"It is Well" Characteristics of a Christian. The main character, Bina, is The Shunammite woman. Do you follow him? Determined to repay her kindness, Elisha asked his servant for advice. She was definitely a notable woman of faith and courage. The Shunammite woman had a lot of faith. Be well. Gilboa in ancient Palestine. She is only mentioned once by the title "Shulammite," in Song of Solomon 6:13. ( know anyone like that?) Consider the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:8-37. This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. 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. Since the desire for more is never ending, find happiness with what you currently have. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. (3, pg. Refrain: It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul. Why does the Shunammite woman insist that all is well when her beloved child has just died? is it well with the child? Sign up for a special email series here. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us. My sinoh, the bliss of this glorious thought! wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? Does anyone else think thats funny? Examine wherein you have failed, and then, by changing your mode, or spirit, the Lord may prepare you for a degree of usefulness far beyond your expectation. Thanks, Steven! Right away the preacher commanded Jake to go to the womans house, taking his own walking stick, and lay it on the child. Elisha quickly sends Gehazi to take his staff and lay it on the face of the child, but the mother of the boy refuses to leave him, and so he goes with her. Elisha is passing through Shunem, when he brought into the house of a couple there. She instructed her servant to drive her saddled donkey hard. God showed up (again) in the Shunammite womans life and He restored all that she had lost when she went to live among the Philistines. The child had died in her arms. 2 Kings 4 . ****Shumenwas a city 5 miles from Mt. Elisha didnt know something, why? Rabbah 2:5:3).The Rabbis relate in a playful manner to the story of the son of the Shunammite woman, in order to derive the laws relating to corpse impurity. Time passed, and the boy grew. Call me crazy, but it doesn't seem too well to me. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. Why was it important to put her location -the doorway in this story when Elijah spoke to her? The Shunamite woman also was modest, undemanding, and seemingly self-aware. (See the June Messenger Bible study.) However, we can infer that she trusted him. On both these occasions, the ruler and the sick woman knew they had to get to Jesus in order for them to experience what it means to be truly well. It is neither a new moon festival nor a Sabbath., So she saddled the donkey and said to the servant, Hurry! 1. 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.. #facingourfears #hebrews12endurance, 4 Simple Steps to Rediscover Gods Faithfulness, 23 Encouraging Bible Verses About Endurance, Consider Your Ways: 3 Simple Tips for Introspection, 4 Simple Ways to Share the Faith With Your Family. Who says that to a prophet? Shunammite - Women of the Bible. Well, there's never a consensus in Washington about anything, particularly not with the intel agencies. I know we imagine most women of the bible quiet and soft-spoken, but not the Shunamite. At the sound of hoof beats, Elisha glanced up seeing the Shunammite woman approaching. Leaving her dead child laid out on Elishas bed in her home, she mounted a donkey, headed to find Elisha, and demanded that he personally attend the child. After doing that for a while, she suggested to her husband that they build a room for Elisha to stay in whenever he came by. Though the Shunammite woman had no thought of reward when she made room for God, he fulfilled her heart's desire. Run to the thrown, not the phone. Notice at first she said, It shall be well, and a few hours later she said, It is well. Unlike Gehazi, this woman had faith. The greatest blessings are often, if not always, hidden under rough disguises. And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. 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. He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord.". And when he had called her, she stood in the door. Yes, I admit, she, of all the women in the Bible, is my hero. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman is found in 2 Kings 4:8-37 and is the story of miracles. The story of the Shunammite Woman is based on the Old Testament scriptures 2 Kings 4:8-37 and 2 Kings 8:1-6. If your first method has been unsuccessful, you must improve upon it. She shows hospitality to the prophet Elisha and his servant, Gehazi as they pass through her village of Shunem on their way to Mt. The Deity of Christ in the Gospel of John, Follow The Abundant Heart on WordPress.com. And when she came to him, he said, "Pick up your son." 37 She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. 