The Shunammite Woman

The story of the Shunammite Woman is related in 2 Kings 4:8-37. The prophet, Elisha had a regular encounter with the Shunammite Woman who lived in Shunem as he journeyed on his daily mission. The Shunammite woman who is described as a wealthy woman urged Elisha to stop by her and eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would stop by her home to eat.

Recognizing that Elisha is a holy man of God the Shunammite Woman suggested to her husband that they make a small furnished room for Elisha so that whenever he comes to them he can rest in that room. This they did.

Expressing his gratefulness to the Shunammite woman for her kind hospitality, Elisha called in the Shunammite Woman and said, “See you have taken up all this trouble for us, what is to be done for you?” She explained that she dwells with her own people, therefore she was okay. Having no children Elisha’s servant Gehazi suggested that she needed a son. She did not take Elisha seriously, but she conceived and bore a son at a time that Elisha had predicted.

But one day the child became ill and died. She laid the dead child on the bed of the Elisha and set out on a donkey to Mount Carmel to find Elisha, who accompanied her back home where the dead child laid on Elisha’s bed. He closed the door behind him, prayed to the Lord and laid on the child, placing mouth to mouth and hands to hands. After doing this two times the child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Elisha called in the Shunammite woman. She came in, fell at Elisha’s feet, bowed to the ground, picked up her son and went out.

This story speaks of a woman of God who gave assistance and support to the advancement of God’s work and God’s kingdom, by what she did for Elisha and his servant, Gehazi. She was able to recognize a man of God. The Spirit of God was working in her and she obeyed. She went out of her way to build a room in agreement with her husband. She provided everything in that room to make them comfortable and without distraction. Elisha and his servant after returning from their daily task of God’s work, would turn in to their place of abode to rest and without any disturbance.

This extraordinary hospitality from the Shunammite Woman cost Elisha and his servant nothing. She wanted nothing in return, to the extent that when she was asked what was important to her she said she was among her people. The fact is, she was not a stranger in her land. She belonged. In addition, the Shunammite Woman even though she did not have a child, having one was the farthest thing from her mind; she was contented in her situation. However, through Elisha God blessed her with a son.

One could say that the Shunammite Woman had great faith, as when her son died, she kept on saying, “All is well.” Even though she displayed anger towards Elisha, she was assured that the “Man of God” would bring her son back to life. And he did.

One can surmise that God was displaying his goodness and faithfulness to her in return for her doing for God’s kingdom. She received a double blessing.

Concluding, the Shunammite Woman used her wealth in an extraordinarily hospitable manner to advance the kingdom of God and God rewarded her well beyond her expectations. This is an example of how we can use our resources  to assist with the needs of God’s people and his kingdom and see God work wonders in our lives.

Interesting inspirations as this one, and more from daily devotional – Devotions on the ROCK. The first edition available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1978141696 in print and kindle.

 

What an Experience!

What experience are we talking about? It is that deep intimate conversation with our God. Talking to God, the Father and allowing Him that opportunity and the free will to respond or speak to us. The after effect of this experience is “out of this world.” It is invigorating, rejuvenating and leaves a refreshed and peaceful state of mind.

Recall the state of Moses when he spoke with God… “When Moses came down from Mount Sinai… Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him… Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. 

Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining” – Exodus 34:29-35.

So there we have it, this was also Moses’ experience when he spoke with God. The experience now in our situation is no different. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” – John 8:12. When we spend intimate time with God and allows him in the conversation, it builts a fulfilling relationship…  What a glory He sheds on our way…

Take the Case and give me the Pillow

In our Jamaican patois language we would say, “Tek di case an gi mi di pilla.” Jamaica? Where in the world are you?! Jamaica is the the home of Reggae icon Bob Marley and the Sprint factory of the world, producing the fastest man and woman in the world, Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce. There you go!

Growing up in Westmoreland, a parish in the country area, my grandmother quite often, if not everyday would usually raise her hands and say, “Maassa Gad, Tek di Case and gi mi di pilla.” “Maassa Gad” here means “Master God”, referring to God as the Master.

As a child I took these words literally until I grew up I realized that the meaning should not be taken literally. I then started to wonder if my grandmother understood what she was saying, and then I am thinking that these words may have passed down to her from past generations. At the point of giving these words serious thought, my grandmother had already passed away at the ripe old age of 100 years old, so I never got that opportunity to get her interpretation. She could not read or write, but one thing I admired about her was her faithfulness in praising God and giving God thanks everyday. Maassa Gad was her Friend. One song she usually sings was “Closer than a Brother my Jesus is to me.” God Bless her soul.

Reaching out to God and saying to Him “Take the Case and give me the Pillow” is relieving ourselves of our burdens, pain, suffering, trials and tribulations, giving God these as cases for him to deal with for us and thus, he provides the spiritual pillow of comfort and inner peace. It is likening this to our physical pillow, which provides physical comfort and support when we lie down to rest. Therefore, the physical pillow case that encloses the pillow, I would interpret this as our troubles shrouding our peace and comfort, so we ask that God take away what obscure or block our peace and comfort.  Psalm 55:22 relates to this: “Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall” (NLT). And Matthew 11:28 tells us, “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest” (NKJV).

Interesting inspirations as this one, and more from daily devotional – Devotions on the ROCK. The first edition available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1978141696 in print and kindle.