22 April

Bible in 365 Days                                       

2 Kings 4-5

2 Kings 4

The ministry of Elisha stands in many respects in vivid contrast with that of Elijah. There is a gentleness about it which inevitably reminds us of that of the Messiah Himself in His day. Instead of suddenly appearing at critical moments, with thunder and flame, he seems to have moved about among the people, doing good wherever he came. Indeed, the ministries of Elijah and Elisha seem in many ways to suggest the ministries of John the Baptist and Jesus.

In this chapter we have four instances of Elisha's method: his provision for the need of the widow, whose creditors were threatening her; his kindness to the Shunammite woman, who had shown him hospitality; at Gilgal his healing of the pottage; and his feeding of a hundred men with twenty loaves.

During all this time he was at the head of the prophetic schools, and journeying from place to place he became known everywhere as the messenger of God. The simplicity of his life is suggested in the provision which the Shunammite woman, wealthy though she was, made for his evident requirement. His apartment was a little chamber on the wall containing a bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick. His dignity is manifest in the attitude of the people toward him, especially that of the Shunammite woman, who, in her converse with him, stood in the doorway, recognizing the sacredness of his office.

2 Kings 5

When Elijah had felt that he alone was left loyal to God he had been told of seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal. One of these, or perchance the child of one, stands before us in this narrative in the person of the little maid who, carried captive, yet remembered the prophet of her own land and maintained her coincidence in his ability to work wonders. Through her intervention the leper Naaman was sent by the king of Syria to the king of Israel, but the day of the king in Israel as in any sense representing Jehovah had passed away.

Elisha's attitude in this chapter was from beginning to end one of dignified loyalty to God. This is seen first in his message to the king, who was filled with fear at the coming of Naaman. It was manifest, moreover, in his command to the wealthy leper calling for his submission, and was finally evidenced in his absolute refusal to take any personal reward for what had been wrought by God.

To Elisha, Gehazi stands in direct contrast. Governed by selfish desire, he obtained advantage for himself, and then lied to his master. His punishment was swift. He who had sought and obtained the reward which Elisha had declined became himself a leper, white as snow.