The Words of my Father

11.19.2025

The Two Great Wars (Part 1)

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

THE TWO GREAT WARS (Part 1)
In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

The first great war was a spiritual battle. That battle occurred between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2. The last great war will likewise be a spiritual battle. It is referenced in Scripture as Armageddon. In between the first and last great wars we have a constant series of on-going battles, but not as severe as the first and last wars. When we were born from above, we became participants whether knowingly or unknowingly, it does not matter) in a war that we did not start.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

A word of caution ... we charismatics have "learned" that when something does not go the way we think it should, we just need to say, "I rebuke that evil spirit in the name of the Lord." Our warfare does NOT work that way! The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. There is a prerequisite. That prerequisite is to walk in the Spirit, to be obedient to the Lord and His ways. When Jesus walked the face of the earth, He could cast out evil spirits in a second. Why? Because He never knew sin; because He always did the will of the Father; He was obedient even unto death.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:10-18

The only way that we can stand against the wiles of the devil is to put on the WHOLE armour of God, not just a part or two. Note that we are to stand. The three functions of the Levitical priesthood were:

8 At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto Him, and to bless in His name, unto this day.
9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him. Deuteronomy 10:8-9

Those verses are the prophetic prototype of the priesthood after the order of Melchizedek. The order is significant. "To bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord" is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." "To stand before the LORD to minister unto Him" does not speak of what most believers call "worship" when we assemble together. Ezekiel 44 makes a clear distinction between those priests who minister to the house (the body of Christ) and the priests, the sons of Zadok, who minister to the Lord. The Lord calls the former set of priests an abomination (Ezekiel 44:7-14).

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Matthew 24:6

1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. James 4:1-10

Genesis 1:1-3

1 In the beginning God created the heaven[s] and the earth.
2a And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep [abyss].

There is, of course, nothing in the natural realm that is "without form." The very fact of material existence predicates a shape to matter. It may be as fluid and fleeting as a cloud, but there is still form. The earth that became a wreck and a ruin was not made so in the beginning (Genesis 1:1). Isaiah uses the same Hebrew word to tell us that the Lord did not create the earth a wreck ("in vain," Isaiah 45:18).

The earth has always been a mirror image of its inhabitants. When Lucifer was an unsinning cherub, the earth was perfect. When he fell, it became a wreck and a ruin. When Adam was created innocent, the world was a garden of Eden. When he fell, God cursed the ground for man's sake, and it became a mirror of fallen Adam.

2b And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters [or wasting].

If the Spirit of God does not move, there can be nothing but darkness and death. The Hebrew word for "move" comes from a primitive root that means "to brood." It is beautifully translated elsewhere,

11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.
Deuteronomy 32:11-12

So does the Lord move on behalf of His people. The word that is translated "moved" in Genesis 1:2b is "fluter" in Deuteronomy 32:11. The heart may be an abyss of sin, but the Lord flutters over it, brooding with desire to have light (understanding) penetrate it.

Note the order: the Spirit of God moves first and then God speaks forth His word (Verse 3, below). This order is consistent throughout the Bible; for example:

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:21-24

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

John tells us that "In the beginning was the Word ..." When we read, "And God said ..." we have the going forth of the Word ... Christ. In the first chapter of Genesis, "And God said" occurs ten times. That is the Word in action. "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth ... For He spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast" (Psalm 33:6, 9).

5 This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7

To whom is the Spirit through John speaking? Who is "we"? John is speaking to all those over all of time who have been born from above. Note the "If" in Verse 6 and 7. In other words, to simply say that "I am a born-again Christian and I will go to heaven one day" is not sufficient if we want to please the Lord. The Church at Corinth could (and undoubtedly did) make that statement. But John says there is more required for believers to have fellowship one with another ... namely to walk in the light and not walk in darkness. Darkness does not speak of natural darkness. Now there can be no question that most crimes are committed in the darkness, and sinful lusts take their hold when the lights are put out. "He that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God" (John 3:21). But let us think about spiritual darkness, which means a lack of understanding His ways, a lack of discernment, or ignorance. Another, perhaps worse, state is to understand his ways and purposes but not walk in them. To whom much is given, much is required. But all things are of God.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

What grace! Amazing grace!

Finally (but there is no finally to the Word of God),

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Is Hebrews 4:12 true only if the Lord Himself speaks the word of God? Or can that verse apply to the word of God as spoken through a member of the body of Christ?

