0370. 364. Four Essential Things for Christian Workers

364. Four Essential Things for Christian Workers

“A bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick” (2Ki_4:10). Some years ago, a sister in Christ said to me: “Have you noticed that the four things which the Shunammite woman provided for the prophet Elisha are illustrative of the four things which the worker for Christ needs?” “No,” I replied, “I have not.” She said, “The four things are a bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick” (2Ki_4:10).

1. The bed is the symbol of rest which is found in Christ, by coming to Him, and in being yoked in God’s will with Him—Mat_11:28, Mat_11:29.

2. The table is the symbol of fellowship with Him, for He spreads a table before us in the presence of our enemies—Psa_23:5, and bids us “come and dine” (Joh_21:12).

3. The stool is the symbol of instruction from Christ, for we must sit at His feet, and learn of Him, if we would be initiated in the secrets of His will—Deu_33:3; Luk_10:39.

4. The candlestick is the symbol of testimony for Christ, for He says we are the “light of the world,” and His witnesses to testify of Himself—Mat_5:14; Act_1:8.

These things are not only illustrative of what the Christian worker needs, but the order in which they are given is suggestive too. Rest in Christ, by being yoked with Him in the will of God, is essential, in order to have fellowship with Him, and fellowship with Him is the qualification for instruction from Him, and instruction from Him is the precursor of effective testimony for Him.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH