01.11.2025 All Saints Day
Theme: Holy Man
Text: 2 Kings 4:8-10
Greetings: The Lord is Good and His love endured forever!
Introduction: In the entire Bible only a few persons are called ‘HOLY MAN’. One is Elisha, second one is John the Baptist apart from Jesus(John 6:69).
The Holy Scriptures give us the records of a good number of Saints, who were unquestionable people of character approved of God. They were such a people of commitment to the Lord. A few of them were exemplary to think, such as, Enoch, Joseph, Phinehas, Elisha, and Daniel, John the Baptist, Deborah, Lois and Eunice. Each one was known for their own field of skills and talents but the relationship with God never been disturbed.
The term ‘Holy Men’ was used to describe the zealous Jews who dedicated themselves to Ezra - Nehemiah’s ideal of separated life in their own generations during a time of crisis, emphasising a puritanical approach to their faith.
But, in various Christian traditions, "Holy Man" generally refers to individuals recognised for their piety, righteousness, and intimacy with God. These individuals are often seen as examples to be followed, embodying virtue and spiritual insight.
They were called prophets, apostles, and saints who are divinely inspired. Their names are often associated with miracles, teachings, and interpretations of scripture, inspiring devotion and guiding others toward eternal salvation.
Holy men were the individuals whose pure life attracted others to believe in Christ and be baptised. Nothing could stop those Individuals to maintain their intimate relationship with God. Their morality were high and above the moral and ethical standards of their colleagues and contemporaries.
Today let’s begin with a holy man Elisha.
1. Shunem, the little village
Shunem was a village of Galilee, situated in the territory assigned to Issachar (Joshua 19:18). It is also mentioned as the place where the Philistines encamped before the battle of Gilboa (1 Samuel 28:4). It is identified with the modern Solam, a village situate on the little Hermon about 3 miles north of Jezreel at the south-eastern foot of the Gebel Duhy, and near to Nazareth. It is a flourishing village encompassed by gardens, and in the midst of the finest corn-fields in the world on the edge of the Plain of Esdraelon.
2. The Shunammite, a great woman
She was prominent, had a lot of wealth and was highly respected (Proverbs 31:29). She was a woman who has the trust of her husband and does him good not evil (Proverbs 31:11-12). She was a woman with a “gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4).
John Gill refers to The Targum paraphrases ‘She was a great woman, of great wealth and riches, of great benevolence and hospitality, and of great grace and piety; that feared sin, as it, a woman of great credit and reputation on all accounts.’ The Jews say ‘she was the sister of Abishag the Shunammite (1 Kings 1:3), and the mother of Iddo the prophet’ (2 Chronicles 9:29, 12:15, 13:22).
She was an influential lady in her village and society. She was clearly a person of independent character, and one who could act when the occasion demanded it. She was a generous and compassionate woman with her God-given wealth. ‘Elisha didn’t seek anything from this woman. She persuaded him to eat some food as the guest of her hospitality’ (Enduring Word). (2 Kings 4:9-10).
She urged the man of God to come Home. She had observed him at all times pass that way, and understood by his habit and deportment that he was a religious Holy man. Elisha accepted her invitation. She shown hospitality and generously, provided a room with full comfortable furnishings for Elisha with the approval of her husband. Paul used to describe Lydia’s hospitality in Acts 16:15 - “she urged us”.
She testified and encouraged Elisha saying “He is a Holy Man”. Immediate appreciation is always good. Don’t wait for a day of appreciation. Encourage the full timers, God’s servants with your resources, with your words of appreciation and with fellowship. Though she was childless but she never expected a return from the Prophet (2 Kings 4:16).
She received her Son from Death: She had an unquestionable faith in God’s power as we read in Hebrews 11:35, “Women received their dead by resurrection.” This woman received her son. She became a part of the Hall of Faith.
Elisha warned the Shunammite woman of a coming famine for seven years and instructed her to relocate, and she obeyed God’s warning. Upon returning, she requested the King to restore the land and her house (2 Kings 8:6).
