I had previously utilized a portion of this Scripture in a sermon titled “How Are We to Be an Example of Evangelism?” Again, this is another example of how we can read God’s Word one day, see something that the Lord wants us to learn and understand, and then read it again later, only to find that the Lord will open our eyes to something else. It is amazing how that happens. Do you think this is true?
Verses eight through thirty-seven tell us of how Elisha had restored a child to life. But what I want us to look at are only the first three verses, eight through eleven, with our focus on verse ten.
We can see that Elisha had just left from performing a miracle by providing oil to a widowed woman. Now he is traveling past Shunem. A Shunammite woman told her husband that she thought that this traveling man was a man of God as he was continually passing by. She begins to feel led to provide a meal and lodging for him.
So, the Shunammite woman had prepared a room for Elisha to use whenever he was in town. She did not do this for her own gain; rather, she did it out of kindness and a sense of need. However, her kindness would soon be rewarded in ways she could not have imagined. We might consider asking ourselves how sensitive we are to the people who come into our homes and our lives, particularly those who teach and preach God’s Word. What specific requirements do they have that we could fulfill? We should look for ways to assist Christian workers and serve them.
1 John 3:17, But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
Hebrews 13:2, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
These two Scriptures could lead to separate sermons in themselves. But I want to make a side point here. Christian work may not necessarily actually be someone going out into the “field.” No doubt you have heard and know of the Scripture in Matthew 9:37-38,
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
In Luke 10:2,
“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest is truly great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send labourers into his harvest.”
And in John 4:35,
“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”
You see, some Christian works are led out into the world to work. But who helps to care for them? The Christian worker whose job it is to be of service in another capacity. Someone may be thinking, “Well, Brother Chris, are you saying that this Shunammite woman was a Christian?” No. I am not saying that, but God did work through her to provide help and assistance for one of His workers.
Now, have you ever considered the fact that the four things noted in verse ten that the Shunammite woman gave the prophet Elisha are analogous to the four things that the worker for Christ requires? No? Let us look at this for a moment.
The Bed
First, we will start with the bed. The bed represents a state of rest, which comes from coming to Christ and being tethered with Him in the will of God.
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30
A yoke is a substantial wooden harness that is worn over the shoulders of an ox or oxen and is attached to a piece of equipment that the oxen are to pull. A large load must be pulled by a “heavy-laden” animal. A person who is “heavy lade” might be weighed down by sin, unreasonable demands from religious leaders, persecution and oppression, or exhaustion in the search for God.
Jesus removes all these burdens from people’s lives. The rest that Jesus provides will be healing, love, and peace with God, not the end of every toil and trial. Spiritual productivity and purpose emerge from what seems like meaningless labor when an individual has a relationship with God.
The Table
Second, let us look at the table. What normally happens at the table? It is a place where people come together to have a meal and fellowship with one another. The table symbolizes a believer having fellowship with the Lord.
"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” - Psalm 23:5
This verse might portray a thoughtful host providing dinner for a respected guest, or it might proceed with the illustration of the shepherd-sheep relationship. David sees himself as the honored guest as are we. And what else does the Lord invite us to do?
"Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? Knowing that it was the Lord." - John 21:12
According to Matthew 28:9-10, when Jesus first rose from the dead, He sent a message to the disciples inviting them to meet Him in Galilee. After that, he appeared to groups of disciples at least twice (John 20:19, 26). This time, in dim light, He showed up on the shore while the men were out on the water fishing (John 21:1-4). Jesus’ identity was established by the miraculous catch of fish (John 21:5-11). We can see that the Lord has provided. The net was so full of fish, yet it did not break.
The Stool
Third, it is the stool. The stool is a representation of Christ providing instruction to us. If we want to learn the secrets of His will, we must sit at His feet and learn about Him (Deuteronomy 33:3).
"And she had a sister called Mary, which sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word." - Luke 10:39
In verses 38-42, we find the story of Mary and Martha. Mary sat listening to Jesus while Martha was busy preparing the meal, which Martha complained about to Jesus. Maybe Mary had already helped Martha, but we are not told from the Scripture. I would hazard a guess that she did based upon the societal norms. Both Mary’s focus on Jesus’s words and Martha’s meal preparation are admirable. And we can see that Jesus even said “Mary hath chosen the best part.” Whatever the case, we can be sure that taking time to sit and listen to Jesus speak to us is what we need daily.
The Candlestick
Fourth, it is the candlestick. The candlestick is used as a sign of our testimony to Christ Jesus. We are the “light of the world,” according to Jesus, and we are His witnesses to testify about Him.
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." - Matthew 5:14
The lights of a city perched atop a hill can be seen for miles. We will shine like stars and demonstrate to others what Christ is like if we live our lives for Him. By remaining silent when we ought to speak, by following the crowd, by denying the light, by allowing our sin to dim the light, by failing to explain our light to others, and by ignoring the requirements of others, we conceal our light. To avoid cutting off our light from the rest of the world, we are to be a lighthouse of truth.
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8
A series of ever-widening circles are described in this verse. From Jerusalem, the Gospel was to be disseminated geographically throughout Judaea and Samaria, eventually reaching the entire world. It would first be offered to the Jews living in Jerusalem and Samaria, then to the others in Samaria, and finally to the Gentiles in the farthest reaches of the earth. If no one in our family, workplace, school, or community has heard of Jesus Christ, God’s Gospel has not reached its destination. We are expected to ensure that we are in some way presenting the expansion of God’s loving message.
Not only are these things indicative of what the Christian worker requires, but also, the order in which they are presented is suggestive. Being yoked with Christ in the will of God requires rest (bed). Being yoked with Him is essential to have fellowship (table) with Him. Fellowship with Him qualifies for instruction (stool) from Him, and our effective testimony (candlestick) for Him begins with instruction from Him.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images / Den Belitsky