19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. 1 Samuel 3:19-20

Verse 19 is simply amazing! The same was true with Stephen, Paul, Elijah, Ezekiel, and others.

12 And there came a writing to him [Jehoram, king of Judah] from Elijah the prophet, saying, Thus saith the LORD God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah,
13 But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father's house, which were better than thyself:
14 Behold, with a great plague will the LORD smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods:
15 And thou shalt have great sickness by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out by reason of the sickness day by day. 2 Chronicles 21:12-15

The amazing part (according to the dates in one of my old Bibles) is that the writing came to Jehoram several years AFTER Elijah was translated. Elijah had seen something set in motion, so he knew what the end result would be. If we take any given rifle and know all of the mechanical specifications of that rifle, and we point the rifle in a certain direction at a given angle, we can predict rather accurately where the bullet will fall. The same is true of a bow and arrow.

The Lord told Ezekiel to "prophesy to the mountains of Israel" (Ezekiel 36:1). That does not speak of natural, physical mountains. The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy upon the bones (Ezekiel 37:4). The Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy unto the wind (Ezekiel 37:9). The Lord also told Ezekiel to prophesy against Mount Seir (Ezekiel 35:2) and against Gog (Ezekiel 38:1). In none of those cases did any person hear Ezekiel's prophecies with their natural ears. In other words, the spoken word of God is quick and powerful and will accomplish that for which it is sent. No man has to hear with his natural ears. It is like a radio or television transmitter with so much power that its message never diminishes over time or distance. Further the word of God will never return unto Him void (Isaiah 55:11).

Such will be the power granted to the Lord's hidden work that He has been in process of for a number of years. This work is not currently seen in the visible church on earth. Yes, the manifestation of the sons of God will definitely happen. The Master will one day (soon) unveil His masterpiece for all of the world to see. It is this masterpiece of the Lord that will do battle with the kings of the east. Guess who wins?

11.18.2025

Fourteen Precious Gifts

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

Fourteen Precious Gifts
In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

The first "gift" in the above verse is the Greek word dosis, which implies the act of giving. The second word translated as "gift" is the Greek dorema, which means the gift itself. The perfect Gift is Jesus. The Bible speaks of 14 precious gifts ... seven in what we call the Old Testament and seven in what we call the New Testament. But the giver of all precious gifts is God.

Old Testament Precious Gifts

Seven such gifts listed in the Old Testament are called precious: (1) the word of the Lord (1 Samuel 3:1); (2) redemption (Psalm 49:8); (3) the death of His saints (Psalm 72:14 and Psalm 116:15); (4) the lips of knowledge (Proverbs 20:15); (5) precious seed (Psalm 126:6); (6) precious ointment (Psalm 133:1-2); and (7) the thoughts of God (Psalm 139:17).

(1) The Word of the Lord

And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 1 Samuel 3:1

The word "precious" in the verse above can be translated as "rare" or "heavy in price." Anything that is rare is valuable in price. During the entire period of the book of Judges (about 330 years, apart from the prophet in 1 Samuel 2:27-36, we are told of only one prophetess and one prophet (Judges 4:4 and 68).

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.
Amos 8:11

That time of famine of hearing the words of the Lord is current events! The word of the Lord is still precious in our day. We are living in a time when "there is no King in spiritual Israel; every man is doing what is right in his own eyes." Although there is a famine of hearing the words of the Lord, there is not a lack of the Lord speaking!

(2) Redemption

6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. Psalm 49:6-9

The essence of the last part of Verse 8 is that only God can redeem the soul of man. We cannot do that through our riches or our knowledge or by any work of man. "It ceaseth for ever" means "we should cease forever trying to redeem the soul of a man, because only God can do that." Most errors arise from man trying to do what only God can do. Of course we should always present Christ to others through our example and through our words as the Spirit leads.

"Christ is all, and in all" (Colossians 1:19 and 1 Corinthians 15:28) is the explanation of redemption. There is redemption only through the cross of the Lord Jesus. The complement of that is that same cross being wrought in the believer so that the believer becomes united with Him in the likeness of His death and burial as a spiritual experience. Why? so that Christ may be all and in all. Why are we broken? to make room for the Lord Jesus. The increase of the Lord Jesus in and to us is by way of the cross ... not the cross of Calvary but the inwrought cross through the power of the Holy Ghost. "For the preaching of the cross is to them that are perishing foolishness; but unto us which are being saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:16). Our chief enemy is not terrorism or any other religion or the devil. Our chief enemy is ourselves, our flesh. The purpose of the cross and the work of redemption through that cross is so that Christ may be all, and in all; that in all things He may have the pre-eminence. "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

Each one of us is unique. God never makes a copy of anything or anyone. The Lord knows how best to deal with each one of us, and He does not use standardized methods. He deals with you in one way and with me in another. He knows how to lead us into experiences which are perfectly calculated to bring us to where the Lord is all and in all.

