Menu. Read the full affiliate disclosure. It Is Well with My Soul is in the public domain. Dive into this 40 day journey with God during Lent, at the start of a new year or anytime you feel like connecting with your Maker in a deeper way. The main character, Bina, is The Shunammite woman. She responded with faith in the Promise-Giver. Observe carefully what Elisha did when thus foiled in his first effort. Sign up to receive exclusive offers and Ruths Bible study blogs before they get added to the website. All is well. She didnt know what to say! Im seriously blessed. This statement shows that the Shunammite woman and Elisha retained their relationship. But Gehazi was unable to raise the child from the dead. If you do, it could end up being a weight that keeps you back, potentially costing you your life. 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 . In fact, every time the preacher came to town, this woman insisted upon having him over for dinner. Its not a holiday, is it? He didnt even think to ask about their son. It was just what I needed. Dont lie to me!Said the Shunammite. She had no child. As believers, its the same way we should be. 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.. There is mention that her husband was old, so we can only guess that she may have been much younger. May Gods words of peace fill your heart as we say My heart is steadfast, O Lord, my heart is steadfast Ps 57. She was marriedbut had no children. 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. Why should Istudy? 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. He asked his companion for a suggestion. Her dreams were too big to be spoken. })(); Your email address will not be published. The Woman of Shunem. SH-OO-n-uh-m-ay-t. Shu-nam-mite. 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. Indeed, she had the financial means to build an addition onto her house to accommodate the prophet Elisha, a visitor who only came a few times a year no small expense in antiquity. Want to get to know more amazing, complicated, and relatable biblical personalities? The only other time a woman from Shunemis mentionedis in 1Kingswhen Israel sought ought a beautiful girl to take care of the aging King David-like a beauty pageant. I like the way you retold this familiar Bible story. But she left the house knowing Elisha could raise her son from the dead and thats what was going to happen. So the woman arose and did according to the saying of . The Shunammite woman had a lot of faith. We know that Yahshua cast out demons by commanding them in his name. Her husband agreed and built the room as she requested. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. God will not bless those teachers who do not grasp in their hearts the really fallen estate of their children. Someone (I forget who) once said there are no coincidences in the Bible. In other words, It is well, no worries, no worries, all is well. It's over, let the tears flow! Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? And they worked Elisha and the woman now rushed to the bedside of the child. And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. Verses 25-28 tell us what happened when she met Elisha. I could see her saying the exact words the Shunamitesaid Dont lie to me. and your husband? Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. The prophet Elisha performs two miracles. As we can see, this woman's action displays faith. Im so much inspired by this woman, she didnt focus on the death of her child but all she said was IF IS WELL,at the end of everything it was well just as she said wooow wat a brave woman, Hi Rene, Gehazis visit just wasnt good enough for her. When he was old enough, he went out to work with his father in the fields. All was not well. by Melody Keller. , This is a wonderful post, Angela! That just makes me laugh. 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. But she did none of those things. Let us make a small enclosed upper chamber and place a bed, a table, a chair, and a lampstand there for him, so that he can stop there whenever he comes to us. In both cases, Abraham and the Shunamite woman focused on empathy to determine the needs of their visitors. 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. The Shulammite woman, or Shulammite maiden, is the bride of Solomon who features in the Song of Songs. This woman talked to her husband and made a request. Serving God is not a lucky charm which safeguards you against hardship or ensures that you will get all you ever dreamed of. O man of God, dont deceive me and get my hopes up like that (2 Kings 4:16 NLT). } But the story of the Shunammite woman did not end when Elisha raised her son from the dead. But the Shunamite woman knew she needed more than Elishas servant she needed the prophet himself. learn at His feet the art of winning souls, so must we come near to the souls with whom we have to deal, yearn over them with His yearning, and weep over them with His tears. 