- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on Oct 31, 2015 19:41:36 GMT -8
Haftara—2 Kings 4:1-37
Elisha’s mentor Elijah was like Yochanon the Immerser in that he was a rugged, individualistic prophet to the nation of Yisroel. Elisha, as Yeshua later would do, ministered to individuals and accepted the hospitality of friends. In this second cycle of stories of Elisha, we see the recurring themes of want and death. However the main theme is of Elisha as a healer. His ministry was redemptive and constructive. In this haftarah, a widow appeals to him for help and a mother for the life of her son. “A life filled with quiet ministry will bear comparison with one whose outbursts of passion are followed by reaction and depression.” E. B. Meyer.
2 Kings 4:1-2 (ESV) Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”
Note the reaction of the prophet was not an outcry against social injustice. Others are called to this, but his was a ministry of God’s provision in the face of injustice. Seizing children as payment of debt was an established legal custom in that time. Her trust in God led her to the prophet, who gave her a seemingly futile task: collect as many vessels as possible to contain her meager supply of oil. But when we are in dire need, it is never about how much we have left, but how empty our vessel is before God. He has plenty of oil, representative of His Ruach, if we can empty ourselves to receive it.
Elisha likely had a regular circuit which he traveled, so in the next story the woman from Shunam would have known where to find him. 2 Kings 4:9 (ESV) And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way.” Shunam is fifteen miles from Carmel; a fair journey at the time, yet one where a round trip would have easily been done in a day.
2 Kings 4:20-23 (ESV) And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.”
The JPS commentary says she may not have thought the child was really dead. I can see their point, how a grieving mother could be in denial. Still I have to disagree. The woman from Shunam left her son, which to me says she knew he was dead. No mother leaves a sick child unattended. Yet she was so sure of the ability of the prophet of the Living God to restore her son, she did not tell her husband he was dead. Why grieve him if everything will be alright in the end?
As an aside, the husbands question indicates it was not unusual for her to travel to celebrate the moedim with the prophet. For those of us living away from the fellowship of a good Messianic congregation, it is worth our while to travel at least periodically to be with like minded believers. It is more than refreshing; it is uplifting and sustaining!
2 Kings 4:29-32 (ESV) He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.” When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed.
The instruction to “tie up your garment” indicates Gehazi was being told to run. I was a distance runner in high school, and fifteen miles would have been about 1½ hrs easy run. So figure 2-3 times that for someone in good shape but not trained to run distance. He would have arrived tired, but still Gehazi is declining spiritually. He is unkind to the Shunamite woman (vs 27) and did not have the trust to help heal her son. You may sit at the feet of a prophet daily, yet still backslide and fall away. Looking forward to ch 5 vss 20-27 and we see the extent and consequences of his fall.
2 Kings 5:20-27 (ESV) 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” 23 And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.
Back to our present story: 2 Kings 4:34-35 (ESV) Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
The revivification here is similar to that done by Elijah in 1 Kings 17:21-22 (ESV) Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child's life (lit. soul) come into him again.” And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived.
So we see God’s power revealed in the absolute trust of a mother and that of a prophet. We also see the faithlessness of a disciple starting to reveal itself. Position is no guarantee of faith and trust. We are all subject to doubts, fears and worries which, if they remain hidden can lead us to fall away. I have to watch this in myself. My mother says I was born depressed, and now dealing with constant physical pain due to old injuries and severe medical conditions doesn’t help. That and my propensity to be a servant more along the lines of Elijah and Yochanon, but not being able to get out and do things like I used to can cause me to fall away spiritually. I also know I have a tendency to hide things and just press on through. So last night I talked with Rav S about it and asked for prayer form our various congregations. And I am telling you. (Prayers gratefully accepted here as well). But it is important to realize the sinful condition of Gehazi when we are faced with it in our lives. Don’t hide it and just run ahead. Better to report our spiritual condition than to later fall away in disgrace and condemnation.
Dan C
Sources: JPS TNK commentary, W. Wiersby, EB Meyer, my father, my conscience
, and other studies.
