 

They have not forsaken God, and God has not forsaken them.

 

As I thought about this, I was drawn to a verse I recently learned.

 

Dennis in prison taught me this verse

 

Psalms 37:23-26 “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread. All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing.”

 

That verse does not promise that the righteous will not suffer.

(The book of Job enlightens us to that truth)

 

In fact that passage even mentions “When he falls”.

 

Hardship may indeed come, and the righteous may fall,

But even when they fall, they are never forsaken.

 

The sons of Korah said:

Psalms 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

 

I once heard Adrian Rogers say:

“God doesn’t promise to get you out of trouble.

God promises to get into trouble with you.”

 

And certainly you understand the point.

 

In Israel the faithful are few and far between,

Yet God has not forsaken them.

 

This morning we see it happen again.

• First it was for a poor widow…

• Second it was for a prominent woman…

• Today it is for the prophetic witnesses.

 

I want to simply take you through what occurs in this incident,

And then spend a little time reminding you

Of how faithful God is to those who seek Him and trust Him.

 

There are two main miracles here, let’s look at them.

#1 GOD’S SUPERNATURAL PROTECTION

2 Kings 4:38-41

 

You will notice as we read that Elisha makes a trip back to Gilgal,

And there is a school for the sons of the prophets.

 

And Scripture says they “were sitting before him”

 

There was a famine in the land, but their hunger was for the word of God.

 

To them, the spiritual was much more important than the physical.

They are an illustration of the faithful.

 

We see this same attitude in Mary.

Luke 10:38-39 “Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.”

 

Now Elisha determined that he needed to feed these devoted listeners.

 

When the 4,000 showed up to hear Jesus, He said:

Matthew 15:32 “And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.”

 

There was a group of people who were hungrier for the things of God

Than they were for physical food.

 

Yet, it is the compassion of the teacher

To be concerned about their physical needs

And so it is here.

Elisha wants to feed them.

 

A servant goes out for herbs, and as he was looking,

He finds some wild gourds that he brings and throws into the pot.

 

As the prophets eat, they realize that the stew is dangerous and actually say, “there is death in the pot.”

 

At that point, Elisha throws some meal into the pot and cleanses it.

 

WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS GOD’S SUPERNATURAL PROTECTION.

And it is seen in two ways.

 

In a NATURAL way and in a MIRACULOUS way.

 

The natural way:

BY GIVING DISCERNMENT

 

The prophets obviously had a limited knowledge of edible gourds.

But they were still able to discern danger when it was before them.

 

We call it discernment, and it is a gift from God.

God had given them enough discernment

To recognize the danger that was in front of them.

 

Now in one sense we are commanded to be discerning.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”

 

1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

 

Romans 13:11 “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.”

 

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.”

 

Matthew 10:17 “But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues;”

 

Throughout Scripture we have admonitions

To be alert, or sober, or awake, or to be ware.

It is God calling us to be discerning people.

 

And the unique thing is that it is God

Who gives us the ability to be discerning.

 

He has shown light into our hearts to rescue us from darkness

And now we are able to discern.

 

God has given you wisdom and a brain

To help protect you from the dangers around you.

Use your wisdom, use your knowledge of the Bible, and avoid danger.

 

And this was the first way in which God protected these prophets.

He gave them discernment.

 

It was not miraculous, but it was God protecting none the less.

 

But God also protected in a miraculous way.

BY CLEANSING THE STEW

 

This was a miracle in which God supernaturally made

Unfit food fit for consumption.

 

God did this in the New Testament during the apostolic age as well.

Mark 16:18 “they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

 

It was a miracle from God in which

He protected them from danger and deadly food.

 

Sometimes we use our God given discernment to avoid danger.

Sometimes God supernaturally changes the situation to safety.

 

Psalms 46:8-11 “Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.”

 

The Psalmist saw the Lord as the one who could

Defuse hostile situations and protect even in the midst of great danger.

 

Certainly God did that for these prophets.

He responded to these righteous men with supernatural protection.

 

There is a second miracle.

#2 GOD’S SUPERNATURAL PROVISION

2 Kings 4:42-44

 

God was working for more than just one meal.

