The Shunnamite (2 Kings 4:8-37)
2 Kings 4:8-37 (8-17)
This morning we get back to our study of the Kings.
You may also remember that we are in a
Very interesting section of Scripture.
IT IS NOT A STUDY OF ANY OF THE CURRENT KINGS.
It is a section that covers the ministry of Elisha.
But it is also a very pointed section.
The purpose of this section
Is to reveal that God is indeed working in Israel.
He is blessing those who seek Him,
And He is revealing Himself to those who do not know Him.
It is part of that revival that God promised to Elijah.
Earlier in our study of Kings we studied a king named Asa,
And as we studied him, we came across a very interesting statement.
After Asa had failed to trust God in a battle he was fighting, God had this to say:
2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.”
God revealed a very interesting concept to Asa,
And it is that God is actively and continually looking
For those who support Him, that He may in turn support them.
THIS IDEA OF GOD WATCHING IS NOT A NEW CONCEPT.
David revealed in the 139th Psalm
Psalms 139:7-12 “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.”
David spoke in great detail about the omnipresence of God.
He knew that there was no way to escape from God’s sight.
In short, He sees all that I do.
He sees all that I think.
He knows everything about me.
Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good.”
In regard to the wicked, Jeremiah said:
Jeremiah 16:16-18 “Behold, I am going to send for many fishermen,” declares the LORD, “and they will fish for them; and afterwards I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them from every mountain and every hill and from the clefts of the rocks. “For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes. “I will first doubly repay their iniquity and their sin, because they have polluted My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable idols and with their abominations.”
Now, what Jeremiah revealed, we are all pretty accustomed to.
There is a continual view in the church that if you do wicked things,
Then God is going to see it.
If you go into your bedroom, get on the internet, and look at pornography,
Then God will see it and judge you.
And if you don’t realize that, then you should. God is watching.
But God is not like a highway patrolman,
Sitting up there with His omniscient radar gun,
Just looking for people to punish.
God is also doing what He told Asa:
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”
God is not just looking for the wicked to judge
He is also desperately looking for someone on His side,
That is walking in obedience, in order that He can bless them.
Consider what Ezekiel said:
After revealing that Israel’s prophets, priests, princes and people were all corrupt and wicked.
Ezekiel 22:30 “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.”
Yes God saw the wicked, and intends to punish,
But He is also looking for the righteous
That He may support them and bless them.
He is not just some means spirited deity bent on flexing His muscle,
He is a loving and holy God
That seeks to reward those who walk in obedience.
That means that God is watching and God is seeking to reward.
Jesus promised that even secret obedience gets rewarded:
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. “So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. “When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you… “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. “But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
Later, referring to the difficulty we would face in this world, Jesus said:
Matthew 10:26 “Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”
At the end of the chapter He said:
Matthew 10:41-42 “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
The point is that all Christian obedience brings with it
Support, blessing, and ultimately a reward.
In fact, this all finds it’s culmination in the final day.
Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
That means that our lives
Are not just about avoiding the judgment of God,
But also seeking out the reward or blessing of God.
If you need an illustration of that, I take you to our text this morning.
It is about a woman who is unnamed in Scripture.
She is simple known as “The Shunammite”.
Yet you will see that God found her in the midst of a carnal society
And supported her and blessed her.
She provides us with a good example
Of a life that sought a blessing from God.
There are 5 things I want you to see about this woman.
#1 SHE WAS GENEROUS
2 Kings 4:8
Last time we studied in the Kings we saw God providing for a widow.
• A widow so poor that she was about to have to sell her two sons in order to pay her debts.
• A widow so poor that all she owned was some oil and the jar it was in.
Yet God spotted this widow as a faithful woman
And He provided for her needs and then some.
In many ways this Shunammite woman is the exact opposite of her.
She is not a widow, and she is not poor.
In fact Scripture says, “there was a prominent woman”
This was a high society woman, and one of potentially great means.
And you need to understand that for a couple of reasons.
1) People of all positions have needs which only God can meet.
2) God is not just looking for the poor, God is looking for those who love Him.
That is what these two women have in common.
One was rich, one was poor, but both had a heart for God.
But what I want you to see first off about this woman is a very important characteristic, and that is that she was HOSPITABLE.
