Commitment to God's Messenger 2 Kings 4:8-17 SS Lesson for 02/01/2009 OUTLINE

Transcription

1 Commitment to God's Messenger 2 Kings 4:8-17 SS Lesson for 02/01/2009 Devotional Scripture: 3 John 1:5-8 OUTLINE INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW AND APPROACH TO LESSON LESSON INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator MAJOR THEME ANALYSIS COMMITMENT TO MEET NEEDS (2 KINGS 4:8-10) Need of provisions (8) God is the ultimate provider of all food (Ps 145:14-16) I must be generous with the food that God blesses me with (Prov 22:9) Never worry about food because God knows I need it and has promised to provide it (Matt 6:25-26) I must be like Jesus and realize that God's work is more important than food (John 4:34) Learn to be godly content with God's blessings of food and clothing (1 Tim 6:6-8) Provisions through God using others (2 Cor 8:14) Provisions through God's supplying directly (2 Cor 9:10) Provisions through God's glorious riches (Phil 4:19) Provisions from the God who owns everything (Ps 50:10-15) Provisions from God who supplies all needs (2 Cor 9:10-11) Provisions that comes from the hands of God (1 Chron 29:12-14) Need of shelter (9-10) God is my shelter (Ps 32:7) I am in God's shadow (1 Cor 10:13) God is my refuge (Ps 46:1) God is my fortress (Prov 18:10) Unless God is the head of my life, food and shelter is in vain (Ps 127:1-2) Know that I must assist others in need with physical blessings (James 2:15-17) Be kind by providing shelter (Isa 58:6-7) Be kind by understanding that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) CONTENTED COMMITMENT (2 KINGS 4:11-13) Content with preparations (11-12) Preparation that sometimes requires making room for blessings (2 Kings 3:16-17) Preparation that sometimes requires gathering resources (2 Kings 4:3-6) Preparation that sometimes requires purification (2 Kings 5:10-13) Preparation that sometimes requires doing things that seems strange (John 11:39) Preparation that comes through appropriate placement of resources (Matt 21:1-6) Preparation by being where Jesus is and the seeing of Jesus' glory (John 17:24) Preparation accomplished by Jesus who entered the inner sanctuary on behalf of believers (Heb 6:19-20) Preparation for a heavenly home (Heb 11:13-16) Preparation by having a mind for action (1 Peter 1:13-16) Content with hospitality (13) Hospitality through sharing (Rom 12:13) Hospitable because it is commanded (Titus 1:8) Hospitality through entertaining strangers (Heb 13:2) Hospitality with a good attitude (1 Peter 4:8-9) Hospitable by not forgetting to do good to others (Heb 13:16) Hospitable by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and looking after the sick (Matt 25:35-40) Hospitable by helping others as I have the ability (Acts 11:29) Commitment to God's Messenger Page 1 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

2 Hospitable by using the gifts God has given me (Rom 12:5-8) REWARDS OF COMMITMENT (2 KINGS 4:14-17) Reward of receiving desires of heart (14-15) Receiving desires of heart by delighting self in God (Ps 37:4-7) Sometimes receiving desires of heart is not enjoyed (Eccl 6:1-2) Receiving desires of heart by fleeing evil desires (2 Tim 2:22) Receiving desires of heart by fearing, being near, and calling on God (Ps 145:18-20) Receiving desires of heart by abiding in God and His word (John 15:7) Receiving desires of heart by asking in Jesus' Name (John 15:16) Receiving desires of heart by asking according to God's will (1 John 5:14-15) Reward of answered prayer (16-17) Answered prayers because God's eyes are on the righteous (Ps 34:15) Answered prayers because God promises to answer even before speaking (Isa 65:24) Answered prayers because God promises to those who ask and seek (Matt 7:7-8) Answered prayers because of obedience (1 John 3:21-22) Answered prayers through corporate prayers (Acts 4:23-31) Answered prayer through asking in the Name of Jesus (John 16:22-24) Answered prayer for wisdom (James 1:5) Answered prayer through being righteous (James 5:16-18) Answered prayer through asking according to God's will (1 John 5:13-15) CONCLUSION AND OTHER THOUGHTS CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE NIV STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR PRACTICAL POINTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR HEART OF THE LESSON FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR The Shunammite woman showed kindness (2 Kings 4:8-11) God rewarded the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:12-17) Commitment to God's Messenger Page 2 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