(3) The death of His saints

He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence; and precious shall their blood be in His sight. Psalm 72:14

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15

We believe that the above verses are true in both the natural and spiritual realm. Every believer, like Paul, must die daily to self (1 Corinthians 15:31). It is not a one-time event. Paul also said,

21 For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. Philippians 1:21-24

(4) The lips of knowledge

There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Proverbs 20:15

Earlier, in Proverbs 3:13-24 (and other scriptures), wisdom and understanding are spoken of as being more precious than rubies. There, Wisdom is personified and speaks of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens.
20 By His knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. Proverbs 3:19-20

Knowledge is one thing. The lips of knowledge represent wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 12:8, the word of wisdom is differentiated from the word of knowledge. We may indeed receive a true word of knowledge, but is it also wisdom to speak that word forth? Or perhaps the Lord gives us a word of knowledge so we know how to pray for someone?

(5) Seed

5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6

Who are "they" in Verse 5? all those over all of time who identify with the weeping of Jesus over Jerusalem. We are called to identify with Jesus in every respect ... His suffering, His death, His resurrection, His weeping, His intercession, and His heart.

Who is "He" in Verse 6? The Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus wept over Jerusalem and He ever liveth to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). The precious seed is the Word of God (Luke 8:11). He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man (Matthew 13:37). The good seed are the sons of the kingdom (Matthew 13:38). And He, the Lord Jesus Christ, shall doubtless come again (the second coming of the Lord) with rejoicing, bringing His sheaves with Him. What are His sheaves? those saints who have gone before and are bound together in love and unity with Him.

(6) Ointment

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; Psalm 133:1-2

In Verse 1, "Behold" is the word of the Holy Spirit. "Unity" means being "in one accord to glorify God" (Romans 15:6). The reference is to the "one man" of 2 Samuel 19:14 (David), and the "one heart" of 2 Chronicles 30:12 (Hezekiah). Note the exclamation mark at the end of Verse 1! "Brethren dwelling together in unity" is something to be excited about! The precious ointment is the anointing oil, which represents the Holy Spirit, Who has been on the Head (the Lord Jesus) first. Note that the Precious Ointment is in both the Old Testament and the New Testament (below).

(7) The thoughts of God

How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them. Psalm 139:17

The Lord says,

8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Isaiah 26:3

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
12 Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.
13 And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

New Testament Precious Gifts

The New Testament describes seven precious gifts: (1) a very precious ointment (Matthew 26:7 and Mark 14:3); (2) precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:12 and six different verses in Revelation); (3) precious fruit (James 5:7); (4) precious faith (2 Peter 1:1); (5) precious promises (2 Peter 1:4); (6) the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:19); and (7) the Lord Himself, Who is precious (1 Peter 2:4-7). Please note that every one of these seven precious gifts is centered in the Spirit of Christ.

(1) Precious ointment

The Gospels record three anointings of Jesus. The first, in Capernaum in the house of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36-50), occurred when an unnamed woman, called a sinner, anointed His feet.

In the second anointing (John 12:1-8), Mary, almost two years later, likewise anointed His feet.

Why were there two separate anointings of the feet of Jesus? the first toward the beginning of His earthly ministry and the second toward the end of His ministry on earth? the first by a "sinner" and the second by Mary, a believer? Perhaps because,

10 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14:11

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11

The third anointing was in the house of Simon the leper, when an unnamed woman poured very precious ointment on the head of Jesus. This event occurred during the last week before Calvary and is recorded in both Matthew 26 and Mark 14.

There came unto Him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat. Matthew 26:7

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on His head. Mark 14:3

The woman took the most precious thing that she had and poured it out on the head of Jesus. Should we do the same? What do we possess that is the most precious thing to us? A gift is only a gift when there is sacrifice behind it, and when we give far more than what we can afford. Later, Jesus said,

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. Matthew 26:13

When was the last time you heard any minister preach on this event in Matthew 26? Let us rephrase the question. Have you ever heard any minister preach on this event? But Jesus said that what she had done shall be told for a memorial of her wherever the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached! (We hope to expand on the three anointings in our next message.)

