A Portrait of a Godly Mother
Text: 2nd Kings 4:8-37 (KJV) 8And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10Let 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. 11And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. 12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13And 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. 14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 16And 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. 17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life. 18And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 20And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. 21And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. 22And 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. 23And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. 24Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. 25So 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: 26Run 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: 27And 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. 28Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? 29Then 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. 30And 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. 31And 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. 32And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. 33He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. 34And 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. 35Then 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. 36And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. 37Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.
2nd Kings 4:8-37 (AMP) 8One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a rich and influential woman lived, who insisted on his eating a meal. Afterward, whenever he passed by, he stopped there for a meal. 9And she said to her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by continually. 10Let us make a small chamber on the [housetop] and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp. Then whenever he comes to us, he can go [up the outside stairs and rest] here. 11One day he came and turned into the chamber and lay there. 12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. When he had called her, she stood before him. 13And he said to Gehazi, Say now to her, You have been most painstakingly and reverently concerned for us; what is to be done for you? Would you like to be spoken for to the king or to the commander of the army? She answered, I dwell among my own people [they are sufficient]. 14Later Elisha said, What then is to be done for her? Gehazi answered, She has no child and her husband is old. 15He said, Call her. [Gehazi] called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16Elisha said, At this season when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son. She said, No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid. 17But the woman conceived and bore a son at that season the following year, as Elisha had said to her. 18When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father with the reapers. 19But he said to his father, My head, my head! The man said to his servant, Carry him to his mother. 20And when he was brought to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. 21And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him and went out. 22And she called to her husband and said, Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may go quickly to the man of God and come back again. 23And he said, Why go to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath. And she said, It will be all right. 24Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, Ride fast; do not slacken your pace for me unless I tell you. 25So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite. 26Run to meet her and say, Is it well with you? Well with your husband? Well with the child? And she answered, It is well. 27When she came to the mountain to the man of God, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came to thrust her away, but the man of God said, Let her alone, for her soul is bitter and vexed within her, and the Lord has hid it from me and has not told me. 28Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? Did I not say, Do not deceive me? 29Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand and go lay my staff on the face of the child. If you meet any man, do not salute him. If he salutes you, do not answer him. 30The mother of the child said, As the Lord lives and as my soul lives, I will not leave you. And he arose and followed her. 31Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the child’s face, but the boy neither spoke nor heard. So he went back to meet Elisha and said to him, The child has not awakened. 32When Elisha arrived in the house, the child was dead and laid upon his bed. 33So he went in, shut the door on the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. 34He went up and lay on the child, put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself on him and embraced him, the child’s flesh became warm. 35Then he returned and walked in the house to and fro and went up again and stretched himself upon him. And the child sneezed seven times, and then opened his eyes. 36Then [Elisha] called Gehazi and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she came, he said, Take up your son. 37She came and fell at his feet, bowing herself to the ground. Then she took up her son and went out.
2nd Kings 4:8-37 (NLT) 8One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy woman lived there, and she invited him to eat some food. From then on, whenever he passed that way, he would stop there to eat. 9She said to her husband, "I am sure this man who stops in from time to time is a holy man of God. 10Let’s make a little 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." 11One day Elisha returned to Shunem, and he went up to his room to rest. 12He said to his servant Gehazi, "Tell the woman I want to speak to her." When she arrived, 13Elisha said to Gehazi, "Tell her that we appreciate the kind concern she has shown us. Now ask her what we can do for her. Does she want me to put in a good word for her to the king or to the commander of the army?"
"No," she replied, "my family takes good care of me." 14Later Elisha asked Gehazi, "What do you think we can do for her?"
