Church Weekly
09 Oct 2022

CHURCH WEEKLY

THE GIFT OF A CHILD FOR A BARREN WOMAN (2 KINGS 4:18-37) - PART 2

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                      

The gift of a child for a barren woman (2 Kings 4:18-37) - Part 2

In this continuing series, we study the encounter of the Prophet Elisha with the Shunnamite woman. Elisha was unique in his ministry as a prophet and a successor to Elijah the antagonist of Baal worshippers. In a nation devoid of faith, steeped in syncretistic worship, Elisha’s miracles established his authority as the servant of the true and living God. In the previous article, we read of a kind and faithful Shunnamite lady who extended great hospitality to Elisha and his servant as he travelled to do God’s work. This lady was barren, but for her faith and loyalty towards the ministry of God’s servant, she was blessed with the conception and birth of a son. One day, during the harvest, when the workers were reaping in the fields, tragedy struck.

“And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.” 2 Kings 4:18-20

The child had a sudden bout of headache, and the father told the workers to bring the boy to the mother. The record in the Bible tells us that while the Shunnamite lady tried to soothe the boy, he eventually died. What a sad turn of events! But through this event, God was going to show Himself mighty in His Word.     

1. The Shunnamite lady trusted in the power of God   

How sad it is for parents to lose a child to the clutches of death. I once knew a family who lost their teenage daughter in a vehicle accident. The young girl was riding a moped with a friend in a gated compound, when a lorry taking a tight turn ran into the moped. By all counts, the sorrow and loss to such a family is incomprehensible. We can only sympathize and pray for God’s comfort. When the boy died, the response of the Shunnamite lady was quite strange. The Bible tells us that when she knew the boy was dead, “And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.” 2 Kings 4:21. Why would she do such a thing?

In 2 Kings 4:9 the lady had expressed esteem for Elisha on the mere basis that she perceived that Elisha was a servant of God. The Bible records that, “she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.” 2 Kings 4:9. When she was asked by Gehazi if a favor was to be sought, her simple reply was “I dwell among my own people.” A response indicating that she expected no special favors for her service and hospitality to the man of God.

Now that her boy is dead, she neither wailed nor fretted, neither did she tell the husband of the great calamity that had befallen them. Instead, she laid her boy upon Elisha’s bed, and saddled up so that she “may run to the man of God, and come again.” 2 Kings 4:22. In her trouble, she sought God by looking for Elisha, the man of God. This was an extraordinary expression of faith in the power of God to restore life. 

Beloved, in times of trouble who do we seek? Do we run to so called “experts” and “specialists” to solve our problems? Let us learn to trust God. Our troubles may not be a matter of life and death, it may be familial, financial, or work related, or any kind of problem. Let us learn the lesson of faith, to trust in the power of God to deliver us. 

2. Trusting that God will be faithful to His Word

The exchange between the great woman and Elisha’s servant is strange to say the least.  When asked if all is well with her husband and with her child, her response was, “It is well.” How strange indeed, her son had just died and she is saying it is well? Even Elisha was perplexed, for he said in 2 Kings 4:27 “the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.”

But the Shunnamite’s question to Elisha explains it, she said, “Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?” 2 Kings 4:28. In an earlier occasion, when the Shunnamite was told by Elisha that she will conceive, her response was, “Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.” 2 Kings 4:16. She had faith that the God of Israel will always be truthful to his Word. Thus, even now when her child lies dead, her conception and birth of this son is not some cruel prank that is being played upon her. She knew that God through His servant, will make good His promise, and therefore, her words were “It is well.” The rest of this narrative speaks well. The boy’s life was restored.

Beloved, let us trust in the power of God and His faithfulness. God’s Word contains many promises to those who put their faith and trust in Him. Let us learn from this narrative to trust in God despite our circumstances. So that whether we are in trouble of any kind, or in times of plenty, we may as the Shunnamite lady say with confidence, “It is well.” Let us place our trust and confidence in the omnipotent God who is ever faithful. May His name be praised.

In Christ,
Dn. Lim Seh Beng