(2) Precious stones

Here again, the Head stone, or the Corner stone, is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone. Ephesians 2:20

All those who are in Christ likewise become precious stones.

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; ... 1 Corinthians 3:12

In general, stones represent believers. As Christ, the Head, is called the chief corner stone or the head-stone of the corner (Psalm 118:22), so also His members, true believers, who are built upon, and derive spiritual life from the foundation, which is Christ, are called stones (1 Peter 2:5). The law was written and engraved on two tables of stone, but believers have His law written in their hearts. Just as stones are dug out of a quarry, so believers are selected and chosen from the rest of mankind.

Ye also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

(3) Precious fruit

Be patient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. James 5:7

The fruit of the Spirit are those gracious characteristics which the Holy Spirit of God produces in those in whom He dwells and works, with those acts which flow from them as naturally as the tree produces its fruit. Only God can produce His fruit within us, but we must cooperate with His Holy Spirit.

22 The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

(4) Precious faith

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1

Faith is precious because it is His faith, not ours. His faith saves us and His faith sustains us and allows us to walk the victorious life in His kingdom.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

(5) Precious promises

Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:4

The promise is an assurance that God has given in His word of bestowing blessings upon His people. There are no precious promises outside of Christ. Christ is the Promise of God.

For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy Seed, Which is Christ. Galatians 3:16

6 But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the Mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. Hebrews 8:6-7

The first covenant was between God and man; the second, and better covenant, with better promises, was (is) between God the Father and God the Son.

(6) The precious blood of Christ

Except for the shed blood of Jesus at Calvary, none of us have any hope.

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19

Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:9

In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; Hebrews 10:19-20

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Som cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

(7) Jesus Christ Himself is Precious

4 To Whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the Stone Which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. 1 Peter 2:4-7

It is imperative to see and understand two basic Christian tenets: (1) We were created for His pleasure; and (2) It pleased God the Father that all things should be centered in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof. 1 Corinthians 10:26

For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9

Behold My Servant, Whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in Whom My soul is well pleased: I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:18

12 Giving thanks unto the Father, Which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son;
14 In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature:
16 For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:
17 And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist [or hold together].
18 And He is the Head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the Firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the pre-eminence.
19 For it please the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell.
Colossians 1:12-19

The intention in the heart of God is bringing this universe into existence was that, ultimately, the whole creation should display the glory and supremacy of His Son, Jesus Christ. But for the Lord Jesus Christ, the whole universe would disintegrate and fall apart. God has determined that everything and everyone shall all display the Lord Jesus and His glory. The day is coming when we shall be conformed to the image of His Son.

What is the explanation of man? Adam is the figure of Him that was to come (Romans 5:14). God intended that every man entering this world should be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Multitudes will miss it, but there will be multitudes such as no man can number, out of every tribe and kindred and nation and tongue, who will realize it. What a high calling! The Father's purpose is to have a universe peopled with those conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ, a people who are a universal manifestation of Christ glorified with the glory of the Father. What a privilege and an honor!

A Great Man

Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.

A Great Man
In loving memory of my father
Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett
July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023

In our previous message, we shared with you the tremendous prophetic significance of "a great woman" from 2 Kings, Chapter 4. If you missed listening to that message I strongly encourage you to go back and listen to it. That great woman was an unnamed Shunammite woman who was of the tribe of Issachar. She prophetically represents the bride of Christ. In this message we will share with you about "a great man" from 2 Kings, Chapter 5. That great man was Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, Ben-Hadad. Naaman speaks prophetically of a Gentile or Greek and a man who does not know the Lord. Naaman was successful, valiant, and noble, but he was a leper. There was no physician in Damascus or all of Syria who could help rid him of his loathesome disease. But God has a way of using little things to achieve His wondrous purposes.

Just as when we read the verses in 2 Kings 4 about the great woman, we do well as we read 2 Kings 5 to look for the significance of that event as it relates to you and me today. If all we get from this chapter is an account of an historical event, then we miss the point entirely. Just as with the great woman, we need to understand what made Naaman a great man. The name, Naaman, means pleasant or agreeable.

1 Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

The deliverance of Syria through the command of Naaman is attributed to the sovereignty of God, Who is seen as the ruler and controller of the destinies of all nations, not just that of Israel. (For example, see Amos 2:1-3, Amos 9:7, Ezekiel 30:24, and many other verses.) However, at that point in time, Naaman was not aware that his success was due to the Lord. That scenario is typical of almost everyone that the Lord apprehends. My wife and I were both miraculously saved from certain death several times before we knew His sovereign grace.