3 Introduction Overview and Approach to Lesson The concept of the ouline of the lesson came from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary. The lesson examines the rewards of Commitment to God's Messengers. The study's aim is to study how hospitality and showing kindness results in Divine blessings. The study's application is to follow biblical recommendations to be kind to others, both for its own sake and to receive God's blessings. Lesson Introduction and Background From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary The exhortation to hospitality is part of the fabric of New Testament Christianity. We are to practice hospitality (Romans 12:13) and offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9). Hospitality is one of the marks of a righteous person (see Job 31:32). In the first century ad, hospitality was to characterize a church leader s home (1 Timothy 3:2). It was also to be the mark of a godly widow s home (1 Timothy 5:10). In one of the most intriguing statements ever made about hospitality, Hebrews 13:2 says, Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Have you ever entertained an angel? Would you know it if you did? Unfortunately, the concept of hospitality has eroded among Christian homes. When missionaries come to visit on furlough, don t we convince ourselves that it would be better for everyone concerned to put them up in a motel? Yet there are still those who have the means, ability, and desire to practice hospitality on a regular basis. My wife is one of those. We decided several years ago to purchase a larger house in order to be better able to practice hospitality. Because of my position as a Bible college professor, we have many occasions to host students, missionaries, visiting professors, and friends who are simply passing by. Getting acquainted with complete strangers, renewing old friendships, etc., is a blessing to our lives. Yes, there are some costs in terms of time and money, plus a little inconvenience. But nothing compares with the blessing of knowing fellow Christians for the first time, renewing a friendship that goes back to college days, or giving a student a place to stay for a week while he or she takes an intensive class at college. Today s story from 2 Kings is part of a larger series of stories about Elisha in chapter 4. Here we have the accounts of the widow s oil (vv. 1 7), the poisoned stew (vv ), and the multiplication of bread for a hundred men (vv ). These stories are themselves part of a larger complex of accounts about Elisha and the consequences of his prophetic ministry among the kings of Israel (2 Kings 2 13). Elisha was a prophet of Israel in the time of the divided kingdom (the kingdom of Israel to the north and the kingdom of Judah to the south). Today s lesson concerns perhaps the time around 840 BC. Elisha s ministry started when his mentor, Elijah, was taken up into Heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). The combined ministries of Elijah and Elisha fought against the influences of Baalism, its priests, and the kings who worshiped Baal. The place of today s story is well known. Shunem is located near the plain of Jezreel in the tribal territory of Issachar, about five miles north of the town of Jezreel itself (Joshua 19:18). It was at Shunem that the Philistines had gathered to do battle with the Israelites as led by Saul and his sons, who had gathered at Gilboa (1 Samuel 28:4); that had taken place something like 170 years in the past by the time of today s lesson. It is from this place that the beautiful Abishag came; she cared for King David at the end of his life (see 1 Kings 1:1 4). Apparently the land around Shunem was productive and fertile. It allowed the Shunammite woman and her husband of today s lesson to experience a measure of wealth, for they had servants to work their fields (see 2 Kings 4:18 20). From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator While miracles appear throughout the Bible, there were three specific times when clusters of miracles occurred: during the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan, during the days of Elijah and Elisha, and during the days of Jesus and the apostles. In the first time period, God was working with His people to establish a special relationship with them. In the second, Baal worship was prominent, and God was manifesting Himself over that false religion. In the third, Old Testament prophecies were being fulfilled, and the church Commitment to God's Messenger Page 3 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

