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GLIMPSES OF THE MINISTRY OF ELISHA THE PROPHET

Text: 2 Kings 8:1-7
11 May 2010

(I) GLIMPSES OF THE MINISTRY OF ELISHA THE PROPHET

1. Teaching Ministry to the sons of the prophets (2 Kings 4, 6)

a) Instruction

b) Building projects

2. Prophetic Ministry

a) National prophet

b) Ministry to the nation when it was at war with Syria (2 Kings 6-7)

(II) PROPHETIC WARNING OF A FAMINE

“The LORD has called for a famine, and furthermore, it will come upon the land for seven years.” 2 Kings 8:1c

1. Famine forewarned

a) Natural

b) Divine

i) Punitive

ii) Purposive

iii) Instructive

(III) SPECIAL WORD GIVEN TO THE SHUNAMITE WOMAN

“Arise and go, you and your household, and stay wherever you can…” 2 Kings 8:1b

1. Woman given to the Shunamite woman to leave Israel

2. She may bring all in her household with her

3. She must plan to stay away for the next 7 years (2 Kings 8:1)

4. Instant obedience of the woman

Lived in the land of the Philistines for seven years (2 Kings 8:2)

(IV) RETURN OF THE SHUNAMITE WOMAN

1. She returned after 7 years in the land of the Philistines (2 Kings 8:3)

2. She found her land and her house occupied (2 Kings 8:4)

(V) APPEAL BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF KING JEHORAM

1. Appeal to have the land and her house returned to her (2 Kings 8:3)

2. Unlawful occupants of the land may be evicted (by order of the king alone)

(VI) GEHAZI – “ADVISOR” TO THE KING

1. The king consulted with Gehazi (2 Kings 8:4)

2. He wanted to know more about the ministry of Elisha the prophet (2 Kings 8:4)

3. Gehazi’s Account

a) Testimony of how Elisha raised the son of the Shunamite woman back to life (2 Kings 8:5a)

b) Confirmed that this petitioner was indeed the same person for whom Elisha performed a special miracle (2 Kings 8:5b)

(VII) JUDGMENT OF THE KING

1. Judgment in favour of the Shunamite woman

2. Her land and house were to be restored to her fully (2 Kings 8:6)

(VIII) SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STORY

1. God’s continued grace shown to the Shunamite woman because of her care and concern for Elisha (2 Kings 4)

2. Gehazi- He had become “a better man” (2 Kings 8)

3. Just judgment delivered (for a change) (2 Kings 8)

a) Pity for the Shunamite woman?

b) Fear of Elisha (and of the Lord)?