The Shunamite woman was truly blessed for her faith and unselfish generosity that she showed towards Elisha and Gehazi.

She was also warned about the seven-year famine by Elisha, as well as, promptly got back all that was due to her on her return to the land, 2 Kings 8:1-6. She is such a good example of the blessings that one can partake of by generously providing for the authentic servants of God, who come across our path from time to time, and that too, because she did so without any ulterior motive whatsoever!

Elisha fulfilled God’s plan and gave the prophetic word to Hazael who was sent to visit him by King Ben Hadad of Syria while Elisha was visiting Damascus, vs 7-13. He also sent a prophet to Jehu to anoint him as the next king of Israel and gave him instructions to destroy the entire family of Ahab, 2 Kings 9:1-8.

Jehu stood true to his call and completed the purpose for which he was ordained as king, and thus the prophecy given by Elijah was fulfilled accurately.

However, he went too far by murdering the king of Judah and many of his relatives too, which was not in God’s plan as far as we know, 2 Kings 9:15-37; 2 Kings 10:1-28. We understand that what Jehu did to Jezebel and her remaining prophets, as well as, the family line of Ahab, was something that God would have desired Elijah to accomplish himself. However, since he was intimidated by the ‘Jezebel’ spirit and did not want to go on, God instructed him to anoint Elisha, Jehu and Hazael to get the job completed, 1 Kings 19:4,10,14-18.

God has a set plan for each of us to accomplish before we leave this earth and it is only to the extent that we overcome sin, unbelief and fear that we will be able to successfully enter into fulfilling God’s perfect will for our lives, Romans 12:1,2.

However, if we fail here, God will be forced to appoint someone else! We also see the need for the ‘jezebel’ spirit to be dealt with speedily, before its grip can spread and its witchcraft influences surrounds us with fear, manipulation, depression and intimidation.

Yet, we need to attack this spirit in the spiritual realm by walking in wholehearted repentance and putting on the whole armour of God so that we can remain standing in the evil day, Ephesians 6:10-18.

We cannot expect to overcome this spirit if we decide to wrestle against flesh and blood. Where Elijah failed, the Church of the Living God cannot fail today because we have the backing of the Holy Spirit, God’s Word and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is for us to take up the fight in the heavenly realm with the help that God has made available to us and persevere in faith and patience until we inherit all the promises of God.

Let us determine not to give up, knowing that victory is already ours in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India.