 

God is a God of provision.

Matthew 6:31-33 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

And here again we see God’s provision

Once in a natural way, and then in a miraculous way.

 

BY BLESSING A FAITHFUL FARMER

 

Now I do realize that the food this man was not much,

But you do realize that in the midst of a famine

There are a lot of farmers who have no crop.

 

But this man did, and because Israel had no temple to bring “first fruits” to,

This man had determined to bring them to the prophets.

 

Sometimes God’s provision is in such ways.

Rain, A paycheck, Generosity

 

They don’t seem miraculous, but it is real provision none the less.

 

And God provided here for a faithful farmer

Who would in turn bless His people.

 

But the story does not stop there, there is a miraculous element here as well.

BY MULTIPLYING FOOD

 

This obviously goes far beyond the natural provision of God.

 

God multiplied the food.

(Very similar to the miracles of Jesus, except here Elisha did not do it,

In the New Testament Jesus was the one who did it.)

 

And God works in this way many times for us.

 

There are instances in which God

Goes beyond our ability to simply work for money.

 

God makes tires go a little longer…

God makes energy bills come in a little cheaper…

For my parents God actually had to

Sell some of the worst cedar beds you ever saw.

 

Malachi 3:10-11 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. “Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the LORD of hosts.”

 

Have you ever met the “devourer”?

Travis worked on Sunday and blew out two tires…

 

We call that “the devourer”.

• He ruins water heaters…

• He breaks air conditioners…

• He blows out tires…

• He gives out speeding tickets…

 

But when we walk in God’s will, God supernaturally keeps him away.

And it is just another way in which God supernaturally provides.

 

So God supernaturally protects and God supernaturally provides.

That is not difficult to see from this passage.

 

And it reinforces the Scripture we read to begin.

Psalms 37:23-26 “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread. All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing.”

 

Psalms 127:2 “It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.”

 

And the point to this whole sermon is that

It is a good thing to be a person who seeks and trusts God.

Because God never forsakes those who trust Him.

 

We by no means have the time to cover all the passages that reinforce this,

But I do want to make sure to show you some of them.

 

TURN TO: JEREMIAH 17:5-8

 

PLANTED – “planted by the water”

PROVIDED FOR – “extends it roots by a stream”

PROTECTED – “will not fear when heat comes”

PERSEVERANT – “its leaves will be green”

PEACEFUL – “will not be anxious in a year of drought”

PRODUCTIVE – “nor cease to yield fruit”

 

TURN TO: PSALM 1

 

Verse 3 gives four characteristics of a man who trusts in God and loves His word.

 

PLANTED – “firmly planted by streams of water”

PRODUCTIVE – “which yields its fruit in its season”

PERSEVERANT – “its leaf does not wither”

PROSPEROUS – “in whatever he does, he prospers”

 

And there you get the same point.

God takes care of the righteous even in the midst of hard situations.

 

 

 

TURN TO: PSALMS 146

 

This time the Psalmist reminds us of who God is.

 

Verses 5-7

GOD IS POWERFUL – “who made heaven and earth”

GOD IS FAITHFUL – “who keeps faith forever”

GOD IS RIGHTEOUS – “executes justice for the oppressed”

GOD IS MERCIFUL – “who gives food to the hungry”

 

You see it over and over and over again,

That God does not forsake the righteous.

 

Psalms 34:8 “O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”

 

Psalms 84:11-12 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

 

Psalms 92:12-14 “The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green,”

 

Psalms 2:12 “Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!”

 

Psalms 103:15-18 “As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them.”

 

I just want you to see that it is worth it to trust God and to seek Him.

God never forsakes His own.

God never lets go of them.

God never fails to take care of His own.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”

 

When we seek God, it matters to Him, and He comes through.

He delights in coming through for you.

 

Place all your trust in Him and let Him come through for you.

 

Psalms 37:23-26 “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread. All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing.”

 

2 Kings 4:8-37 (8-17)

 

This morning we get back to our study of the Kings.

You may also remember that we are in a

Very interesting section of Scripture.

 

IT IS NOT A STUDY OF ANY OF THE CURRENT KINGS.

It is a section that covers the ministry of Elisha.

 

But it is also a very pointed section.

 

The purpose of this section

Is to reveal that God is indeed working in Israel.

 

He is blessing those who seek Him,

And He is revealing Himself to those who do not know Him.

 

It is part of that revival that God promised to Elijah.

 

Earlier in our study of Kings we studied a king named Asa,

And as we studied him, we came across a very interesting statement.

 

After Asa had failed to trust God in a battle he was fighting, God had this to say:

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.”

 

God revealed a very interesting concept to Asa,

And it is that God is actively and continually looking

For those who support Him, that He may in turn support them.

 

THIS IDEA OF GOD WATCHING IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT.

 

David revealed in the 139th Psalm

Psalms 139:7-12 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.”

 

David spoke in great detail about the omnipresence of God.

He knew that there was no way to escape from God’s sight.

 

In short, He sees all that I do.

He sees all that I think.

He knows everything about me.

 

Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.”

 

In regard to the wicked, Jeremiah said:

Jeremiah 16:16-18 “Behold, I am going to send for many fishermen,” declares the LORD, “and they will fish for them; and afterwards I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain and every hill and from the clefts of the rocks. “For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes. “I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations.”

 

Now, what Jeremiah revealed, we are all pretty accustomed to.

There is a continual view in the church that if you do wicked things,

Then God is going to see it.

 

If you go into your bedroom, get on the internet, and look at pornography,

Then God will see it and judge you.

 

And if you don’t realize that, then you should. God is watching.

 

But God is not like a highway patrolman,

Sitting up there with His omniscient radar gun,

Just looking for people to punish.

 

God is also doing what He told Asa:

“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

 

God is not just looking for the wicked to judge

He is also desperately looking for someone on His side,

That is walking in obedience, in order that He can bless them.

 

Consider what Ezekiel said:

After revealing that Israel’s prophets, priests, princes and people were all corrupt and wicked.

 

Ezekiel 22:30 “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.”

 

Yes God saw the wicked, and intends to punish,

But He is also looking for the righteous

That He may support them and bless them.

 

He is not just some means spirited deity bent on flexing His muscle,

He is a loving and holy God

That seeks to reward those who walk in obedience.

 

That means that God is watching and God is seeking to reward.

 

Jesus promised that even secret obedience gets rewarded:

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you… “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

 

Later, referring to the difficulty we would face in this world, Jesus said:

Matthew 10:26 “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”

 

At the end of the chapter He said:

Matthew 10:41-42 “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”

 

The point is that all Christian obedience brings with it

Support, blessing, and ultimately a reward.

 

In fact, this all finds it’s culmination in the final day.

Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”

 

That means that our lives

Are not just about avoiding the judgment of God,

But also seeking out the reward or blessing of God.

 

If you need an illustration of that, I take you to our text this morning.

It is about a woman who is unnamed in Scripture.

She is simple known as “The Shunammite”.

 

Yet you will see that God found her in the midst of a carnal society

And supported her and blessed her.

 

She provides us with a good example

Of a life that sought a blessing from God.

 

There are 5 things I want you to see about this woman.

#1 SHE WAS GENEROUS

2 Kings 4:8

 

Last time we studied in the Kings we saw God providing for a widow.

• A widow so poor that she was about to have to sell her two sons in order to pay her debts.

• A widow so poor that all she owned was some oil and the jar it was in.

 

Yet God spotted this widow as a faithful woman

And He provided for her needs and then some.

 

In many ways this Shunammite woman is the exact opposite of her.

She is not a widow, and she is not poor.

 

In fact Scripture says, “there was a prominent woman”

 

This was a high society woman, and one of potentially great means.

 

And you need to understand that for a couple of reasons.

1) People of all positions have needs which only God can meet.

2) God is not just looking for the poor, God is looking for those who love Him.

 

That is what these two women have in common.

One was rich, one was poor, but both had a heart for God.

 

But what I want you to see first off about this woman is a very important characteristic, and that is that she was HOSPITABLE.

 

As Elisha walked by, “she persuaded him to eat food. And so it was, as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat food.”

 

I had a great-grandmother just like her.