2 And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife.
3 And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.

In sharp contrast to Jehoram, the Israelite king in Samaria, this young girl held captive in Damascus was very much aware of God's saving and healing presence with His people through His servant, Elisha.

Further, this little maid was not shy in telling others about Elisha and the Lord. In a previous message we shared the significance of the little maid ... namely that everyone who is born again has a specific purpose in life and that as long as we fulfill the purpose for which we were created, everyone gets the same reward ... from the greatest apostle to the little maid who cleans the house. Acts 4:33 says that great grace was upon them all, irrespective of ministry.

4 And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.

5 And the king of Syria said, Go to, go, and I will send a letter unto the king of Israel. And he departed, and took with him ten talents of silver, and six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment.

Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, assumed that the prophet described by the little maid was subject to the authority of the king of Israel and that the prophet's services could be bought with a sufficiently large gift. He thought he could buy with worldly wealth one of the blessings of God's presence among His people. The gift, or purchase price, was an enormous amount of material wealth. One talent was worth more than $10,000 or enough to pay 200 rowers for a month's worth of work. Compare this price of ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of raiment, with the price that king Omi paid for the hill of Samaria (1 Kings 16:24) of two talents of silver. This large amount of silver, gold, and clothing clearly shows how much Ben-Hadad esteemed Naaman.

6 And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, saying, Now when this letter is come unto thee, behold, I have therewith sent Naaman my servant to thee, that thou mayest recover him of his leprosy.
7 And it came to pass, when the king of Israel had read the letter, that he rent his clothes, and said, Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man doth send unto me to recover a man of his leprosy? wherefore consider, I pray you, and see how he seeketh a quarrel against me.

There is a clear contrast between the faith of the young servant girl, who knew of Elisha and believed in his power; and the distress of Israel's king, who did not even think of Elisha and fretted over his own lack of power. So blind was king Jehoram of Israel to God's saving presence through Elisha that he could think only of international intrigue and a pretext for a declaration of war.

8 And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.

Elisha chided Jehoram for his fear and for his failure to consult the Lord's prophet (see 2 Kings 3:13-14) for evidence of the tension that existed between Elisha and Jehoram).

9 So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha.

This proud pagan came to Elisha as if to command his healing by his lordly presence, with horses and his chariot. This event is a contrast between the pomp of Naaman and the lowliness of Elisha in the eyes of natural men. Naaman came to be healed carrying rich gifts in fine chariots; Elisha had no such finery, just the power of God.

10 And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.

Elisha's word to Naaman was designed to demonstrate to Naaman that healing would come by the power of God and that Elisha was not the real healer. Further, Naaman was to wash seven times (a symbol of completeness even in those days) in the muddy waters of the Jordan River, demonstrating that there was no natural connection between the washing and the desired healing. Healing comes by obedience to the living word of God.

11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
13 And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?
14 Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Why was Naaman wroth? Because Elisha simply sent a messenger to him; Elisha never bothered to bring the message to Naaman personally. So Naaman almost left without receiving his healing and without receiving an even greater gift of being born again. Naaman's pride was almost his undoing: too proud and stubborn to follow the prophet's simple instructions, he almost missed the blessing that God had in store. We, too, should obey the Word of God, even when God's way does not make sense to us.

Fortunately Naaman's servants persuaded Naaman to do as the prophet had said. As Naaman obeyed the word of the Lord, he received the gift of God's grace and was reborn. Naaman was only looking for physical healing but he received something much greater in addition. If we ask God for one thing, He gives us two. Naaman then became a sign to disobedient Israel that the blessing of God is found only by obedient trust in Him. When God's own people turn away from the covenant faithfulness, God will raise up those who will follow His word from outside the covenant nation.

Luke 4:24-30, "And He said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian. And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong. But He passing through the midst of them went His way,"

Jesus used the story of Naaman and Elisha as an illustration of Israel's problem of unbelief. The lepers of Israel overlooked the healing that could have been theirs through Elisha, so God healed a Syrian instead. In the same way, the Israelites of Jesus' day were missing the Power right in front of their eyes. But God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35), and the Gentiles eventually received the gospel that Israel rejected.

15 And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.

Naaman's confession put to shame the Israelites who continued to waver on whether Baal and the Lord were both gods, or whether Yahweh alone was God. Then Naaman, with a grateful heart, tried to pay Elisha for his healing. That was all that Naaman had known up to that point in time. Many years ago I heard about a minister who required $2000 just to pray for someone. Yes, that is very tragic, but most visiting ministers expect to receive a nice offering for their services.

