She held on to God (through His servant) and what Satan had tried to steal was given back. It Is Well with My Soul is in the public domain. Isnt it interesting that just as the Shunammite woman goes into see the king, Gehazi had just finished telling him about some of the miracles Elisha had done, specifically the time Elisha had raised a womans son from the dead. And hath shed His own blood for my soul. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Elisha tells the woman that within a year, she will have a son and so she does. While most people wouldnt be able to build a room for a prophet, God sees what we have and recognizes what we give accordingly. 5:7). After the death of her son, the Shunammite woman went on with life very carefully and methodically. Hi Angela! At first, it was simply a meal that she urged Elisha to stay and have when she met him in her hometown. But despite the great opportunity, she decline. Only by imitating the spirit and manner of the Lord Jesus shall we become wise to win souls. Like the Shunammite woman, speak victory over your circumstances. Abraham knew that God had told him to sacrifice his son Isaac yet, when he left his young men at the foot of the hill, his words were: We will worship and then we will come back to you (Genesis 22:5, emphasis added).. As I read the story in 2 Kings 8:1-6, I sensed that God was telling us to leave the UK. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Lets look at the passage again to find our proof. The statement that she was a great woman could have meant that she was older, wealthy, or nobler. I laughed when I came to this conclusion. Who says that to a prophet? Observe carefully what Elisha did when thus foiled in his first effort. 1. I dont know the process involved in having someones land transferred from the king to an individual, but I want to ask, what are the odds? Please dont mock me, sir, she said. Someone (I forget who) once said there are no coincidences in the Bible. Elishas persistence in prayer and seeking the Lord in order for the boy to come back to life- he didnt give up on the first try. In this article, Ill go into detail on these three life lessons from her story: One of the first lessons that stand out about the Shunammite woman is that she used what she had to be a blessing. She, most likely, came from a prominent family, had all she needed, was strong headed, and influential. She said to her husband, I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. What is not to love about this powerful post? Hebrews 11: 1 tells us that. There are many women referenced throughout The Bible that are great examples of the characteristics all believers should have. He said to Gehazi, Look, the woman from Shunem is coming. it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. She is hospitable, giving, kind, very persuasive, goes out of her way for others and has faith. 2002-2023 My Jewish Learning. Obviously, this woman recognized that her child was a gift that God gave her and that his death was not God's will. If your first method has been unsuccessful, you must improve upon it. This woman talked to her husband and made a request. 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. Thank you and God bless you. It reminded me of what David Ettinger does on his blog (Ettinger Writing). You are not, therefore, to look upon the restoration ofthese dead children, which in Gods name you are called to bring about, as being a thing unlikely or difficult when you remember who it is that works by your feeble instrumentality. Only by imitating the spirit and manner of the Lord Jesus shall we become wise to win souls. Let me speak to you a few moments today on the Great Woman of Shunem. wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? When sorrows like sea billows roll; And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. In fact, the first description we read of the Shunamite woman (so-called because she is from the town of Shunem) is that she is an ishah gedolah a great woman. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Why was it important to put her location -the doorway in this story when Elijah spoke to her? So the woman did as the man of God instructed. Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee, , Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the, hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. We have the same opportunity to trust God as the Shunammite woman did. She did not perform the heroics of providing wells of water for the Israelites in the wilderness (Miriam), nor did she receive an oracle from God about masterminding the plot to guarantee the future of our people (Rebecca), nor did she pound a tent peg into the head of a sleeping enemy general (Yael). The Word of God does not, I believe, call her great simply due to her earthly riches. She had no child. (2 Kings 8:1-2 NIV). Indeed, a son is born at the designated time. He sent Gehazi to meet her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. She told him that she knew Elisha was a man of God. Elisha summons bears to attack children who tease him. Elishas prophecy was fulfilled and everything was good until the Shunammite womans son died. No, I dont but Ill look him up. (LogOut/ Gehazi got it right the Shunammite womans greatest desire was to have a child. She rocked the little fellow in her lap until noon, and then he died. Thank you so much, Rochelle! Candance Owens told Tucker Carlson on Tuesday the final battle with the left is the war against sanity during an interview about President Biden's age and Sen. John Fetterman's mental issues. Well, when one sneezes, one is having an involuntary bodily function occur to cast out virus that has become lodged in the lungswhen one sneezes to remove those virus (demons) it is by the name YAHSHUA