II Kings 4

Unending pot of oilverses 1-7

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets

to Elisha – saying

Your servant my husband is dead

and you know that your servant did fear the LORD

and the creditor is come to take to him my two

sons to be bondmen

And Elisha

said to her

What shall I do for you?

tell me – what have you in the house?

And she

said

Your handmaid has not anything in the house

save a pot of oil

Then he

said

Go – borrow you vessels abroad of all your neighbors

even empty vessels

Borrow not a few- and when you are come in

you shall shut the door on you and on your sons

and shall pour out into all those vessels

and you shall set aside that which is full

So she went from him – and shut the door upon her and upon her sons

who brought the vessels to her – and she poured out

And it came to pass – when the vessels were full

that she said unto her son

Bring me yet a vessel

And he said to her

There is not a vessel more

And the oil stayed

Then she came and told the man of God

and he said

Go – sell the oil – and pay your debt

and live you and your children of the rest

Room of Elisha in Shunemverses 8-10

And it fell on a day – that Elisha passed to Shunem

where was a great woman

`and she constrained him to eat bread

and so it was – that as oft as he passed by

he turned in thither to eat bread

And she

said to her husband

BEHOLD now – I perceive that this is a holy man of God

which passes by us continually

Let us make a little chamber – I pray you – on the wall

and let us set for him there a bed

table – stool – candlestick

and it shall be – when he come to us

that he shall turn in thither

Elisha promises woman a son in a yearverses 11-16

And it fell on a day – that he came thither

and he turned into the chamber – and lay there

and he said to Gehazi his servant

Call this Shunammite

And when he had called her

she stood before him

And he said to him

Say now to her – BEHOLD

you have been careful for us with all this care

What is to be done for you?

Would you be spoken for to the king

or to the captain of the host?

And she answered

I dwell among mine own people

And he said

What then is to be done for her?

And Gehazi answered

Verily she has no child – and her husband is old

And he said

Call her

And when he had called her – she stood in the door

and he said

About this season according to the time of life

you shall embrace a son

And she

said

Nay – my lord – you man of God

do not lie unto your handmaid

Promised son diesverses 17-22

And the woman conceived

and bare a son at that season that Elisha

had said unto her

according to the time of life

And when the child was grown – it fell on a day

that he went out to his father to the reapers

and he said to his father

My head – my head

And he said to a lad

Carry him to his mother

And when he had taken him – and brought him to his mother

he sat on her knees till noon – and then died

And she went up

and laid him on the bed of the man of God

and shut the door upon him – and went out

and she called unto her husband

and said

Send me – I pray you – one of the young men

and one of the asses that I may run to the man of God

and come again

Woman goes to Elishaverses 23-27

And he said

Wherefore will you go to him today?

it is neither new moon – nor Sabbath

And she said

It shall be well

Then she saddled an ass – and said to her servant

Drive – and go forward

slack not your riding for me – except I bid you

So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel

and it came to pass

when the man of God saw her afar off

that he said to Gehazi his servant

BEHOLD – yonder is that Shunammite

run now – I pray you – to meet her

and say to her

Is it well with you?

Is it well with your husband?

Is it well with the child?

and she answered

It is well

And when she came to the man of God to the hill

she caught him by the feet

BUT Gehazi came near

to thrust her away

And the man of God

said

Let her alone – for her soul is vexed within her

and the LORD has HID it from me

and has not TOLD me

Elisha sends his servant Gehazi with his staffverses 28-31

Then she

said

Did I desire a son of my lord?

Did I not say

Do not deceive me?

