Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=2Kings+004
2 Kings Chapter 4 (ESV)
20 And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died….
24 Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.” 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?’” 29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.”
REFLECTION:
- If time permits, please read the whole chapter through to learn the story of the Shunammite woman, her son’s illness, death and how Elisha brought him back to life.
- Have I ever felt the bitterness of shattered hopes and desires? This barren woman from Shunem knows it intimately. When the prophet Elisha first prophesied that she would have a son, she wouldn’t even let on that she desired a son. Then when her son died, she seems to wish she’d never hoped at all.
- Notice Elisha’s responded to the woman in her fear, grief, and regret and their interaction. Take a moment to think about the interaction God would have with me when I am in fear, grief or regret? How would God respond in such situations? What might be God’s feeling? His response?
- What might my life look like if I were to take God at His word, believing that He knows all about me and cares for me as tenderly as Elisha cared for the Shunammite? How might I pray differently? Live differently?
PRAYER:
Explore my own heart to see if there are any deep desires that I am afraid to trust God with. Have a conversation with Jesus. Tell Him my hesitation and reservation to trust Him for my secret desires and wishes. Listen for God’s response.
HYMN:
Thanks to God – youtu.be/G3M8QprrlAo