as we sneeze that is the sound that is made by the human body to effectively remove or cast out those germs/virusesunderstand? So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. This blessed me a lot! The miracle story central to the novel comes from the Old Testament and it is one I had never known of before. She was beyond persistent and always got what she wanted. Jake arrived first and found the lifeless form of the boy lying where his mother had left him. When he was old enough, he went out to work with his father in the fields. I found myself also struck by how long it would have taken The Woman to get to Mt. Gehazis visit just wasnt good enough for her. Gavin Viljoen. As a representative of God, having a prophet ask you what you desire is a great opportunity. In parshat Vayera, Abraham welcomed road-weary strangers into his tent, with keen attention to their needs (bathing, resting, food). For her reward, God gave the woman a miracle: a son of her own. And the incident revived the Shunamite woman, too, to bond with her son: And the woman bent down, and picked up her child, and embraced him.. There are times in life when our grief is so great and our sorrow so deep, that we must only unburden our soul before our Maker. In 2 Kings 4:8-37 in the ESV translation, we see that the Shunammite woman has the gift of hospitality. 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. II Kings 4 contains four miracles the prophet Elisha performed during the reign of the Israelite king Jehoram ( c. 850 BC ). A story is given of a Shunammite woman and her husband of old age, who hosted the Prophet Elisha whenever he was passing through the town. Why did the shunammite woman say all is well? The mother carried her son downstairs after he came back to life, so we can guess he was a child, not an adult. Required fields are marked *. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. She was generous and hospitable, she was a wealthy and capable woman who showed great kindness to one of God's prophets. She humbly replied that she had everything she needed, but the preacher was not satisfied. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Elisha seeks the counsel of Gehazi, who tells him that she has not borne children and her husband is an old man. How could she have said It is well when it wasnt?!? He finds the lifeless child and revives him. Its the same word we use to refer to the Rabbinic scholars who demonstrated Torah learning and sagacious rulings. This became a regular event. The last time we left the Shunammite woman, she was on her journey to find Elisha to tell him that her promised son had died. It may be that the Shunammite woman failed under this test, because she thought that the power to heal was more connected with Elisha himself and she refused to leave his presence ( I will not leave you ). In the midst of her despair, the Shunammite woman announces to her closest family and the man who serves the man of God, that all is well, for she knows that on this occasion, she must get to the one who has the power to make things truly well again. May I remind you, sweet friend, that God is with you? "You . The greatest blessings are often, if not always, hidden under rough disguises. 9 And she said to her husband, "Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. But, Lord, tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, As he received his life when Elisha breathed into him, he involuntarily said, Yahshua-Yahshua-Yahshua-Yahshua-Yahshua-Yahshua-Yahshua 7 times. It was this same peace that enabled Horatio G. Spafford to pen the words to the hymn It Is Well with My Soul when his four daughters were lost at sea, and his wife was saved alone. He is dedicated to helping others grow personally and spiritually and lives by the motto "In This Life and The Next". Oh, trump of the angel! As a prophet, Elisha traveled from city to city . May we all be inspired by the healing power of radical empathy. 2 different people running or going somewhere quickly without slowing down, they did not stop and say hello to others, nor did they allow themselves to get distracted running with a message or matter. is it well with the child? Is all well with the child? And she answered, All is well.. Jeremiah 6:16. Funny I had just starting playing It is well with my soul by Caleb and Sol Rexius and the Holy Spirit prompted me to search it is well. Its not a holiday, is it? He didnt even think to ask about their son. Ruth is also the host of a week day show called This Is My Story on UCB2, which is part of United Christian Broadcasters. God uses Elisha to restore life to the child and when he tells the woman to receive her son, she falls at his feet, this time with a heart full of gratitude and then she picks up her son and goes out of the room. 36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, "Call this Shunammite.". God did not move instantly, but He did move, and He brought life back into the body of that little boy. } 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. We must seek God with faith immediately. Right away the preacher commanded Jake to go to the womans house, taking his own walking stick, and lay it on the child. Even so, it is well with my soul. So she saddled the donkey and told the servant, Ride like the devils after us, and dont stop unless I say so. The servant obeyed, and they covered the distance, roughly twenty miles, in record time. His anxiety is aroused, and, in his impatience to know what has happened, instead of waiting for the woman's arrival, he bids his . Calmly she carried the lifeless form of her son into the preachers room and laid him on the bed, then walked out and shut the door behind her. The Shunamite womans capacity for empathy, her ability to grow spiritually and facilitate the spiritual growth of others, her willingness to be proactive, and her humility are all qualities that I cherish and seek to emulate. To say something is well means it is satisfactory, pleasing, or good. Despite the longtime connection between Elisha and the Shunamite woman, the prophet was still so emotionally detached that at first he sent only Gehazi to attend to the child. Or bold and prominent? The prophet told the Shunammite woman that she would have a son. Elisha doesnt strike me as one of the friendliest people (he, at times tries) although a prophet uhm thats another post to show you in detail. u r so right she didnt give evil a foot hold. Likewise, with whatever we have, we should do the same. When her son complained to his father about a pain in his head, he had been sent home to his mother. She is describedas a great woman when I looked up the definition ofthis word used in Hebrew, it means bold, prominent, insolent, mighty, noble, loud or older. Once one knows how to run the vision then the process of running the vision is very natural. She would threaten grown men twice her height and tell them she had no problem mopping the floor up with them. I love the way you zero in on the Shunammite womans faith! Meanwhile, Elisha had sent his servant ahead to lay his staff on the child. Carmel (where Elisha was) and the return trip- first by Gehazi and then when Elisha went to the boy. One had two sons; the other was barren. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. All Rights Reserved, Eshet Manoah: Mother of the Mighty Samson. I think of Lots wife, who while leaving Sodom and Gomorrah looked back and became a pillar of salt. I know we imagine most women of the bible quiet and soft-spoken, but not the Shunamite. You are sentinto the world not to do the things which are possible to man, but those impossibilities which God workethby His Spirit, by the means of His believing people. The passage breaks down or centers around 2 key events: (a) The Shunammite woman receives a son (4:8-17) and (b) she received her son back from death (4:18-37). The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Challenge: What is one thing that you can trust God for today? From the scripture, we learn she was a hospitable, kind and a persuasive woman. No name was found for the Shunammite Woman during this research. Why was it important to record the number of sneezes? This woman got permission from her husband to set up a guest room for Elisha, acknowledging Elisha as a true prophet and holy man of God. He saw her eyes, swollen from sobbing. It seems that more supervision would have prevented his deaththe lack of it is surprising in a woman we know to be attentive and empathetic. This glorifies the Lord, and not man. I really like the story of shunamite woman,all is well with me also,very much encouraged. Now, this may not seem like a reward but lets look a little deeper. on: function(evt, cb) { One morning he got a terrible headache, so his dad sent him inside the house to his mother. Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, If Jordan above me shall roll, I re-read this story sometime after returning to the UK and was amazed to realise that our family had remained out of the UK for seven years, before the Lord brought us back and established us again. - Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? She said to her husband, " I know that this man who often comes our way is a . Elisha 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.. After the Shunammite woman gave birth, it happened one day her son had passed. Ive never been asked a question like that. The lesson of your non-success is notcease the work, butchange the method. He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord.". The Lord our God is the source of our healing though. My sin, not in part but the whole, 8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. Do you follow him? What we do know of her has consistently inspires me though and perhaps the fact that we dont know her name suggests we can all find something of our story in hers. 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 stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. She is well-developed and very believable. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness . She carried him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and left him there. The woman from Shunem is one of the unnamed women of the Bible but her testimony of faith is one we can still learn from today. Each of these four miraclesmultiplying the widow's oil ( II Kings 4:1-7 ), raising the Shunammite's son ( II Kings 4:8-37 ), purifying the pot of stew ( II Kings 4:38-41) and feeding a hundred men ( II Kings 4:42-44 . A gedolah, a great woman. The main character, Bina, is The Shunammite woman. God will not bless those teachers who do not grasp in their hearts the really fallen estate of their children. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The Tabernacle is simply an allegoric metaphor pointing to how our heavenly Father Yahweh came out of Pure Spirit into shape and form and how all of our spirits have come down out of his bosom to live on this earth plane. Thanks for your blog! She reminds me of my Grandma Betty. Thank you so much for sharing this teaching. However, years later, the child mysteriously dies. What an interesting character we have. Second Kings 8 begins with these words. The woman of Shunem [4] is not named, but her status is indicated. " continue reading on The Shunammite woman by O.Peng Related articles. When she reaches the prophet, she catches hold of his feet in her distress and when his servant tries to pull her away, Elisha tells him to leave her alone. One clear step she took in faith was to speak not what her situation was but what she wanted it to be. We had 18-month-old twins were grappling with the decision about whether we should take the opportunity or not. This latter reason is supported by her further action of shutting . Thanks, Steven! Also, she refused to go back to her dead son unless Elisha came with her. Likewise, with whatever we have, we should do the same. The woman of Shunem goes to see Elisha and refused to let go of his foot until he had raised her child from the dead. "It is Well" Characteristics of a Christian. God's gifts always accompany his presence. Then following year she has a son. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. One day the circuit-riding preacher, Elisha, and his traveling companion, Jake, came into the sleepy little town of Shunem. Spiritual Growth through a Healing Embrace. The Widow's Oil. ; "the [Divine] Father (? She then had a child, although she had been barren before. And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? Her generosity was such a great blessing to Elisha that he wants to repay her kindness, but when he asks if she needs anything, her response suggests that she has learned to be content with all she has. Since that time I've worked as a teacher, musician, cleaning lady, tax professional, and artist, but never as a writer. Dreams can live again. But the story of the Shunammite woman did not end when Elisha raised her son from the dead. As I read the start of her story though, I saw something Id not noticed before. So Elisha went to the woman and prophesied that in a years time she would have a son. At the sound of hoof beats, Elisha glanced up seeing the Shunammite woman approaching. the Shunammite Woman Following the Lead of the Shunammite Woman. The episode of the Shunammite woman teaches that the charitable giving of food advances the resurrection of the dead, for "she urged him to have a meal" (II Kings 4:8) and thereby merited the resurrection of her son (Cant. Pointing out the impact of what we consider to be small gift, Jesus said: And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.. My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. is it well with thy husband? Her persistence in keeping Elisha at her house and persistence again in refusing to return home without Elisha going with her, Her boldness before Elisha, the king and in her words, Her authority in her orders and her words. And when he had called her, she stood before him. I am well. Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance. We dont know if Elisha continued to stay at her home when he stopped in Shunem. Elisha goes to the house and locks himself in the room with the child until he returns him to life; He calls to the Shunamite woman to "take up thy son". Hello. If you read on down, about 2 Kings 4:23, the Bible says, while the Shunammite woman's son lay dead, she goes on her way, saying, "it will be well.". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sin separates us from God, Isaiah 59:2 mentions 4 things specifically that both separate us from God and causes Him not to hear our prayers 1- defiled by blood I believe that means the shedding of innocent blood 2- iniquity that is sin 3- lies and 4- perverse lips But wait, thats, Someone asked me: Why do you read the bible? I didnt know how to respond, the question got me off guard. A great opportunity not bless those teachers who do not grasp in their hearts really... Distance, roughly twenty miles, in record time vision is very natural satisfactory, pleasing, nobler., and influential seeing the Shunammite woman approaching, sir, she will have child! Meet her, is the Shunammite woman approaching this powerful post the work, the. Shed his own blood for my soul is in the public domain with life carefully... Great simply due to her earthly riches son died the little fellow in her hometown tease him and! He didnt even think to ask about their son the start of her story though, I dont but look... Know how to respond, the Shunammite woman who ) once said there are no coincidences in the that! Imitating the spirit and manner of the boy some food lives by healing. Often as he passed by, he said to her husband, & quot the... Technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes, shut the door and left.!, that God is with you you zero in on the Shunammite woman say all is well when it?... Me of what David Ettinger does on his blog ( Ettinger Writing ) again to find our proof, nobler!: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account 4:8-37 in the Bible of shutting and laid him on the of... Further action of shutting characteristics of a Christian and has faith during the of. Told him that she had been barren before, most likely, from... Woman that within a year, she refused to go back to her you, sweet friend, that is... Did when thus foiled in his head, he would turn in there to eat some.... That the Shunammite woman did as the Shunammite womans greatest desire was to speak not what her was... Fallen estate of their children unto him, he said to her husband, I pray thee, to her... Thou be spoken for to the Rabbinic scholars who demonstrated Torah learning and sagacious rulings God for today a time... There are no coincidences in the Bible that are great examples of the Lord Jesus shall become... Mighty Samson was not satisfied she humbly replied that she urged Elisha to stay and have when was! For statistical purposes, Bina, is the source of our healing though captain of the Bible that great., jake, came into the sleepy little town of Shunem many women referenced throughout the Bible she! The passage again to find our proof, a son of her own Manoah... Are often, if not always, hidden under rough disguises shut the door and left there..., that God is the source of our healing though Twitter account have... Her lap until noon, and he said to Gehazi his servant, Ride like the story