 

They make you feel plum guilty if you don’t eat their food.

You probably know some women like that.

 

But then again, who wouldn’t be hospitable to Elisha?

 

I mean if Billy Graham came to preach at this church,

Any number of the women in here would volunteer to feed him lunch,

Because it is Billy Graham.

 

But just as a sneak peek, look at verse 9

“She said to her husband, “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually.”

 

What that means is that this woman had absolutely no idea

Who he was or what he was when she first persuaded him to eat.

 

For all she knew he was just a wandering stranger,

And yet she still “persuaded him to eat food.”

 

We call that a spirit of hospitality, and it is a spirit

That God is eagerly looking for in those He seeks to support.

 

Romans 12:10-13 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

 

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

 

According to that verse, God even sends angels out disguised as strangers

Just to test your spirit of hospitality.

 

GOD IS LOOKING FOR HOSPITABLE PEOPLE.

 

Perhaps you remember a few weeks back on Sunday night

As we talked about the ministry to widows and the ministry of widows.

 

God has a unique plan by which the church ministers to widows

And a unique plan by which the widows are to minister to the church.

 

And according to God not just any widow

Is allowed to represent the church as a special servant.

 

There were qualifications before a widow could serve the church.

1 Timothy 5:9-10 “A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.”

 

One could almost argue that you could summarize all those commands

Into these. – Not an adulteress, and a hospitable woman.

 

Hospitality matters to God.

 

Of course it is not just the role of the women.

 

The often disregarded book of 3 John deals directly with this issue.

 

3 John 1-8 “The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.”

 

John wrote to Gaius to commend his church for their hospitality

“Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers”

 

That church was commended for their hospitality,

Furthermore John says it is fitting for all of us to do so.

 

THE POINT IS HOSPITALITY AND GENEROSITY MATTER TO GOD.

He is looking for those who have such desires

So that He may support them.

 

This woman was generous

#2 SHE WAS GOD-FEARING

2 Kings 4:9-10

 

As we read earlier, it didn’t take long before this woman

Realized something about her new guest.

 

There was something different about him,

• He had a personal holiness

• He had a focus on spiritual things

• He spoke with an authority about him.

 

“Behold, now I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually. Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there.”

 

This woman started out with simple hospitality,

But soon she realized there was more on her hands.

 

This was a man of God.

She wanted his presence…

She wanted his influence…

 

BUT MOSTLY SHE WANTED TO BE A SERVANT TO GOD

BY CARING FOR GOD’S SERVANT.

 

She had a fear of the Lord that sought to serve Him.

Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”

 

She wants to help the work of God

By taking care of all that she can to help His messenger.

You instantly get a picture of her heart.

 

Generous, God-Fearing

#3 SHE WAS GENUINE

2 Kings 4:11-17

 

You have to love this part of the story.

Certainly the miracle gives you a warm feeling,

But look even before the miracle.

 

Elisha recognized her hospitality and goodness to him,

And he sought to repay her.

 

And notice what he said:

(13) “Behold, you have been careful for us with all this care;”

 

This woman did far more than the bare minimum.

She was thorough.

This was a role she absolutely cherished.

 

It was a ministry that was close to her heart.

 

And because of her great care, Elisha has a question.

(13) “what can I do for you? Would you be spoken for to the king or to the captain of the army?’”

 

If she was into immediate and temporal reward, this was her chance.

Elisha is offering up to her a credit card of favor.

She has done much, and he seeks to repay.

 

But look at her answer,

(13) “I live among my own people.”

 

What she is saying is that she is content where she is.

She is fine in life, she doesn’t desire anything.

She is filled with contentment.

 

And contentment in itself is a wonderful thing.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”

 

Furthermore contentment is a hard thing to master.

 

Listen to this verse from Paul.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

 

We frequently hear it from \ athletes or from those in the midst of trials,

Boasting of all they can do all through God’s power.

 

BUT, HAVE YOU EVER READ THE CONTEXT IN WHICH PAUL MADE THIS GREAT STATEMENT OF CONFIDENCE?

Philippians 4:12-13 “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

Paul said he has learned to be content,

And he did it because of God’s power in his life.