Then he

said to Gehazi

Gird up your loins – and take my staff in your hand

and go your way

IF you meet any man

salute him not

IF any salute you

answer him not again

and lay my staff upon the face of the child

And the mother of the child

said

As the LORD lives – and as your soul lives

I will not leave you

and he arose and followed her

And Gehazi passed on before them

and laid the staff upon the face of the child

BUT there was neither voice nor hearing

Wherefore he went again to meet him – and told him

saying

The child is not awaked

Elisha arrives at woman n Shunem’s houseverses 32-35

And when Elisha was come into the house

BEHOLD – the child was dead

and laid upon his bed he went in therefore

and shut the door upon them twain

and prayed to the LORD

and he went up – and lay upon the child

and put his mouth upon his mouth

and his eyes upon his eyes

and his hands on his hands

and he stretched himself on the child

and the flesh of the child waxed warm

then he returned – and walked in the house to and fro

and went up – and stretched himself on him

and the child sneezed seven times

and the child opened his eyes

Woman of Shunem’s son is aliveverses 36-37

And he called Gehazi

and said

Call this Shunammite

So he called her

and when she was come in to him – he said

Take up your son

Then she went in – and fell at his feet

and bowed herself to the ground

and took up her son – and went out

Poison in the stewverses 38-41

And Elisha came again to Gilgal

and there was a dearth in the land

and the sons of the prophets

were sitting before him

and he said to his servant

Set on the great pot

and seethe pottage for

the sons of the prophets

And one went out into the field to gather herbs

and found a wild vine

and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full

and came and shred them into the pot of pottage

for they knew them not

So they poured out for the men to eat

and it came to pass – as they were eating of the pottage

that they cried out – and said

O you man of God

there is death in the pot

And they could not eat thereof

BUT he said

Then bring meal

And he cast it into the pot

and he said

Pour out for the people – that they may eat

and there was no harm in the pot

Feeding of the multitude with small amountverses 42-44

And there came a man form Baal-shalisha

and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits

twenty loaves of barley

full ears of corn in the husk thereof

And he said

Give to the people that they may eat

And his servitor said

What should I set this before an hundred men?

He said again

Give the people that they may eat

for thus say the LORD

They shall eat – and shall leave thereof

So he set it before them – and they did eat – and left thereof

according to the word of the LORD

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 1 One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the LORD. But now the creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” (5383 “creditor” [nashah] means to borrow, to lend out, moneylender, usurer, a person to whom money is owed by a debtor, or lend on interest)

DEVOTION: The office of a prophet did not pay very well. This is true even today in some churches where the pastor is not paid very well because he wants to serve the LORD and is not worried about money. There are some pastors who are taking advantage of their people by taking more money than they need. This usually doesn’t happen in fundamental churches but in others some take more than they need.

However, here is a widow whose husband has died and left her in debt which should not have happened but it did.

She went to the prophet Elisha and told him her problem and he gave her a solution. The LORD provided the money for her to pay off her debts and have some money to raise her children without fear of them being taken as slaves to the creditor.

Today we have people who are in debt by no fault of their own. Life just had more bills then they could pay. They need the help of the LORD to pay their debts. This can even happen today as the LORD provides for those who are genuine believers.

We are to watch what we spend but there are times that the bills are too many and the money is not there. We are to go to the LORD for help. HE will provide a way for us to pay our debts with HIS help. Sometimes HE uses others to help in this area.

The church has a deacon’s fund to help those in need. This fund should always be available to those in the church who are having financial problems. There should be instruction sometimes to those who find themselves in debt but there should also be help.

If one member of the body of the church suffers the whole body should be there suffering with them and help them to end their suffering.

CHALLENGE: Is your church helping those who need instructions in financial matters? Does the church have a deacon’s fund to help those in need? Pray for those who are struggling and instruct them.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 16 And he said, About, this season, according to the time of life, you shall embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid. (2263 “embrace” [chabaq] means to fold the hands, to hold tightly in your arms, clasp, show close association and affection, or hug)

DEVOTION: Here is a woman who was serving the LORD by giving one of HIS prophets a place to stay while he was traveling between schools of prophets. Elisha would travel and stay in a room that she and her husband had prepared for him. He wanted to find out if there was anything that this woman needed that he could ask the LORD to give her.

She didn’t think there was anything she needed. His servant told Elisha that she didn’t have any children. Elisha told her that within the year she would have a son. Remember that every woman of Israel wanted to have a son because the Messiah was to come through a woman.

When she was told that she was going to have a son she doubted the ability of the prophet and the LORD. She thought he was lying to her.

Now remember she thought he was a prophet of Jehovah. She provided him a room and food. She trusted him to live in her house and yet she doubted what the LORD could do for her.

This chapter seems to be dealing with people who doubt the ability of the LORD to work miracles. We have a tendency to doubt the LORD’S ability to bless us beyond our beliefs. HE promises to provide for our every need. HE is there to answer our prayers that are said with faith believing.

Remember that we are not to be the type of people who think we need everything and the LORD should provide it if HE is truly God. HE is not a genie but HE is a God who makes promises and keeps them for HIS people who are faithful to HIM and trust HIM to give them what they need when HE thinks they are ready for it.

CHALLENGE: HE does not make empty promises to HIS faithful followers even today!!!

