2 Kings iv. 26. And she ansivered, It is tvell.
TO serve the Lord with our talents is the best possible improvement of them. Even as it respects this life, we never exert ourselves truly for God without receiving from him, in some way or other, an abundant recompence. Behold the pious Shvi- namite : being provided richly with the good things of this life, she gladly imparted of them to the Pro- phet Elisha; and, with her husband's approbation, provided for him a comfortable accommodation in her house. The prophet, full of gratitude, desired to requite her kindness, and for that end would have exerted his influence with the king in any way that she should desire : but her contented disposition rendered all such services unnecessary. There was, however, one service which he might render. She had no child, which to a Jewish woman was a great calamity : and he might intercede with God to bestow upon her this blessing. Accordingly he did so, and prevailed : and thus her generous hospitality was richly rewarded. But she had a still better re- ward in her soul : for under an exceedingly deep affliction, she was enabled to make the declaration in our text, " It is well."
In considering this declaration, we shall notice,
I. The circumstances under which it was made —
This son had no sooner arrived at an age to ren- der himself amusing to his parents, than he was removed by sudden death. In great affliction the mother set off" instantly to the prophet ; who, seeing her at a distance, sent immediately to inquire after the welfare of herself, her husband, and her child : and to each inquiry she replied, " It is well."
Behold here,
1. Her resignation —
[Her allliction would have been great, if she had had other children left : but to lose her only son, her son niiracu-
364.] ALL god's dispensations ARE GOOD. 485
lously given, and to have him so suddenly snatched away, was a calamity which might have utterly overwhelmed her. That she felt deeply was manifest, from the manner in which she prostrated herself at the prophet's feet, and from the plea she urged with him to intercede in her behalf: " Did I desire a son of my lord? Did I not say, Do not deceive me?" that is, If I had indulged an inordinate desire after this blessing, I might well have expected this severe chastisement : but when it was given me unsolicited, as a reward for my attentions to thee, surely it was not given merely to mock me, and to augment my sorrows. But, notwithstanding the anguish of her mind, she was enabled to leave the matter in God's hands, and to say, " It is well." Thus did she tread in the steps of Aaron % of Eli^, of David •=, and of Job**; and afforded an example of patience to the Church in all ages.]
2. Her faith—
[She had not indeed any promise to rest upon ; but she had a persuasion that God was gracious, and would hear the prayers of his servant in her behalf. Hence it was that she put the child upon the prophet's bed, and hastened with such speed to him, and pleaded her cause with him in such an affecting manner. In this view the history before us is re- ferred to in the Epistle to the Hebrews ; " By faith women received their dead raised to life again '^:" and in this noble exercise of faith, she approved herself a true daughter of Abraham, who offered up his son Isaac, from a persuasion " that God was able to raise him up again, even from the dead^." This divine principle calmed her spirits and composed her mind : and, wherever the same principle exists, it will produce a similar composure, in proportion as its operation is encouraged and felt.]
Her declaration was scarcely more the language of faith than it was of prophecy ; as appears from,