 

The point is that contentment is a hard trait to master.

We live in an advertising world, and worldliness comes easy to us.

 

To master contentment is tough.

But that is precisely what this woman has.

She is not seeking to get ahead.

 

This also reveals that her hospitality was done out of pure motives.

• She didn’t do it for temporal reward.

• She did it because in her heart she desired to be generous.

 

That is a hallmark of godliness!

Luke 6:32-36 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

 

Sons of the Most High are hospitable and merciful

With no thought of anything in return.

 

So thus far we have seen that this woman was:

Generous, God-Fearing, and Genuine.

 

Remember how we started this sermon?

2 Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

 

It is apparent that this woman’s heart is completely His.

SO WHAT DOES GOD DO?

VERSES 14-17

 

God blesses her with a child.

He gave her what she did not ask for.

 

This again is God’s grace doing more than we ask or think,

Just as He did with the widow.

 

Even more it is God seeking out and blessing those who love Him.

 

NOW WE COULD STOP RIGHT THERE,

And talk about how we should all live a life that God desires to bless.

 

But the story doesn’t stop there.

#4 SHE WAS GRIEVING

2 Kings 4:18-30

 

My bible says, “when the child was grown”,

Most likely it means weaned, for later he will sit in her lap.

 

He went out to his father and complained about his head.

(Heat stroke)

 

But whatever the sickness, he went in to his mother and died in her arms.

 

YOU ASK, WHY WOULD GOD GIVE THE CHILD AND THEN TAKE HIM AWAY?

 

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

 

It is not that God tests every person in such an extreme way.

However, the writer chose this story to prove to you

That this woman was not a fair-weather follower.

 

• She was devoted while childless…

• She was devoted with child…

• And now, she will be devoted during tragedy…

 

This child dies to show you and I that this woman is wholly devoted.

Even in her grief, she seeks out God.

 

She lays the child on Elisha’s bed and seeks him out.

 

And this she does even in the midst of ridicule.

 

Notice what her husband says when she reveals her plans.

(23) “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.”

 

You see a man who didn’t understand

Why anyone would go to church unless they had to.

 

But those who are devoted to God know Sunday

Is not the only day that belongs to the Lord,

Nor is it the only day we seek Him or listen to Him.

 

This woman is going to God through God’s messenger.

And nothing will deter her.

(Even Gehazi can’t detain her)

 

She comes and clings to Elisha’s feet and says:

(28) “Did I ask for a son from my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”

Even in her grief, she recognizes the authority of Elisha

And submits to him, calling him “lord”.

 

She is grieving, it is hard, but you cannot question her heart.

 

AT THIS POINT, IN ORDER TO SAVE TIME,

Elisha sends Gehazi ahead in order to lay his staff on the lads face.

 

And you would think that with that

The mother would go with Gehazi, but look:

(30) “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”

 

This woman is clinging to the Lord.

 

She is not following some mystical demonstration

(and God won’t work that way), she is clinging to God.

 

She was grieving, but notice her commitment.

There is no doubt in our minds that this woman’s heart is fully God’s.

 

But there is more:

#5 SHE IS GRATEFUL

2 Kings 4:31-37

 

Now, there it is again, God does the miraculous,

And restores the child to life.

 

Now, in fairness to those who have lost children, this is not saying that if God did not raise your child that you weren’t devoted.

This story is included as an illustration, not a normal practice.

 

But in this woman’s case, the child is restored to evidence the point

That God is supporting this wonderful woman.

 

But then, look at what she does.

 

Ordinarily, if your child was raised from the dead,

Most mothers would out run Car Lewis to the child to take him up.

 

But notice this woman:

(37) “Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground, and she took up her son and went out.”

 

Did you notice what she did first?

She worshiped.

 

This is yet another indicator of this woman’s extreme devotion

To God and even to His glory.

 

God is seeking out those whose heart is completely His,

That He may support them.

 

This woman gives a good picture of what that heart looks like.

• She is Generous

• She is God-Fearing

• She is Genuine

• She was committed during Grief

• She was Grateful

 

God is pleased with such people and seeks to support them.

 

It was a major lesson to Israel, and it is to us as well.

