Text: 2 Kings 4
In 2 Kings 4:8-11, the Shunnamite woman persuades the prophet to take some food. She's called a notable woman in the Scripture and desires to take care of the man of God. She enlists her husband's support to make a special room just for him, so he can stay whenever he's in the area.
The prophet is grateful and has his servant fetch her. She stands in the doorway. This is his room, and she treats him with great respect. Elisha asks her what he can do for her as a reward, but she's content and does not ask for anything.
She's thankful to provide for him. Sometimes we can become nonchalant about the daily miracles in our lives and take them for granted. The Israelites became accustomed to manna and God's protection.
Elisha wants to do something for her, and Gehazi points out that the woman has no son, and her husband is old. She's again called, and the prophet declares she'll have a son about the same time next year. At first, she's responding, "don't get my hopes up." Then, she receives the word.
The child is born and grows. While out in the field with his father, he cries that his head hurts. The father has a servant take him home to his mother. She cares for him, but he dies in her arms. She takes him and lays him on the prophet's bed. No one goes in that room but the prophet, so no one will disturb the body.
A message is sent to her husband via a servant. The husband asks if everything is alright. The woman does not wail and say, "our boy is dead." Instead, she says that all is well, using the word, "Shalom," which is peace. A servant and a donkey take her to the prophet. She falls before him and grabs his feet. Gehazi tries to pull her away, but Elisha tells him to leave her alone.
He tells Gehazi that her soul is heavy, but God has hidden the problem from him. He goes with her, and he enters the room built especially for him. Only he is inside. He prays and stretches himself over the child, and raises him from the dead.
Sometimes things happen you don't understand. The best thing you can do is shut your mouth. Don't try to explain something you don't understand. Don't declare your ignorance.
What did this woman give God to work with?
1) She recognized the hand of God and got involved with it. She didn't take the blessing of the prophet's presence for granted.
2) She looked for ways to get involved.
3) Her motives were pure.
4) She was not thrown by appearances.
5) She remained stable in a storm.
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