2 Kings 4:3 "Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors empty vessels; do not gather just a few."

By the prophet's word from God an endless supply of olive oil poured from the widow's jar. Josephus explains that the woman was the widow of the prophet Obadiah.

	God cares for widows in special ways.
	God's provision was proportionate to the woman's faith.
	God pours out so long as we have capacity to receive.
	God's miracles restore justice to the faithful - No widow would see justice in her sons' enslavement for a father's debt.
	Miracles call for faith that causes growth.

A Shunammite woman, with her husband's approval, provides hospitality for Elisha - then a small room. The simple contents speak of the requirements of a spokesman for God.

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The Bed

As a symbol of rest speaks of his sustainment, as one yoked in service to the Lord (Matthew 11:28-29 ).

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The Table

As a symbol of fellowship, speaks of his communion with the Master (Revelation 3:20 ).

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The Stool

As a symbol of instruction, speaks of his being instructed in what message to give (Luke 10:39 ).

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The Candlestick

As a symbol of testimony, speaks of the light of his witnessing (Acts 1:8 ).

Living in Spirit-filled light in private, will make us shine before men

2 Kings 4:16 "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!""

Even well off people need miracles. God rewarded the hospitable woman through the word of the prophet, with a son. When occupied with blessing others, God gives unasked blessing to us.

2 Kings 4:21 "And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door upon him, and went out."

The lessons are many:

	The woman accepted the painful testing as a need to act in faith.
	Her action of faith was first to put the body of her child in the prophet's bed in expectation of the Lord's intervention (2 Kings 4:21 ).
	Refused to be stopped from going to the man of God, even by the discouragement of a loved one (2 Kings 4:22-23 ).
	She believed God had been gracious through Elisha's ministry in giving the child - her faith expected him to be used again (2 Kings 4:24-25 ).
	She refused to be stopped by the interference of Elisha's servant (2 Kings 4:27 ).
	She was determined and persistent in her faith that God's power through Elisha would bring a miracle (2 Kings 4:28 ).
	Elisha was not surprised by the tragedy nor numbed into inactivity - delegating the work to another, did not work - there had to be personal ministry of faith (2 Kings 4:29-31 ).
	Elisha prayed the prayer of faith (2 Kings 4:33 ).
	Faith acted in physical, persistent contact imparting the breath of life (2 Kings 4:34 ).
	Faith persevered (2 Kings 4:35 ). The miracle happened. When we minister in faith, hearts should be stirred - eyes opened - heads cleared - life renewed.

Error can easily poison our spiritual food. As the added flour was used to heal the stew, so presenting Christ in all the Scripture, makes true spiritual, sustaining, life imparting food.

This prefigures one of the miracles of Jesus in multiplying the loaves to feed a multitude (Matthew 14:15-21 ).

God used a young girl to spread His word (2 Kings 5:1-3 ). Even a great man like Naaman had a great need that only the great God of Israel could meet

2 Kings 5:1 "Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper."

Neither a monarch's influence nor much money can bring cleansing. It is all of grace (2 Kings 5:5-6 ). The request was impossible to the king of Israel who did not count on God (2 Kings 5:7 ).

Elisha saw an opportunity for Naaman the Syrian to learn that God had a spokesman in Israel (2 Kings 5:8 ). Elisha kept out of sight so that Naaman's faith might be in God, not man (2 Kings 5:9-10 ). Pride and false notions of God and His servant, were keeping back Naaman from healing (2 Kings 5:11-12 ). Naaman's servants' practical counsel prevailed (2 Kings 5:13 )

Faith submits to God's test in obedience to the Word (2 Kings 5:14; Luke 17:12-14 ). The obedience of faith brings healing (2 Kings 5:14 ). Declaration and confession of the heart. Belief follows demonstration of power (2 Kings 5:15; Romans 10:9 ).

Elisha's refusal of payment was intended to show Naaman that divine healing cannot be bought (2 Kings 5:16 ). The desire to take earth home was a testimony that he believed the God of Israel was indeed the true and living God (2 Kings 5:17 ). Naaman at home would be involved in protocol that would be distasteful and abhorrent - the prophet spoke peace into the situation (2 Kings 5:18-19 ).