 

This morning I would simply ask you:

 

DO YOU DESIRE TO BE THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT GOD CAN SUPPORT, AND DESIRES TO SUPPORT?

 

If so, then order your life aright,

To be someone that God desires to support.

 

SO FAR:

God supported a widow with great faith and perseverance…

God supported a woman with generosity and a genuine heart…

 

Follow their example, and be the type of person God seeks to bless.

 

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”

 

2 Kings 4:1-7

 

We are entering a unique section in the book of 2 Kings,

Unlike any we have studied in the book thus far.

 

It is a section that focuses primarily on the ministry of Elisha.

 

Chapters 4:1 – 6:7 deals primarily with the miracles he worked.

Chapters 6:8 – 8:15 deals primarily with his fulfilled prophesy.

 

One of the things that is interesting about this section is that

All of the miracles occur for those who are seeking the Lord.

 

All of the fulfilled prophecies are for those who are not.

 

That in itself gives us tremendous insight about

The way in which God used miracles in the Old Testament.

 

The miraculous power of God was manifested to those who trusted Him.

As for those who did not, God gave the demonstration of His fulfilled word.

 

But none the less we see this interesting segment of Scripture.

 

The real question for me has been,

WHAT IS GOD TRYING TO SHOW US THROUGH THIS SECTION?

(In fact, I have been racking my brain with that question for several months)

 

• One could see it merely as a validation of Elisha’s ministry (and it is)

• One could see it as a demonstration of the depravity in Israel (and it is)

• One could see it as individual examples of faith (and it is)

• One could see it as various testimonials to God’s power (and it is)

• One could even see it as prophetic of Jesus’ ministry (and it is)

 

But to simply stop at any of those

And call it the main reason God included this section in His word

Is to miss the primary reason for why we have it here before us.

 

It seems to me that it is best to see this section

As a fulfillment of God’s promise to move and work in Israel.

 

Once again I remind you of the promise that God made to Elijah

After his wilderness Experience.

 

1 Kings 19:15-18 “The LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. “It shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. “Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

God promised Elijah that He was going to reclaim His supremacy

As the only God of Israel.

 

Israel had fallen into Baal worship,

And God promised Elijah that Baal would come to an end.

 

Certainly there are many factors involved in how God would do that,

Most of which we have still yet to see occur in the book.

 

But aside from actually killing off Baal (which God will do)

God is also at work to strengthen the hearts of those who are His,

And to reveal Himself to those who are not.

 

That is the purpose for this section.

It reveals part of the fulfillment of God’s promise of revival

Which He made to Elijah.

 

God is here working in Israel to strengthen the righteous

And to call the wicked.

 

To the faithful, we see demonstrations of power.

To the wicked, we see fulfilled prophesy.

 

And this morning we start with a miracle for a widow.

 

Allow me to just bring three things to light this morning.

#1 THE WIDOW’S CIRCUMSTANCES

2 Kings 4:1-2

 

There are actually a couple of things I think we need to see about this widow this morning, and the first has to do with her faithfulness.

 

You will notice the she is “of the wives of the sons of the prophets”

 

In modern terms we would call her a preacher’s wife.

 

But just to make sure we don’t overlook the implications,

You must remember that prophets are not all that popular in Israel.

 

• Elijah was certainly a hunted man.

• Beyond that we remember that Jezebel ordered all of them to be killed.

 

Remember Obadiah’s ministry?

1 Kings 18:13 “Has it not been told to my master what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, that I hid a hundred prophets of the LORD by fifties in a cave, and provided them with bread and water?”

 

In fact the total number of faithful in Israel was only 7,000

 

1 Kings 19:18 “Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

 

This was not a day in which the prophets were treated with respect.

They were not routinely invited over for Sunday dinner.

In fact, we will soon see that many of the prophets were starving.

 

NOW IF YOU COMPROMISED, YOU COULD BE COMFORTABLE

Remember the old lying prophet in Bethel?

 

But such wasn’t the case for this woman’s husband.

This man had been faithful.

 

“you know that your servant feared the LORD”

 

Scripture also indicates that he was FAITHFULLY BOLD prophet,

For his ministry was apparently well known.

