Blessing Of Obedience

"Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, and depart with your household, and sojourn wherever you can, for the LORD has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for seven years.” So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. And at the end of the seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to appeal to the king for her house and her land. Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now." 2 Kings 8 Vs 1 - 6 (ESV)

In 2 Kings 4, we learn about the Shunamite woman and her journey from barrenness to birthing a child and her joy in providing room for the prophet Elisha whenever he was town. You can check the previous article about the Shunamite woman here: 

http://thepassionatebeliever.blogspot.com/2020/06/make-room-for-god.html

But today, our  focus on this woman is from a different Biblical perspective. In chapter 8, Elisha tells her to go live anywhere else besides Israel because for seven years, the Lord will cause a famine on the land. 

The question is - why would Elisha tell only this woman to leave the land before the famine hits ?

 The answer is quite simple! She was an obedient woman. She understood things that not many in her time grasped. And one of the most important things she understood, was that Elisha was no ordinary man - he was a man of God. Unlike other ' men of God", he was different. Knowing that Elisha brought on a greater understanding of the God he served. He never asked for anything in return, but she always gave off her best. And the Lord blessed her for that. 

When we come to chapter eight, we find that she is still as faithful as she was back in chapter four. And because of her faithfulness God spared her from the famine. God's word never changes. What He says and does for others in scripture - He continues to do for us today. We need only be faithful to His word and fulfill the call He has over all our lives. 

Ever heard that lie that has become a cliché and has somehow become the way people live and makes them selfish ? 

"God helps those who helps themselves."

That's a blatant lie and isn't found in the scriptures! But what we do see is God blessing those who help others. This was true of the Shunamite woman. She helped Elisha when he needed a place without him asking for it. (We're currently seeing this playing out in the situation regarding our brothers and sisters who are fleeing Ukraine because of the war - there are many unamed people who are opening up their homes to those who need refuge in these difficult times - the Lord will certainly bless them for the compassion they're showing!).

The Shunamite woman was obedient to the call of God to serve someone else, and she was blessed because of it. God spared her life when famine came and RESTORED all that was hers and so much more. We can say the same was true of Job aswell. God restored everything to him many times over.

As you read this, can we pray for the same ? Not for the 'blessing' 'cause that's secondary, but praying for the courage to remain faithful to the call of God in our lives and being obedient to His Word. Too many focus on the blessings and what they can recieve, instead of asking the Lord for His strength in remaining obedient to Him. That's a Blessing in itself - remaining faithful to God. 

We're not in it for the 'blessing' ( It's just a perk for being obedient). We're in it because we truly love God and have an unquenchable desire to  honour Him by the way we serve.

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10 vs 45, (ESV)

So, let's take a page out of this woman's life on obedience and blessing. Choose first to be obedient and to serve - the blessing will come. Our love for God will direct our paths of service to Him and others around us. 

Many Blessings,

Shane.

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