4 was begun. God is a miracle-working God, and if we observe His ways today, we can still see evidences of that. Maybe modern day miracles are not as dramatic as those we read in the Bible, but they are still the works of God and should cause us to rejoice. The role of women in ancient times was often subjugated to that of men, but there were exceptions. Some were influential because of their husbands' positions or wealth. Some had their own businesses. Some were prominent because of their obvious superior intelligence. Deborah was a respected judge in Israel (Judg. 4:4-5). Lydia of Philippi supported her household by selling purple cloth (Acts 16:14-15). In today's text we meet a well-to-do woman of Shunem who was willing to share her home with Elisha the prophet when he came by. The life and work of a servant of God often required travel and the inconveniences and expenses associated with it. The scarcity of readily available overnight accommodations in ancient times led to the custom of offering hospitality to travelers, but it was not mandatory. Setting aside a guest room for specific individuals was going a step beyond. Major Theme Analysis (Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV) Commitment to Meet Needs (2 Kings 4:8-10) 8 Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. 9 And she said to her husband, "Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. 10 Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there." Need of provisions (8) God is the ultimate provider of all food (Ps 145:14-16) 14 The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. I must be generous with the food that God blesses me with (Prov 22:9) 9 A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Never worry about food because God knows I need it and has promised to provide it (Matt 6:25-26) 25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? I must be like Jesus and realize that God's work is more important than food (John 4:34) 34 "My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Learn to be godly content with God's blessings of food and clothing (1 Tim 6:6-8) 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Provisions through God using others (2 Cor 8:14) 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, Commitment to God's Messenger Page 4 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

5 Provisions through God's supplying directly (2 Cor 9:10) 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. Provisions through God's glorious riches (Phil 4:19) 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Provisions from the God who owns everything (Ps 50:10-15) 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." Provisions from God who supplies all needs (2 Cor 9:10-11) 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. Provisions that comes from the hands of God (1 Chron 29:12-14) 12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. Need of shelter (9-10) God is my shelter (Ps 32:7) 7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I am in God's shadow (1 Cor 10:13) 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. God is my refuge (Ps 46:1) 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. God is my fortress (Prov 18:10) 10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Unless God is the head of my life, food and shelter is in vain (Ps 127:1-2) 127 Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat for he grants sleep to those he loves. Commitment to God's Messenger Page 5 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

6 Know that I must assist others in need with physical blessings (James 2:15-17) 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Be kind by providing shelter (Isa 58:6-7) 6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Be kind by understanding that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35) 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Contented Commitment (2 Kings 4:11-13) 11 And it happened one day that he came there, and he turned in to the upper room and lay down there. 12 Then he said to Gehazi his servant, "Call this Shunammite woman." When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said to him, "Say now to her, 'Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?'" She answered, "I dwell among my own people." Content with preparations (11-12) Preparation that sometimes requires making room for blessings (2 Kings 3:16-17) 16 and he said, "This is what the Lord says: Make this valley full of ditches. 17 For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. Preparation that sometimes requires gathering resources (2 Kings 4:3-6) 3 Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side." 5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one." But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing. Preparation that sometimes requires purification (2 Kings 5:10-13) 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, "Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed." 11 But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage. 13 Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" Commitment to God's Messenger Page 6 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

7 Preparation that sometimes requires doing things that seems strange (John 11:39) 39 "Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." Preparation that comes through appropriate placement of resources (Matt 21:1-6) 1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 5 "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. Preparation by being where Jesus is and the seeing of Jesus' glory (John 17:24) 24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Preparation accomplished by Jesus who entered the inner sanctuary on behalf of believers (Heb 6:19-20) 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Preparation for a heavenly home (Heb 11:13-16) 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Preparation by having a mind for action (1 Peter 1:13-16) 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." Content with hospitality (13) Hospitality through sharing (Rom 12:13) 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Hospitable because it is commanded (Titus 1:8) 8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. Hospitality through entertaining strangers (Heb 13:2) 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hospitality with a good attitude (1 Peter 4:8-9) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Commitment to God's Messenger Page 7 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

8 Hospitable by not forgetting to do good to others (Heb 13:16) 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hospitable by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and looking after the sick (Matt 25:35-40) 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Hospitable by helping others as I have the ability (Acts 11:29) 29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. Hospitable by using the gifts God has given me (Rom 12:5-8) 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Rewards of Commitment (2 Kings 4:14-17) 14 So he said, "What then is to be done for her?" And Gehazi answered, "Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old." 15 So he said, "Call her." When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 Then he said, "About this time next year you shall embrace a son." And she said, "No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!" 17 But the woman conceived, and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her. Reward of receiving desires of heart (14-15) Receiving desires of heart by delighting self in God (Ps 37:4-7) 4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Sometimes receiving desires of heart is not enjoyed (Eccl 6:1-2) I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: 2 God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. Receiving desires of heart by fleeing evil desires (2 Tim 2:22) 22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Commitment to God's Messenger Page 8 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

