29/03/10

Be not like the Shunammite Woman

2 Kings 4:10 - Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.


The example of the shunammite woman is a very important example which I always keep in mind, especially when blessing others.

In brief the shunammite woman was a rich, high status, business woman who respected Elisha as a great man, blessed with powers and as a Man of his God so made a rest room for him on his travel by her place.

Elisha was pleased with her hospitality and being impressed blessed her with a son since she was childless, but this blessing did not last. In a matter of 10 years as the son grew, he suddenly got sick and died. Elisha had to literally fight with God offering his own life in bargain for the life of the son, since this woman came and taunted him as to why did he bless her with a son when she had not asked for it.

This woman was kind in heart and she knew that Elisha was not an ordinary man but she did not know the God whom Elisha represented. The blessing of the son was not by the heart of God but by the human heart of Elisha, this blessing therefore did not last. It is another thing that God had mercy on Elisha and gave life again to the son, but with a lesson to Elisha and to all of us.

People have the habit to run behind any person by whom they see miracles or mighty wonders happening. Irrespective of whom the person represents or has believe in, they crowd around that person trying to please that person in material ways or any other way.

The message for the Men and Women of God: We as people of God also need to keep in mind that when we bless someone, we should be aware if that person does know whom we represent? Do they know us as a magician or some Baba (man with powers called in India) or as representative of the Living God.

Let us be inspired by God to open our mouths and say the blessing and not by our fleshy feelings. For one day this same blessing will come back and haunt us.

The message for people of God: Do not run behind people when you see or hear of things happening around them. Find out whom they represent and know the belief of that person. Even if you get blessed by such a person without really understanding who he or she is, this blessing will not last, but will hurt you more than it did without it.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord God, as Jesus You called us into your Family and gave us authority over many things. You gave us authority to bless people in your Name. Lord help us to discern the person whom we bless and let not the blessing come by our emotions but by your Spirit. Help us to remember this always so that we do not let You down in the future...

We make this prayer in Your Mighty Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
2 kings 4:11-37
11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him.
13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.
14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door.
16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother.
20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.
21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.
22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.
24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.
25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:
26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.
27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. 28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?
29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child.
30 And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.
31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.
32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed.
33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.
34 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 he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.
35 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.
37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)