: 27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. (5956 “hid” [‘alam] means to veil from sight, conceal, blind, or secret)

DEVOTION: Does it matter how we treat those who are in full time ministry? If we honor those who are true servants of the LORD, should we expect something in return? Should we serve the LORD expecting nothing in return? Should those who faithfully serve the LORD expect the LORD to tell us what is going to happen in the future? If we have a faithful prayer time with the LORD, will HE reveal events to us?

Here we have a servant of the LORD who had asked his master, Elijah, for a double portion of his power. As we read the accounts of the life of Elisha, we can count all the miracles the LORD did in his lifetime that are recorded. This chapter has the account of many of the miracles the LORD preformed through Elisha. Elisha expected great things from the LORD.

This chapter tells of a woman who gave food to Elisha. After he had visited her area many times, she built a room for him to stay in while he was in her town. The furnishings were few but the room gave a place for Elisha to rest on his journeys. He appreciated what she did for him.

Elisha asked her what she wanted in return for the room. She said nothing. Elisha’s servant said that she had no child. Elisha said that she would have a child within the year.

Here we find a woman who has received a gift of a son from the LORD. The son died in his mother’s arms. She goes to Elisha to seek his help. God does tell his servant things as they serve HIM faithfully. Each of the prophets receive communication from the LORD. The LORD communicates in HIS word.

Here God had concealed from HIS prophet what was happening to the son of this woman. Elisha expected God to reveal things to him. However, on this occasion the LORD had concealed this event from him. Elisha goes with the woman and the son is healed.

We should expect God to reveal things to us on a regular basis. HE reveals through HIS Word, the Bible. HE reveals through the ministry of Holy Spirit in our life. HE reveals HIS will through other people.

Are we listening? Are we reading HIS word with the expectation of HIS revealing things to us? We want answers, but we don’t spend the time with HIM for HIM to reveal them to us. Spend time with the LORD!!!

Even when we are close to the LORD, we need to realize that HE will still keep some things from us. We should praise HIM for this as well as for those things that HE does reveal to us.

CHALLENGE: There are some things that the LORD keeps secret for our benefit. Trust HIM!!!

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 33 He went in therefore and shut the door on them twice, and prayed to the LORD. (6419 “prayed” [palal] means to pronounce judgment, to be the arbitrator, intercessor, advocate, intervene, or to make intercession for or act as intercessor for)

DEVOTION: Elisha sent his servant to put his rod on the child to see if that would raise him from the dead. It did not. Elisha arrived at the house to find the child dead and he prayed to the LORD for the child. He wanted the woman to have her only child back.

So after he prayed he laid upon the child seven times before the LORD answered his prayer to give the child life again. He didn’t give up when the child didn’t come to live the first time. Or the second time! Or the third! Or the fourth! Or the fifth! Or the sixth! It took seven times for the child to come to life.

Sometimes we give up too soon on the LORD answering our prayer for life. We think that if we ask the LORD once that is enough and if HE doesn’t grant it, it must not be HIS will to grant it. That is not what the Old Testament prophets believed. They didn’t give up they kept praying until they got the answer from the LORD. Elijah prayed and the LORD sent rain but it was more than one prayer. Elisha prayed for the life of the child but it wasn’t just one prayer either.

We need to remember that the Old Testament is given to show us how God works and sometimes it takes persistence to get an answer from the LORD. We are not to be one time only prayers for the LORD to work a miracle in our life or in the lives of others.

CHALLENGE: Never give up unless the LORD tells you NO!! HE will get HIS message across to us if we are listening.

: 43 And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus says the LORD, They, shall eat, and shall leave thereof. (8334 “servitor” [sharath] means minister, servant, be an attendant to, render assistance or help, or personal servant)

DEVOTION: This is Elisha speaking to his personal servant, Gehazi. He was giving him the offering that was brought to him from someone who faithfully served the LORD.

Gehazi didn’t think it was enough to feed the hundred prophets and their families. He didn’t think it would go far enough. He doubted what was going to happen just as the disciples of Jesus doubted when the LORD had just a few fish and loaves of bread to feed the five thousand.

There is a tendency even for those who say they love the LORD to doubt HIS provision during times when resources are scarce. Yet the LORD has no problem using a small amount to do great things.

So even when you are serving the LORD with a faithful prophet your servant can think that you are crazy to think that little can do so much but it did. In fact, just as there were leftovers after feeding the five thousand there were leftovers when Gehazi gave the food to the hundred.

