If you have ‘Room’ on the roof, you may receive your ‘Greatest Blessing’. 2 Kings 4
The story of the unnamed Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4 is a powerful testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
This woman was wealthy and invited Elisha to ‘stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat’. Elisha the prophet was stopping at their house to eat with them, but this woman decided she wanted to DO MORE than just feed Elisha.
9 She said to her husband, ‘I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then HE CAN STAY there whenever he comes to us.’ 2 Kings 4
Initially she fed the prophet and his servant, but she was prompted to do more, to make a place for him ‘to Stay’. Are we satisfied with what we’re doing for the Kingdom or do we feel we could do more? This woman, with her husband’s agreement, she was able to involve him, wanted to do more. The results from the ‘more’ were that Elisha, the prophet of God, bringing the presence of God, ‘Stayed Longer’ with her. When we’re doing something for and with the Lord, it’s easier to know His presence.
Elisha was on the roof, above the household (so was Peter when he had his vision about Cornelius and the Church Acts 10:9). He’d been given the highest place. In old farmyards in Ireland, there were often lofts above stone barns, with steps up the outside for access. People are building these again today in modern homes, sometimes with living accommodation and I know of one place, where they’ve called it the ‘Prophet’s Barn’. I imagine Elisha’s room also had separate access, outside the main house.
The prophet’s conversation was with the woman who helped him, he honoured her. She was a notable lady and his host but the prophet sent his servant, ‘Call the Shunammite’, and he called her and she stood before him. The woman had to leave what she was doing in the house below and attend the man of God. She had to ‘Come Up’ into his presence. Elisha had decided to repay her kindness, but she had to Come Up where he was, he didn’t go to her. We may have to do the same to receive our blessings from the Lord!
On the blog last Friday we noted that the Wedding Feast in Cana, stood out because the best wine was the last wine. Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, said, ‘the woman has no son and her husband is old’. Elisha called her and declared over her, ‘this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms’ and she did. A ‘son’ can represent many things, God is not finished with us yet. If you have unfulfilled dreams, He may have given them for Truly He does keep the best/choicest wine to the last.
The woman began feeding the man of God, but then she made a place for him, at the top, to stay or abide.
God bless and keep you today.