Getting Answers in Tragic Times

2 Kings 4:18–37 (ESV)

18 When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. 21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. 22 Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” 23 And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.” 24 Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’ ” And she answered, “All is well.” 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’ ” 29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.” 32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. 35 Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” 37 She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

Introduction

Life is a journey filled with both joyous moments and challenging seasons. We all experience times of triumph and celebration, but we also face moments of tragedy and despair. It is during these difficult times that we often find ourselves searching for hope and restoration.

Today, we turn our attention to 2 Kings 4:18-37, where we continue a story that beautifully illustrates how God can be our ultimate source of hope and restoration in the midst of tragedy.

In this passage, we again meet a woman from Shunem who now faces a heartbreaking situation. Her son, who was once a source of joy, suddenly falls ill and dies. Yet, in the midst of her grief, she turns to the man of God, Elisha, for help. What unfolds is a remarkable display of God's power and faithfulness.

As we explore this story together, my desire is that we will be encouraged and reminded that no matter what challenges we may face, God is always there to provide solutions and comfort. He is the one we can turn to when tragedy strikes, and He is the one who can restore what has been lost.

DT: When tragedy occurs in life, God is our ultimate source of hope and restoration.

AIM: We will look to God for the solutions to our problems.

Transition:

Turn to The Lord for Help vv. 18-25

“18 When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. 21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. 22 Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” 23 And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.” 24 Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite.”

a. The child dies

b. She places him in a room on the bed (She does not bury him)

c. She claims All is well, it is Shalom which means peace.

1. this is a rough time for her

2. she is in a dilemma

3. this is her only child/the one Elisha told her she would have

d. The Shunnamite woman journeys for help from the man of God.

Application: Tragedy hurts and causes frustration. We cannot help ourselves we need the strength of God. God provides solutions to your struggles.

Trust the Lord's Response vv. 26 - 31

2 Kings 4:26–31 (ESV)

26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’ ” And she answered, “All is well.” 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’ ” 29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” 30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”

a. Elisha asks her what is wrong

b. The woman responds by saying, All is well.

c. The Shunnamite woman questions Elisha and waits for his help.

d. Gehazi confirms the report that the boy is dead

Application: God’s timing is not like ours. HE knows what is best when it is best.

God Answers the Prayers of Faithful People vv.32-37

“32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. 35 Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” 37 She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.”

a. Elisha prays

b. Elisha is empowered to do the impossible

c. The boy is revived

d. The woman is grateful

Application: What is your story? What are the impossible situations that you have not spoken to God about?