 

“YOU KNOW that your servant feared the LORD”

 

It is obvious that this woman was married to a godly man,

And also obvious that they had been rejected by the world.

 

 

BEYOND THAT, WE SEE HER FINANCIAL STATE:

 

“the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.”

 

If the only thing you have left to sell are your kids, then you are poor.

 

Remember the man Jesus spoke of?

Matthew 18:23-25 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. “When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. “But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made.”

 

And verse 2 verifies that fact.

“Your maidservant has noting in the house except a jar of oil.”

• She had no furniture…

• She had no garments…

• She had no food…

 

Even the widow Elijah ministered to had meal to go with her oil.

This woman did not.

 

She only had two possessions.

1 was oil, the other was the jar that contained it.

 

The point being that this woman was poor,

Her poverty was due to the faithfulness of her and her husband.

 

That then sheds much light on the depravity of Israel as well.

 

You should know first of all that selling your children into slavery

Was indeed a common practice, and one not forbidden by Mosaic Law.

 

The Law indicated that you could indeed purchase your Hebrew brother as a slave to settle debts, but that at the end of 6 years he was to go free.

 

Exodus 21:2 “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment.”

 

And so, it is not a shocking thing

That this woman’s children are about to be sold.

 

The reason we are able to see depravity here

Is because of the extreme lack of compassion for this widow.

 

SCRIPTURE CONTINUALLY SPEAKS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPASSION

 

In fact to be faithful to the legalities of the Law,

But to miss compassion

Renders you the most obvious of hypocrites.

 

Remember what Jesus said to the Pharisees?

Matthew 23:23-24 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!”

 

When the Pharisees chastised Jesus for eating with sinners

He responded by saying:

Matthew 9:12-13 “But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. “But go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The Pharisees claimed to love the Law,

But their lack of compassion revealed a bad heart.

 

So it is in Elisha’s day.

The creditors had every legal right to take this woman’s children,

But their lack of compassion revealed the depravity.

 

They had failed to grasp God’s commands in regard to the helpless

(and that is who the widows were in Bible times)

 

God had much to say in regard to those who were helpless.

God cared for widows.

Deuteronomy 10:17-18 “For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe. “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.”

 

Psalms 68:5 “A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation.”

 

Psalms 82:3-4 “Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”

 

It is obvious that God cared about the plight of the helpless

And had even commanded for others to rescue them from their hardship.

 

The point was that if the helpless were in need,

You shouldn’t be taking their children,

You ought to be meeting their need.

 

This is what the Law commanded.

Exodus 22:22-24 “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. “If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; and My anger will be kindled, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.”

 

This is what the prophets commanded.

Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.”

 

If they are in need, then help them out.

 

Israel revealed their depravity through their lack of compassion.

Here was a widow in need, a faithful widow at that,

And no one was doing a thing to help her.

 

BUT IT IS NOT JUST THEIR FAILURE TO HELP.

IT IS ALSO THEIR FAILURE TO PROVIDE.

 

God actually ordained provision for the helpless all throughout the Law.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 “At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. “The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.”

 

Every third year, the helpless were actually to be the recipient of the tithe.

 

That is why Malachi came along and said this:

Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”

 

But the tithe was not all that was there’s.

God also said:

Deuteronomy 24:19-22 “When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. “When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. “When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing.”

 

This widow should have never been in a position of need,

Let alone a position of need with none to help.

 

God had intended for the helpless to be cared for.

These people reveal their depravity because they did not.

 

Deuteronomy 27:19 “Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”

 

Hopefully that paints a picture of the circumstances

This widow finds herself in.

 

That leads to a second point.

 

First, the widow’s circumstances

#2 THE WIDOW’S CRY

2 Kings 4:1

 

It is too obvious to point out that this woman trusted God to protect her?

• She didn’t go on the run with her children…

• She didn’t try to hide them…

• She isn’t found begging and pleading with the creditor…

• She has carried her request to God.

 

She rightly understood that God cares for His own.

1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

 

She has determined to take her dilemma to God (through His prophet)

Instead of seeking deliverance from other source.

 

And certainly we could learn from such a woman.

