The Perils of a Servant

(2 Kings 2-4)


Introduction:

Every calling, occupation, or vocation has its own perils. A servants perils, however,seem to be more subtle than obvious and overt. By means of introduction, we need to address some common misconceptions about servanthood. These misconceptions, in part, make the duty of being a servant very dangerous and life-threatening at times.


Misconception #1: Servants Have Special Powers in Themselves

Too often it seems that young and immature Christians tend to put spiritual mentors and popular preachers on pedestals. They look upon them as having some angelic power. Paul sets the misconception straight when he says in 2 Corinthians 3:5: “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.”


Misconception #2: Servants Don’t Struggle With Everyday Problems

Implanted in some people’s minds is the erroneous truth that the more holy and selfless you become, the less you struggle with life’s problems. Therefore, this thinking leads a person to believe that servanthood is some sort of spiritual staircase that leads its followers to higher planes of prosperity. Paul thinks quite the opposite of true servanthood, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, ESV)


Misconception #3: Servants Are Protected Against Subtle Dangers

The logic goes like this: great servants aren’t vulnerable to the petty perils and temptations that ordinary people face. Big dangers, everyone is susceptible to those; but small dangers are no match for a true servant.Listen to the way that Paul describes his life experience, “Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you” (2 Corinthians 4:10-11, ESV). Paul faced dangers on every corner he turned. It is clear from Paul’s words that being a servant in no way protected him from dangers. Furthermore, it is those not-easily-recognizable (subtle) dangers that pose the greatest threat.


Case Study: Gehazi

In order to fully realize the perils that face servants of Christ, a case study needs to be conducted from a particular OT character. His name is Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, and his story is found in 2 Kings 2-5


I. BACKGROUND TO THE STORY

A. As we step into the world of 2 Kings, we find ourselves in a time of chaos and corruption in Israel. For generations, one wicked ruler after another has occupied the nation’s throne, leading to the people’s problems with apostasy.

B. The Lord raises up a prophet named Elijah to deliver the people from the depths of their depravity, and after he is taken to heaven in a whirlwind, the job of the prophet is laid upon the shoulders of his successor Elisha.

C. As we move into 2 Kings 4, we pick up the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman who has been very gracious to Elisha and his servant. Elisha does not know how to thank the woman, and so Gehazi suggests that Elisha make it possible for the woman to bear children. The gift is granted and the woman bears a son.

D. As the baby boy becomes a young lad, he is working in the fields with his father one afternoon and falls ill. He is immediately taken home and dies in the arms of the Shunammite woman. Naturally, the Shunammite woman thinks of Elisha and promptly sets out to find the prophet hoping to receive another miracle.


*Now the stage is set for the reader to see the dangerous perils that a servant has to face.



II. TEMPTATIONS AND REACTIONS

There are 4 specific perils that Gehazi will face; and these perils are common to all of God’s servants.

A. The peril of overprotection and possessiveness (4:27-28)

1. Gehazi is commendably committed to protect Elisha, but isn’t it quite strange that he would treat the Shunammite woman in such a harsh manner when before he was sensitive to her needs?

2. Servants can easily acquire a spirit of jealously towards the ones that they serve. They can easily become overprotective and possessive that they miss seeing the needs of others.

B. The peril of feeling used and unappreciated (4:32-37)

1. Elisha is moved with compassion for the woman and immediately devises a plan to bring the boy back to life. He sends Gehazi ahead of him with specific instructions. Upon arrival at the boy’s house, Gehazi is to lay the staff on the face of the boy – but nothing happens.

2. Elisha finally arrives and takes control of the situation. After Elisha performs another miracle and brings the boy back to life, the Shunammite woman lavishly honors Elisha while Gehazi looks on in the background.

3. Gehazi had done all that Elisha had told him to do, but what Elisha told Gehazi to do did not work. Gehazi probably thought that Elisha had sent him on a fool’s errand. Why did he do this if he was going to come and perform the miracle anyway?

4. Thoughts like these can plant a seed of destruction and discontentment in the heart of a servant. All those who serve others will eventually feel the presence of this particular peril. Gehazi’s root of discontentment grows as the story continues.

5. Elisha tells Gehazi to make stew for some of the prophets who are visiting him in Gilgal, so he goes and gathers some herbs and wild gourds that catch his eye (4:38-40). As the prophets begin to slurp up the soup they claim that the soup is horrible! (4:40-41)

6. Elisha comes in and miraculously saves the day. Once again, Gehazi probably feels that he has messed up. Gehazi is probably wondering, “when will I ever get things right?”

C. The peril of experiencing underserved disrespect and resentment (5:1-12)

1. This peril is seen as the reader is introduced to Namaan, a high-ranking Syrian soldiers who, through a series of events, comes to Elisha to be cleansed of his leprosy.

2. Namaan does not simply “come” to Elisha’s house; he “arrives” with all the pomp and splendor of someone with his status. Elisha is not impressed, and sent his servant out to communicate the method for curing Namaan’s leprosy.

3. Namaan is given the instruction to dip himself in the Jordan River 7 times and on the 7th time he will be cured. Namaan becomes furious and who do you think he takes his anger out on? You guessed it – Gehazi.

4. All servants of God will find themselves in Gehazi’s shoes at one time or another. Today, the truth that servants give will not come from the words of a prophet, but they will be from the Word of God. And regardless of how graciously the truth is communicated, a servant is likely to be caught in a painful crossfire of resentment and rejection.

5. The good news is that Namaan did settle down and did follow Elisha’s instructions. In gratitude for his miraculous healing, Namaan returns to offer Elisha a sizeable gift. Remember, Gehazi was the one who told Namaan what to do and suffered his abuse, but now it is Elisha who is offered a reward.

6. Elisha refuses Namaan’s gift, but Gehazi cannot resist the temptation. This temptation will cost him dearly.


D. The peril of hidden greed (5:21-24)

1. Gehazi’s greed was sparked by Namaan’s offer, and now he quickly rages out of control. He says to himself, “If Elisha will not take the reward, I will!” Gehazi literally runs after Namaan to claim his reward.

2. Gehazi does not have long to enjoy his reward. No sooner than he had hidden it all away, than his master confronts him: “Where have you been Gehazi?” And he simply says, “Your servant went nowhere.”

3. With those few words, Gehazi seals his fate. He has sold out his servanthood for two talents of silver and two changes of clothes. Elisha pronounces judgment on him and his descendants – which judgment was that the leprosy of Namaan would cling to him and his descendants forever. And the text says that he went out from Elisha presence as a leper, white as snow.


III. SOME LINGERING LESSONS

A. No servant is completely safe.

B. Most actions will be unrewarded initially.

C. All motives must be honestly examined.