Reading: 2 Kings chapter 4 verses 8-37.
Ill:
• An atheist was arguing with a Christian on the possibility of miracles.
• Naturally, the atheist kept attacking the Christian on his view that miracles were possible.
• After arguing for awhile, the atheist finally said to the Christian,
• "Could you, Mr Christian, give me an EXAMPLE of a miracle?"
• The Christian thought for a moment, then said,
• "Certainly, I will give you a great example of a miracle. Now, turn around."
• Obeying him, the atheist turned around,
• And as he did so, the Christian aimed a fearsome kick at his behind.
• "Did you feel that?" he asked the atheist.
• "Of COURSE I did!" snarled the atheist.
• "Well," said the Christian,
• "It would have been a MIRACLE if you HADN'T felt that!"
In this Sunday evening series on Elisha:
• We are looking at the six ‘real’ authentic miracles that he performed,
• And tonight we are looking at the second miracle in the series of six.
(a). A great woman (verses 8-10).
“One day Elisha went to Shunem………..(pause for a moment).
Shunem was about twenty miles northwest of Elisha's hometown (Abel-me-ho-lah),
• And twenty-five miles or so beyond Shunem was Mount Carmel;
• A place Elisha often went to e.g. verse 25.
• The average traveller (most travelled on foot);
• Could cover fifteen miles per day (or twenty if you were in 5th gear),
• So whenever he went to Mount Carmel to pray, meditate, and seek the Lord;
• Shunem was the perfect half-way point for Elisha to stop and rest,
Back to the reading:
“….and a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.
9 She said to her husband, I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God.
10 Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us”.
(1). She was anonymous: ‘a woman’ (verse 8).
• Don’t you find it curious that the text doesn’t give us her name,
• But takes time (verse 10) to identify the specific items of furniture in the room
I am sure you must have noticed that the Bible is a book full of names:
• I am amazed sometimes that God records lists of peoples names;
• Interesting with the Bible on tape or C.D. they are all abridged (name lists removed!)
• God recalls for us list after list of names e.g. Ezra chapter 2 list of exiles who returned.
• People who we will never know about but they occupy a place in this book.
What is just as amazing to me:
• Are the names of those who we might expect to read about but who are left anonymous;
• e.g. Lot’s wife. The writer of the book of Genesis could have easily included her name but he did not!
• Same is true in the New Testament;
• Dr Luke suppressed the names of some of the out standing characters he met.
• e.g. The Philippian jailor.
• But records for us lesser names of characters, such as Rhoda, Blastus, Demetrius.
Perhaps these key figures remain anonymous:
• Because God wants us to observe the type of person;
• Rather than the name of that person.
• For certain people inevitably represent groups of mankind;
• So we may not have this woman’s name but we have her example to note!
Ill:
• Jean Frederick Oberlin, was a minister in Germany during the 18th century,
• One day he was travelling by foot in winter when he was caught in a severe snowstorm.
• He soon lost his way in the blowing snow and feared he would freeze to death.
• In despair he sat down, not knowing which way to turn.
• Just then, a man came along in a wagon and rescued Oberlin.
• He took him to the next village and made sure he would be cared for.
• As the man prepared to journey on, Oberlin said,
• “Tell me your name so that I may at least have you in grateful remembrance before God.”
• The man, who by now had recognized Oberlin, replied,
• “You are a minister. Please tell me the name of the Good Samaritan.”
• Oberlin said, “I cannot do that, for it is not given in the Scriptures.”
• His benefactor responded, “Until you can tell me his name, please permit me to withhold mine.”
Names are important:
• That is why God records lists of people who are just references to us,
• But as important as the name, is the example, and this woman was a good one!
(2). She was wealthy (verse 8):
“A well-to-do woman lived there”
• When we talk about wealth;
• The tendency is to apply it to that other person who has so much more than us.
Ill:
In a set of quiet time notes someone had written:
• ‘Dear Lord, I have been re-reading the record of the Rich Young Ruler;
• And his obviously wrong choice.
• But it has set me thinking.
• No matter how much wealth he had, he could not—
• ride in a car.
have any surgery,
• turn on a light,
buy penicillin,
• hear a pipe organ,
watch TV,
• wash dishes in running water,
type a letter,
• mow a lawn,
fly in an airplane,
• sleep on an innerspring mattress,
or talk on the phone,
• If he was rich,
• Then what am I?’
God never condemns people for having wealth:
• The Biblical principle is simple;
• Whatever we have (rich, poor or other).