The LORD wants those who serve HIM to not doubt but to believe that HE can do the impossible from our perspective. If we don’t believe it than we will not be able to be a faithful witness for HIM. HE wants people who walk by faith and not just by sight.

We shouldn’t need to be told a second time to give what the LORD has provided to HIS people and watch the miracles that will take place in our community, family or church.

CHALLENGE: Doubting is not part of the Christian faith. Belief is!!! Don’t be a doubting Thomas!!

DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Elisha prayed for life of childverse 33

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

New moonverse 23

Sabbathverse 23

DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Word of the LORDverse 44

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 1, 27, 30, 33, 43, 44

Fear of the LORDverse 1

God – Elohim (Creator)verses 9, 16, 21, 22, 25, 27, 40, 42

Man of Godverses 7, 9, 16, 21, 22, 25, 27, 40, 42

Holy man of Godverse 9

Prayed to the LORDverse 33

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man,Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Lieverses 16, 26

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Sons of the prophetsverses 1, 38

Fear of the LORDverse 1

Miraclesverses 6, 16, 36, 41, 44

Man of Godverses 7, 9, 25, 27, 40, 42

Pay debtverse 7

Holyverse 9

Provision of housingverse 11

Care for God’s servantsverse 13

Familyverse 17

Communications from the LORDverses 27, 44

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Certain womanverses 1-7

Wife of one of the sons of the prophets

Came to Elisha

Husband is dead

Creditor wants her two sons

Gathered pots to fill

Filled pots with oil

Sold oil to pay debt and live on rest

Elishaverses 1-44

Asks woman what she had in house

Told woman to gather pots

Holy man of God

Asked woman what she wanted from

the LORD

Told she would have child

Called a man of God

Said LORD has hid something from

Him and not told him

Followed women to her house

Stretched over child seven times

In Gilgal while there was a dearth in

the land

Prayed for pot to not be poisonous

Told servitor to feed the hundred men

and that there would be leftovers

Great womanverses 8-37

Provided food for Elisha

Provided room for Elisha to sleep

Bed

Table

Stool

Candlestick

Asked for a child

Thought Elisha was lying about

Her having a child

Had a child

Child was grown

Child died

She went to Elisha

Told Elisha she didn’t want to be deceived

Gehazi – Elisha’s servantverses 12, 14, 25, 29

Wanted to thrust woman away from Sent to heal the child

Child of womanverses 17-36

Sons of the prophetsverses 38-41

One gathered wild gourds that were poison

Man from Baal-shalishaverses 42-44

Brought bread

Brought corn

Food fed more than others thought it could

Feed everyone

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

Child was deadverse 32

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QUOTES regarding passage

As R. L. Hubbard observes, “In this case, however, the man brought it to Elisha, bypassing in protest the apostate northern religious leaders at the sanctuary nearby at Bethel.” Not all Israelites adopted the religion of Jeroboam and Ahab. Faithful individuals supported the separatist Yahwist prophets (cf. 1 Kgs 18:1–15). The Lord did indeed reserve “seven thousand” who refused to worship Baal. …. Like Moses, Jesus and Elisha worked miracles that were signs of God’s kingdom breaking into history, and both were ignored by all but a remnant of Israel. Still, the remnant did emerge, so their work was not totally in vain. (cf. 1 Kgs 19:18). (House, P. R. (1995). 1, 2 Kings (Vol. 8, p. 269). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

42–43 The second case involves the multiplication of a score of small loaves of fresh barley bread and some ears of new grain. These had been brought to Elisha as firstfruits (v.42). Normally these portions were reserved for God (Lev 23:20) and the Levitical priests (Num 18:13; Deut 18:4–5). Because the religion in the northern kingdom was apostate, the loaves had been brought by their owner to one whom he considered to be the true repository of godly religion in Israel. Elisha did not hesitate. He ordered them distributed to the young prophets, despite the protest of his servant (probably Gehazi) who realized that, humanly speaking, the gift was insufficient to feed everyone (v.43). Nevertheless Elisha ordered their distribution, telling his servant that there would surely be sufficient for all—in fact, some would be left over. (Patterson, R. D., & Austel, H. J. (1988). 1, 2 Kings. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 187). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

FROM MY READING:

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

DISCIPLE. A disciple (from Lat. discipulus, ‘pupil, learner’, corresponding to Gk. mathētēs, from manthanō, ‘to learn’) is basically the pupil of a teacher. The corresponding Heb. term limmûḏ is somewhat rare in the OT (Is. 8:16; 50:4; 54:13; cf. Je. 13:23), but in the rabbinical writings the talmîḏ (cf. 1 Ch. 25:8) is a familiar figure as the pupil of a rabbi from whom he learned traditional lore. In the Gk. world philosophers were likewise surrounded by their pupils. Since pupils often adopted the distinctive teaching of their masters, the word came to signify the adherent of a particular outlook in religion or philosophy.

