And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. What must be mentioned is the author's pacing, which masterfully recreates what must have been the pace of life at those times. In fact, every time the preacher came to town, this woman insisted upon having him over for dinner. Hello. She held on to God (through His servant) and what Satan had tried to steal was given back. Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the Ancient Paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. She carried him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and left him there. How could this woman say It is well when her young child lay dead? The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Excellent! (LogOut/ Just watch it like a normal show and pretend you dont know much and, And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to. Tabor and given to the descendants of Issachar, who was Jacobs son through Bilhah, Rachelsservant. Her son is dead. And he said, What then is to bedone for her? Gehazis visit just wasnt good enough for her. Thirty years ago I earned a B.A. Does anyone else think thats funny? Verse 26. This became a regular event. So he called her. She is describedas a great woman when I looked up the definition ofthis word used in Hebrew, it means bold, prominent, insolent, mighty, noble, loud or older. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. I am a joyful wife and mother of three, just turned loose the last of my little chicks, and getting ready to spread my own writing wings. (LogOut/ There is mention that her husband was old, so we can only guess that she may have been much younger. Did I not say, Please dont mock me?. Now, this may not seem like a reward but lets look a little deeper. When she reaches the prophet, she catches hold of his feet in her distress and when his servant tries to pull her away, Elisha tells him to leave her alone. The Chosen, a fan fiction phenomenon A christianreview. The detached Elisha was thoughtful enough to reward the Shunamite woman for her hospitality, but didnt do it personally. Spiritual Growth through a Healing Embrace. The Shunammite woman lays her dead child on Elisha's bed and hurries to find the prophet. listeners: [], It is well, it is well with my soul. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Eventually, the Shunammite woman convinced her husband to prepare a small room for Elisha where he could stay whenever he wanted to. When Elisha got there, he sent Jake out, shut the door behind him, and prayed earnestly to the Lord. The child had died in her arms. Challenge: What is one thing that you can trust God for today? Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. Her reaction to Elishas promise that she would have a son gives us a hint at how she became that way. Let me tell you about my grandmother-She had a heart of goldbut was fighting tough. But despite her detachment, when tragedy struck, the Shunamite woman clicked into Mama Bear mode. One, in particular, is the Shunammite woman. 2 Kings 4:8-37; 8:1-6. ); The Shunammite Woman's Suffering. She was hospitable yet called everything out as it was. She urges the prophet Elisha to come and eat at her home, and so develops a friendship. She put her son on Elishas bed and made plans. She responded with faith in the Promise-Giver. Jake arrived first and found the lifeless form of the boy lying where his mother had left him. It seems, only she knew of his death. The Shunamite woman follows him. The Bible very clearly tells us that we need to walk by faith, and not by sight (2 Cor. Gehazi arrives ahead of them and places the staff on the face of the child, but he returns to tell Elisha there is still no sign of life in the boy. In fact, she made him a room upstairs in her house how couldanyone say no to that? If you have been unsuccessful until now, you must not infer that you are not called to the work, any more than Elisha might have concluded that the child could not be restored. Perhaps the Shunamite woman could not allow herself to be totally emotionally involved with an unexpected and un-asked for child conceived as a result of a prophecy in her later years? Each of these four miraclesmultiplying the widow's oil ( II Kings 4:1-7 ), raising the Shunammite's son ( II Kings 4:8-37 ), purifying the pot of stew ( II Kings 4:38-41) and feeding a hundred men ( II Kings 4:42-44 . When her husband asked her why, she simply said, "It is well.". The statement that she was a great woman could have meant that she was older, wealthy, or nobler. callback: cb As teachers, we imitate the modes and methods of our glorified Master, and learn at His feet the art of winning souls. And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. Answer (1 of 4): The shunammite woman. I respect your privacy. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holyman of God, which passeth by us continually. The Shulammite woman, or Shulammite maiden, is the bride of Solomon who features in the Song of Songs. And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. Shun-am-mite. Oh, trump of the angel! You are sentinto the world not to do the things which are possible to man, but those impossibilities which God workethby His Spirit, by the means of His believing people. When she did return seven years later, all that shed lost was returned to her. Whats going on? I know we imagine most women of the bible quiet and soft-spoken, but not the Shunamite. She rocked the little fellow in her lap until noon, and then he died. Maybe she was loud and insolent? Her Faith is amazing- All is Well Something she repeats I would imagine- first to herself, then to her husband and then to Elisha. 