16 But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.

Those who serve God do not do so for financial gain but out of love and simple obedience to the Lord. Elisha refused the princely gift offered to him. God is a giver, not a taker, and His gifts cannot be bought. Elisha refused to accept anything of monetary value because he knew that healings and miracles come only by the grace, mercy, compassion, and power of God. Some modern-day ministers might want to think about that fact. Perhaps in the next several messages I should share with you about the Scriptural relationship of a Christian with money.

17 And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.

When Naaman said "thy servant" he was referring to himself. Naaman just confessed that he was now a servant of Elisha. Somewhere later in his life I am sure Naaman learned that he was only a servant of the Lord. Naaman's former pride had just been changed to a heart of humility and thanksgiving to the Lord. In the ancient world it was commonly thought that a deity could be worshiped only on the soil of the nation to which he was bound. Therefore Naaman wanted to take Israelite soil with him in order to have a place in Damascus where he could worship the Lord. No doubt Naaman later learned that Israelite dirt was no more holy than Syrian dirt. That is still true today. The natural soil of Israel today is no more holy than the dirt in my back yard.

18 In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.

The main deity of Syria was Rimmon, which name occurs only in this verse. This Rimmon is generally thought to be the same as Hadad, the northwest Semitic storm god, whose control over rain also made him the god of agriculture and fertility, in other words, Baal. When Elisha healed Naaman, the latter wanted to worship only the Lord, but wondered if he would get into trouble when he would assist his monarch in his worship of Rimmon. Most strikingly, Elisha tells him in verse 19 not to worry about that. God looks on our heart.

19 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
22 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.

Gehazi deceived Naaman in order to satisfy his desire for material gain. The evil of his lie was compounded in that it obscured the gracious character of the Lord's work in Naaman's healing and blurred the distinction between Elisha's function as a true prophet and the self-serving actions of false prophets. Gehazi asked for one talent of silver; Naaman gave Gehazi two talents of silver. As to be expected, Naaman at that time had no discernment, which comes with increasing understanding and maturity as a Christian believer.

Gehazi's greed and deception are warnings to us. The Bible warns us against "pursuing filthy lucre" (Titus 1:7). We are called to be honest in all of our dealings, knowing that God sees everything and will judge accordingly. We can be sure that our sins will find us out (Numbers 32:23).

24 And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?

The Lord gave Elisha a word of knowledge concerning Gehazi's evil actions, spoken as a prophecy. Gehazi's action was equivalent to making merchandise of God's grace. Jesus said, "Make not my Father's house an house of merchandise" (John 2:16). "Money" in Verse 26 refers to silver and gold in various weights, not coins, which were a later Babylonian invention. "The love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). When the Lord sovereignly apprehended me 51 years ago, the first two things He emphasized to me were the sovereignty of God and the importance of understanding and walking in the right relationship between a Christian and money. If we believers cannot walk in the right relationship with money and material things, then we will never be able to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. I have seen too many otherwise good, solid men of God who have stumbled over the issue of money.

27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.

The phrase, "went out," is the same Hebrew word used with respect to Cain. "And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden" (Genesis 4:16). To go out from the presence of the Lord is to go into darkness. Scripture never tells us that Cain repented. However, Gehazi possibly did repent, because in 2 Kings 8:4-5, some eight or nine years later, Gehazi is still called the servant of Elisha. The grace of God is so amazing! I believe that none of us can fully comprehend the amazing grace of God. All we can do is thank Him for His amazing grace and glorify Him in all that we do and all that we become, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

One more question ... why does the account of the great woman come before the account of the great man? One reason is given by,

Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

11.17.2025

A Great Woman

8 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.

Shunem was a small village in the tribe of Issachar, about 20 miles from Mt. Carmel, where Elisha spent much of his time. Shunem was in the route to and from Elisha's visits to Mt. Carmel. Twenty miles in those days, either by foot, ass, or camel, was a long day's trek. Therefore Elisha was undoubtedly tired and hungry after his 20-mile trip. Scripture does not tell us how the two met, but like most encounters it was a Divine connection. "Great" can be translated as "noble," "older," or "prominent." A good question is, "What made this woman great?" Note that the name of this woman is never given. Perhaps this great woman was a precursor of the sons of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12) who had an understanding of the times and knew what Israel ought to do. In any event, this forthtelling of the Shunammite woman's wisdom and faith speaks volumes of what we ought to understand and walk in today. "Eat bread" is a figure of speech which means to partake of a meal with others. "Bread" is put for all kinds of food, including fish. It is a common Hebrew idiom even today. The great woman "constrained" Elisha to have a meal with her and her husband. Hebrews 13:2, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

The woman recognized (discerned) that Elisha was a man set apart for the Lord's work in a very special sense. Nowhere else in the Old Testament is the term "holy" applied to a prophet. So the woman received a word of knowledge concerning their relationship with Elisha. This is another Scriptural example that women are more sensitive than men to the spiritual realm.

