The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 1)

Introduction:

Society tends to put down those who are lowly, meek or quiet. Often they are considered “second class”. Some prefer that they be neither seen nor heard.

Society often values the wrong things.

• There is an emphasis on greatness, not humility.
• There is an emphasis on fame, not duty.
• There is an emphasis on rights, not responsibility.
• There is an emphasis on notoriety, not obscurity.
• There is an emphasis on aptitude, not attitude.
• There is an emphasis on leading, not serving.

Society tends to look down on, forget about or ignore the “small”, whether it is an event, a place or a person. Yet, great consequences come from small things. 

• Illustration: Tongue (Jam. 3:5)
• Illustration: O-Ring (Challenger)¹

This week's story is about a little man. No, his name is not Zacchaeus. (Only you Sunday School enthusiasts got that one.)

• We do not know his name or where he was from.
• We do not know why he was chosen for an assignment.
• We do not know anything that he might have said or thought.
• We only know that he was a servant who completed his work.

Read 2 Kin. 4:18-37 for context. This week's message is based upon verses 22-24.

What, exactly, did the servant do? He drove a donkey. That's it. What a resume builder! Can you imagine his next job interview?

“I see that you are in the domestic servant business.” Can you tell me about that?”

“I was servant for a prominent Shunammite man and his wife.”

“I see. What task did you most recently perform for that couple?”

“Well, I drove a donkey.”

In our world, there is slim chance that man gets hired because he can drive a donkey. Remember, though, that without this servant's donkey-driving expertise, there might not have been a miracle, since the woman wouldn't have gotten quickly to Elisha.

The unnamed, faithful servant is essential to this story. What can be said about him? There are five observations to consider.

1http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/explode.html (accessed 08-06-16)