Rhemalogy

Part 2

Last week we learned that true hospitality is not just a ministry in the church or entertainment in your home, but a prerequisite for ministry wherever a true Christian goes. And in so doing, the recipient is touched by the incorruptible love of God. And this was the mindset of the Shunammite woman.

…discern our spiritual environment

And she said unto her husband, “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God which passeth by us continually.” (2 Kings 4:9) This fair woman recognized Elisha as a true holy man of God. She evaluated the circumstances as Elisha passed by her home on many occasions and from this assessment she gained wisdom. In such instances, we must take time to discern our spiritual environment so we can stay in the flow of the Holy Spirit. He may look like a man of God, preach or prophesy like a man of God…There are those who are not true to God or his Word. (Micah 3:11) This is the precursor for why it is imperative we possess the gift of discernment to identify the source of blessing. (Malachi 3:18) Thus, allowing God to open a window in time for a miracle.

Additionally, she petitions her husband…”Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall and let us set for him there a bed and a table, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.” Now, whenever Elisha came to Shunem he was assured a place of rest, for his personal use. And no doubt, their household would be blessed because the presence of God was there. (I Chronicles 13:14).

On one such visit, Elisha was lying in that chamber, ever grateful for this hospitality—he pondered how to be a blessing—he offered to provide her person and property royal protection by his influence with the king. However, this Shunammite refused his princely offer, for she found contentment among her own people. This woman did not desire to be any higher in social status than her wealth had already afforded her—she was content. Where there is humility there is honor and where there is honor there is divine order. Where there is divine order you will surely find the hand of God. This humble refusal set her in the right season to receive a divine blessing.

God dwells in eternity…

We must understand God dwells in eternity; therefore, he can take your future and place it in your present at any given moment in time. He is not constrained by time frames such as some men think.

Elisha did not stop with this offer—he further inquired of Gehazi what more he could do for her… And Gehazi answered, “Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.”  And he said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the door. And he said, “About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son.” And she said, “Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie to thine handmaid.” (2 Kings 4:15-16)

Like Sarah, she heard impossibility in the prophet’s word because of her husband’s condition, but she also knew the prophet, by reputation, to be an oracle of God.  Is anything too hard for the LORD? “For with God, nothing shall be impossible.” We know Elisha’s words are true as we approach verse seventeen…And the woman conceived, and bare a son at the season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

May the Blessings of the LORD be with you today and always. Stay tuned for the conclusion next week. Thank you for your continued readership and support.….Blessings and Peace! 

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