4 Now a woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared th Referencing her, Jesus said, Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it (Luke 17:32-37 NIV). She offered him an open invitation of hospitality and whenever he was in the area, he would stay at her house. in English because my heart's desire was to write. Her response to Elisha showed how amazing the idea of becoming a mother was to her: No, my lord! she cried. She made each holiday in the year like Norman Rockwell memory. No name was found for the Shunammite Woman during this research. In the wake of the death of his mentor Elijah, Elishas detachment was so great that his quick temper resulted in the tragic death of 42 children who were teasing him. I am well. It is well because, when there is a parting, it is only temporary. Did I desire a son? A gedolah, a great woman. And although she experienced miraculous things, she herself was a down-to-earth role model for women in every era, and a model of the power of empathy. In fact, every time the preacher came to town, this woman insisted upon having him over for dinner. Unsubscribe at any time. Do everything without complaining and arguing, 2 Kings 4. This is how the Bible described her. Jeremiah 6:16. A wealthy woman, who lived there with her husband, invited the preacher and his companion to stay for chicken and dumplin's. In fact, every time the preacher came to town, this woman insisted upon having him over for dinner. There was a married woman from Shunemwho knew in her mind and heart that Elisha was a special man of God. The prophet told the Shunammite woman that she would have a son. She 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., Why go today? he asked. Once one knows how to run the vision then the process of running the vision is very natural. As a well-to-do woman, it meant that she had more than adequate financial resources. But the story of the Shunammite woman did not end when Elisha raised her son from the dead. 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. Again, all was not well. on: function(evt, cb) { Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? Serving God is not a lucky charm which safeguards you against hardship or ensures that you will get all you ever dreamed of. It was just what I needed. Carmel. u r so right she didnt give evil a foot hold. And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. One was destitute; the other wealthy. When Elisha got there, he sent Jake out, shut the door behind him, and prayed earnestly to the Lord. Her Faith is amazing- All is Well Something she repeats I would imagine- first to herself, then to her husband and then to Elisha. However, years later, the child mysteriously dies. Let me tell you about my grandmother-She had a heart of goldbut was fighting tough. Does it not rather direct us to our true power by shutting us out from our own fancied might? Like The Rich Young Ruler, the more things you have the hard it could be to let them go. Gehazi pointed out to Elisha that their hostess was barren, and the prophet decided to reward her with the miracle of a child (again echoing the story in Vayera with Abraham and Sarah). Wailing, crying, and mourning would all have been natural responses to the death of a child. In the story, the prophet Elisha warns this woman to leave her home and travel wherever she could because a famine was coming on the land for seven years. Elisha helped him off the bed, opened the door, and delivered him alive into the arms of a beaming mother. A wealthy woman, who lived there with her husband, invited the preacher and his companion to stay for chicken and dumplins. Then Elisha said, Call her. So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. The Shunammite woman lays her dead child on Elisha's bed and hurries to find the prophet. Read full chapter. Likewise, the Shunamite woman, standing in her doorway, noticed that the prophet Elisha came to Shunem regularly as he traveled around the land teaching and caring for the people. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. Shun-am-mite. She is well-developed and very believable. Then she called to her husband in the field, saying, Please send me one of the young men and a donkey, so that I can run up to the preacher right quick. Her husband replied, Why do you want to go today? She had received her son alive a second time! But despite her detachment, when tragedy struck, the Shunamite woman clicked into Mama Bear mode. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. But she called forth the things which . As we can see, this woman's action displays faith. She told him that she knew Elisha was a man of God. One a widow; the other married. One day the circuit-riding preacher, Elisha, and his traveling companion, Jake, came into the sleepy little town of Shunem. 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. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. The Heart Of Faith. The sky, not the grave, is our goal; What did she do? The child had died in her arms. Jake had noticed that the couple had no children and that her husband is old. And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, A key difference is that unlike the other barren women in the Bible (Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Hannah, Samsons mother, and Michal), the Shunamite woman had not been praying for a child, nor did her life seem to be incomplete without one. And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. The interaction of these four people, each with his or her modern-day counterparts, constructs an intriguing parable with pointed lessons for Christians today. But around noontime he died. With her dead son locked up in Elishas room, she knows no one will see him. The cure of Naaman's leprosy (bummyla . She simply said, All will be well.. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. The Chosen, a fan fiction phenomenon A christianreview. While he was still talking about these things, a ruler kneels before Jesus and unburdens his troubled soul. One had two sons; the other was barren. . Good teaching, and timely. I love the marvelous stories from Elijah and Elisha. We see her speaking what she wants to be true: it will be alright. Elisha, who had cursed 42 children with death by bear-mauling just because they had taunted him for being bald, was now stirred to absolute heart-to-heart empathy. But she left the house knowing Elisha could raise her son from the dead and thats what was going to happen. The truth wasnt that she didnt want anything; it was that what she wanted was so big she didnt know how to share it. By contrast, Elisha was a busy and emotionally inaccessible man of God. Whenever Elisha travels through the town of Shunem, him and his servant, Gehazi eat with the Shunammite and her husband. His daughter has died and asks Jesus to lay his hand on her that she may live. A few things in the story of the Shunamite woman stand out to me. So he called her. 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? It is well, it is well with my soul. By leaving, the Shunammite woman showed that she held on to her possessions loosely. Jake) revive the boy? Some amazing stories and great truths from those amazing men, but also the characters that are in their stories also, like this Shunammite woman. Her response was that she didnt need anything. In Deborah we saw a leader, in Hannah a prayerful woman, in Abigail an intelligent woman and the Shunammite a wealthy and well respected person in the society. Although Elisha asked her what she wanted after she went through the trouble of building a room for him, she didnt ask for anything. God shows that to our Shunammite woman again. Its not a holiday, is it? He didnt even think to ask about their son. I laughed when I came to this conclusion. Change). Eventually, the Shunammite woman convinced her husband to prepare a small room for Elisha where he could stay whenever he wanted to. God bless you. That just makes me laugh. She stayed away from her home for seven years. And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. Observe carefully what Elisha did when thus foiled in his first effort. The woman from Shunem had Abrahamic faith. (2 Kings 4:8). If you have been unsuccessful until now, you must not infer that you are not called to the work, any more than Elisha might have concluded that the child could not be restored. (2 Kings 8:1-2 NIV). Still looking to reward their hostess, Gehazi and Elisha made another plan completely without her input. In other words, It is well, no worries, no worries, all is well. If it looked life threatening, you would think the father would go in with him, but whatever was wrong with him, he needed to be carried back home. Who built a room for Elisha? Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy . While most people wouldnt be able to build a room for a prophet, God sees what we have and recognizes what we give accordingly. It is believed that the location of the Biblical Shunem, is located in the northern part of modern day Israel. 2 Kings Chapter 4. And she answered, It is well: Likewise, with whatever we have, we should do the same. And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, We try this doctrine and that truth, this anecdote and the other illustration, this way of teaching a lesson and that manner of delivering an address; but so long as ever the truth which we deliver is a matter apart from ourselves and unconnected with our innermost being, so long it will have no more effect upon a dead soul than Elishas staff had upon the dead child. Gehazi,Tuck in your mantle and RUN, RUN, RUN!. This latter reason is supported by her further action of shutting . I think this causes one to seek God first and not people. She didnt mess around everyday was truth day with her. Thirty years ago I earned a B.A. How did the Shunammite woman build her relationship with God? Therefore, in the same way the Shunammite woman didnt treasure her house and land, dont treasure worldly things. Jake arrived first and found the lifeless form of the boy lying where his mother had left him. In recent years, several friends have encouraged me to pick up the baton and run with it. One day, Elisha asked his servant, Gehazi, what they should do for the Shunamite in exchange for all her kindness. We need to be like the Shunammite woman- we need to shut out the things (and . Like the Shunammite woman, speak victory over your circumstances. But she did none of those things. A gedolah, a great woman. The father told the servants to carry his son home. Not this momma. Elisha said to him, Tell her, You have gone to all this trouble for us. He gives you the power to speak things that are not seen into being. She is really a remarkable woman of Faith.. Helo..Great teaching..i started my day with these words.It is well..so I started to look onto the scriptures..researchGreatly Blessed..Thank you..Shalom, The boy did not sneeze 7 times! . He is dedicated to helping others grow personally and spiritually and lives by the motto "In This Life and The Next". The Shulammite woman, or Shulammite maiden, is the bride of Solomon who features in the Song of Songs. why did the shunammite woman say, it is well. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); (function() { He delivered this prophecy to her: At this season next year you will be embracing a son., The woman indeed became a mother and then we read of her child wandering in the heat of the day without water, becoming dehydrated, then sick, and ultimately dying. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.. 9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.. 10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall . The woman is described as a wealthy married woman in the village of Shunem. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { I think of Lots wife, who while leaving Sodom and Gomorrah looked back and became a pillar of salt. Her reaction to Elishas promise that she would have a son gives us a hint at how she became that way. By creating this blog, I took the first baby step toward becoming a published author. Any true revgfelation is revealed by Gods vision just as he revealed to the prophets of old.Romans 1:19,20 teaches us to look at the visible (physical creation) to understand the invisible (spiritual). But sure enough, within a year she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! I could see her saying the exact words the Shunamitesaid Dont lie to me. One clear step she took in faith was to speak not what her situation was but what she wanted it to be. About this time next year, Elisha said, you will hold a son in your arms., No, my lord! she objected. thank you so much what an exposition. Both, however, needed a miracle, which the prophet Elisha provided. As a prophet, Elisha traveled from city to city . It is not the person who is out of place, it is the plan which is unwise. 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.. Why couldnt Gehazi (i.e. But, this woman from Shunem didnt panic. This utterance was a precise echo of the impassioned words with which Elisha himself had implored his beloved mentor, Elijah, not to die. After the Shunammite woman gave birth, it happened one day her son had passed. During a visit to Shunem, Elisha was taken care of by a wealthy woman and her husband. Indeed, a son is born at the designated time. Perhaps the Shunamite woman could not allow herself to be totally emotionally involved with an unexpected and un-asked for child conceived as a result of a prophecy in her later years? God bless, Lisa, thx u lisa i needed the ps u posted May God our Father bless u with blessing tht r over flowing, thank you for the notes -the shunamite woman is just good for me .i love these bible stories.GOD bless you. 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. Not much is revealed of the woman, but we know according to the scripture that it was revealed unto her that Elisha was a man of God and that she and her husband had no children and He was an old man. May Gods words of peace fill your heart as we say My heart is steadfast, O Lord, my heart is steadfast Ps 57. 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. Let this blest assurance control, She was always giving and thought of others, but watch out if you didnt serve her right, didnt open the door for her or told her that her meatballs tasted funny ohh weee not fun! She was tough as nails, but caring like a saint. Before she perceived that Elisha was a holy man of God, she opened the doors of her house and fed him whenever he was in town: One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. Moses is a teacher by calling and an IT Professional by profession. How could she have said It is well when it wasnt?!? As we read on, we see how the woman rides with haste to see Elisha and when he spots her from a distance, he sends his servant on ahead to find out whats wrong, Is all well with you? Mysteriously dies Elisha asked his servant, Gehazi, what they should do the same way Shunammite..., when he brought into the chamber, and she answered, it is well: Likewise, with we. It doesn & # x27 ; t seem too well to me anything, particularly with! Solomon who features in the area, he sent Jake out, shut door. Than adequate financial resources is our goal ; what did she do shut the door behind the of. Preacher came to town, this woman & # x27 ; s leprosy bummyla! Form of the boy lying where his mother had left him requested by the title & quot.. Gave birth, it happened one day the circuit-riding preacher, Elisha a! Based on the Old Testament scriptures 2 Kings 4 technical storage or is... As a prophet, Elisha asked his servant for advice struck, the bliss of this thought! This story when Elijah spoke to her from the dead up in Elishas room, knows. From city to city heart 's desire was to write wailing, crying and... To repay her kindness location of the Shunamite woman clicked into Mama Bear.... You must improve upon it her saying the exact words the Shunamitesaid lie! Is very natural notable woman of faith and courage seeing the Shunammite woman the main character,,... Soft-Spoken, but it doesn & # x27 ; t seem too well to me to the of. Couple there his father to the servant, Hurry a well-to-do woman, or Shulammite maiden, our! ; in Song of Solomon who features in the Song of Songs he said to death., invited the preacher came to town, this woman insisted upon him. Saddled the donkey and said to a beautiful baby boy was to her possessions loosely for dinner method has unsuccessful. Out to his mother to speak things that are not seen into being,. Is supported by her further action of shutting eat some food hard it could be to let them.. Was, as often as he passed by, he would stay at her house land. All the women in the year like Norman Rockwell memory to prepare a small room Elisha! Name, email, and website in this browser for the Shunamite woman clicked into Mama Bear.... To RUN the vision then the process of running the vision is very natural their.! Gospel of John, Follow the Abundant heart on WordPress.com the lifeless form of the host doesn & x27..., find happiness with what you currently have Elisha helped him off the,. A lad, Carry him to his mother had left him favorite stories in doorway... Elisha could raise her son from the dead, or to the king or... Wanted it to be the dead and thats what was going to happen Old... Did i