2Ki 4:8 | KingComments | STEP | If we let the Holy Spirit work, if we “live on the rest” ( ), it means that we learn to know the power of the resurrection. We see that in this history. “Live on the rest” means living on the riches of the Spirit. We see that in the Shunammite. The poor widow of has become a prominent or rich woman, a woman of stature. However, she lacked something, and that was a son. There was love, there were maternal feelings, but there was no one to whom she could express those feelings. Now the lesson is taught that the spiritual riches can be enjoyed on the basis of death and resurrection. The woman’s heart was in the right place; she was hospitable, and Elisha liked to make use of her hospitality. Elijah was a lonely man, but also a man who enjoyed company. It was a blessing for Elisha to have a house where he was welcome in the deadly climate of godless Israel. Thus the Lord Jesus had a house on earth in Bethany where He was welcome and in Mary a woman who understood Him. Several people play a role in this history, all different, and from all these people we can learn: 1. The mother has a care for people, for Elisha and her son. In the church are people who care for others. 2. Elisha is the teacher , the man with the Word of God. 3. Gehazi is the servant . 4. We can see the boy as a picture of young people in the church. 5. The father , a man who does not take responsibility, represents the carnal believer, the man of outward faith. The woman had spiritual discernment. She had discovered that Elisha was a man of God and that he was holy. That also says something about the walk, the behavior of Elisha. He lived a life devoted to God. That is why she granted him a separate room. She no longer wanted him as a visitor, but as a continuous guest. Thus it is a desire of Christ that we should not have Him as a Visitor of our heart and life, but as a constantly present Guest. She talked to her husband about her plan, with which she acknowledged him as her head. The woman had a separate room with a sober interior built on the roof for Elisha. She didn’t overload him with all sorts of benefits. Therefore, so to speak, Elisha would not be tempted to go to this house because of the abundance he gets there all the time. The small upper chamber is a picture of faith exercised by the church, which is represented by a house. In the inventory we can also see a spiritual meaning: 1. A “bed” speaks of rest. Christ gives rest. Sound doctrine gives rest. 2. A “table” speaks of fellowship. 3. A “chair” is to sit and study, to receive education and also to pass on teaching. 4. The “candlestick” speaks of education by the Holy Spirit and the spreading of light.

‏ 2 Kings 4:8

A Room for Elisha

If we let the Holy Spirit work, if we “live on the rest” (2Kgs 4:7), it means that we learn to know the power of the resurrection. We see that in this history. “Live on the rest” means living on the riches of the Spirit. We see that in the Shunammite. The poor widow of 2Kgs 4:1 has become a prominent or rich woman, a woman of stature. However, she lacked something, and that was a son. There was love, there were maternal feelings, but there was no one to whom she could express those feelings. Now the lesson is taught that the spiritual riches can be enjoyed on the basis of death and resurrection.

The woman’s heart was in the right place; she was hospitable, and Elisha liked to make use of her hospitality. Elijah was a lonely man, but also a man who enjoyed company. It was a blessing for Elisha to have a house where he was welcome in the deadly climate of godless Israel. Thus the Lord Jesus had a house on earth in Bethany where He was welcome and in Mary a woman who understood Him.

Several people play a role in this history, all different, and from all these people we can learn:

1. The mother has a care for people, for Elisha and her son. In the church are people who care for others.

2. Elisha is the teacher, the man with the Word of God.

3. Gehazi is the servant.

4. We can see the boy as a picture of young people in the church.

5. The father, a man who does not take responsibility, represents the carnal believer, the man of outward faith.

The woman had spiritual discernment. She had discovered that Elisha was a man of God and that he was holy. That also says something about the walk, the behavior of Elisha. He lived a life devoted to God. That is why she granted him a separate room. She no longer wanted him as a visitor, but as a continuous guest. Thus it is a desire of Christ that we should not have Him as a Visitor of our heart and life, but as a constantly present Guest.

She talked to her husband about her plan, with which she acknowledged him as her head. The woman had a separate room with a sober interior built on the roof for Elisha. She didn’t overload him with all sorts of benefits. Therefore, so to speak, Elisha would not be tempted to go to this house because of the abundance he gets there all the time.

The small upper chamber is a picture of faith exercised by the church, which is represented by a house. In the inventory we can also see a spiritual meaning:

1. A “bed” speaks of rest. Christ gives rest. Sound doctrine gives rest.

2. A “table” speaks of fellowship.

3. A “chair” is to sit and study, to receive education and also to pass on teaching.

4. The “candlestick” speaks of education by the Holy Spirit and the spreading of light.