10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

Note that the woman expressed her belief to her husband as to what they should do for Elisha. She did not make a unilateral decision as did Eve before the fall. That was a word of wisdom. By her hospitality the woman was able to assist in sustaining the proclamation of the word of the Lord through Elisha. When we make room for the Lord's anointed, the Lord makes room for us. Jesus said, (Matthew 10:41), "He that receiveth you receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward." The Kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (but not necessarily joy in the soul). Note the rather sparse furnishings in the little chamber. But a little in the sight of the Lord is more than sufficient. The woman then spoke a word of prophecy when she said, "he shall turn in thither."

11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.

"Gehazi" means "denier" or "valley of vision." Although Gehazi was the servant of Elisha, Gehazi was a servant in name only. In reality Gehazi was a servant of "self." His vision was in a valley instead of on the mountain top.

13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.

The woman felt secure and content in the community of her own family and tribe, and she had no need or desire for favors from high government officials in the world. Paul said (Philippians 4:11), "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Today, far too many Christians know only how to abound. We tend to rebuke the devil when we are abased. How sad! In Hebrews 13:5, "Be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." The Lord plus what else is sufficient for us? The Shunammite woman said that the Lord was sufficient for her. She was a true servant of the Lord with no thought of any return for herself. If all of us Christians had that same attitude, Jesus would return tomorrow!

14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.
15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.

In those days, to have no child and an old husband was cause for great disappointment because it meant the family name would cease and their land and possessions would pass on to others. It was also a great threat for this young wife's future in that she faced the likelihood of many years as a widow with no provider or protector. Despite all of the natural-level insecurities she faced, the woman trusted the Lord.

16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

The woman's response did not show a lack of confidence in the word of Elisha; rather it revealed the depth of her desire for a son and her fear of disappointment. In those days, the women of God desired a son. Hannah (1 Samuel 1) greatly desired a son but the Lord had shut up her womb. Today some Christians would rebuke the devil if they had no children. My maternal grandmother was a real intercessor, just like Hannah. She always wanted a son but she had three daughters, no sons. I was the first grandson. On the day I was born, she wrote in her Bible, "Lord, make him your minister." Six years later she wrote in her diary on my sixth birthday, "Lord, make him Your messenger."

17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

The birth of her son confirmed the word of Elisha and was evidence of God's gracious intervention on her behalf. Psalm 84:11, "No good thing will He withhold from them who walk uprightly."

18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.

The child, given as an example of the amazing grace of God, was suddenly taken from the woman as a severe test of her faith. Her subsequent actions demonstrate the strength of her faith in the face of great tribulation.

21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

Note that the woman never told her husband or anyone else that their son was dead. Thus the woman avoided the possibility of negative remarks from anyone. The enemy will use any and all means possible to put doubt, fear, and mistrust into our soul. But with God all things are possible.

22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.

Again, the woman, in a subtle way, asks her husband's permission. In Verse 23 her husband, still unaware of their son's death, asks why she wants to go to Elisha on a day that is neither new moon nor Sabbath ... meaning that Elisha was undoubtedly busy pursuing the work of God. Her response to her husband was ... everything is well ... trust me. Peace in time of crisis is a sure sign of maturity in Christ.

24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.

She was determined to go to Elisha as soon as possible. She had an intensity within her soul. With the intense, God will show Himself intensely. Paul was a very intense man; so was Moses, Stephen, and many more saints. She had continuing faith that if God could give her a son through the word of Elisha, then God could also raise her son from the dead by the word of God through Elisha.

25 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:
26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.