9 Receiving desires of heart by fearing, being near, and calling on God (Ps 145:18-20) 18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. Receiving desires of heart by abiding in God and His word (John 15:7) 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. Receiving desires of heart by asking in Jesus' Name (John 15:16) 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Receiving desires of heart by asking according to God's will (1 John 5:14-15) 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him. Reward of answered prayer (16-17) Answered prayers because God's eyes are on the righteous (Ps 34:15) 15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; Answered prayers because God promises to answer even before speaking (Isa 65:24) 24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Answered prayers because God promises to those who ask and seek (Matt 7:7-8) 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Answered prayers because of obedience (1 John 3:21-22) 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. Answered prayers through corporate prayers (Acts 4:23-31) 23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: "'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.' 27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Commitment to God's Messenger Page 9 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

10 Answered prayer through asking in the Name of Jesus (John 16:22-24) 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Answered prayer for wisdom (James 1:5) 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. Answered prayer through being righteous (James 5:16-18) 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. Answered prayer through asking according to God's will (1 John 5:13-15) 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him. Conclusion and Other Thoughts Concluding Thoughts from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary The Shunammite woman of today s lesson was wealthy, but not miserly. She used her wealth to accommodate a prophet in his difficult journeys by giving him a special room. This provided Elisha respite from the heat, a bed for the evening, food and drink, and a light by which to read and/or write. This woman knew when to speak and when to keep silent before a holy man of God. She asked for no favors, even from a powerful prophet. When offered certain rewards, she declined without suggesting any alternatives. She stressed that she relied solely on her own resources to sustain herself. This woman was also a practical realist. When given the promise of a son, she offered a response of disbelief. She knew all to well, both from observation and personal experience, what the laws of nature meant in terms of her childless status. But the God who created the laws of nature can surprise us. Today s text of 2 Kings 4:8 17 is an introduction to the larger story of 2 Kings 4:8 37. The miraculous arrival of a son brought great joy to his mother. Then one day the boy died in his mother s arms, possibly of a brain aneurysm or sunstroke no one really knows why (vv. 19, 20). Even then, the woman did not ask Elisha to bring the boy back from the dead. She simply wailed Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn t I tell you, Don t raise my hopes? (v. 28). The Shunammite woman had not sought a reward for her hospitality. And when her son the greatest treasure a childless woman could have died, she was inconsolable. Yet she did not sit alone keeping her grief to herself. Instead, she sought out the one person on earth who was the right one to seek: Elisha, the man of God. Elisha performed extraordinary actions to bring the child back from the dead (vv ). Perhaps the story tells us as much about Elisha (his godly power and authority) as it does about the Shunammite woman (hospitality without thought of reward). People who have no thought of reward talk and act like the Shunammite woman. They do not feel anyone who has been a recipient of their hospitality owes them anything. Yet God sees and knows (Matthew 25:35, 36). Concluding Thoughts from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator Pastors and leaders of faith are often respected and held in high esteem. However, they are also often taken for granted as far as their immediate needs are concerned. Elisha was a much different prophet than his Commitment to God's Messenger Page 10 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

