Scripture:
“One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy woman lived there, and she urged him to come to her home for a meal. After that, whenever he passed that way, he would stop there for something to eat. She said to her husband, ‘I am sure this man who stops in from time to time is a holy man of God. Let’s build a small room for him on the roof and furnish it with a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp. Then he will have a place to stay whenever he comes by.’
One day Elisha returned to Shunem, and he went up to this upper room to rest. He said to his servant Gehazi, ‘Tell the woman from Shunem I want to speak to her.’ When she appeared, Elisha said to Gehazi, ‘Tell her, ‘We appreciate the kind concern you have shown us. What can we do for you? Can we put in a good word for you to the king or to the commander of the army?’’
‘No,’ she replied, ‘my family takes good care of me.’
Later Elisha asked Gehazi, ‘What can we do for her?’
Gehazi replied, ‘She doesn’t have a son, and her husband is an old man.’
‘Call her back again,’ Elisha told him. When the woman returned, Elisha said to her as she stood in the doorway, ‘Next year at this time you will be holding a son in your arms!’
‘No, my lord!’ she cried. ‘O man of God, don’t deceive me and get my hopes up like that.’ But sure enough, the woman soon became pregnant. And at that time the following year she had a son, just as Elisha had said.” 2 Kings 4:8-17 (NLT)
Perspective:
Elisha was a prophet of God and he traveled with his assistant, Gehazi. When they passed through Shunem, they had their same spot where they stopped. They had favor with a wealthy woman who lived in the area, and she would feed them on their journey. This woman was so convinced that Elisha was more than a mere traveler that she convinced her husband to build a room for him. Her kindness to Elisha was reciprocated by Elisha wanting to do something for her. When he asked, she indicated that she didn’t need anything. Yet, God still knew the desires of her heart. She was without children, which meant that she would not have a way to be cared for in her old age. In that time, children were imperative to carrying on the family name as well. She had everything she needed except that one thing that seemed impossible. Yet, when Gehazi brought this to Elisha’s attention, Elisha, the prophet, spoke life into her future. And she bore the blessing that he promised.
God can work in our lives in mysterious ways. Sometimes He sends a friend, a family member, a pastor, or a stranger to remind us that He still sees us. God knows the desires of your heart even if you have decided to ignore what God has placed in your heart. The Shunammite woman’s kindness positioned her to receive a blessing she wouldn’t have received any other way. Sometimes we can think that by helping or blessing someone else that we lose what we want. God doesn’t work that way. He sees the kindness you extend to others and knows the desires of your heart. He is working behind the scenes to align the timing of your story with his purposes. Even if it seems that the promise is overdue, it is not too late to bring forth the blessings that God has promised you.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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About Hona Amer
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