Elisha’s mentor Elijah was like Yochanon the Immerser in that he was a rugged, individualistic prophet to the nation of Yisroel. Elisha, as Yeshua later would do, ministered to individuals and accepted the hospitality of friends. In this second cycle of stories of Elisha, we see the recurring themes of want and death. However the main theme is of Elisha as a healer. His ministry was redemptive and constructive. In this haftarah, a widow appeals to him for help and a mother for the life of her son. “A life filled with quiet ministry will bear comparison with one whose outbursts of passion are followed by reaction and depression.” E. B. Meyer.
2 Kings 4:1-2 (ESV) Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”
Note the reaction of the prophet was not an outcry against social injustice. Others are called to this, but his was a ministry of God’s provision in the face of injustice. Seizing children as payment of debt was an established legal custom in that time. Her trust in God led her to the prophet, who gave her a seemingly futile task: collect as many vessels as possible to contain her meager supply of oil. But when we are in dire need, it is never about how much we have left, but how empty our vessel is before God. He has plenty of oil, representative of His Ruach, if we can empty ourselves to receive it.
Elisha likely had a regular circuit which he traveled, so in the next story the woman from Shunam would have known where to find him. 2 Kings 4:9 (ESV) And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way.” Shunam is fifteen miles from Carmel; a fair journey at the time, yet one where a round trip would have easily been done in a day.
2 Kings 4:20-23 (ESV) And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.”
The JPS commentary says she may not have thought the child was really dead. I can see their point, how a grieving mother could be in denial. Still I have to disagree. The woman from Shunam left her son, which to me says she knew he was dead. No mother leaves a sick child unattended. Yet she was so sure of the ability of the prophet of the Living God to restore her son, she did not tell her husband he was dead. Why grieve him if everything will be alright in the end?
As an aside, the husbands question indicates it was not unusual for her to travel to celebrate the moedim with the prophet. For those of us living away from the fellowship of a good Messianic congregation, it is worth our while to travel at least periodically to be with like minded believers. It is more than refreshing; it is uplifting and sustaining!
2 Kings 4:29-32 (ESV) He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.” When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed.
The instruction to “tie up your garment” indicates Gehazi was being told to run. I was a distance runner in high school, and fifteen miles would have been about 1½ hrs easy run. So figure 2-3 times that for someone in good shape but not trained to run distance. He would have arrived tired, but still Gehazi is declining spiritually. He is unkind to the Shunamite woman (vs 27) and did not have the trust to help heal her son. You may sit at the feet of a prophet daily, yet still backslide and fall away. Looking forward to ch 5 vss 20-27 and we see the extent and consequences of his fall.
2 Kings 5:20-27 (ESV) 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” 23 And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.
Back to our present story: 2 Kings 4:34-35 (ESV) Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
The revivification here is similar to that done by Elijah in 1 Kings 17:21-22 (ESV) Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child's life (lit. soul) come into him again.” And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived.
So we see God’s power revealed in the absolute trust of a mother and that of a prophet. We also see the faithlessness of a disciple starting to reveal itself. Position is no guarantee of faith and trust. We are all subject to doubts, fears and worries which, if they remain hidden can lead us to fall away. I have to watch this in myself. My mother says I was born depressed, and now dealing with constant physical pain due to old injuries and severe medical conditions doesn’t help. That and my propensity to be a servant more along the lines of Elijah and Yochanon, but not being able to get out and do things like I used to can cause me to fall away spiritually. I also know I have a tendency to hide things and just press on through. So last night I talked with Rav S about it and asked for prayer form our various congregations. And I am telling you. (Prayers gratefully accepted here as well). But it is important to realize the sinful condition of Gehazi when we are faced with it in our lives. Don’t hide it and just run ahead. Better to report our spiritual condition than to later fall away in disgrace and condemnation.
Dan C
Sources: JPS TNK commentary, W. Wiersby, EB Meyer, my father, my conscience
, and other studies.
