2 Kings 4:1-8 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead… I. THE PERSON FOR WHOM THIS MIRACLE WAS WROUGHT. "A certain woman." 1. She was the subject of accumulated sorrow. (1) Her condition was desolate. She was a widow. Few if any of the trying conditions of life are more pitiable than the widowed one. (2) Her condition was oppressed. Her husband had died insolvent, She was in debt. Her sorrow was increased with the thought of the possibility of losing her sons. Trouble seldom comes alone. 2. She was a woman of devout spirit. It is difficult to over-estimate the value of having a pious partner, a godly child, or a faithful companion; but how important it is that we ourselves axe holy, We may gather from this incident the following thoughts concerning this woman. (1) She was devout in the manner of her address. She spake to Elisha in a reverent spirit. (2) She spoke kindly of her deceased husband. "Thy servant my husband is dead."(3) She was anxious about her living sons. Her motherly heart was filled with sorrow at the thought of her sons being sold. True piety is devout, it deals gently with the dead, it cares for the living. Such is a brief description of this woman's sorrow and character. Notice — II. THE MANNER IN WHICH THIS MIRACLE WAS PERFORMED. God was this widow's Helper. This is in harmony with His nature. He is loving, tender, faithful, and full of compassion. "A Father of the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5). 1. God took advantage of her extremity. Often "man's extremity is God's opportunity." God interposed just when this woman's sorrow was the heaviest, and when her outlook was the darkest. How often He deals with His children in like manner now. 2. Her faith was tested by the means employed. This woman's deliverance was effected in a short time and in a strange way. III. THE ATTRIBUTES OF THE DIVINE CHARACTER WHICH THIS MIRACLE EXHIBITS. This miracle exhibits — 1. The Divine law of righteousness. "Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt." The Divine law is, "Owe no man anything but love." We are to be just in our material, social, and commercial relationships. 2. The rich resources of Divine wisdom. The promises which God has made concerning the deliverance of His children in seasons of trial are abundant, simple, precious: "Call upon Me" (Psalm 50:15). "When thou" (Isaiah 43:2). In behalf of His children, God has brought water from a rock, made a path through the sea, etc. 3. The greatness of Divine mercy. "Live thou and thy children of the rest." Enough to satisfy the creditor, and some to spare. How great is God's mercy. It is higher than the heavens. Conclusion. Let us be faithful, submissive, and heroic when duty leads us into trial Many a cloudy morning has turned into a fine day. We all have trials; but what are our heaviest trials compared to those this woman endured? We may have the same Friend and Helper. If we trust in Him, our sorrow shall be turned into joy. (John Wileman.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. |
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