Jewish usage is seen in the NT references to the disciples of the Pharisees (Mk. 2:18). The Jews considered themselves to be ultimately disciples of Moses (Jn. 9:28), since his teaching formed the basis of rabbinic instruction. The followers of John the Baptist were known as his disciples (Mk. 2:18; Jn. 1:35). The term was probably applied to his close associates. They practised prayer and fasting in accordance with his instructions (Mk. 2:18; Lk. 11:1), and some of them cared for him in prison and saw to his burial (Mt. 11:2–7; Mk. 6:29).

Although Jesus (like John) was not an officially recognized teacher (Jn. 7:14f.), he was popularly known as a teacher or rabbi (Mk. 9:5; 11:21; Jn. 3:2), and his associates were known as disciples. The word can be used of all who responded to his message (Mt. 5:1; Lk. 6:17; 19:37), but it can also refer more narrowly to those who accompanied him on his travels (Mk. 6:45; Lk. 8:2f.; 10:1), and especially to the twelve apostles (Mk. 3:14). Discipleship was based on a call by Jesus (Mk. 1:16–20; 2:13f.; Lk. 9:59–62; even Lk. 9:57f. presupposes Jesus’ invitation in general terms). It involved personal allegiance to him, expressed in following him and giving him an exclusive loyalty (Mk. 8:34–38; Lk. 14:26–33). In at least some cases it meant literal abandonment of home, business ties and possessions (Mk. 10:21, 28), but in every case readiness to put the claims of Jesus first, whatever the cost, was demanded. Such an attitude went well beyond the normal pupil-teacher relationship and gave the word ‘disciple’ a new sense. Faith in Jesus and allegiance to him are what determine the fate of men at the last judgment (Lk. 12:8f.).

Those who became disciples were taught by Jesus and appointed as his representatives to preach his message, cast out demons and heal the sick (Mk. 3:14f.); although these responsibilities were primarily delegated to the Twelve, they were not confined to them (Mk. 5:19; 9:38–41; Lk. 10:1–16).

According to Luke, the members of the early church were known as disciples (Acts 6:1f., and frequently thereafter). This makes it clear that the earthly disciples of Jesus formed the nucleus of the church and that the pattern of the relationship between Jesus and his earthly disciples was constitutive for the relationship between the risen Lord and the members of his church. The word, however, is not found outside the Gospels and Acts, and other NT writers used a variety of terms (believers, saints, brothers) to express more fully the characteristics of discipleship after Easter.

Bibliography. K. H. Rengstorf, TDNT 4, pp. 415–460; E. Schweizer, Lordship and Discipleship, 1960; M. Hengel, Nachfolge und Charisma, Berlin, 1968; NIDNTT 1, pp. 480–494. (Marshall, I. H. (1996). Disciple. In D. R. W. Wood, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, & D. J. Wiseman (Eds.), New Bible dictionary (3rd ed., pp. 277–278). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)

“Grieve not the Holy Spirit.”

—Ephesians 4:30

All that the believer has must come from Christ, but it comes solely through the channel of the Spirit of grace. Moreover, as all blessings thus flow to you through the Holy Spirit, so also no good thing can come out of you in holy thought, devout worship, or gracious act, apart from the sanctifying operation of the same Spirit. Even if the good seed be sown in you, yet it lies dormant except he worketh in you to will and to do of his own good pleasure. Do you desire to speak for Jesus—how can you unless the Holy Ghost touch your tongue? Do you desire to pray? Alas! what dull work it is unless the Spirit maketh intercession for you! Do you desire to subdue sin? Would you be holy? Would you imitate your Master? Do you desire to rise to superlative heights of spirituality? Are you wanting to be made like the angels of God, full of zeal and ardour for the Master’s cause? You cannot without the Spirit—“Without me ye can do nothing.” O branch of the vine, thou canst have no fruit without the sap! O child of God, thou hast no life within thee apart from the life which God gives thee through his Spirit! Then let us not grieve him or provoke him to anger by our sin. Let us not quench him in one of his faintest motions in our soul; let us foster every suggestion, and be ready to obey every prompting. If the Holy Spirit be indeed so mighty, let us attempt nothing without him; let us begin no project, and carry on no enterprise, and conclude no transaction, without imploring his blessing. Let us do him the due homage of feeling our entire weakness apart from him, and then depending alone upon him, having this for our prayer, “Open thou my heart and my whole being to thine incoming, and uphold me with thy free Spirit when I shall have received that Spirit in my inward parts.” (Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. London: Passmore & Alabaster.)