 

REMEMBER WHAT JESUS SAID?

Matthew 6:25-33 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? “And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

 

Her first concern her entire life had not been food and clothing.

Her first concern had been the kingdom of God, and now that she is in desperate need she is going to the One who promises to meet our needs.

 

GOD PROMISES THE SAME FOR YOU!

 

Matthew 7:7-11 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? “Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

If we understand compassion,

How much more do you thing Holy God understands it?

 

That is why this woman is crying out to Him and not the creditor.

 

The Widow’s circumstances The Widow’s cry

#3 GOD’S COMPASSION

2 Kings 4:2-7

 

Now please notice Elisha’s answer.

“What shall I do for you?”

 

That indicates a couple of things.

• For one, that Elisha may have been poor as well.

• But most importantly, Elisha was revealing that the power for provision was not his, but God’s.

 

Elisha could not do a thing, but God could.

And God would.

 

After revealing her jar of oil, Elisha gives a command.

(3) “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few.”

 

Now obviously this would have been a strange request.

 

Can you imagine the neighbors response?

Why do you need jars?

What could you possible do with these?

 

But, true faith reveals itself through true obedience,

And so this woman does exactly what is commanded of her.

 

She gathers every possible vessel she can get her hands on.

 

(4) “And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.”

 

I find this concept quite interesting.

(not the miracle)

 

“go in and shut the door behind you”

 

I think it is safe to say that our society is becoming more and more “mystical” in regard to the things of God.

 

We live in such a “instant gratification” society that people are literally

Craving the ecstatic, the miraculous, and the flamboyant.

 

Furthermore there seem to be no shortage of mystical magicians out there

Who are willing to give them what they crave for.

 

But when God works this miracle, He purposely does it in private.

 

And by the way, we continually saw this from Jesus as well.

Luke 5:14-15 “And He ordered him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.”

 

Luke 8:54-56 “He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!” And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.”

 

In fact notice what Jesus did on one occasion:

Mark 1:32-39 “When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” He said to them, “Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for.” And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons.”

 

Jesus knew that signs and wonders don’t lead people to salvation,

But rather the preaching of the gospel leads men to salvation.

 

AND HERE GOD IS WORKING HIS MIRACLE IN PRIVATE

This is not a demonstration for validity,

This is not some public spectacle meant to wow the people.

 

This was very simply God,

Doing what His people should have been doing all along.

He is helping the helpless and doing it privately.

 

IS THAT NOT WHAT WE ARE COMMANDED TO DO?

Matthew 6:2-4 “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

 

This is not about publicity, this is about compassion.

God is here doing what His people would not.

 

VERSES 5-7

 

God multiplied the oil (Elisha wasn’t even there)

But Elisha knew the purpose.

 

“Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

Not only did God give what she asked for,

But He gave more than she asked for.

 

Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

 

God is compassionate for His own, even when no one else is.

 

Psalms 37:25 “I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.”

 

I know the society we live in today.

It is daily growing more and more cold

To the things and people of God.

 

And it is certainly true that living a life devoted to God

Can force you to sacrifice the things of the world.

 

Some of the greatest saints to ever live, were also some of the poorest:

 

Hebrews 11:37-38 “They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.”

 

And because the world treats God’s servants with such hostility,

It is very tempting to not go too far in our service to God.

 

We fear the loss of all things, and so we don’t surrender all to Jesus.

 

Learn from this woman.

GOD DOES NOT FORSAKE HIS OWN.

 

Hebrews 13:5-6 “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”

 

This morning I don’t know what sort of things you are facing.

 

This world promises all sorts of hardships.

But I do know that if you will humble yourself and seek God,

He will meet your needs.

 

But you do have to trust Him.

You do have to seek Him.

You do have to obey Him.

 

Maybe today you are not oppressed in any way,

But you need to open your eyes to those around you

And display the compassion of our great God.

 

It’s good to tithe mint and dill and cumin,

But don’t neglect the weightier provisions of the Law,

“justice, mercy, and faithfulness”

For God “desires compassion and not a sacrifice.”

 

This morning determine be the hands and feet of Christ.

 

1 Peter 5:6-7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”