As Elisha walked by, “she persuaded him to eat food. And so it was, as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat food.”
I had a great-grandmother just like her.
They make you feel plum guilty if you don’t eat their food.
You probably know some women like that.
But then again, who wouldn’t be hospitable to Elisha?
I mean if Billy Graham came to preach at this church,
Any number of the women in here would volunteer to feed him lunch,
Because it is Billy Graham.
But just as a sneak peek, look at verse 9
“She said to her husband, “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually.”
What that means is that this woman had absolutely no idea
Who he was or what he was when she first persuaded him to eat.
For all she knew he was just a wandering stranger,
And yet she still “persuaded him to eat food.”
We call that a spirit of hospitality, and it is a spirit
That God is eagerly looking for in those He seeks to support.
Romans 12:10-13 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”
Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
According to that verse, God even sends angels out disguised as strangers
Just to test your spirit of hospitality.
GOD IS LOOKING FOR HOSPITABLE PEOPLE.
Perhaps you remember a few weeks back on Sunday night
As we talked about the ministry to widows and the ministry of widows.
God has a unique plan by which the church ministers to widows
And a unique plan by which the widows are to minister to the church.
And according to God not just any widow
Is allowed to represent the church as a special servant.
There were qualifications before a widow could serve the church.
1 Timothy 5:9-10 “A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.”
One could almost argue that you could summarize all those commands
Into these. – Not an adulteress, and a hospitable woman.
Hospitality matters to God.
Of course it is not just the role of the women.
The often disregarded book of 3 John deals directly with this issue.
3 John 1-8 “The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.”
John wrote to Gaius to commend his church for their hospitality
“Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers”
That church was commended for their hospitality,
Furthermore John says it is fitting for all of us to do so.
THE POINT IS HOSPITALITY AND GENEROSITY MATTER TO GOD.
He is looking for those who have such desires
So that He may support them.
This woman was generous
#2 SHE WAS GOD-FEARING
2 Kings 4:9-10
As we read earlier, it didn’t take long before this woman
Realized something about her new guest.
There was something different about him,
• He had a personal holiness
• He had a focus on spiritual things
• He spoke with an authority about him.
“Behold, now I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually. Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there.”
This woman started out with simple hospitality,
But soon she realized there was more on her hands.
This was a man of God.
She wanted his presence…
She wanted his influence…
BUT MOSTLY SHE WANTED TO BE A SERVANT TO GOD
BY CARING FOR GOD’S SERVANT.
She had a fear of the Lord that sought to serve Him.
Proverbs 31:30 “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”
She wants to help the work of God
By taking care of all that she can to help His messenger.
You instantly get a picture of her heart.
Generous, God-Fearing
#3 SHE WAS GENUINE
2 Kings 4:11-17
You have to love this part of the story.
Certainly the miracle gives you a warm feeling,
But look even before the miracle.
Elisha recognized her hospitality and goodness to him,
And he sought to repay her.
And notice what he said:
(13) “Behold, you have been careful for us with all this care;”
This woman did far more than the bare minimum.
She was thorough.
This was a role she absolutely cherished.
It was a ministry that was close to her heart.
And because of her great care, Elisha has a question.
(13) “what can I do for you? Would you be spoken for to the king or to the captain of the army?’”
If she was into immediate and temporal reward, this was her chance.
Elisha is offering up to her a credit card of favor.
She has done much, and he seeks to repay.
But look at her answer,
(13) “I live among my own people.”
What she is saying is that she is content where she is.
She is fine in life, she doesn’t desire anything.
She is filled with contentment.
And contentment in itself is a wonderful thing.
1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.”
Furthermore contentment is a hard thing to master.
Listen to this verse from Paul.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
We frequently hear it from \ athletes or from those in the midst of trials,
Boasting of all they can do all through God’s power.
BUT, HAVE YOU EVER READ THE CONTEXT IN WHICH PAUL MADE THIS GREAT STATEMENT OF CONFIDENCE?
Philippians 4:12-13 “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Paul said he has learned to be content,
And he did it because of God’s power in his life.
The point is that contentment is a hard trait to master.
We live in an advertising world, and worldliness comes easy to us.