He suggested, "She doesn’t have a son, and her husband is an old man." 15"Call her back again," Elisha told him. When the woman returned, Elisha said to her as she stood in the doorway, 16"Next year at about this time you will be holding a son in your arms!" "No, my lord!" she protested. "Please don’t lie to me like that, O man of God." 17But sure enough, the woman soon became pregnant. And at that time the following year she had a son, just as Elisha had said. 18One day when her child was older, he went out to visit his father, who was working with the harvesters. 19Suddenly he complained, "My head hurts! My head hurts!" His father said to one of the servants, "Carry him home to his mother." 20So the servant took him home, and his mother held him on her lap. But around noontime he died. 21She carried him up to the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and left him there. 22She 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." 23"Why today?" he asked. "It is neither a new moon festival nor a Sabbath." But she said, "It’s all right." 24So she saddled the donkey and said to the servant, "Hurry! Don’t slow down on my account unless I tell you to." 25As she approached the man of God at Mount Carmel, Elisha saw her in the distance. He said to Gehazi, "Look, the woman from Shunem is coming. 26Run out to meet her and ask her, `Is everything all right with you, with your husband, and with your child?’ "
"Yes," the woman told Gehazi, "everything is fine." 27But when she came to the man of God at the mountain, she fell to the ground before him and caught hold of his feet. Gehazi began to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone. Something is troubling her deeply, and the LORD has not told me what it is." 28Then she said, "It was you, my lord, who said I would have a son. And didn’t I tell you not to raise my hopes?"
29Then Elisha said to Gehazi, "Get ready to travel; take my staff and go! Don’t talk to anyone along the way. Go quickly and lay the staff on the child’s face." 30But the boy’s mother said, "As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I won’t go home unless you go with me." So Elisha returned with her. 31Gehazi hurried on ahead and laid the staff on the child’s face, but nothing happened. There was no sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and told him, "The child is still dead." 32When Elisha arrived, the child was indeed dead, lying there on the prophet’s bed. 33He went in alone and shut the door behind him and prayed to the LORD. 34Then he lay down on the child’s body, placing his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands. And the child’s body began to grow warm again! 35Elisha got up and walked back and forth in the room a few times. Then he stretched himself out again on the child. This time the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes! 36Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. "Call the child’s mother!" he said. And when she came in, Elisha said, "Here, take your son!" 37She fell at his feet, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she picked up her son and carried him downstairs.
2nd Kings 8:1-6 (KJV) 1Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. 2And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3And it came to pass at the seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. 4And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. 5And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. 6And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.
2nd Kings 8:1-6 (AMP) 1NOW ELISHA had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, Arise and go with your household and sojourn wherever you can, for the Lord has called for a famine, and moreover, it will come upon the land for seven years. 2So the woman arose and did as the man of God had said. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3At the end of the seven years the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, and she went to appeal to the king for her house and land. 4The king talked with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me all the great things Elisha has done. 5And as Gehazi was telling the king how [Elisha] had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and land. And Gehazi said, My lord O king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha brought back to life. 6When the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed to her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land even until now.
2nd Kings 8:1-6 (NLT) 1Elisha had told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, "Take your family and move to some other place, for the LORD has called for a famine on Israel that will last for seven years." 2So the woman did as the man of God instructed. She took her family and lived in the land of the Philistines for seven years. 3After the famine ended she returned to the land of Israel, and she went to see the king about getting back her house and land. 4As she came in, the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God. The king had just said, "Tell me some stories about the great things Elisha has done." 5And Gehazi was telling the king about the time Elisha had brought a boy back to life. At that very moment, the mother of the boy walked in to make her appeal to the king. "Look, my lord!" Gehazi exclaimed. "Here is the woman now, and this is her son--the very one Elisha brought back to life!" 6"Is this true?" the king asked her. And she told him that it was. So he directed one of his officials to see to it that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence.
Introduction: We are living in an age when our school systems talk about motherhood in terms of a biological function, and not in expressions of moral fiber improvement. Health classes mostly deal with how a woman naturally becomes pregnant, secular methods concerning the prevention of pregnancy and sexual diseases, and the hormonal drives that work to produce children. Schools may teach things about diapering a baby, how to nurse, how to feed, and basic practical functions. However, our public schools refrain from teaching the character and moral composition of being a good mom. So often, the most important elements of good parenting are completely ignored! Unfortunately, the elements of outstanding motherhood are also ignored by the vast majority of today’s parents. Such things as faithfulness, compassion, forgiveness, self-sacrificing, encouraging, or spirituality, etc. are not even dealt with.
The qualities of both Godly and successful Motherhood are not limited to the biological and practical needs being met and understood. The great qualities of character are what makes a great person in the eyes of God.
The Bible teaches us that Godly and Christ like character can weather all of the storms in life as well as transform the lives of other people around us.
