God’s Hand in Meeting Others Needs

Elisha the Prophet

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Have you ever received something you didn’t ask for? And it turned out to be exactly what you needed? Could be a gift, job opportunity, a hardship, a friend.

Reminds me of the song by Garth Brooks “Unanswered Prayers” it says some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.

We often think we know what we want but God knows better than we do.

Last week we talked about the widow that had lost a husband an needed to pay off some debts, so Elisha gave here explicit instructions to take the little oil that she had and God would provide for her. We looked at her faith in action.

Obedient Faith - she followed the commands and direction of Elisha without question.

Expectant Faith - In this case she had to gather as many containers as she could find or borrow. This showed her expecting to see something great even not knowing what that might be. He doesn’t gather the vessels and organize a fundraiser for vessels, she has to do that work herself.

Sacrificial Faith - She had to be willing to let go of the little resources she had. There is something about handing over our resources, that allows God to move.

She filled the jars, sold the oil and was able to provide for her family.

This week we are looking at a very special woman in scripture who has a special place in the life and ministry of Elisha. She is affectionately referred to as the Shunammite woman. We call her that because she is from Shunem, and we never learn her name. She receives something she didn’t ask for, but is exactly what she needed in her life. This narrative picks up right where we left off last week in 2 Kings 4 in verse 8.

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2 Kings 4:8–17 Read

Don’t forget that when Elisha took over the ministry of Elijah, remember the passing of the mantle, he took over the position as well. He handled political matters with the kings at the time, we know from last week he headed up the prophets. Whatever his duties covered it included travel to other areas and cities within the nation. Here at Shunem he must have passed by frequently. Shunem wasn’t the destination but part of the route to other areas.

We don’t get a ton of information about her but you can learn a ton in just the first sentence. She was “notable” or “prominent”, and she persuaded him.

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What do we learn about the Shunammite woman’s character from her actions toward Elisha?

That word notable or prominent here most likely means of great wealth, and social status.

This woman of wealth and status, recognized a “man of God” BTW that is used 22 times of Elisha, and she not only extended hospitality to him, but she persuaded him to eat. There is an indication here that it was not a suggestion. Has anyone ever tried to give you money, or buy your food, and you say no I couldn’t take that, but they insist? That what is taking place here.

Elisha obliges and it becomes a common practice when he passes by this area. The end of v. 8 tells us, whenever he passed by he stopped to eat.

This is great, but for this woman its not enough. She clearly has the gift of hospitality, and she goes to her husband and comes up with this idea, why don’t we add onto the house, nothing elaborate, but something that the prophet can stay in when he passes by. She is kind of the Proverbs 31 woman. In fact.

Proverbs 31:11 “11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.”  There is a  trust in their marriage, and relationship, and a mutual respect. She doesn’t make the money, or the wealth that they share in, but she manages, and cares for what they have.

In this day hospitality was vital to the survival of the society. In fact in the ancient near east hospitality was considered a sacred duty. Travelers had to depend on the hospitality of strangers to be cared for and provided for when travelling. Jesus exploits this in the parable of the good samaritan, they had lost their sense of hospitality toward humanity, and he was calling them out.

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What do you appreciate about the Shunammite woman? What do we learn from the Shunammite woman? Up to this point in the story.

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2 Kings 4:11–17 “11 And it happened one day that he came there, and he turned in to the upper room and lay down there.

Elisha is enjoying the fruits of her hospitality and it comes to him and hits him. Perhaps I should do something to repay this hospitality that has been shown to us.

12 Then he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite woman.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’ ” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”

That is an answer that means, I have all my needs met. I dwell here with my family and have need of nothing.

Why do you think she told Elisha she didn’t want anything in return?

No where in this narrative is she portrayed as having ulterior motives. She saw a need, and a way to bless someone, especially in this case someone who was a prophet, for not other reason but to be a blessing. The had plenty, and gave of what they had for the sole purpose of blessing not to be blessed. She is doing this because she is most likely a God fearing woman, and this is her character.

14 So he said, “What then is to be done for her?” And Gehazi answered, “Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 So he said, “Call her.” When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 Then he said, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maidservant!” 17 But the woman conceived, and bore a son when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her.”

By the way this is the first time we see mention of Gehazi. This would be an attendant, or apprentice much like Elisha was to Elijah, and he will play a role as we continue studying Elisha.

He speaks up for her, He has an aha! moment I know what she lacks…a son!

Now as always we have to put ourselves into the shoes of the narrative and cultural context of the day. We may read this and not think its that big of a deal. Maybe they had been trying and really wanted a son, maybe it was hard on the marriage or made a strain on the day to day, but life goes on. You feel sorry for someone, or you empathize with them.