• God expects us to enjoy it;
• And to use it wisely for his glory!
(3). She was perceptive (verse 9).
“She said to her husband,
I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God.”
Ill:
A scientist was using the inductive method to observe the characteristics of a flea.
• Plucking a leg off the flea he said “Jump”.
• The flea promptly jumped.
• Plucking another leg off the flea he again said “Jump”.
• Once again the flea jumped.
• The scientist continued the process until he came to the sixth and final leg.
• He again pulled the leg off and told the flea to “Jump.”
• There was no response from the flea;
• So again he ordered the flea to jump, still no response!
• The scientist then made the following observation in his notebook;
• “When you remove the legs from a flea, it loses its sense of hearing”.
Unlike that scientist:
• This woman was observant and insightful;
• She noticed two things:
• First that Elijah often passed that way on his ministry trips.
• Second she discerned that he was a man of God,
(4). She was generous (verse 10).
“Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us”.
This woman wanted to serve the Lord by serving His prophet.
• Her husband probably lacked his wife's spiritual insight,
• He is just a silent background character.
• Yet he too was fully supportive of her suggestions.
• And together they agreed on what course of action to take.
• Together they decide to build a permanent "prophet's chamber",
• For Elisha to use.
Ill:
• As a travelling preacher who has stayed in many homes over the last twenty years;
• I have enjoyed many a "prophet's chamber",
• Normally when a host shows you to your room and says;
• “ It only a prophet's chamber, they mean that it’s not very big
• Some rooms I have been in have been so small and tiny; (not fit bed, table & chair)
• Quote: “I could turn the light off and be back in bed before it got dark!”
• Now I do not want to sound critical;
• An open home is often a reflection of an open heart!
• And an open heart said Hermes, a second century Christian;
• “Those who open their hearts are trees that over shadow the sheep”.
Notice the woman’s generosity:
• She built on the roof of the house;
• Flat roof was useful and often used, but they gave it up for Elisha!
• And to outfitted it with a lamp and a table;
• A chair (word ‘throne,’ equivalent of a luxury leather recliner!), and a bed.
• Verse 35: tells us it was large enough to walk around in.
• Verse 13: Tells us it apparently offered room enough for Gehazi, Elisha's servant.
• The woman also saw to it that the two men were fed.
• She was generous with her provisions.
Application 1:
The reason this woman was great - is her service!
• What she did for Elisha didn’t make front page of the Shunem Gazette.
• I doubt if anyone in town even knew about it, or took notice!
• But someone did notice this women’s spirit of service?
• God did!
God tells us what kind of service he is looking for in a simple parable (Matthew chapter 25 verses 22-40):
• If a neighbour is sick and needs a hot meal,
• You don’t have to tell anyone, just take them one.
• If we know a family where finances are strained and the kids need shoes, or a winter coat,
• Just get one.
• If we know someone going through tough times,
• Be there for them!
As the punch-line in the parable says:
“Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
“Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me."
(B). A great gift (verses 11-17).
“One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there.
12 He said to his servant Gehazi, Call the Shunammite.
So he called her, and she stood before him.
13 Elisha said to him, Tell her, 'You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?' She replied, I have a home among my own people.
14 What can be done for her? Elisha asked.
Gehazi said, Well, she has no son and her husband is old.
15 Then Elisha said, Call her. So he called her, and she stood in the doorway.
16 About this time next year, Elisha said, you will hold a son in your arms. No, my lord, she objected. Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!
17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her”.
Ill:
Shortly after World War II came to a close,
• And Europe began picking up the pieces.
• A little orphaned child, half-starved stood on the streets of a large city.
• Early one chilly morning an American soldier was making his way back to his barracks;
• When he spotted the little lad with his nose pressed to the window of a pastry shop.
• Inside the cook was kneading dough for a fresh batch of doughnuts.
• The hungry boy stared in silence, watching every move.
• The soldier pulled his jeep to the curb,
• Stopped, got out and walked quietly over to where the little fellow was standing.
• Through the steamed-up window he could see the mouth-watering morsels;
• As they were being pulled from the piping hot oven.
• The soldier's heart went out to the nameless orphan as he stood beside him.
• He gestured asking if the boy would like some of those.
• The boy was startled.
• But then replied enthusiastically in broken English; “Yes please!”
• The American stepped inside and bought a bag full;
• He then walked back to where the lad was standing.
• He smiled, held out the bag, and said simply: "Here you are."
• As he turned to walk away, he felt a tug on his coat.