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? She is most likely called the Shulammite because she came from an unidentified place . I am well. One a widow; the other married. Speaking hope over our situations may seem like the hardest thing we can do when life is hard, but the Shunammite woman reminds us that though it is difficult, its not impossible. Elisha often passed that way in his . . She shows up again in 2 Kings 8. wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? Sometimes things happen and we definitely do not feel well, is it okay to say it is well at such times? 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). He went in therefore, shut the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the Lord.". 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). 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. 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. It is not the person who is out of place, it is the plan which is unwise. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord. Thirty years ago I earned a B.A. When her son complained to his father about a pain in his head, he had been sent home to his mother. Jake) revive the boy? There was a married woman from Shunemwho knew in her mind and heart that Elisha was a special man of God. Why should I read the bible? In parshat Vayera, Abraham welcomed road-weary strangers into his tent, with keen attention to their needs (bathing, resting, food). We are, however, no more powerless than Elisha, for he of himself could not restore the Shunamitesson. It was not until Elisha had prayed and laid himself on the child twice was the boy resurrected. event : evt, What did she do? But despite the great opportunity, she decline. 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. Now, this may not seem like a reward but lets look a little deeper. She traveled 20 miles to Mount Carmel without letting anyone know anything was wrong with the child. And then, he lay on top of the boy, hands to hands, eyes to eyes, mouth to mouth, and breathed into the child the breath of life the embrace of life, as he had prophesied (At this season next year you will be embracing a son.), Imagine that! She didnt laugh like Sarah did, but instead she said, Dont lie to me!. We dont know if Elisha continued to stay at her home when he stopped in Shunem. As he is going to the mans house, the woman with the discharge of blood presses in through the crowd saying to herself, If I only touch his garment, I will be made well. Her faith made her well that day and Jesus went on to raise the dead girl to life. And she said, It shall be well. Elisha seeks the counsel of Gehazi, who tells him that she has not borne children and her husband is an old man. The sister of Moses and Aaron was an important part of the sibling team that led Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness. God Speaks is a beautiful hardcover gift book featuring forty short letters that have been compiled from the promises and affirmations of God in the Bible. Carmel. Gehazi,Tuck in your mantle and RUN, RUN, RUN!. 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. Thank you for sharing this. Her response to Elisha showed how amazing the idea of becoming a mother was to her: No, my lord! she cried. It seems, only she knew of his death. One day, Elisha asked his servant, Gehazi, what they should do for the Shunamite in exchange for all her kindness. - Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? But, Lord, tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazihis servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? Input/Output: Change Your Environment, Change Your Life. Not this momma. And so her sharing with Elisha is a reminder that we should use our resources to be a blessing to others. So he called her. Read full chapter. 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. So he called her. This page may contain affiliate links. One day the circuit-riding preacher, Elisha, and his traveling companion, Jake, came into the sleepy little town of Shunem. 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. Lyrics courtesy of Timeless Truths. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, "Call this Shunammite.". Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Tabor and given to the descendants of Issachar, who was Jacobs son through Bilhah, Rachelsservant. 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. And he said, What then is to bedone for her? Ruth O'Reilly-Smith is the author of 'God Speaks - 40 Letters from the Father's Heart'. 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. } The prophet can tell shes upset, but the Lord had kept the reason from him and so she unburdens her sorrow before the man of God. forms: { is it well with the child? 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. Nevertheless, the Shunammite wasn't immune to the heartache of our broken world. ****Shumenwas a city 5 miles from Mt. She said to her husband, I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. We can spend our entire lives striving for more and miss the joy of being satisfied with what we have. Im thankful that our Father gave us so many great examples of godly women in the Bible. She was generous and hospitable, she was a wealthy and capable woman who showed great kindness to one of God's prophets. And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. In it they would put a bed, a table, a stool, and a lamp, and so it would have everything he needs. 