In this culture, if you could not have a son it was looked on as a curse from God, and if you did have a son it was looked on as if you were blessed by God. Not having a son was a sign of God’s disapproval and a sure sign of sin in a persons life. Not to mention it was kind of a big deal to not have a son from a survival standpoint. Who would inherit the household, and land, and possessions. Women many times could not own those possessions, they needed an heir.

Imagine the stigma, and stress of not having a son, or numerous sons to help sustain the family and pass down to the next generation. And Elisha says thats it, you will have a son.

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Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume 2 Kings 4:8–17

The giving of a son to such as were old, and had been long childless, was an ancient instance of the divine power and favour, in the case of Abraham, and Isaac, and Manoah, and Elkanah; we find it here among the wonders wrought by Elisha.

Vs. 17 we see the miracle.

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When have you seen someone blessed in a surprising way?

So far we see this incredible woman, with a heart of gold, who lives to be a blessing, who now receives a blessing. In an incredible turn of events all that crumbles in the next verse.

Slide 1 is 18-29 2 is 30-37

2 Kings 4:18-37 Read - This is a lot of verses bear with me.

vs. 18. We receive critical information. And the child grew. Well thats what children do, from day one. But keep in mind much of what we read is a very condensed version. The prophet going to this family and staying may have been several years, and from the time the child was born to now has been several more years. We don’t know his age but you will see he is old enough to go to the fields with his dad.

The child, this miracle child that was a blessing and a gift from God…dies! I know there is a lot there to break down, but there are some intense displays of faith here by this woman.

The New King James Version Chapter 4

18 And the child grew. Now it happened one day that he went out to his father, to the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, “My head, my head!”

So he said to a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” 20 When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.

This is the most dad line ever in the bible. Kid gets sick, take him to his mother!

The New King James Version Chapter 4

21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door upon him, and went out. 22 Then she called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the young men and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come back.”

23 So he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.”

And she said, “It is well.” 24 Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 And so she departed, and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel.

Just think about what is happening here. I love how God has gifted women. Especially when it comes to their children. As a dad it may have just been what a tragedy. There would be sadness, and sorrow, but the mom, says no way not going to happen. Elijah brought someone back from the dead, Elisha can to.

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How did the woman respond when her son died? What do you find surprising about her reaction?

What does her interaction with her husband (v.23) tell us about her faith?

Mt. Carmel from Shunem is about 20 miles. She doesn’t weep, she doesn’t prepare for his burial; which would have happened same day in that culture, she takes him to Elishas bed.

This is a direct show of her faith. Remember Elijah came before her and his reputation was known.

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1 Kings 17:17–19 “17 Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him. 18 So she said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?” 19 And he said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed.”

1 Kings 17:22 “22 Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.”

This woman in 2 Kings would have known this, and where does she take her son? To the upper room, in Elishas bed. She knew exactly where he needed to be.

The New King James Version Chapter 4

So it was, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to his servant Gehazi, “Look, the Shunammite woman! 26 Please run now to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’ ”

And she answered, “It is well.” 27 Now when she came to the man of God at the hill, she caught him by the feet, but Gehazi came near to push her away. But the man of God said, “Let her alone; for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me, and has not told me.”

28 So she said, “Did I ask a son of my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”

What a strong woman. She tells her husband I will be back “it is well”, no indication that her child is dead. She tells Gehazi “it is well”, again no indication that anything is out of the ordinary. But when she gets to the prophet, she caught him at his feet. This is a position of humility, and sorrow that Elisha recognizes right away as distress.

The shocking thing here is that the Lord has not told him about it.

The New King James Version Chapter 4

29 Then he said to Gehazi, “Get yourself ready, and take my staff in your hand, and be on your way. If you meet anyone, do not greet him; and if anyone greets you, do not answer him; but lay my staff on the face of the child.”

30 And the mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. 31 Now Gehazi went on ahead of them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, “The child has not awakened.”

Why do you think she insisted on Elisha himself coming with her?

She is resolute. As we saw here character when she was first introduced in vs. 8 “there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food” just as she was adamant that he take the blessing from her and allow her to use her gifts and talents that God has gifted her with, here she is adamant that this need must be met by you!’

Drop what you are doing. Forget about the sons of the prophets. Forget about the message you were preparing for the king. Put aside your quiet time of study and prayer. I have an urgent need, that needs your attention, and I am not leaving here until you attend to it!

The New King James Version Chapter 4

32 When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. 33 He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. 34 And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands; and he stretched himself out on the child, and the flesh of the child became warm. 35 He returned and walked back and forth in the house, and again went up and stretched himself out on him; then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 And he called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite woman.” So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” 37 So she went in, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; then she picked up her son and went out.

What do you think God wants us to learn from this woman’s faith and actions?

Early on we learn hospitality and in our time sharing the love of Christ. Later we see a deep rooted faith and trust in God and His care and provision. It is out of this abundance of faith and trust that the original hospitality is founded in.