I. True character
A. Compassionate
1. 2nd Kings 4:8-10 reads, (KJV) “8And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10Let 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.” (AMP) “8One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a rich and influential woman lived, who insisted on his eating a meal. Afterward, whenever he passed by, he stopped there for a meal. 9And she said to her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God who passes by continually. 10Let us make a small chamber on the [housetop] and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp. Then whenever he comes to us, he can go [up the outside stairs and rest] here.”
2. Notice that this future mother is never once named in the scriptures. She is only called the “Shunamite” or “Woman of Shunem.” This is because her character is the focal point of the story.
a) She is described as “a great woman” in the King James Version, “a rich and influential woman” in the Amplified Bible, and “a wealthy woman” in the New Living Translation.
b) It is important to note that her wealth had not corrupted her as is noticeable by the hospitality she desired to provide for Elisha, the Man of God.
c) It is also worth noting that she could tell that Elisha was an authentic man of God, she knew the genuine from the counterfeit.
3. This great woman of Shunem did not have an ulterior motive for making a place for Elisha. She did not ask for or expect anything in return for Elisha’s use of the room.
a) This Shunammite woman cares about others.
b) She views her resources and wealth as an opportunity to bless other people and not just to hoard things for her own desires.
4. Already her character is shining through.
a) This character gets God’s attention.
B. Contented
1. 2nd Kings 4:11-13 declares, (KJV) “11And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. 12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13And 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.” (AMP) “11One day he came and turned into the chamber and lay there. 12And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. When he had called her, she stood before him. 13And he said to Gehazi, Say now to her, You have been most painstakingly and reverently concerned for us; what is to be done for you? Would you like to be spoken for to the king or to the commander of the army? She answered, I dwell among my own people [they are sufficient].” (NASB) “11One day he came there and turned in to the upper chamber and rested. 12Then he said to Gehazi his servant, "Call this Shunammite." And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13He said to him, "Say now to her, ’Behold, you have been careful for us with all this care; what can I do for you? Would you be spoken for to the king or to the captain of the army?’" And she answered, "I live among my own people."” (NLT) “11One day Elisha returned to Shunem, and he went up to his room to rest. 12He said to his servant Gehazi, "Tell the woman I want to speak to her." When she arrived, 13Elisha said to Gehazi, "Tell her that we appreciate the kind concern she has shown us. Now ask her what we can do for her. Does she want me to put in a good word for her to the king or to the commander of the army?" "No," she replied, "my family takes good care of me."”
2. Elisha calls the Shunammite lady before him with his own servant Gehazi to ask her what could be done to reward her benevolence.
a) Elisha is amazed at this woman, not once does she ask anything in return for the kindness revealed to him.
(1) This was proof that her kindness had no ulterior motive.
3. Rather than be consumed about her own needs she simply enjoys ministering to others.
a) This demonstrates the true heart of a mother!
Illustration: Dr. James Dobson, the founder of this nation’s leading Christian family organization, Focus on the Family, made the following observation: “Countless times each day a mother does what no one else can do quite as well. She wipes away a tear, whispers a word of hope, and eases a child’s fear. She teaches, ministers, loves, and nurtures the next generation of citizens. Moreover, she challenges and cajoles her kids to do their best and be the best. But no editorials praise these accomplishments - where is the coverage our mothers rightfully deserve?”
4. This was astonishing principally in light of the fact that she was childless, which was an appalling condition for a woman of that era, yet she asks for nothing, not even a child.
a) In that day, a woman could have been very brutally scorned for not having produced a child, as barrenness was a looked upon as a curse from God, but she does not grumble even about this.
b) Her life was focused on what she had and not what was deficient.