Special privileges such as Gehazi enjoyed do not immune from temptation, and the sin of covetousness (2 Kings 5:20 ). Gehazi's lying and scheming succeeded beyond his expectations (2 Kings 5:20-24 ). His familiarity with the supernatural brought about in him a contempt - how else could he have had any expectation of deceiving Elisha? Beware of how the lust of materialism can corrode the spiritual in our lives (2 Kings 5:25-26 ). The sin of covetousness brought a harvest of terrible consequences (2 Kings 5:27; Galatians 6:7 ).

Elisha's ministry brought increase of those who in Israel were pressing in to know God in a deep and real way (2 Kings 6:1 ). Not having an axe points to the borrower being poor - God miraculously comes to the aid of the needy (2 Kings 6:5 ). Elisha was used to make iron swim (2 Kings 6:6-7 ).

The cut off stick may speak to us of the cross where Jesus was cut off for us. Every miracle of power is the result of our crucified, now living Lord. Through grace alone we receive the supernatural - we have but to receive with the hand of faith. The compassionate ministry of Elisha is continued in greater fulfilment in Christ Jesus the greater than an Elisha, through His Spirit-filled people today. There is nothing too hard for the Lord who makes iron to swim.

The miracle healing of the king of Syria's commander-in-chief, did not deter the king from attacking Israel. The evil heart returns evil for good (2 Kings 6:8; Ecclesiastes 8:11 ). Satan is angered by goodness among God's people. God revealed to the man of God the plans made in secret (2 Kings 6:9; Amos 3:7 ). God communicates what satan counsels against us, for his confusion and calamity.

2 Kings 6:12 "And one of his servants said, "None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom."

A traitor is suspected by the king of Syria (2 Kings 6:11 ). A servant tells of a supernatural secret service (2 Kings 6:12 ). The Holy Spirit still today gives a "word of knowledge" through New Testament prophets (1 Corinthians 12:8 ). A supernatural revelation of information concerning a person or event - relevant to some specific need. Having spied out that Elisha was at Dothan, the king of Syria sent a great host to capture him (2 Kings 6:13-14 ). The number sent indicated respect for the power upon Elisha, but ignorance that they were coming against the God of Elisha.

Romans 8:31 "... If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Elisha calmed his servant's fear and prayed for him to see the overwhelming angelic forces that were for them (2 Kings 6:15-16 ). Fear blinds spiritual perception - faith sees the invisible (Psalm 34:7 ). The Lord who can open eyes can also close eyes, and in answer to Elisha's prayer, those sent to capture were captured - made blind for a season (2 Kings 6:18; Acts 13:4-12 ). Being filled with the Spirit makes us well able to overcome enemy hinderers.

Elisha remained in full control of the situation even though he led his captives to the king of Israel who desired to slay them. Elisha insists on mercy being shown. Their enemies' eyes were opened and a feast given (2 Kings 6:19-23 ). The Lord puts those who work against us, in our power, so that we can show mercy to them (Matthew 5:7 ).

Israel continued to sin. God permitted Ben-hadad to besiege Samaria so that they would turn to Him (2 Kings 6:24 ) - So great was the famine in Samaria that the fleshless head of an ass was sold for eighty pieces of silver (2 Kings 6:25 ), about 50 dollars. Some women went to the length of boiling and eating their own offspring (2 Kings 6:26-29 ). The prediction of Deuteronomy 28:49-57 was fulfilled because the people of Israel rejected God's leadership.

The king put all the blame on God's prophet, and was determined to kill him (2 Kings 6:31 ). The king's officer could not believe Elisha's prophecy of deliverance - but it happened according to his word (2 Kings 7:1,2, 14-16 ). Problems cease to be, when the word of the Lord's solution is spoken. The prophecy proclaimed plenty for the next day. It was promised that flour would be in such abundance that:

2 Kings 7:1 "... a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria."

When God intervenes, the impossible becomes possible, and defeat is turned into victory. Lepers become the announcers of the good news - they had nothing to lose so they could be used (2 Kings 7:3-4 ). They made their joyful discovery of deliverance and abundant provision (2 Kings 7:5-7 ). They made a quality decision to share the good news (2 Kings 7:8-9 ). The good news these lepers proclaimed is like the gospel - it is exactly suited to the needs and conditions of the people (2 Kings 7:10 ). Some doubt (2 Kings 7:11-12 ). Others test the good news and find it true ( 2 Kings 7:13-16 ). God's miracle of deliverance was not the portion of the unbelieving officer and he died according to the word of Elisha (2 Kings 7:17-20 ). God's word of deliverance is totally reliable.

