Forty-four verses in this chapter, but it’s exciting stuff, in my opinion. A window onto the day to day of God’s people at this time dealing with the challenges and tragedies of life. Debt, infertility, an uncertain future – issues that are 21st century UK issues too. Where’s God? Right in the thick of it!
The message is clear – God wants in on the life of our communities! The practicality of how Elisha (and God!) solve the first problem, not with a shower of money from above but with a solution that relies on the neighbours (lots in the Torah about this) and existing community strength and this is what happens when God adds Himself to the mix! Elisha’s solution involves all the family, neighbours and ultimately the whole community (who buy the oil). I wonder if that miraculous oil influenced or blessed all who bought it too.
4.38 onwards shows us God’s provision through Elisha and aren’t v.s.42-44 a foreshadowing surprise?! God displays His power as we reach out to help.
The Shunammite woman (lovely link: like the girl in Song of Songs – so…. like us!). Elisha seeks to bless someone who wants to serve and support him. Notice the tenacity of this mother (like Elisha’s in chapter 2) and Elisha’s own persistence and complete involvement – I love the detail of v.34. We, my friends are challenged here – Mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands.
It’s a twofold challenge: can we be that involved (for the sake of the Kingdom)? With our brothers and sisters? With our communities? Because that’s a picture (4:34) of what Christ’s blood has bought us – closeness, intimacy with the God of Everything.
Mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands – you might want to pause right now and savour that truth and pray ‘Restore my intimacy with You, Lord Jesus. I want to come close.’ And notice the little boy couldn’t do anything, we even though we might sometimes feel simply like dead things – He will come close!
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Prayer:
‘Restore my intimacy with You, Lord Jesus. I want to come close.’