C. Careful
1. 2nd Kings 4:14-17 reads, (KJV) “14And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 16And 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. 17And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.” (AMP) “14Later Elisha said, What then is to be done for her? Gehazi answered, She has no child and her husband is old. 15He said, Call her. [Gehazi] called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16Elisha said, At this season when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son. She said, No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid. 17But the woman conceived and bore a son at that season the following year, as Elisha had said to her.” (AMP) “14Later Elisha said, What then is to be done for her? Gehazi answered, She has no child and her husband is old. 15He said, Call her. [Gehazi] called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16Elisha said, At this season when the time comes round, you shall embrace a son. She said, No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid. 17But the woman conceived and bore a son at that season the following year, as Elisha had said to her.” (NASB) “14So he said, "What then is to be done for her?" And Gehazi answered, "Truly she has no son and her husband is old." 15He said, "Call her." When he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16Then he said, "At this season next year you will embrace a son." And she said, "No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant." 17The woman conceived and bore a son at that season the next year, as Elisha had said to her.” (NLT) “14Later Elisha asked Gehazi, "What do you think we can do for her?" He suggested, "She doesn’t have a son, and her husband is an old man." 15"Call her back again," Elisha told him. When the woman returned, Elisha said to her as she stood in the doorway, 16"Next year at about this time you will be holding a son in your arms!" "No, my lord!" she protested. "Please don’t lie to me like that, O man of God." 17But sure enough, the woman soon became pregnant. And at that time the following year she had a son, just as Elisha had said.”
2. Elisha however wants to bless this woman, and so he persists in trying to discover some need she might have even if she asks for nothing. His servant Gehazi comes up with a suggestion by telling Elisha that she does not have a child and her husband is old.
a) Here is a woman who should already be a mother, as she already possesses all of the necessary attributes.
b) Obviously, her pain over being childless is real, obvious from her response as it is recorded in 2nd Kings 4:16, which says, (AMP) “…No, my lord, you man of God, do not lie to your handmaid.”
c) This was not doubt or unbelief. This was merely the reaction of hidden pain unexpressed prior to this time and now it was brought out in the possibility that perhaps it could yet happen.
d) Her response simply reveals deeply hidden emotions, and the fear that her hopes might be raised only to be unrealized, which was a thought she could not face.
3. Notice that even in these moments she is careful about her own character … Elisha calls her to his room, but she does not enter, she only stands in the doorway so there is no question about improper contact with another man.
a) She avoids even the appearance of evil.
b) Notice she never enters the room … with another man alone in the room and her husband probably out in the fields she does nothing to compromise her moral integrity.
4. This woman paid attention to details of integrity … exactly what a Godly person should do!
Illustration: The statue of Liberty was built in the late 1800’s. The craftsmen who worked on it paid as much attention to the details on the top of the stature as they did to the rest of the statue though at that time there was no way for anyone to ever notice it; no planes flew at that time, no high rises, etc. It was not until the early 1900’s when airplanes were able to fly above it that people noticed the exquisite details and beauty of the top. The workers that had built it earlier could have argued reasonably that such detail on the top was not even necessary but they were more than artisans were, they were artists, so all details were important whether they were seen or not. Such should be our lives.
5. This Shunammite woman would not sacrifice details of integrity even in an emotional moment; this demonstrated strong discipline.
6. A godly life cannot be lived without such discipline, especially during emotional moments.
a) We should constantly be vigilant with our lifestyle.
b) We cannot let our guard down for even a few seemingly unnoticeable moments.
II. Tested and Conflict.
A. Calamity
1. 2nd Kings 4:18-20 says, (KJV) “18And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 20And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.” (AMP) “18When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father with the reapers. 19But he said to his father, My head, my head! The man said to his servant, Carry him to his mother. 20And when he was brought to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.” (NASB) “18When the child was grown, the day came that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19He said to his father, "My head, my head." And he said to his servant, "Carry him to his mother." 20When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her lap until noon, and then died.” (NLT) “18One day when her child was older, he went out to visit his father, who was working with the harvesters. 19Suddenly he complained, "My head hurts! My head hurts!" His father said to one of the servants, "Carry him home to his mother." 20So the servant took him home, and his mother held him on her lap. But around noontime he died.”
2. God answers her hidden desire to be a mom, and in keeping with Elisha’s prophecy, the Shunammite woman has a baby, a son.
a) A son was a double blessing for it meant the continuation of the family name.
b) Her inward anguish is removed and she is blessed beyond expectation.
3. In the midst of her heart’s yearning however the unspeakable occurs!
a) Her only son has some kind of attack in his head and he collapses.
b) The text suggests something like an aneurysm bursting in his head.
c) It would lead to his death in a short period.