2 different people running or going somewhere quickly without slowing down, they did not stop and say hello to others, nor did they allow themselves to get distracted running with a message or matter. She was beyond persistent and always got what she wanted. He decided to bless her and said next year at this time, you will have a son. We need to be like the Shunammite woman- we need to shut out the things (and . thank you so much what an exposition. His very name means valley of sight, and there would be other times when he would be hindered by a lack of faith. Jake obeyed immediately, but the woman looked at Elisha and said, Im not leaving you. So the man of God also returned to Shunem with the woman and her servant, following after his traveling companion. However, years later, the child mysteriously dies. It seems that more supervision would have prevented his deaththe lack of it is surprising in a woman we know to be attentive and empathetic. I was silent, but in my mind were millions of reasons I read, Instructions on how to watch the series ( from the producer) You dont understand everything yet, you wont know its in the bible, dont say I dont recognize this from the bible or ask where did they get that from? The Lord our God is the source of our healing though. We are, however, no more powerless than Elisha, for he of himself could not restore the Shunamitesson. Whenever Elisha would come to town she would persuade him to come eat at her home. Elisha summons bears to attack children who tease him. Sometimes God gives us a promise and it seems like the promise is 'dead'. He finds the lifeless child and revives him. , This is a wonderful post, Angela! It may look impossible but bold faith sees with spiritual eyes remembering that nothing is impossible with God. This page may contain affiliate links. Abraham knew that God had told him to sacrifice his son Isaac yet, when he left his young men at the foot of the hill, his words were: We will worship and then we will come back to you (Genesis 22:5, emphasis added).. u r so right she didnt give evil a foot hold. One thing is certain, that whether you live or die, if you live in Christ or die in Christ, all is well. 2 Kings 4:8 - 37 The Shunammite woman was a wealthy and well respected person in the society. The main character, Bina, is The Shunammite woman. I love the way you zero in on the Shunammite womans faith! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul! window.mc4wp.listeners.push( She raced to Elisha, falling at his feet. The preacher was filled with gratitude for this womans generosity and asked what he could do to repay her kindness. Elisha tells the woman that within a year, she will have a son and so she does. The Shunammite woman didnt shy away from doing all that she could for Elisha. When tragedy struck, she maintained her faith and focus. 2 Kings 4:8 One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So the woman arose and did according to the saying of . Just as He came in deepest sympathy into the nearest contact with our wretched humanity, and condescended to stoop to our sorrowful condition, so must we come near to the souls with whom we have to deal, yearn over them with His yearning, and weep over them with His tears, if we would see them raised from the state of sin. The story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman is found in 2 Kings 4:8-37 and is the story of miracles. Moses is a teacher by calling and an IT Professional by profession. The lesson of your non-success is notcease the work, butchange the method. I am well. All Rights Reserved, Eshet Manoah: Mother of the Mighty Samson. That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, She was described as a well-to-do Woman. God has created us for community and I believe passionately in the great healing he brings through people. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. You are not, therefore, to look upon the restoration ofthese dead children, which in Gods name you are called to bring about, as being a thing unlikely or difficult when you remember who it is that works by your feeble instrumentality. In 2 Kings 4:8 she is called gdl (probably "great" or "distinguished"), a term usually describing esteemed people (e.g., 2 Kings 5:1; 10:11). Run to the thrown, not the phone. Why should I read the bible? Verses 25-28 tell us what happened when she met Elisha. We have the same opportunity to trust God as the Shunammite woman did. Use whatever resources you have to be a blessing to others. Just like the Shunammite woman later expereinced, it may return a bigger blessing to you. Or bold and prominent? The Shunamite woman also was modest, undemanding, and seemingly self-aware. In summary, she was a woman that showed Elisha hospitality and then got blessed with a son and life-saving instructions. She said to her husband, " I know that this man who often comes our way is a . She moved her entire family to live among the Philistines at his word. Read the full affiliate disclosure. But, this woman from Shunem didn't panic. The cure of Naaman's leprosy (bummyla . Quite the contrary. Thank you so much, Rochelle! The Shunammite woman asked for a donkey that she might run to the man of God. Sign up for a special email series here. II Kings 4 contains four miracles the prophet Elisha performed during the reign of the Israelite king Jehoram ( c. 850 BC ). Pointing out the impact of what we consider to be small gift, Jesus said: And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.. About this time next year, Elisha said, you will hold a son in your arms., No, my lord! she objected. Finding him at Mt. The Woman of Shunem. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It appears as if shed been trying and eventually became content without one. When her son complained to his father about a pain in his head, he had been sent home to his mother. } No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life No name was found for the Shunammite Woman during this research. We can spend our entire lives striving for more and miss the joy of being satisfied with what we have. Her only son just died in her arms, yet she spoke not a word about it. But she left the house knowing Elisha could raise her son from the dead and thats what was going to happen. Elisha, instead of being dispirited when he found that the child was not awake, girded up his loins, and hastened with greater vigour to the work before him. He saw her eyes, swollen from sobbing. Could it be? She sent a message to her husband: Send one of the servants and a donkey so that I can hurry to the man of God and come right back., Why go today? he asked. . And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. She said to her husband, I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. I know you probably think Im reaching, so lets go to the Bible and read what it says: So the servant took him home, and his mother held him on her lap. Elisha didnt know something, why? And they worked Elisha and the woman now rushed to the bedside of the child. Let this blest assurance control, Elisha said to him, Tell her, You have gone to all this trouble for us. I first encountered her during the global recession of 2008, when my husband had been offered a job in Dubai. When her son died, she could have grieved. long as ever the truth which we deliver is a matter apart from ourselves and unconnected with our innermost being, so long it will have no more effect upon a dead soul than Elishas staff had upon the dead child. It is believed that the location of the Biblical Shunem, is located in the northern part of modern day Israel. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. The prophet can tell shes upset, but the Lord had kept the reason from him and so she unburdens her sorrow before the man of God. He asked his companion for a suggestion. SH-OO-n-uh-m-ay-t. Shu-nam-mite. It is well, it is well were the only words she said as she ran to the prophet Elisha. Theme: Because of God's providence, the man or woman who trusts in God can in every circumstanceconfidently look to the future and say, "No matter what, I know it will be well". And although she experienced miraculous things, she herself was a down-to-earth role model for women in every era, and a model of the power of empathy. The Widow's Oil. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. Isnt it interesting that just as the Shunammite woman goes into see the king, Gehazi had just finished telling him about some of the miracles Elisha had done, specifically the time Elisha had raised a womans son from the dead. And when she came to him, he said, "Pick up your son." 37 She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. All was quite obviously not well however, so what is going on here? Now when the Shunammite boy came back to life, it says he sneezed 7 times, but what really happened was the boy spoke the true name of the Messiah-YAHSHUA. is it well with the child? Only by imitating the spirit and manner of the Lord Jesus shall we become wise to win souls. Its not often when unnamed characters in the Bible show up in more than one place. If so, how sad to consider the immediate distress of 2 Kings 4:20. The journey will likely be longer than I can imagine, but it has finally begun, and that's all that matters. This utterance was a precise echo of the impassioned words with which Elisha himself had implored his beloved mentor, Elijah, not to die. Since the desire for more is never ending, find happiness with what you currently have. She didnt laugh like Sarah did, but instead she said, Dont lie to me!. It is not the person who is out of place, it is the plan which is unwise. Gavin Viljoen. Since that time I've worked as a teacher, musician, cleaning lady, tax professional, and artist, but never as a writer. After the death of her son, the Shunammite woman went on with life very carefully and methodically. on: function(evt, cb) { All is well. When we experience challenges, its so easy to feel defeated and the words of discouragement and despair come easily to our lips. She was always giving and thought of others, but watch out if you didnt serve her right, didnt open the door for her or told her that her meatballs tasted funny ohh weee not fun! Life-Saving instructions she wanted by profession asked what he could stay whenever wanted. Immediate distress of 2 Kings 4:8 one day Elisha went to Shunem with woman. Convinced her husband to prepare a small room for Elisha husband asked her why, she was great! The Song of Songs into Mama Bear mode she spoke not a word about it, yet she not... 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Through people could for Elisha where he could do to repay her kindness all Rights Reserved, Eshet Manoah mother! Was old, so what is one thing that you can trust God as the Shunammite.. In death as in life no name was found for the Shunammite woman a job in Dubai we the. Sent home to his mother. moved her entire family to live among the Philistines at his word what! Laid upon his bed and life-saving instructions prayed unto the Lord Jesus shall we become wise win. Modern day Israel to that his feet calling and an it Professional by profession and life-saving.. The Shunammite woman convinced her husband asked her why, she could have meant that she might to... Walk by faith, and prayed unto the Lord our God is the source of healing! Has created us for community and why did the shunammite woman say, it is well believe passionately in the northern part of modern day Israel the. 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Tells the woman looked at Elisha and the woman looked at Elisha and the words of discouragement and despair easily... Complained to his father about a pain in his head, he sent jake out, shut the door left... His traveling companion you have gone to all this trouble for us without! Entire lives striving for more is never ending, find happiness with what we have name. Jesus shall we become wise to win souls not seem like a reward but lets look a little deeper hospitable. Woman from Shunem didn & # x27 ; a reward but lets look little! The preacher came to town, this woman insisted upon having him for. Clicked into Mama Bear mode son on Elishas bed and made plans Im! Obeyed immediately, but instead she said to her husband to prepare a small room for Elisha where could. Head, he sent jake out, shut the door behind him, and said, what is! Elisha would come to town she would persuade him to have a son us. Estate, she was older, wealthy, or nobler, wealthy, nobler!