To master contentment is tough.
But that is precisely what this woman has.
She is not seeking to get ahead.
This also reveals that her hospitality was done out of pure motives.
• She didn’t do it for temporal reward.
• She did it because in her heart she desired to be generous.
That is a hallmark of godliness!
Luke 6:32-36 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Sons of the Most High are hospitable and merciful
With no thought of anything in return.
So thus far we have seen that this woman was:
Generous, God-Fearing, and Genuine.
Remember how we started this sermon?
2 Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”
It is apparent that this woman’s heart is completely His.
SO WHAT DOES GOD DO?
VERSES 14-17
God blesses her with a child.
He gave her what she did not ask for.
This again is God’s grace doing more than we ask or think,
Just as He did with the widow.
Even more it is God seeking out and blessing those who love Him.
NOW WE COULD STOP RIGHT THERE,
And talk about how we should all live a life that God desires to bless.
But the story doesn’t stop there.
#4 SHE WAS GRIEVING
2 Kings 4:18-30
My bible says, “when the child was grown”,
Most likely it means weaned, for later he will sit in her lap.
He went out to his father and complained about his head.
(Heat stroke)
But whatever the sickness, he went in to his mother and died in her arms.
YOU ASK, WHY WOULD GOD GIVE THE CHILD AND THEN TAKE HIM AWAY?
2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”
It is not that God tests every person in such an extreme way.
However, the writer chose this story to prove to you
That this woman was not a fair-weather follower.
• She was devoted while childless…
• She was devoted with child…
• And now, she will be devoted during tragedy…
This child dies to show you and I that this woman is wholly devoted.
Even in her grief, she seeks out God.
She lays the child on Elisha’s bed and seeks him out.
And this she does even in the midst of ridicule.
Notice what her husband says when she reveals her plans.
(23) “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.”
You see a man who didn’t understand
Why anyone would go to church unless they had to.
But those who are devoted to God know Sunday
Is not the only day that belongs to the Lord,
Nor is it the only day we seek Him or listen to Him.
This woman is going to God through God’s messenger.
And nothing will deter her.
(Even Gehazi can’t detain her)
She comes and clings to Elisha’s feet and says:
(28) “Did I ask for a son from my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”
Even in her grief, she recognizes the authority of Elisha
And submits to him, calling him “lord”.
She is grieving, it is hard, but you cannot question her heart.
AT THIS POINT, IN ORDER TO SAVE TIME,
Elisha sends Gehazi ahead in order to lay his staff on the lads face.
And you would think that with that
The mother would go with Gehazi, but look:
(30) “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”
This woman is clinging to the Lord.
She is not following some mystical demonstration
(and God won’t work that way), she is clinging to God.
She was grieving, but notice her commitment.
There is no doubt in our minds that this woman’s heart is fully God’s.
But there is more:
#5 SHE IS GRATEFUL
2 Kings 4:31-37
Now, there it is again, God does the miraculous,
And restores the child to life.
Now, in fairness to those who have lost children, this is not saying that if God did not raise your child that you weren’t devoted.
This story is included as an illustration, not a normal practice.
But in this woman’s case, the child is restored to evidence the point
That God is supporting this wonderful woman.
But then, look at what she does.
Ordinarily, if your child was raised from the dead,
Most mothers would out run Car Lewis to the child to take him up.
But notice this woman:
(37) “Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground, and she took up her son and went out.”
Did you notice what she did first?
She worshiped.
This is yet another indicator of this woman’s extreme devotion
To God and even to His glory.
God is seeking out those whose heart is completely His,
That He may support them.
This woman gives a good picture of what that heart looks like.
• She is Generous
• She is God-Fearing
• She is Genuine
• She was committed during Grief
• She was Grateful
God is pleased with such people and seeks to support them.
It was a major lesson to Israel, and it is to us as well.
This morning I would simply ask you:
DO YOU DESIRE TO BE THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT GOD CAN SUPPORT, AND DESIRES TO SUPPORT?
If so, then order your life aright,
To be someone that God desires to support.
SO FAR:
God supported a widow with great faith and perseverance…
God supported a woman with generosity and a genuine heart…
Follow their example, and be the type of person God seeks to bless.
2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”