11 predecessor Elijah had been. Elijah was more of a loner who burst on the scene with messages of judgment. Elisha was more of a pastor, taking care of believers under his care. Elisha was also more socially oriented, mixing more with people than Elijah had done. We see in the text that one of the people he had ministered to made the effort to see to Elisha's immediate needs and was blessed twice for doing so. We are not told the woman's name, only that she was a Shunammite, or a woman from the town of Shunern. She was a wealthy woman and wanted to do what she could to meet Elisha's needs. The woman and her husband had invited him to meals, and they expanded their hospitality by fixing him a guest room to use when he was visiting their area. The prophet offered to do something for the woman. His offer to speak to the king for her shows that he had a more positive relationship with the government than Elijah did. Her response that she had a home among her people shows that she was content with her life and did not perceive any particular need. Elisha found the need, which was for a child. She had been barren to this point in her life, which brought great shame in that culture. Her having a baby and then having the child restored to life after he died were two great blessings she received. It is apparent that the Shunammite's generosity to the prophet was out of genuine concern for him and not something done in order to receive a payback from the prophet or from God. She did the kind of giving that Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5 7. Jesus said that giving should be done freely, without expecting something in return. He also said that giving should not be done in order to be seen by men or to show off in front of others. "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven" (6:1). When we do something for others to get attention, that attention is the only reward we will get. The Shunammite woman gave in the proper manner, not showing off and not expecting some special favor in return. She gave from her heart. That is the kind of giving God likes for us to do. "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). Most often the Scriptures speak of giving to the needy, and that is very important. But we also should remember to honor those who serve God, those who minister to us. We will receive a blessing either way, and in showing hospitality as the Shunammite did, we also help advance the kingdom of God. Practical Points from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator 1. God will take care of those who faithfully serve Him (2 Kings 4:8) 2. God's way of meeting the needs of His servants is usually through His people (vs. 9-10) 3. Hospitality is an important ministry and one that brings rich blessings (vs ) 4. If we are sensitive to others and willing to serve, we will see people's needs (vs. 14) 5. God never makes empty promises, for He cannot lie (vs ) 6. God is not limited by the things that constrain us; with Him, nothing is impossible (vs. 17) Heart of the Lesson from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator How do you treat your pastor, Sunday school teacher, church elders, and Bible study leader? Do you honor them and uphold them in prayer? God has given us messengers to teach us about Him. Do we acknowledge their authority over us and give them the respect due them? The passage this week gives us an excellent example of how one woman showed her commitment to God's prophet Elisha. The Shunammite woman showed kindness (2 Kings 4:8-11) Elisha was God's prophet, the successor to Elijah. Before God took Elijah to heaven, Elisha asked for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. Elisha was used mightily by God to show His love and care for His people and that He could indeed meet all their needs. God gave Elisha the ability to do many amazing miracles, including healing, parting a river, and causing bitter water to become sweet and an ax head to float. In the town of Shunern of the tribe of Issachar, a few miles north of Jezreel, there lived a well-to-do woman. We are not told how she came by her wealth. Whenever Elisha came through town, the Shunammite woman made sure he had a good meal. She told her husband that Elisha was a holy man of God. To honor Elisha, they prepared a room for him to stay in whenever he was in the area. This was probably a weatherproof room on top of the flat roof of the house. Elisha gratefully used the room when he was in town during his many travels as God's prophet. Commitment to God's Messenger Page 11 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009

12 God rewarded the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4:12-17) Elisha asked the woman whether she wanted a favor from the king as a reward for her kindness to him. He was willing to speak on her behalf. She replied that she had no special needs since she had a home among her people. She did not expect any reward for showing kindness. But Gehazi, Elisha's servant, found out that their hosts did not have any children. The woman's husband was old; the couple had given up hope of ever having a child. Elisha then told the Shunammite woman that she would have a son the following year. What a mixture of emotions the woman must have felt! She did not dare believe that this could actually happen to her. It was too much to hope for: her heart no doubt was weary of crying for just this very blessing. She begged Elisha to not lie about something like this. It would be too crushing to her spirit to hope once again and then have her hopes dashed. Elisha's prophecy came true. After all, he was God's prophet. He spoke for God, who knows all things. God gave her a son. Her miracle boy was born in due time. What a joy for this Shunammite couple! Just as God rewarded this honorable couple, so He will reward those who honor His messengers. The reward may not be a material blessing this side of heaven, such as a long-awaited son, but He knows our motives and actions. He takes note of them. When we honor those who are God's messengers, we are also showing honor to the Lord. After all, He is the One who sent them. He called them to be His ambassadors, just as a country appoints a person to represent them to another group of people or another country. So, whenever you have an opportunity to show honor and respect for your spiritual leaders, do so. Tell them you appreciate them and uphold them in prayer. Commitment to God's Messenger Page 12 of 12 SS Lesson for 0201/2009