How does 2 Kings 4:35 demonstrate God's power through Elisha's actions? Setting the Scene • The Shunammite woman’s son has died suddenly (2 Kings 4:18-20). • She fetches Elisha, certain the man of God can intervene (vv. 22-28). • Elisha arrives, shuts the door, prays, and then stretches himself on the child (vv. 32-34). Observing 2 Kings 4 : 35 “Elisha turned away and walked back and forth across the room, and then he got on the bed and stretched himself out upon the boy once more. And the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.” God’s Power Displayed through Human Obedience • Elisha’s pacing and repeated effort show perseverance in faith, not a magic ritual. • The boy’s seven sneezes—number of completion—signal God’s decisive, perfect work. • Life returns instantly: eyes open, confirming a literal resurrection, not mere resuscitation or coincidence. • The miracle underscores that power belongs solely to the LORD; Elisha is a vessel (cf. James 5:16-18; 2 Corinthians 4:7). Echoes of Earlier and Later Resurrections • Elijah and the widow’s son (1 Kings 17:19-23): similar posture, same life-giving God. • Jesus raising Jairus’s daughter and Lazarus (Mark 5:41-42; John 11:43-44): ultimate fulfillment of resurrection authority. • Peter with Tabitha (Acts 9:36-41) and Paul with Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12): continuity of divine power in every era. What the Passage Teaches about God • He hears earnest prayer and acts decisively (Psalm 34:15). • He is Lord over death, prefiguring the empty tomb (1 Colossians 15:54-57). • He works through willing servants who move in obedience, persistence, and dependence on Him. Personal Takeaways • Trust Scripture’s testimony: God literally raises the dead, demonstrating His sovereignty. • Approach crises with prayerful persistence, confident His power is unfailing. • Expect God to use ordinary human actions—walking, stretching, speaking—to unleash extraordinary results. |
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