3. Elisha, The Holy Man
He had a good role model: The accounts of Elisha are found in 1 Kings 19, 2 Kings 2–10, 13, in which he is presented as a northern prophet during the Omride dynasty (876–843 BCE), and the reigns of Jehu through to Joash (843–746 BCE). Elisha’s ministry is characterised by miracle wonder stories and cooperation with the kings of Israel (2 Kings 5:8).
Elisha means ‘God his salvation’, he was a son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah. On his way from Sinai to Damascus Elijah found Elisha at his native place engaged in the Agro labour, ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen. Elijah anointed him as his successor to the prophetical office. He became an attendant and Disciple of Elijah (1 Kings 19:16-19, Luke 9:61, 62).
Elisha served Elijah for about eight years. After Elijah, Elisha was accepted as the leader of the sons of the prophets. He possessed with "a double portion" of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9). He served as Prophet for Sixty Years (B.C. 892-832).
Elisha was an itinerant Prophet: Elisha travelled from Carmel to and back to visit the Prophetic Schools in Samaria, Bethel, Jericho, and Jezreel (2 Kings 2:25). He was engaged in the preaching, teaching, and training the prophetic students.
Elisha healed the spring of water by casting salt into it (2 Kings 2:21-22). At Bethel, he cursed the boys for their disrespect to the Prophetical personality (2 Kings 2:23-24). He predicted a fall of rain when the army of Jehoram was faint from thirst (2 Kings 3:17-18). He multiplied the oil in the house of a poor widow (2 Kings 4:1-7).
Elisha continued his miracle ministry. He multiplied the twenty loaves of new barley into a sufficient supply for an hundred men (2 Kings 4:42-44). Healed Naaman the Syrian of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-27). He recovered the axe lost in the waters of the Jordan (2 Kings 6:1-7). He prophesied the food supply at the siege of Samaria by the king of Syria (2 Kings 6:24-7:2). Elisha was at Damascus to anoint Hazael king over Syria (2 Kings 8:7-15).
He was on his death-bed in his own house (2 Kings 13:14-19). His dead bones revived a dead body in the grave (2 Kings 13:20-21).
Elisha Maintained Holiness: He utilised the Shunem Village route for his prophetic visits. Shunem was a good place to rest on the way. Instead of staying in a Motel (Inn), he opted to have a homemade food arranged by the opulent lady. Elisha cherished in visiting her home, enjoyed the hospitality, and fellowship in that house. The Shunamite woman recognised the spiritual significance of Elisha.
There was a kindly feeling on both sides and developed a close intimacy but maintained the dignity, and spiritual standard (2 Kings 4:8). Matthew Henry: ‘Elisha being exceedingly pleased with the quietness of his apartment, and the friendliness of his entertainment, he began to consider with himself what recompense he should make her.’
Elisha’s Prophetic Word: The giving of a son to the aged couple or childless couples had been an ancient instance of the divine power and favour. Remember the events in the lives of Abraham-Sarah, Isaac- Rebecca, Manoah, and Elkanah-Hannah, Zechariah-Elizebeth.
Here, Elisha wrought in recompense for the kind entertainment which a good woman gave him. First a son, later, He raised the dead son of the woman of Shunem (2 Kings 4:18-37).
Conclusion
The phrase “man of God” is used in scripture for men of proven integrity, purity and probity, men of conviction about the standard of God’s word, men who stood for God in spite of the prevalent corruptions and compromises of their age.
“I know who You are – the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24). The Bible speaks for example about holy prophets (Acts 3:21) and holy apostles and prophets (Ephesians 3:5). “Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him have no lack!” (Psalm 34:9).
Zac Poonan: ‘Brothers and sisters, when others watch us, if they are not able to come to this same conclusion, then whatever else we may say or do will be of no avail.’
It is not an impression but impact on people who meet us frequently, those with whom we live, those who know us through and through. Holiness and power are inseparably linked together and one cannot exist without the other. A holy man is a man who lives by the awesome power of God. His comportment, look, and demeanour, carry the very presence of God.
