ELISHA AND SHUNAMMITE WOMAN KE Phoku- 21/01/2018 2 Kings 4:8-37; Luke 5:5; Luke 10:38-42; Matt. 26:1-8; Proverbs 31:10-31 1. Introduction Shunem was a city 53 Km (1h 25min, 10hrs on foot) from Mt. Carmel and given to the descendants of Issachar, who was Jacob s son. Issachar is [like] a strong-boned donkey, Crouching down between the sheepfolds. When he saw that the resting place was good And that the land was pleasant, He bowed his shoulder to bear [burdens], And became a servant at forced labor. GENESIS 49:14-15 AMP Shunem therefore was called a double resting place. It was known as a trading hub and an exchange center for travellers.
The only other time a woman from Shunem is mentioned is in 1 Kings chapter one when Israel sought out a beautiful girl to take care of the aging King Davidlike a beauty pageant. So there s no doubt the woman was rich & beautiful. However we need to look at what type of a woman was this. There are few questions that need answers in order to better understand her: 1. Describing this woman? The woman in this story is hospitable, giving, kind, very persuasive, goes out of her way for others and has faith. She's described as a 'great woman'.
The definition of this word as used in Hebrew, it means bold, prominent, insolent, mighty, noble, loud, or older. Sometimes we might be tempted to think greatness has to do with beauty or success. But if we live longer we realise, it s possible to be successful and not be great; rich and not be great; beautiful but not great; married but not great. In fact most of successful people in those areas are the most miserable people in the live. The woman was great because: She valued the word of God (Mary story- Luke 10:41-42). She was great because of her consistent generosity. She was great because of her capacity, ability to deal with challenges.
2. How did she approach her husband with her idea? What does this reveal about their marriage? The woman pitched to the husband hear idea of building a room for the man of God. In fact she pleaded with him. This shows respect and trust relationship in their marriage. The anointing flows unhindered where there's no strive. Anointing flows where there's unity and love. 3. How did Elisha respond to their generosity? Elisha felt to offer the prophet s blessing to this family due to this great generosity. Do not carry a money belt, a provision bag, or [extra] sandals; and do not greet anyone along the way [who would delay you]. Whenever you go into a city and they welcome you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are
sick [authenticating your message], and say to them, The kingdom of God has come near to you. LUKE 10:4,8-9 AMP Great people are those who don t cave in when things go wrong. 4. What, if anything, did this woman request of Elisha? What does this tell us about her view of her life? The woman didn t use her generosity to manipulate man of God in making demands. When asked what they can do for her, she said am well. The woman had no hidden agenda when she took care of the man of God. That s why she wasn t opportunistic about being introduced to governor. The woman had great morals: she cared more about the process than the goal. What are you
willing to do to get it. Love him enough to endure process for the promise. Great methods: she had a plan to accomplish the goal, lest frustration that will kill the dream. Great means: the woman build up resources. Used what she had for God. You need to know your gift. Her gift created room in her life. Great management: it's not over when God gives it to you. To whom much is given much is required. New blessings can't be handled same way. However she was waiting, even when she didn t know. She s full in one area but impoverished in another. Some people accept their conditions while others refuse to give up. Don t let the enemy terminate your dream. Don t allow people come tell you may be it s your fate, it was meant for you to be this was. People come with 5 steps to accepting you re failure
5. What need did she withhold, and why she withheld it? But in the meantime she had a need for a baby that was buried in her heart. Evidently the woman tried several times to have a baby without success. Sometimes we bury our dreams in our hearts because we tired of failing, until we tell ourselves may be wasn t meant to be. There's a point in our lives when we stop wanting certain things simply because we want to numb the pain of failure. Don t want hunger pains anymore. Repeated failure can tempt us stop pursuing your dreams. However we need to allow the word of God break our cycle. If you plan on being anything less than you're capable of being, you'll probably be unhappy all the days of your life"- ABRAHAM MASLOW.
6. How does Elisha find out about her unexpressed need? What does he, as God s representative, do about it? Elisha in Hebrew mean God our salvation Gehasi mean valley of vision. Gehasi therefore said, though this woman may be successful in all areas she doesn t have a son and her husband is old in other words, her situation is hopeless. And Elisha called for her and ministered to her. But at first she doesn t believe him. 7. What did she learn about God? She soon learned that God is not interested in filling the filled area. Capacity may be in a form of problem, barrenness. Some people accept their conditions while others refuse to give up.
Later she learned to depend on God entirely. That even when the son died, she kept confessing it is well even when situations were not favourable for her. She learned that if it was born of the WORD, it'll take WORD to sustain it. 8. Conclusion It takes uncommon faith to try again after repeated failures. There's time in our lives when God would want to remember us because of our consistent faithfulness for His kingdom. And when He does that it won t matter what things we have come to accept as impossible for us. He will move mountains to give us free passage. He will open dangerous waters for us to pass on dry land. He will create sound for our enemies to run and leave valuable behind for us. God want s to fill our emptiness!