2 Kings 8:2 "So the woman arose and did according to the saying of the man of God, and she went with her household and dwelt in the land of the Philistines seven years."

The Sunamite woman, having received a prophet in the name of a prophet, now received a prophet's reward. She was shown where to go so as to be protected during seven years famine. How God worked to restore all her possession - the king was inquiring of Gehazi. The woman was led to the king as her story was being told of the raising of her son. Only God could bring about such a remarkable timing. Blessing, provision, protection and sure guidance are the portion of those who obey the prophetic word.

2 Kings 8:10 "And Elisha said to him, "Go, say to him, 'You shall certainly recover.' However the Lord has shown me that he will really die."

Israel does not respond positively to the miracle proofs wrought by God through the ministry of Elisha. Their persistence in turning from God is to have fearful consequences. Ben-hadad's illness was not unto death - Elisha reveals that he would be murdered. This is already in the heart of Hazael. When Elisha confronts him, this is the reason for his embarrassment (2 Kings 8:11 ). Elisha wept for the terrible things that Hazael, in satisfying his lust for power, would do to Israel (2 Kings 8:12 ). The revelation of Elisha did not stop this man's insatiable lust for power - he went straight from the presence of Elisha and committed murder.

God knows the hidden motives of our hearts (1 Corinthians 4:5 ). Elisha's prophetic commitment reveals God's persistence in doing everything possible to turn back the heart of the nation of Israel to obedience and loyalty.

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Can you give an instance when God has shown His special care for a widow? (2 Kings 4:1-7 ).
2. Has God met your private need in a private way? ( 2 Kings 4:4 ).
3. Is the Shunammite woman an example of meeting the needs of a messenger of the Lord without self-seeking? (2 Kings 4:8-13 ).
4. Are you surprised that when asked if she had a need, the woman did not refer to her having no child? (2 Kings 4:13-17 ). Do you have a testimony about God giving you a miracle unasked for?
5. What actions of the mother, when her son died, impress you the most? (2 Kings 4:18-37 ). What lessons do you learn for a ministry of faith, from Elisha's actions (2 Kings 4:18-37 ).
6. What is the cure for a poisonous error? (2 Kings 4:39-41 ).
7. What does the account of Naaman's healing tell you about God, about serving God, and the sin of covetousness? (2 Kings 5:1-27 ).
8. When did God, in some way, make iron to swim in your experience? (2 Kings 6:1-7 ).
9. Can you give an instance when the Holy Spirit's supernatural secret service has been activated for you? (2 Kings 6:8-12 ).
10. Are you like Elisha, or his servant, when overwhelming forces are against you? (2 Kings 6:13-18 ).
11. Was Elisha right to show mercy to the supernaturally captured enemies? (2 Kings 6:19-23 ).
12. Do you think the king, by wearing sackcloth which is a sign of repentance, was actually playing games with God? (2 Kings 6:30 ).
13. When God refuses to respond to pretended repentance, is it common practice to blame God's servant? (2 Kings 6:31-33 ).
14. Can the unbeliever of those in authority stop the fulfilment of the word of the Lord? (2 Kings 7:1,2,14-18 ).
15. What spiritual lessons do you find in the actions of the lepers? (2 Kings 7:3-16 ).
16. How was the Shunammite woman rewarded for receiving a prophet in the name of a prophet? (2 Kings 8:1-6 ). How did God work to restore all her possessions? Have you had such working on your behalf? (Romans 8:28 ).
17. Why did Elisha's fixed gaze embarrass Hazael? (2 Kings 8:10-11 ). Can the hidden motives of the heart be hidden from God? (2 Corinthians 4:5 ).