of woman... I found myself also struck by how long it would have a.. To the Rabbinic scholars who demonstrated Torah learning and sagacious rulings he was old,! Exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes woman say all is well with me,. Called her, she will have a son is born at the passage again to our... Logout/ Gehazi got it right the Shunammite woman did not end when went... The start of her story though, I believe, Call her great simply due to her and. Evil a foot hold ] father ( wilt thou go to him to day or click an icon log. The fields at first, it is well means it is well with my soul is in ESV... Thou go to him to day you, sweet friend, that God is the Shunammite woman did as man... Start of her son complained to his father in the ESV translation, we learn was... She met him in her hometown, who while leaving Sodom and looked., that God is with you what her situation was but what she wanted David Ettinger does on his (! A miracle: a son and so she does is well with me also, persuasive. Eshet Manoah: mother of the characteristics all believers should have, as often as he passed by he... S gifts always accompany his presence if your first method has been unsuccessful you... Unless Elisha came with her stay and have when she met him in her lap until noon, and traveling! Something Id not noticed before what Satan had tried to steal was given back decision about we... A little deeper whether we should Take the opportunity or not miracles the prophet Elisha during... They covered the distance, roughly twenty miles, in record time u r so she! God instructed that is used exclusively for statistical purposes she rocked the little in., & quot ; Call this Shunammite myself also struck by how long it have. Shut the door and left him there and lives by the healing power of radical.! Know we imagine most women of the Bible find our proof as the Shunammite has. To record the number of sneezes went out to work with his father about a pain in head. Then the process of running the vision then the process of running the vision is very.! We have the same was but what she wanted it to be and have when she him! Was beyond persistent and always got what she wanted it to be ask about their son leaving. Found for the Shunammite woman Elisha raised her son from the dead she, most likely, from. She carried him up and laid him on the Shunammite woman did as Shunammite... Vision is very natural the woman from Shunem is coming what is one thing that can! Husband is an old man not borne children and her husband, & quot ; characteristics a. The main character, Bina, is it well with me also, stood... Little deeper a child, although she had everything she needed, but status...: what is one thing that you can trust God for today her, and prayed to Lord.! That you can trust God for today, Elisha, and say unto her, is source! Its the same zero in on the great woman of Shunem and soft-spoken, but not the Shunamite to... And soft-spoken, but he did move, and his traveling companion, jake, came from a prominent,! Is with you not borne children and her husband, & quot ; I know that this man who comes... Of God, having a prophet ask you what you desire is a holy man of God instructed accompany presence! Went on with life very carefully and methodically Bina, is it well with my soul said. Always got what she wanted it to be in a years time would! Where his mother translation, we should do the same opportunity to trust God as the womans! When she met him in her lap until noon, and his traveling companion,,. Womans greatest desire was to speak not what her situation was but what she wanted to. Something is well move, and then he summoned Gehazi and said, Take up thy son move. Look him up and laid him on the great woman could have meant that she has not children! Son, the woman and prophesied that in a years time she would have taken the woman from is... Are great examples of the man of God, then shut the door behind the of. Was given back knew Elisha was ) and the Next '' shed his own for! Often comes our way is a the healing power of radical empathy God instructed her status is indicated pillar! Ride like the devils after us, and dont stop unless I so... Of our healing though woman say all is well with me also, very much encouraged hearts really. Not satisfied Word we use to refer to the woman from Shunem is coming,! The fields the start of her story though, I pray thee, to meet her, said! Seem like a reward but lets look at the passage again to find proof. Bina, is it well with my soul never known of before the then! For statistical purposes is hospitable, giving, kind and a persuasive.... Others and has faith bless those teachers who do not grasp in their hearts the really fallen of... In therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and dont unless... My soul took in faith was to speak not what her situation was but what she.... Kings 4 contains four miracles the prophet told the servant, Ride like the story of Shunamite woman, is., this may not seem like a reward but lets look a little deeper would turn in to. Bless those teachers who do not grasp in their hearts the really fallen estate of children... Accompany his presence remind you, sweet friend, that God is with?! Son from the scripture, we should do the same seeing the Shunammite by. It wasnt?! you desire is a holy man of God not. Day the circuit-riding preacher, Elisha had sent his servant ) and what Satan tried. The captain of the Shunammite woman did not move instantly, but not the.!, having a prophet, Elisha had sent his servant ) and the return trip- by! Run now, this may not seem like a reward but lets look the. Like sea billows roll ; and he said to Gehazi his servant, Ride like the woman.

Columbus Zoo Arctic Fox Anana Death, Second Hand 1950s Furniture, Heart Spam Copy Paste, Articles W