The Watchers
“I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven.” (Daniel 4:13)
It is only in this chapter of Daniel (see also verses 17 and 23) that certain angelic beings called “watchers” are mentioned. Whether the term applies to all God’s holy angels or only to a certain order of angels has not been revealed in Scripture.
However, we do know that at least some of the angels, if not all of them, are intensely occupied with observing events among humans here on Earth. For example, Paul said that he and the other apostles had been made “a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men” (1 Corinthians 4:9).
The word “spectacle” in this verse is actually “theatre” and is so translated the only other time it is used in the New Testament (Acts 19:29, 31). It is sobering, as well as surprising, to realize that Christians—especially Christian leaders—are on a stage, as it were, being carefully watched by an audience that even includes the angels.
Paul also cautioned Christian women to maintain a covering on their heads “because of the angels” (1 Corinthians 11:10). Perhaps the watching angels are also included in the great “cloud of witnesses” who observe us as we “run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
But why should these mighty angels, these “holy ones,” these heavenly “watchers,” have such a “desire to look into” these things here on Earth (1 Peter 1:12)? Perhaps they are anxious, like us, to “see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (Ephesians 3:9-10).

(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

THE CROSS AND PRAYER

God heareth not sinners. John 9:31
The cross opens the door of heaven to me, and I can begin to pray. And we have all known, have we not, what it is to turn to God in prayer? Some of us remember during the last world war (World War II), and during the 1914-18 war (World War I), reading of the terrible experiences of men torpedoed at sea. There they might be, in their little dinghies, for days on end. The food had ended, so had the water, and they were just drifting, and it seemed that everything had finished, and there was nobody in sight to save them. They were frantic and did not know what to do. Then somebody would say, “What about prayer?” None of them had prayed for years or had ever thought about God, but in their trouble they remembered Him.
We have all known what it is to turn to God in prayer, but the vital question is this: Can we pray? Have we any right to pray? What is prayer? Prayer means entering into the presence of God. It means addressing that almighty, holy God who is in heaven while we are on earth, the God we have ignored and spurned and reviled and rejected. How can we go into His presence? The answer is that we cannot go into His presence as we are.
“God heareth not sinners” (John 9:31). There is only one way whereby a man can pray with any confidence and assurance, and it is in believing in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Listen to the apostle: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand.” He is fond of saying this—we find it everywhere. “For through him,” says Paul to the Ephesians—by Christ—“we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (2:18).
A Thought to Ponder
There is only one way whereby a man can pray with any confidence and assurance, and it is in believing in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(From The Cross, pp. 191-192 by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

THE SAVIOR

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.
1 John 4:14
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” The whole gospel in a phrase! This is the only time in which John uses the expression “Savior” in the entire epistle. He gives the same teaching, of course, in other places. He says that our Lord is “the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2). There is a sense in which he repeats the thought here, but he does not use this precise phrase but describes Him as “the Savior of the world.”
The word “Savior” does not merely mean helper. We are not told that the Father sent the Son to help mankind; it does not mean that He is just someone who assists. Nor does it mean that He is just one who teaches or indicates to us what we ought to do; He is not merely an instructor. Indeed, I would go further and say that the term “Savior” and its connotation must not be thought of in terms of an example or pattern or encourager. I use these terms because so often people speak about our Lord as Savior, and yet if you ask them to define what they mean by that, they say that Christ as Savior is One who is marching ahead of us and is leading the way.
Now the element that is seen in such ideas is that ultimately you and I have to save ourselves, and what the Lord does is to aid and assist us “to give us encouragement and make it somewhat easier for us to do so.” Now that, of course, is clearly a complete denial not only of the biblical teaching, but also of the historic faith and creeds of the Christian church.
A Thought to Ponder: The word “Savior” does not merely mean helper. (From The Love of God, pp. 132-134 by Marytn Lloyd-Jones)

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