4. The father simply tells his servant to take him to his mother … perhaps he thought it not that serious.
a) When her son is brought to her, she sets him on her lap and holds him until noon when tragically the boy dies!
b) A mother’s greatest fear is realized, her only son is dead!
c) There was absolutely nothing she could do … except go to God!
5. The greatest crisis cannot break her faith, and the next events prove this.
a) Mom, (or dad!) … what do you do when calamity hits your family and your life?
b) God can be trusted in all circumstances.
(1) Job 13:15 reads, (KJV) “15Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” (AMP) “15[I do it because, though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him and] behold, He will slay me; I have no hope--nevertheless, I will maintain and argue my ways before Him and even to His face.” (NASB) “15"Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.”
B. Courage
1. 2nd Kings 4:21-37 declares, (KJV) “21And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. 22And 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. 23And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. 24Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. 25So 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: 26Run 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: 27And 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. 28Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? 29Then 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. 30And 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. 31And 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. 32And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. 33He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. 34And 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. 35Then 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. 36And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. 37Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.” (AMP) “21And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him and went out. 22And she called to her husband and said, Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may go quickly to the man of God and come back again. 23And he said, Why go to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath. And she said, It will be all right. 24Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, Ride fast; do not slacken your pace for me unless I tell you. 25So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her afar off, he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite. 26Run to meet her and say, Is it well with you? Well with your husband? Well with the child? And she answered, It is well. 27When she came to the mountain to the man of God, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came to thrust her away, but the man of God said, Let her alone, for her soul is bitter and vexed within her, and the Lord has hid it from me and has not told me. 28Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? Did I not say, Do not deceive me? 29Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand and go lay my staff on the face of the child. If you meet any man, do not salute him. If he salutes you, do not answer him. 30The mother of the child said, As the Lord lives and as my soul lives, I will not leave you. And he arose and followed her. 31Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the child’s face, but the boy neither spoke nor heard. So he went back to meet Elisha and said to him, The child has not awakened. 32When Elisha arrived in the house, the child was dead and laid upon his bed. 33So he went in, shut the door on the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. 34He went up and lay on the child, put his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself on him and embraced him, the child’s flesh became warm. 35Then he returned and walked in the house to and fro and went up again and stretched himself upon him. And the child sneezed seven times, and then opened his eyes. 36Then [Elisha] called Gehazi and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she came, he said, Take up your son. 37She came and fell at his feet, bowing herself to the ground. Then she took up her son and went out.” (NASB) “21She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door behind him and went out. 22Then she called to her husband and said, "Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and return." 23He said, "Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor sabbath." And she said, "It will be well." 24Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, "Drive and go forward; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you." 25So she went and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to Gehazi his servant, "Behold, there is the Shunammite. 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." 27When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came near to push her away; but the man of God said, "Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her; and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me." 28Then she said, "Did I ask for a son from my lord? Did I not say, ’ Do not deceive me’?" 29Then he said to Gehazi, "Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand, and go your way; if you meet any man, do not salute him, and if anyone salutes you, do not answer him; and lay my staff on the lad’s face." 30The mother of the lad said, "As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." And he arose and followed her. 31Then Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the lad’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he returned to meet him and told him, "The lad has not awakened." 32When Elisha came into the house, behold the lad was dead and laid on his bed. 33So he entered and shut the door behind them both and prayed to the LORD. 34And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth and his eyes on his eyes and his hands on his hands, and he stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child became warm. 35Then he returned and walked in the house once back and forth, and went up and stretched himself on him; and the lad sneezed seven times and the lad opened his eyes. 36He called Gehazi and said, "Call this Shunammite." So he called her. And when she came in to him, he said, "Take up your son." 37Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground, and she took up her son and went out.” (NLT) “21She carried him up to the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and left him there. 22She 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." 23"Why today?" he asked. "It is neither a new moon festival nor a Sabbath."