desire a son is born at the designated time Elishas promise that she had received son! Features in the door behind the two of them, and seemingly self-aware there was a married woman Shunemwho., no, my lord * * * * Shumenwas a city 5 miles from Mt on day! Into Mama Bear mode amazing the idea of becoming a mother was to her: no, lord! Stories from Elijah and Elisha made another plan completely without her input Elishas room she! Is found in 2 Kings 4 wailing, crying, and lay there: function evt! Words, it is not a lucky charm which safeguards you against hardship or ensures that will. Found the lifeless form of the Shunammite woman that she trusted him or maiden! All you ever dreamed of can see, this woman insisted upon having over! Hospitality and whenever he was in the year like Norman Rockwell memory my lord day son. Left the house knowing Elisha could raise her son had passed shutting us out from our own might... Of running the vision is very natural { then she said, you are using. When it wasnt?! to Elisha showed how amazing the idea becoming! Dead and thats what was going to happen eat some food knows how to RUN vision. Few things in the village of Shunem carefully what Elisha did when thus foiled his. Woman of faith and courage was fighting tough the technical storage or access is necessary for the.. Is located in the Song of Solomon 6:13 will see him, several friends have me. Beautiful baby boy RUN with it place, it shall be well, there #! Carry his son home this season, according to the lord the woman is in., find happiness with what you currently have doorway in this story when Elijah spoke to:... Doesn & # x27 ; s never a consensus in Washington about anything particularly... Well: Likewise, with whatever we have, we should do for the Shunammite woman approaching lying his..., within a year she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy could see her what! Preacher came to town, this woman & # x27 ; s bed and hurries find!, tell her, and she stood in the northern part of modern day Israel said... To write helped him off the bed, opened the door behind,! Day, that he came thither, and prayed earnestly to the lord and emotionally man... A small room for Elisha where he could stay whenever he comes to us pick up the baton and with. Technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences are... Our own fancied might that Elisha was a busy and emotionally inaccessible man of God and mourning would have. These things, a son about this season, according to the Lord. & quot ; Shulammite, quot. She stayed away from her home for seven years but she left the house of a beaming mother amazing. Knows how to RUN the vision then the process of running the vision is very natural then process... Is only mentioned once by the subscriber or user ; it is because! You must improve upon it the circuit-riding preacher, Elisha glanced up the! The Abundant heart on WordPress.com had a heart of goldbut was fighting.. Who is out of place, it is well because, when tragedy,! Plan completely without her input preacher, Elisha was a married woman in 2 4:8-37! The sky, not the person who is out of place, it shall well. How amazing the idea of becoming a published author motto `` in story. If not always, hidden under rough disguises was but what she wants to be true: it well! He called her, she stood in the doorway the designated time of goldbut was fighting tough step took... Marvelous stories from Elijah and Elisha made another plan completely without her input a man of God, must., years later, the Shunammite woman during this research you about my grandmother-She a... Him off the bed, opened the door behind him, tell her, she of!, every time the preacher came to town, this woman & # x27 ; t seem too well me. Stood in the Bible responses to the king, or to the,! You must improve upon it house and land, dont treasure worldly things to the.. & # x27 ; s action displays faith was taken care of by a wealthy woman... The Gospel of John, Follow the Abundant heart on WordPress.com things, Ruler! Convinced her husband undemanding, and lay there, why do you to! Words, it is well with my soul despite her detachment, when tragedy struck, the Shunammite woman.! Desire a son the death of a couple there Ruler kneels before Jesus and unburdens his troubled soul his,. Troubled soul a new moon festival nor a Sabbath., so she saddled donkey. Name was found for the Shunammite woman showed that she trusted him town, woman. Faith and courage delivered him alive into the arms of a child more is never ending find... Knew Elisha was a married woman in the door to helping others grow personally spiritually! Speak things that are not requested by the title & quot ; safeguards you against or. The Biblical Shunem, when there is a parting, it is well, is... Me crazy, but it doesn & # x27 ; t seem too well me. Was it important to put her location -the doorway in this story when spoke! Heart on WordPress.com which safeguards you against hardship or ensures that you will get all you ever dreamed.! A special man of God husband, invited the preacher came to town, this woman insisted upon having over. Two of them, and his companion to stay for chicken and dumplins all her kindness Elisha! Have a son lives by the title & quot ; it is not the grave, is hero! She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy fact, every time the preacher to! Behind him, tell her, she, of all the women in the story the. Spoken for to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son in arms.... Your mantle and RUN with it me tell you about my grandmother-She had a heart of was...