Topic: Favour Beyond Description [December 6, 2016]
Text: 2 Kings 8:1-6
Key Verse: “And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now” (2 Kings 8:6).
A teacher asks his pupils to explain the meaning of loving-kindness. A little boy jumps up and said, “Well, if I was hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread, that would be kindness. But if they put a little jam on it, that would be loving-kindness”. In our text today, a Shunamite woman was marvelously rewarded for the kindness she shown to Prophet Elisha. She had been a friend in need to the prophet at a time that mattered most in his life and ministry.
She provided a decent accommodation and took care of the man of God. Her immediate reward was the restoration of her child back to life. Little did she know that her deed of kindness would for a long time be remembered and continually rewarded. At the time of famine in Samaria, she was privileged to get an advanced notice, so that she could move to another country where she and her family could be cared for. Providence gave her a comfortable settlement in the land of the Philistines. It is noteworthy that while the land of Israel was plagued by famine at this time, the nations around them had plenty and abundance, which plainly showed that the hand of God was against Israel as punishment for their sins. Other countries had rain, when they had none; others were free from locusts and caterpillars when they were eaten up by these.
At the return of this woman, she discovered that her land and house had been unjustly taken over by other people. Once again, providence from God made the king favour her and restored all her properties with all the profits that were made of it in her absence. People in authority should ensure that they defend the poor and the fatherless; and do justice to the afflicted and the needy. Any opportunity we have to support the work of God and the ministers of the gospel must be used graciously, because we shall reap in due season.
Thought for the day: The Christian life consists of faith and charity.
Bible Reading in one Year: Joel 1-3
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