• He looked back and heard the child ask quietly:
• "Mister...are you God?"
• We are never more like God than when we give.
• Elijah is about to give this woman a great gift.
(1). A prophets offer (verses 11-13a)
The prophet Elisha and his servant were resting in the room:
• When Elisha having experienced and appreciated the woman’s kindness;
• He expressed a desire to do something special for the woman;
• Verse 12: So he asked Gehazi to call her so he could discuss the matter with her.
• Verse 13: Elisha addressed his words to Gehazi, not the woman.
Ill:
• This may be a cultural thing;
• We see that even today e.g. working among Asians.
• This is possibly because the woman held Elisha in such high regard (Man of God);
• That she didn't feel worthy to speak with him.
(2). A woman’s reply (vs 13b)
• But her reply was humble and brief:
• "I am content among my own people."
• In reply to Elisha’s suggestion in verse 13;
• The woman says; “I do not need royal or military protection, I’m okay”.
(3). A servants help (verse 14)
“What can be done for her? Elisha asked”.
• Determined to help her, Elisha involves Gehazi his servant;
• He had a suggestion, he seems to be an expert on gifts and rewards.
• Gehazi suggested that she might want a son.
• Childlessness was a cause for deep regret and social reproach in the ancient world.
Ill:
• Remember Rachel (Jacob’s wife) great cry as she spoke for many childless couples;
• “Give me children or I die”.
Notice we are told “her husband was old”.
• Maybe this was the reason she could not have children;
• Maybe this is emphasising the helplessness of her natural situation (ill: Abe & Sarah).
• It was likely that her husband would precede her in death,
• And without a family, she would be left alone.
(4). The prophets word (verses 15-16)
“Then Elisha said, Call her. So he called her, and she stood in the doorway.
16 About this time next year, Elisha said, you will hold a son in your arms. No, my lord, she objected. Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!”
• Gehazi called her a second time into Elisha’s prescience.
• And this time Elijah spoke to her personally.
• He gave her a promise that must have thrilled her soul;
• She was going to have a son.
Her reply in verse 16: “Don't mislead your servant”:
• Is equivalent to our modern; “Your kidding!”
• It expressed polite scepticism.
• But in spite of her amazement;
• The promise came true! Grace brought life where once there had been no life.
ill:
• Many years ago the English traveller Wilkinson.
• Discovered an Egyptian mummy pit.
• In the pit was a sealed vase, which he sent it to the British Museum.
• But the librarian at the museum managed to drop the vase and break it.
• From the ruins the librarian gathered a few peas.
• They were old, wrinkled and as hard as stones.
• On the 4th June 1844, the peas were planted carefully under a glass.
• Thirty days they had sprouted and were growing well.
• They had been buried as dead, for about 3,000 years,
• Yet were brought to life by the librarian.
Application 2:
God gives new life to dead situations.
• Ill: 2 types of people.
• Rich or poor / wise or foolish / young or old / black or white (no!)
• Dead or alive (spiritually)
• Difference is Jesus Christ.
• Quote John chapter 3 verse 15:
• “Everyone who believes in me will have eternal life”
(3). A great sorrow (verses 18-28).
(1). A dead child (verses 18-21)
“The child grew, and one day he went out to his father, who was with the reapers.
19 My head! My head! he said to his father. His father told a servant, Carry him to his mother.
20 After the servant had lifted him up and carried him to his mother, the boy sat on her lap until noon, and then he died”.
She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and went out.
Verse 18: “The child grew”:
• That is grew through the various stages of Israelite childhood:
• From ‘Yeled’ newborn to ‘Yonek’ nursing baby;
• From ‘Yonek’ nursing baby to ‘Olel’ weaned child.
• From ‘Olel’ weaned child to ‘Taph’ one who clings to mother’s apron.
• From ‘Taph’ to ‘Elem’ one who is strong and able to work in the fields.
• So this child grew through the various stages of Israelite childhood:
One day as the boy was working with his father in the fields he collapsed:
• We don’t know how old the boy was when these events occurred:
• He must have been quite young (7-8) because verse 20 tells us;
• She was still able to sit him on her lap;
• And she was able to carry his limp body up to Elijah's room.
(2). A speedy journey (verses 22-26):
The woman then acts rather strangely:
• She sets about a plan of action while maintaining a remarkable composure.
• Each step of the plan seems to reveal a strong faith in the midst of crisis.
• Verse 22: The mother called to the father in the field;
• And asked him to provide her with a servant and a donkey,
• But she didn't inform him that the boy had died.