Elisha sensed that something was amiss because the woman had never come to him before. The woman replied ... it is well. That reminds me of Horatio Spafford, who wrote the words to the marvelous hymn, "It is Well With My Soul." Spafford had a lovely wife, four daughters, one son, and a successful real-estate business in Chicago. Their young son died of pneumonia in 1871 and Spafford's real-estate holdings were destroyed by the great Chicago fire. A few years later Spafford planned to go, along with his wife and four daughters, to England to help Dwight L. Moody in an evangelistic crusade. At the last minute Spafford was detained by urgent business but he sent his wife and four daughters on to England as planned. Halfway across the Atlantic, their ship was struck by an English vessel and sank in 12 minutes. All four of the Spafford daughters drowned but his wife was one of the few who were miraculously saved. Spafford, upon hearing the news, took the next ship to England to join his grieving wife. When Spafford came to the approximate spot where his daughters had drowned, God enabled him to write, "When sorrows like sea billows roll ... whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul." The Shunammite woman did the same thing. That is a mark of real Christian maturity.

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.

So Elisha sensed by the Spirit of God that the woman was sorely distressed, but he did not yet know why because the Lord had not told him.

28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?

The woman struggled somewhat with the question of why the Lord would take from her that which had been Divinely given. Although spiritually mature in many ways, she was not yet perfect. Some Christians do not seem to understand how something can be Divinely given and then Divinely taken away. There are many examples of this in the Book of Hebrews.

29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.

Elisha apparently expected the Lord to restore the boy's life when his staff was placed on him. Elisha viewed his staff as a representation of his own presence and a symbol of Divine power. But Elisha himself had to learn some things through experience. Many years ago I read an article written by a good, solid man of God. The title of his article was. "And They Two Went On." (2 Kings 2:6). That article emphasized the unity of Elijah and Elisha. However, Scripture indicates at least four or five differences between Elijah and Elisha. Not the least difference was the fact that Elijah had a mantle but Elisha never had a mantle of his own; he simply picked up Elijah's mantle. Elijah followed the Lord; Elisha followed Elijah. It is true that Elisha did twice as many miracles as did Elijah. But Elisha never had the inner character and nature of the Lord worked within him as did Elijah. We must focus on the Giver of all miracles, not the miracles themselves. This was a teaching point for Elisha.

30 And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

The woman understood the above truth. She trusted Elisha but she did not have much confidence in the staff of Elisha. She insisted that Elisha himself come to her home to raise her dead son to life.

31 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.
32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, [and] laid upon his bed.

The woman had the truth concerning Elisha's staff. Elisha learned a valuable lesson.

33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.

When Elisha saw that his staff had no effect on the young boy, he undoubtedly became very intense. Verse 33 says that Elisha prayed unto the Lord. That is not nearly sufficient to describe the intensity of Elisha's actions. It was not a "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayer. Neither was it a "Lord, save all of the people in Africa" prayer or a "Lord, please heal Tom or Mary" prayer. It was a prayer of intensity. That was the first time that the Lord had raised someone from the dead through the ministry of Elisha. He had not been that way before. Just as Elijah had done in a similar situation quite some time earlier (1 Kings 17:20), Elisha first turned to the Lord in earnest prayer. Lukewarm prayers usually never get beyond the ceiling. The Lord will show Himself to us in the same manner that we show ourself to Him.

34 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 upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

Perhaps Elisha was familiar with the earlier similar action of Elijah (1 Kings 17). We Christians today sometimes try to copy the actions and words of those whom we believe to be mature men of God. We learn very quickly the "right" words to say. But God never copies anything or anyone. There is no substitute for hearing the voice of the Lord for ourselves. I have never made an exhaustive search of this, but it seems that Jesus rarely, if ever, healed anyone or performed a miracle in the same way twice. He only did what He saw the Father doing.

35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.

In Verse 34, Elisha saw a little sign of life, but he persisted and stretched himself again the second time upon the child. Because of the persistence, determination, and intensity of faith of both Elisha and the woman, the Lord had compassion and brought the boy back to life.

36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son.

God freely gives but we must receive ... we must accept what He gives. God requires action on our part, not simply a passive reception.

37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

Here we see the final step in the fulfillment of faith ... thanksgiving ... sincere and grateful thanks in our heart for all that the Lord has done for us.

Luke 17:11-19, "And it came to pass, as He went to Jerusalem, that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And He said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

So we see in this Shunammite woman, this great woman, a prophetic description of the Bride of Christ ... the Bride of Christ who has made herself ready. She speaks of the very elect, the remnant, the overcomers. If the Lord could work His nature into that great woman of faith, He can certainly do the same for you and me ... provided that we see the need, confess that we cannot by our own efforts rise to the same spiritual stature that she did, and sincerely ask the Lord to break us and then make us into His image. Faithful is He who has called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus. And after we have suffered a while, He is able to make us perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle us. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.