2 Kings 4:14-26 (NKJV)
“It is Well”
January 27, 2023
The United Kingdom (Saul, David, Solomon) has divided (931 BC). Our text takes place around 850 BC - Elisha was God’s prophet to the Northern kingdom. He was the son of a farmer, Shaphat, and also understudy of Elijah. At Elijah’s ascension into heaven in a whirlwind, Elisha picked up the mantle, received a double portion of the Spirit, used it to part the Jordan, and so began his prophecy. Last week we spoke of Elisha’s associate ministers’ widow and her pot of oil. We saw how God filled every empty vessel from that one pot of oil.
Today we see Elisha passing through a little town called Shunem. He was a “traveling preacher,” going from town-to-town, proclaiming God’s Word. This passage is more about a great woman than the prophet; for whatever the reason, she was compelled to help the preacher by providing for him a place to rest whenever he came to town. Though the Bible does not record her name, for her hospitality God records her in history as “A Great Woman.”
• The Concern “Let us make a small upper room” (vs. 9-10)
As Elisha would pass by her home on his travels, she urged him to stop and to eat with her and her husband. Perceiving that Elisha was man of God, she realized she could do more. She encouraged her husband to make room for Elisha in their home. And so, they prepared a place for him and equipped it with a table, a chair, a bed and a lampstand for him. I think we often struggle today with service because we think it must be some great act. If it’s not some newsworthy deed, it’s not worth the effort. Jesus said to His disciples about Kingdom Service in Matthew 25:34 “for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” They will say Lord when did we do all that? And the King will answer and say to them, “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” If a neighbor is sick and needs a hot meal, you don’t have to tell anyone, just take them one. If we know a poor family and the kids need shoes, or school supplies, just get them. As we watch the horrifying video of another unarmed young black man beaten to death by police officers we ask ourselves what can we do? There is nothing we can do to bring Tyre Nichols back, but can we at least show concern for the plight of young black men in America?
There is a Poem of Protest called “First They Came.” They say it was written by a German Pastor but I’m not sure. It speaks of apathy and indifference of others who are suffering. Over the years we have added to the list of oppressed and yet the poem always ends the same…
First, they came for the Communists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Muslims, and I did not speak out because I was not a Muslim.
Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me.
The King said, “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Jesus calls us to take action and not be indifferent to them who are in need. We must Pray for the Nichols Family, Protest bad policing and Push for political change. What this woman did was simple! She had her husband get the prophet a bed, a table, a chair and a nightstand. Some of us won’t even vote because it’s not our problem.
• The Contentment "I dwell among my own people." (vs. 11-13)
Think about this text, here we have Elisha, he’s been staying in this little room prepared by the family, he’s appreciative, and says to her, “Is there anything I can do for you? Do you want me to speak to the king or get you a security detail from the army?” Look at her response! "I dwell among my own people." I want you to understand it, it’s easy to miss the point - she’s saying, I appreciate your offer, but my needs are provided for, I don’t need anything else. Was she rich? Could she have bettered herself? Why didn’t she say yes for a blessing? She was Content with how God had already blessed her! We live in a society today where everyone wants more, more, more. A bigger house, a higher paying job, a faster motorcycle, newer truck, and the list goes on and on! What’s the secret to being content? Paul said in Philippians 4:11 “I have learned in whatever state I am in to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The secret to being content is perspective! It’s not how much money you have in the bank or how big your house is or how new your car is. It’s not what you don’t have, rather being satisfied with what you do have! NEWS ALERT: It’s Okay to say, “No, Thank You.” God knows what you need and when you are offered what you need, you will know it’s from God and not the prophet!
• The Condition “It is Well!” (vs. 19-26)
Gehazi, the prophet’s assistant said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.” Elisha calls unto her and tells her that she will have a son. The promised son was born. v17 She had doubted the possibility of ever having a son and said, “Preacher, Don’t lie to me!” When the preacher says something that you believe, to your core, is impossible this is often the response! I have learned that when you speak truth and they don’t believe you, just give it some time! The truth will always show itself to God’s people. In 9 months she was going to find out that the prophet of God was right! Jesus said, “You will know the truth and it will set you free.” But then tragedy struck. v18-21 While out in the fields with his father, the son was stricken ill. She held him until he died and she laid him on Elisha's bed. v21 No indication of tears or crying out. She knew that God had given her the child and only by His power would he receive life again. When asked by her husband why she was going to see the prophet – she states, “It is well”. When asked by Gehazi - she says, “It is well.” She knew her son was dead, her only son, the promised son from the prophet. She knew she was about to ask the prophet to do something unprecedented, but she knew everything would be WELL! She had unshakable faith! "It is well", must have been the theme phrase of this woman's life. She knew that there are things in life that we can not control and that we can not always understand God's ways. Yet she knew, as demonstrated by her ability to say "It is well" in the face of extreme trials, that God knew her, and that no matter what happened that He was in control. Elisha goes to his room where the boy’s body was laying on the bed made for him and used his body as a cover and when the child sneezed, he said, “Pick up your son.” I remember one Friday when all seemed out of control. It happened 2000 years ago. It was devastating and yet Jesus showed us that "It Is Well!" It was a bad day for the good man and the enemy of God was excited. But I have come to share with you that, "It Is Well!" He defeated death and the grave and because He lives, It Is Well for me and for you and for all who place their trust in Him.
