September 29 Making Room

2 Kings 4:8-10 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 9 And she said to her husband, "Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. 10 Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there."

THIS is a bit of a change, isn't it? We have seen Elijah and Elisha interact with and care for widows who are poor. God used these prophets to provide food and income for women in their impossible circumstances. Now Elisha comes to a wealthy woman. She has no need of God's miracles in her everyday life. Instead, we see her care for the prophet. What do we learn in this passage?

    First, God's Word is not restricted to a region or a country. We can assume from this passage that Elisha is a prophet on the move. This woman and her husband live in Shunem, just outside of Israel. He apparently is traveling to minister to Israel and beyond its borders.

    Second, the Shunamite (of Shunen) woman knows of God, and she is aware of God's teachings. Knowing God, she recognizes Elisha as a holy man of God. Third, she is acting to help such a man in his work for the Lord. It is good to care for God's teachers.

    Fourth, apparently the woman wants to know more of God. Could it be that she wants Elisha in her household because it will help her know more of God's presence?

    The Shunamite is pursuing God. Without her knowledge God is preparing to bless the woman in miraculous ways. Certainly she does not care for Elisha because she wants something. She offers him food, a lamp, a desk and a place to sleep because it is the right thing to do. She has made room not only in her house but in her heart for a holy man of God.

    Our fifth lesson here is that the Shunamite exhibits to us righteousness. She does what is good under God's teachings because it is the right thing to do.

Prayer: Teach us, Lord to be hospitable in our relationships. Give us gentle spirits to care for those who teach your Word. In Jesus' name, amen.