Psalm 93, 96; 2 Kings 4:8-37; Acts 9:10-31; Luke 3:7-18
This passage is remarkably similar to the story in 1 Kings 17 of Elijah and the widow from Zarephath. That does not mean, however, that they are the same story. Why would we be surprised that the Lord used both these men, one of whom was the protégé of the other, in similar ways? A wealthy couple from Shunem provide a place within their home as a retreat for their friend who is a prophet and he wishes to repay their kindness in some way but the woman responds that she doesn’t need anything. Elisha’s servant Gehazi suggests that they need a child and so Elisha promises that in a year they will have a child. The woman’s response is to tell the prophet not to trifle with her, the true blessing of covenant is a child, the very thing this wealthy couple doesn’t have. (Jewish tradition has it that there is some sexual/lust issue involving Gehazi and the woman and her suspicion of him throughout this story seems to validate that tradition.) When the child dies, a la 1 Kings 17, the woman blames the prophet through whom the child was provided and ultimately the prophet raises the child from the dead. The two men, Elijah and Elisha, had the same anointing and it is therefore not at all surprising that in a time when there were no antibiotics or other wonder drugs that children would die from whatever disease and that a prophet would be in a position to do such a miracle by the power of God.
The message of John the Baptizer was plain, get ready for judgment day. Baptism was the act of contrition, acknowledgment of sin and the desire to be clean, but it was not the complete work of preparation, amendment of life was required. John’s message was based in the holiness of God that demanded a righteous people. His call was to change from the ways of the world to the way of God, to personal ethical integrity but also to be willing to go the extra mile in personal relationships, caring for the neighbor as you care for yourself. The mark of the community was love, providing for one another as possible and necessary. John promised that one was coming after Him who would separate the wheat from the chaff in judgment and yet that was not Jesus’ message, He offered salvation from that judgment based on His righteousness.
No one wants to have any part in Paul in the season after his conversion. He is a man who has been an enemy to the church and no one is sure that this isn’t a ploy to destroy the church. Paul, however, knows the truth and is simply attempting to walk into his own call to proclaim. What is the work of a prophet? In these three lessons we see three men, all of whom can be termed as prophetic as they proclaim what will be and all three have different messages. The work of a prophet is to proclaim by word and deed the truth that has been revealed to them by the Lord. All these men proclaim that God’s prejudice is to life but that prejudice is based entirely on His work. The child lives not because of Elisha but God working powerfully through him. John was filled with the Spirit for a particular work, preparing the way for the One who was to come. Paul proclaims the Gospel of salvation by faith from the coming judgment of the world. What has God revealed to you that you should be sharing with those around you?
The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never,
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.
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