2 KINGS 2 TO 4 (FROM CAC'S NOTES)
[p. 167] 2 KINGS 2 TO 4 (FROM CAC’S NOTES)
2 Kings 2: 1 to 4: 8
The Spirit is seen first as the Spirit of sonship as set forth in the double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Then as the power to overcome the flesh which is seen in Moab as that which corrupts the people of God. The first is the Spirit of the ascended Man so that it is the Spirit of sonship in the fullest sense.
Moab represents the flesh as lifting itself up against the great thoughts of God, as seen in Galatians, which is really met by giving place to the Spirit and the crucifixion of the flesh.
No mercy is to be shown to the flesh, and when it is met in the power of the Spirit it comes out in its true character as devilish. The antichrist is the great climax of this; he has horns like a lamb but he speaks like a dragon.
When we come to chapter 4 it is a question of poverty so that debts cannot be paid. There has been a history of piety but death has come in on all that was a support. Many go on a long time on the line of piety; there is fear of God and prayer such as an Old Testament saint might have had. This widow, in type, had the Spirit but she did not know what she had in the Spirit. I believe that many people have the Spirit for a long time before they know how to use Him. This woman cannot pay her debts. She would do what she knows she ought to do. It may be there is something just now which we know we ought to do but we feel quite unable to do it. She cried to Elisha; she was dependent on the Lord, as we should say, but he turned her attention to what she had in the house. It was a [p. 168] question of private resources.
It is to be noted that the neighbours supply the vessels. It seems to suggest that our contact with our neighbours supplies opportunity for the resources we have in the Spirit to come into evidence. “All thy neighbours” (verse 3), “All those vessels” (verse 4).
What strikes one in this is the abnormal state; the widow here is not in her first estate. She has lost her husband, she has not her original resources. She is poor in Israel; she cannot stand up to her obligations; but she represents a God-fearing condition. It is an exercise for a day of weakness, and I think it has to do with how we take up our relations with the brethren locally in that we shall be able to meet all that is due from us, even though we are poor and destitute and our children are likely to be in bondage. Christianity did not begin like this. It is a question of finding out what remains when things are brought to the lowest point. It is not weakness; it is how divine resources can be experienced at the end of the dispensation when what is responsible to maintain things is unable to do so in spite of piety. Can we maintain things locally though in great weakness? A feeble company but with power to do all that they ought to do, and living; “ye also shall live”, John 14: 19. Our apostle speaks of reigning in life. In the scene where we were so poor and dependent we are strengthened. In result, we are able to entertain the Lord.