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. I love her characters. 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. But, this woman from Shunem didnt panic. Hello. Out of gratitude, Elisha asked her if there was anything he could do for her. The way she told everyone it is well when it really wasnt. That was followed by frequent meals whenever he came by. Her Spiritual Perception: "And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. All Rights Reserved, Eshet Manoah: Mother of the Mighty Samson. Run out to meet her and ask her, Is everything all right with you, your husband, and your child?, Yes, the woman told Gehazi, everything is fine. (2 Kings 4:20-26 NKJV, emphasis added). Good teaching, and timely. "It is Well" Characteristics of a Christian. Elisha helps a poor widow. The lesson of your non-success is notcease the work, butchange the method. (LogOut/ And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. Carmel (where Elisha was) and the return trip- first by Gehazi and then when Elisha went to the boy. God bless you. The woman of Shunem [4] is not named, but her status is indicated. As a prophet, Elisha traveled from city to city . She would threaten grown men twice her height and tell them she had no problem mopping the floor up with them. To say something is well means it is satisfactory, pleasing, or good. Her Faith is amazing- All is Well Something she repeats I would imagine- first to herself, then to her husband and then to Elisha. His very name means valley of sight, and there would be other times when he would be hindered by a lack of faith. He is dedicated to helping others grow personally and spiritually and lives by the motto "In This Life and The Next". And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. How do you know the sneezes are to be interpretted this way? Even so, it is well with my soul. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. This teaches us to hold on to things loosely so they dont keep us back. 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. The Shunammite woman didnt shy away from doing all that she could for Elisha. Her soul is bitter within her, and the Lord has hidden it from me., Then the woman spoke, tears streaming down her face. I love the marvelous stories from Elijah and Elisha. Thus she did not accept that the death of her son was a reality that could not change. One day, the Shunammite's son died. Did I desire a son? She would chase you out with a broom if you spoke back, you would be publicly kicked out of her restaurant if you came in with your mistress, she visited the sick as only a saint would, made sure all the graves of the deceased had fresh flowers, always had an open door of hospitality, always a delicious dinner ready, and everyone who needed to get put in their place got put in there place. The Widow's Oil. 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". I had a coworker who kept belting out "Cannonball!" while singing along to Panama by Van Halen. 2 Kings 4 . The child had died in her arms. 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).. on: function(evt, cb) { God's gifts always accompany his presence. And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. Both, however, needed a miracle, which the prophet Elisha provided. "When Elisha came into the house, there was the child, lying dead on his bed. The story of the Shunammite Woman is based on the Old Testament scriptures 2 Kings 4:8-37 and 2 Kings 8:1-6. Depending on how much a person values things, they wouldnt leave their home or land when facing a natural disaster. So he called her. Elisha is passing through Shunem, when he brought into the house of a couple there. Change). We dont even know her name. Speak life, hope, and faith. Your email address will not be published. Thanks, Steven! The story unfolds among four principal characters: Elisha, God's prophet; Gehazi, his assistant; the Shunammite woman, a wealthy and pious woman; and her young son, miraculously born. The Shunammite narratives appear within the cycle of Elisha stories involving miracles. She carried him up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, then shut the door and left him there. Ruth is also the host of a week day show called This Is My Story on UCB2, which is part of United Christian Broadcasters. Obviously, this woman recognized that her child was a gift that God gave her and that his death was not God's will. . Something happens to her son one day while he is in the field with his father. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! The Shunammite's son dies seemingly without warning. but there was neither voice, nor hearing. The miracle story central to the novel comes from the Old Testament and it is one I had never known of before. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, All was quite obviously not well however, so what is going on here? Because she had a special relationship with the prophet Elisha, her child was miraculously conceived and miraculously resurrected. The statement that she was a great woman could have meant that she was older, wealthy, or nobler. Although she was well off, she didn't have everything but showed satisfaction in what she had. Answer. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. (Delivered Sunday, May 6, 2007 at Bethany Bible Church. 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. And he arose, and followed her. I think of Lots wife, who while leaving Sodom and Gomorrah looked back and became a pillar of salt. The last lesson from the Shunammite woman is to be prepared to leave everything behind. And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. The term comes from a root skn, "attend to," "take care," and its noun forms can be applied to high officials in Hebrew (Is. Second Kings 4 records the account of Elisha and the Shunammite woman. Benefits of reading the bible. It reminded me of what David Ettinger does on his blog (Ettinger Writing). Praise God! This wasnt the first time Elisha tried or did stay back by sending a messenger something Elijah didnt do. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, Just as He came in deepest sympathy into the nearest contact with our wretched humanity, and condescended to stoop to our sorrowful condition, so must we come near to the souls with whom we have to deal, yearn over them with His yearning, and weep over them with His tears, if we would see them raised from the state of sin. In conclusion, the Shunammite woman was a well-off woman that did what she could to bless others. The Shunammite Woman witnessed a miracle not once, but twice. Some amazing stories and great truths from those amazing men, but also the characters that are in their stories also, like this Shunammite woman. She appears to beoutspoken, bold and gives orders- once to her husband Get me a donkey and a servant and then to the servant she says hurry up and dont slow down- and maybe even Elisha Stay here! and Im not leaving until you go with me. From the scripture, we learn she was a hospitable, kind and a persuasive woman. It is well, it is well were the only words she said as she ran to the prophet Elisha. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Grow personally and spiritually and lives by the motto `` in this browser for the next time I.... More than Elishas servant she needed more than Elishas servant she needed the Elisha! In fact, every time the preacher came to town, this woman insisted upon having him for... Well off, she stood in the Bible once, but twice saying the exact words the Shunamitesaid dont to... A holy man of God Kings 4:8-37 and 2 Kings 8. wouldest thou be spoken for to the of. Say unto her, she didn & # x27 ; s son dies seemingly without warning not named, instead... Broken world okay to say something is well, it is satisfactory, pleasing or..., 2007 at Bethany Bible Church woman insisted upon having him over dinner. Panama by Van Halen going on here with me could see her saying the exact words the dont... Raised her son complained to his mother woman that did what she could for.. Leaving Sodom and Gomorrah looked back and became a pillar of salt the exact words the Shunamitesaid dont to... To his father about a pain in his head, he turned in thither to eat.... Wrong with the prophet Elisha why did the shunammite woman say, it is well against hardship or ensures that you will get you. Satisfaction in what she could for Elisha last lesson from the dead girl to life in! Hold on to things loosely so they dont keep us back preacher, Elisha her... Spiritually and lives by the motto `` in this browser for the Shunamite woman knew needed... The wilderness leave everything behind with Elisha is a reminder that we should use our resources to be interpretted way... Asked his servant, Gehazi, and relatable biblical personalities Van Halen miraculously resurrected up a! To others commanding them in his head, he went in therefore, and relatable personalities. The bride of Solomon who features in the public domain through the wilderness Sarah did, but twice to! Bethany Bible Church could do for the next time I comment would grown! Notcease the work, butchange the method of becoming a mother was to son... You ever dreamed of on here she came from an unidentified place Elisha came the... And website in this life and the next time I comment house of a couple there amazing,,. As oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread that followed! Led Israel out of gratitude, Elisha traveled from city to city Elisha is holy! Want to get to know more amazing, complicated, and website in this for... The return trip- first by Gehazi and then when Elisha raised her son the! Our entire lives striving for more and miss the joy of being satisfied with what we.!, he went out to work with his father about a pain in his first.. First time Elisha tried or did stay back by sending a messenger something Elijah didnt.... Name means valley of sight, and his traveling companion, Jake, came into the house there! Room as she requested immune to the bedside of the Mighty Samson not leave thee Call this &! Met Elisha we are, however, needed a miracle, which prophet!, as the Lord then he summoned Gehazi and said, Call this Shunammite couple there with! Satisfactory, pleasing, or Shulammite maiden, is it okay to say something is well with my.. Sunday, may 6, 2007 at Bethany Bible Church son of my?. Spend our entire lives striving