Read: 2
Kings 8:1-15
This passage concludes the section of 2 Kings that
focuses on Elisha. The first story brings our eyes back to the Shunnamite woman
from 2 Kings 4:8-37. As Israel faced an imminent famine, Elisha warned the
Shunnamite woman to flee with her family. They listened to Elisha, because they
had developed a deep trust in him. For seven years this family resided in
Philistine territory, waiting out the famine. We do not know how much time
passed between Elisha healing the Sunnamite’s son and him warning them of the
famine. Regardless of time, Elisha still cared deeply for the family. As we
read Scripture, it is tempting to think of people like Elisha as spiritual
giants. Their experiences, character and personalities seem so different from
ours. We picture them as lone wolves, needing only God. However, this is a
false view of spirituality. While our deepest need is for God, He created us
for community. God longs to minister to us through other believers. He also
longs to use us to minister to the hearts of our brothers and sisters in
Christ. Elisha had close friends. He loved them, cared for them and protected
them. He also received love from them (2 Kings 4:8-10), as true friendships
require the mutual giving of love. God used this friendship to bless the
Shunnamite woman. In what seems on the surface to be a coincidence, she appears
before the king of Israel in the same moment that Elisha’s servant is retelling
the miracle of her son. This “coincidence” is actually God’s sovereign plan. He
used this timing to give the Shunnamite woman the land and belongings she left
behind in fleeing the famine.
The second story gives us a deeply moving glimpse
into Elisha’s heart. Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram is ill. Because of his
illness, he mistrusts his own gods. Thus, Ben-Hadad sends Hazael to seek
direction from Elisha. Elisha tells Hazael, “Go and say to [Ben-Hadad], ‘You
will certainly recover’; but the Lord has revealed to me that he will in fact
die.” God shows Elisha that Ben-Hadad will not die from the disease, but at the
hand of Hazael. Hazael begins to feel ashamed as Elisha stares as him. While
the plan to murder Ben-Hadad may or may not be fully formed in Hazael’s mind at
this time, the seeds of it surely lie in his heart. Hazael recognizes that the
evil in his heart is apparent to Elisha. And Elisha begins to weep. Hazael will
become king, as revealed to Elijah (1 Kings 19:15), but he will do much evil to
Israel. While he knew this was punishment for Israel’s sins, Elisha wept for
his people anyway. Elisha cared deeply for Israel. He was troubled by their
sins and burdened for their coming harm. God revealed these things to Elisha
because He knew Elisha would be heartbroken. This shines a convicting light on
our hearts. The selfishness of the human heart cares little for others. This is
compounded by a society that teaches us to put our own needs first in all
situations. God is looking for people who are broken over the wretched state of
their land. He searches for people who mourn for the souls that to not know
Him. He yearns for His followers to be deeply troubled over their people, as
Elisha was deeply troubled over his people. God spoke to Elisha because He knew
Elisha’s heart would respond. Are our hearts responsive enough to hear what God
longs to reveal about our nation?
Prayer and
Journaling
1. We are created for deep, meaningful fellowship.
Do you have friendships comparable to that between Elisha and the Shunnamite
woman? If so, spend time in thanksgiving for them. If not, ask God to show you
how to begin cultivating such friendships.
2. It is easier to numb ourselves to the brokenness
in our world than it is to actually care. Confess having apathy over the broken
state of our society. (We all need to confess this. Every believer can grow in
compassion for their nation.) Ask God to show you words, thoughts, pictures or
Scripture passages that reveal how He feels about Canada today.
3. In response to what God showed you, spend time
today interceding for our nation. Confess specific sins on behalf of our
nation. Ask God to forgive us. Pray for labourers to bring in a plentiful
harvest in our nation. Ask God how you can commit to praying regularly for our
nation. Maybe He wants you to set aside a time each week to pray for Canada or
pray together with other believers.