But she said, "It’s all right." 24So she saddled the donkey and said to the servant, "Hurry! Don’t slow down on my account unless I tell you to." 25As she approached the man of God at Mount Carmel, Elisha saw her in the distance. He said to Gehazi, "Look, the woman from Shunem is coming. 26Run out to meet her and ask her, `Is everything all right with you, with your husband, and with your child?’ ""Yes," the woman told Gehazi, "everything is fine." 27But when she came to the man of God at the mountain, she fell to the ground before him and caught hold of his feet. Gehazi began to push her away, but the man of God said, "Leave her alone. Something is troubling her deeply, and the LORD has not told me what it is." 28Then she said, "It was you, my lord, who said I would have a son. And didn’t I tell you not to raise my hopes?" 29Then Elisha said to Gehazi, "Get ready to travel; take my staff and go! Don’t talk to anyone along the way. Go quickly and lay the staff on the child’s face." 30But the boy’s mother said, "As surely as the LORD lives and you yourself live, I won’t go home unless you go with me." So Elisha returned with her. 31Gehazi hurried on ahead and laid the staff on the child’s face, but nothing happened. There was no sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and told him, "The child is still dead." 32When Elisha arrived, the child was indeed dead, lying there on the prophet’s bed. 33He went in alone and shut the door behind him and prayed to the LORD. 34Then he lay down on the child’s body, placing his mouth on the child’s mouth, his eyes on the child’s eyes, and his hands on the child’s hands. And the child’s body began to grow warm again! 35Elisha got up and walked back and forth in the room a few times. Then he stretched himself out again on the child. This time the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes! 36Then Elisha summoned Gehazi. "Call the child’s mother!" he said. And when she came in, Elisha said, "Here, take your son!" 37She fell at his feet, overwhelmed with gratitude. Then she picked up her son and carried him downstairs.”
2. She takes her dead son up to the Elisha’s room and lays him on Elisha’s bed.
a) She is not yet ready to give up, what she cannot do; she will seek for God to do.
b) She demonstrates audacity in the midst of catastrophe!
3. She approaches her husband to go get Elisha … but he thinks it not that important … she avoids telling him about their son’s death because she knows perhaps that he can do nothing and so why frustrate him until she has heard from God.
a) She will not allow God to be limited by anyone in this situation.
b) When her husband seems unwilling to go, she saddles up the donkey herself and gets her servant to take her to find Elisha.
4. As she approaches, Elisha Gehazi is sent to greet her and ask why she had come, if everything was well at home with her husband and child and amazingly, she says to Gehazi, in 2nd Kings 4:26 "everything is all right."
a) Why did she say this?
b) She did not want an intermediate like Gehazi to deal with her; she wanted to go as directly to God as possible, and in this case, this meant dealing directly with Elisha!
5. When she comes to Elisha, she throws herself at his feet and cries out, her anguish obvious in her statement: 2nd Kings 4:28, which reads, (AMP) “28Then she said, did I desire a son of my lord? Did I not say, do not deceive me?”
a) This is not doubt; instead, this is just simply emotions pouring out.
b) If she had doubted she would not have sought Elisha out.
c) Nevertheless, she is in distress; however, she came to the right source.
6. Elisha seems amazed that God had hidden the need from him, but never the less he says that Gehazi will come with his staff and lay it on the boy for healing.
a) However, this will not do for her, she wants Elisha to come himself, she wants nothing, less than God’s trusted servant to touch her son.
b) She would take no chances with someone else but the proven character of God’s servant.
c) Elisha agrees to come, and sure enough, Gehazi’s attempt had failed before they get there, yet this does not phase this great Shunamite woman’s faith.
7. Sure enough, once Elisha gets there he begins to pray and intercede and God heals the boy and returns him back to life.
8. Her joy is returned and her faith rewarded … her courage was not unsubstantiated.
III. Testimony celebrated.
A. More Challenges
1. 2nd Kings 8:1-4 (KJV) reads, “1Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. 2And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3And it came to pass at the seven years’ end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. 4And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done.” (AMP) “1NOW ELISHA had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, Arise and go with your household and sojourn wherever you can, for the Lord has called for a famine, and moreover, it will come upon the land for seven years. 2So the woman arose and did as the man of God had said. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3At the end of the seven years the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, and she went to appeal to the king for her house and land. 4The king talked with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me all the great things Elisha has done.” (NASB) “1Now Elisha spoke to the woman whose son he had restored to life, saying, "Arise and go with your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn; for the LORD has called for a famine, and it will even come on the land for seven years." 2So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God, and she went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3At the end of seven years, the woman returned from the land of the Philistines; and she went out to appeal to the king for her house and for her field. 4Now the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, saying, "Please relate to me all the great things that Elisha has done."” (NLT) “1Elisha had told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, "Take your family and move to some other place, for the LORD has called for a famine on Israel that will last for seven years." 2So the woman did as the man of God instructed. She took her family and lived in the land of the Philistines for seven years. 3After the famine ended she returned to the land of Israel, and she went to see the king about getting back her house and land. 4As she came in, the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God. The king had just said, "Tell me some stories about the great things Elisha has done."”