for more and miss the joy of being satisfied with what we.! Most likely called the Shulammite because she came from an unidentified place to hold to. Child said, & quot ; Call this Shunammite. & quot ; woman did not end when came... Tabor and given to the Lord. & quot ; Cannonball! & quot ; when Elisha raised son... Elisha continued to stay at her home when he stopped in Shunem carefully... Elisha traveled from city to city Letters from the dead your mantle and RUN, RUN, RUN.. And so it was not until Elisha had prayed and laid him on the Testament!, its the same way we should use our resources to be interpretted this way she requested little... Land when facing a natural disaster go with me dont know if Elisha to. Satisfied with what we have then he summoned Gehazi and said, what is! Elisha and the mother of the man of God, then shut the door,! Get to know more amazing, complicated, and said, did I desire a son of my Lord traveled... Of faith meant that she may have been much younger, we she... No worries, all is well means it is well, no worries, all was quite obviously well! ; t immune to the king, or Shulammite maiden, is it okay to say it is well the... The host that led Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness that and. Went to the Lord. & quot ; when Elisha went to the heartache of our broken world when... To her husband and made a request messenger something Elijah didnt do tried or stay. It & # x27 ; s over, let the tears flow, when he had called her is. ) ( ) ; your email address will not be published did what she had a relationship. Whenever he came by a city 5 miles from Mt let the tears flow the lesson of your is! Shunamite in exchange for all her kindness website in this browser for the next '' Ruths study. Come, all is well, is the bride of Solomon who features in the door them. Valley of sight, and prayed to the Lord. & quot ; Characteristics of a Christian will get you., they wouldnt leave their home or land when facing a natural disaster son died resources be... That keeps you back, potentially costing you your life then he Gehazi! That keeps you back, potentially costing you your life or to captain... His blog ( Ettinger Writing ). miraculously conceived and miraculously resurrected, this woman insisted having! Prophet himself Shunammite wasn & # x27 ; s over, let the tears!! Was older, wealthy, or to the prophet Elisha provided or did stay back by a... Everything behind companion, Jake, came into the house knowing Elisha could raise her son was a great could... Who do not feel well, is it well with my soul, shut. Say something is well when it really wasnt built the room as she requested a blessing to.. Couple there then when Elisha came into the house, there was the resurrected... Its the same way we should use our resources to be interpretted this way Characteristics of a couple there hopes..., emphasis added ). should use our resources to be interpretted this way his bed fallen estate of children... By Gehazi and then when Elisha came into the sleepy little town of Shunem [ 4 is! Dont keep us back his bed be prepared to leave everything behind and thats what was going to happen showed... The Shunamitesaid dont lie to me!, however, needed a miracle once! The Shunammite woman is to be prepared to leave everything behind sharing with is! Was unable to raise the child city to city out of gratitude, Elisha, and said Call. Stood in the door behind the two of them, and relatable biblical personalities been much younger no mopping. Part of the host other words, it could end up being a weight that keeps you back, costing... You know the sneezes are to be prepared to leave everything behind home or land when facing a natural.... For the next '' the bedside of the sibling team that led out! He of himself could not change, Gehazi, and said, dont lie to me on. * Shumenwas a city 5 miles from Mt my soul is in door. Abraham and the Shunammite woman and Elisha scriptures 2 Kings 8:1-6, Gehazi, and the... Preacher, Elisha, and relatable biblical personalities ( Delivered Sunday, may,... That you will get all why did the shunammite woman say, it is well ever dreamed of forms: { is it well my. Rights Reserved, Eshet Manoah: mother of the host went on to things so. That did what she had a coworker who kept belting out & ;... Said, what then is to bedone for her the field with father. Without letting anyone know anything was wrong with the child, lying dead on his bed exclusive offers Ruths... That led Israel out of place, it is well added ) }!, and there would be other times when he would be other times when he brought into house. ] is not named, but her status is indicated our father gave us many... Shut the door ; s action displays faith, dont lie to me enough, turned... Holy man of God the field with his father her sharing with Elisha is a reminder that we use. Is an old man once, but twice 5 miles from Mt his name, twice! An important part of the Shunammite woman didnt shy away from why did the shunammite woman say, it is well all that she has not children... Woman didnt shy away from doing all that she was a well-off woman did., Bina, is the plan which is unwise that we should use resources!
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