• The fact that she was leaving suggested that the boy was safe, probably taking a nap.
She probably feared that if her husband knew the boy was dead;
• He would order an instant burial,
• For nobody wants a corpse in the house during the hot harvest season.
• She is then able to sidestep her husbands questioning curiosity;
• And head off to Mount Carmel to find Elisha.
When she arrives at Carmel she is met by Gehazi:
• Not wanting to waste any time;
• And wanting to speak directly to Elisha,
• She answered all three of Gehazi’s questions;
• With a polite; “It is well”.
(3). A troubled woman (verses 27-28)
When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why.
28 Did I ask you for a son, my lord? she said. Didn't I tell you, 'Don't raise my hopes'?
• When the woman arrives Elisha immediately discerned that something was wrong;
• But the Lord had not revealed to him what the problem was.
• The woman was obviously bitter and heartbroken at the death of her son;
• And it sounds like she was blaming Elisha for the tragedy.
• After all she hadn't asked for a son, and if Elisha and Gehazi hadn't interfered,
• Her joy wouldn't have been snatched from her.
Application 3:
Question: Where do we go in times of crisis?
• This woman in verse 13 is quite content.
• She has her husband, her home, her wealth (pension plan), her people.
• We would say she has the lot!
• Except for a son and she soon had that need met as well.
But one day circumstances change
• And instead of contentment;
• There is conflict, bitterness, there is heart-ache!
Answer: In times of crises you go to God!
• And if you are not sure how to find him;
• Go to his people, that is what this woman did!
• Elisha was as she calls him often ‘The man of God’.
• So she goes to him.
The challenge is:
• Are we available for people when they need us?
• One thing is guaranteed they require our help at the most awkward of times.
• It will mean us being put out;
• Having to rearrange our plans to fit in with theirs.
But:
• When we respond to people;
• God may use us to experience a miracle!
(4). A great miracle (vv. 29-37).
(1). The servant sent (vs 29-31)
Elisha sends Gehazi ahead:
• After all the woman, the servant and the animal;
• Must have been exhausted from such a long fast journey in the hot harvest sun.
• Gehazi was probably the younger of the two men;
• And could run faster and get to the house much quicker.
• It was important that somebody get back to the house to guard the corpse;
• To make sure that the father wouldn't discover it and have it buried.
Gehazi sprints back & on arrival and vs 32 tells us that he laid his staff on the boy's body:
• But nothing happened;
• Was this because of his lack of faith? We are not told.
• Was he trusting in the rod for power (magic stick of a sorcerer)
• Rather than in the God who worked through the rod?
• Was it presumption on the part of Gehazi:
• It would fit with what we know about him!
(2). The example copied (verses 32-35)
Question: Whose example?
Answer:
• The prophet Elijah’s in 1 Kings chapter 17 verse 17.
• Remember that Elijah was mentor to Elisha.
• I believe Elisha copied his teachers example to raise the boy to life:
• The pattern is almost exactly the same.
• First: verse 33 the prophet prayed,
• And then, following the example of Elijah (1 Kings chapter 17 verses 17 & 24),
• He stretched himself out over the corpse.
• He got up and walked in the room, no doubt praying and seeking God's power,
• And then he lay on the boy a second time.
• This time the boy came back to life, sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
• The text doesn't explain the significance of the sneezes,
• It may have been God's way of expelling something toxic from his lungs.
(3). The child restored (verses 36-37)
“Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, Call the Shunammite. And he did. When she came, he said, Take your son.
37 She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took her son and went out.”
You would think that:
• Elisha would have been overjoyed to take the boy downstairs to his mother,
• But instead, he called Gehazi who in turn called the mother.
• Elisha did not raise the boy to life – God did;
• Therefore Elisha did not want to take the glory!
• He allowed Gehazi (the failure) to be the deliverer of good news.
• That kind act is also a reflection of God’s generous character.
Note:
• Only God's grace can impart life, whether to a dead womb or to a dead boy,
• And only God's grace can impart spiritual life to the dead sinner.
• It was God who gave the boy life,
• But He used Elisha as the means to do it.
• So it is with raising sinners from the dead:
• God needs witnesses, prayer warriors, and concerned saints to bring that life to them.
Quote Charles Spurgeon:
"The Holy Ghost works by those who feel they would lay down their own lives for the good of others, and would impart to them not only their goods and their instructions, but themselves also, if by any means they might save some. O for more Elisha's, for then we should see more sinners raised from their death in sin."
