2 Kings 8:6
‘When the king asked the woman, she told everything to him. So the king appointed an officer for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers and all the produce of the field from the day that she left the land even until now.”‘
There was a famine in the land. Elisha told the woman to go elsewhere to live and find food. She did so for seven years. After that she returned home and asked the king for her house and land back. Just prior to her doing so, the king asked Elisha’s servant about the miracles he’d performed. He told him about the boy whom Elisha had raised from the dead. At the conclusion of the story, the woman walked in. The servant said, “This is the boy’s mother.” Then comes today’s verse.
These were treacherous times. Finding food was difficult and expensive. They had to leave their region. This was an anxious thing, as they might not get their property back upon their return.
However, she obeyed God. We’ve learned much about God and His values. One of which is that He is concerned about widows and orphans. These two aren’t far from those states. We know that God hears prayers, especially from the lowly.
This was a miracle. All the characters were in place. The king happened to ask about the miracles and the servant happened to be there. This is an enactment of Proverbs 21:1, “The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.” He put the thought into the kings mind at the time the servant was present and in comes the woman.
What do we learn from this? Several things. God answers prayer. Jesus said in John 16:24, “Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” That’s the heart of God. He wants to bless us to fullness. He has joy in doing so. He loves to see us happy.
Part of His reason for answering prayer is to draw us to Himself. He wants to be in a relationship with us. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with him and he with Me.” He does this with all of us. We all don’t respond to Him.
The woman in the story obeyed God. When He knocked on the door of her heart, she opened it. The revelation passage says we have to hear His voice and open the door. We all hear His voice on several occasions. Sometimes we respond, sometimes not. A fact about hearing God’s voice is that, if we don’t respond, the next time we become dull of hearing. Hebrews 5:11 says, “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.” That’s why Jesus said, “If anyone hears My voice…” It may be that many no longer hear His voice. They’ve ignored it for so long.
Another unfortunate fact about ignoring God’s voice is that our reasoning goes bad. Romans 1:21 says, “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.” Oddly enough, this people will usually still sound intelligent to the culture, but in terms God’s ways, it’s foolishness.
They second part of the revelation passage is opening the door of one’s heart. We may hear His voice, but we have to open the door and allow Him entry. I know this can be unsettling. But we learn that God is good and He loves us. Only good results.
Lord, thank You for hearing our prayers and looking out for us. Thank You for the goodness You’ve given us.