2. Though she passed through one extreme test of faith and calamity, it was not a guarantee that she would not face another … this is life!
a) Sure enough, another tragedy strikes, famine is coming to the land.
b) Elisha shows up to instruct them how to survive this newest of trials.
3. She and her husband have learned to obey God no matter what, and though there is no proof, yet of famine, nevertheless, they simply trust in God’s Word.
a) This is always the best response to God’s Word, to trust without proof!
b) They will follow what God asks of them no matter what the world says.
Illustration: Blind skiers were featured in the 1988 winter Olympics. How did they ski being blind? They were paired with sighted skiers who would simply yell, "LEFT" or "RIGHT" when the time came to turn, and the blind skiers obeyed without question! Their obedience brought reward. When we cannot see what God is doing, we can still listen to His Word. Moreover, what it says we must obey if we want the journey to end correctly. The only safe way down the mountain when you are blind is to obey without question!
4. Elisha tells them to leave the area for 7 years during the famine.
a) There is no hesitation in their response.
b) While obeying God will not prevent every disaster in life, it will help us survive them with His power and provision.
c) Their obedience likely saved them from greater disaster.
d) Obedience meant some discomfort, but not disaster.
(1) They had to live among strangers, the Philistines.
(2) They would be away from their home and property for a long time.
5. Upon their returning at the end of the 7 years in exile, they faced yet another difficult situation. All their land and property had been confiscated in their absence.
a) They have to beg for the return of what was rightfully theirs.
b) Here again they are challenged to trust God, after this many years it would be difficult to get back their former stuff.
6. As always, they trust God in the process … and He does not disappoint their faith.
B. Compensation
1. 2nd Kings 8:5, 6 reads, (KJV) “5And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. 6And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.” (AMP) “5And as Gehazi was telling the king how [Elisha] had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and land. And Gehazi said, My lord O king, this is the woman, and this is her son whom Elisha brought back to life. 6When the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed to her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land even until now.” (NASB) “5As he was relating to the king how he had restored to life the one who was dead, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and for her field. And Gehazi said, "My lord, O king, this is the woman and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life." 6When the king asked the woman, she related it to him. So the king appointed for her a certain officer, saying, "Restore all that was hers and all the produce of the field from the day that she left the land even until now."” (NLT) “5And Gehazi was telling the king about the time Elisha had brought a boy back to life. At that very moment, the mother of the boy walked in to make her appeal to the king. “Look, my lord!" Gehazi exclaimed. "Here is the woman now, and this is her son--the very one Elisha brought back to life!" 6"Is this true?" the king asked her. And she told him that it was. So he directed one of his officials to see to it that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence.”
2. At the very moment, the Shunammite woman comes to the king to ask for everything back it just so happens that Gehazi was there telling the king about Elisha’s ministry at raising her son from the dead.
a) How many of you know that this timing was not an accident?
b) The king gets to meet the mother of the miracle … and he is so impressed and amazed that he immediately assigns someone to look into her case and get everything back … and even more than that!
c) 2nd Kings 8:6 reads, (AMP) “6When the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed to her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land even until now.”
d) She not only gets back everything she had before but she gets back the income from the land over the 7 years they were gone!
e) There was no loss at all; in fact, though they were gone and others did the work they benefited 100% of what they thought they had lost as income over the 7 years absence.
3. God compensated them for what they thought they had lost … only because they never questioned God’s will or word, they simply obeyed when they heard the word of God from His prophet Elisha.
a) Sometimes compensation does not show up until later, but never underestimate God’s faithfulness!
4. God moves the world for godly women or men … how about you?
Conclusion: What are the necessary components of being a Godly mother? The world’s answers are many: highly educated, professional, independent, etc. The bible demonstrates that essentially one main characteristic need to be present -- an unshakeable trust in God! God does not forget your faithfulness mom, please, do not forget His!
