Saturday, May 03, 2008

"Barren" Women of the Bible Part 1 - the Shunammite Woman

The Shunammite Woman
2 Kings 4:8-17

The Shunammite woman is described as a great woman who opened her home to the prophet Elisha. She did not know who he was, but saw him walking through town one day and invited him to eat at the family home. He would visit the area often and each time, she'd invite him to stay with her husband and she. One day she told her husband that she suspected this was a great and holy man of God and that they should take their hospitality a step further. She set up a room with a cot so that Elisha would be more comfortable during his visits.

So let's stop here and think about this great woman's character so far. She is hospitable and warm toward strangers, and she is wise enough to recognize someone who walks with God. She also shows reverence toward those who walk with God.

Because of her character Elisha decided to bless the Shunammite woman. He asked her what she wanted ... did she want him to put in a good word with the king or even the commander of the Army? What could he do to show his appreciation? She modestly answers,"thank you, but what I have is sufficient." Elisha then asks his servant what he could give this kindly woman. The servant says that the woman is married to an old man and the couple have no children.

Elisha then told the woman that at this same time next year, she'll be holding her son. She was shocked and said, "as a man of God PLEASE don't lie to me like that!" But the prophesy was true. Next year she was holding her little man.

So not only was the woman hospitable and wise, she was modest and content with what she had. She reverenced those deserving and she was not a self-seeking person. And when she did something for somebody, she went all out. But the story does not end here.

The child grew older, but one day he was out in the field with his father when he started screaming, "my head, my head!" Perhaps he had heat stroke or an aneurysm - we don't know. All we know is that the child was taken to his mother where he sat on her lap and died in her arms around noon. And what did the woman do?

She immediately laid him on Elisha's cot and hopped on a donkey trotting as fast as it would go to find the man of God. Elisha saw her coming and sent his servant to find out how she and her family were faring. Her response? "It is well." When she got to the prophet she fell at his feet with a bitter and vexed spirit. She pretty much said, "you came to me with this child ... I didn't ask you for him, so why did you give him, make me love him then let him die?" Needless to say Elisha was quick to work a miracle for this family.

Read verses 29 - 36 to find out exactly how Elisha brought the child back to life (it's quite interesting), but when he told the woman to get her son ... she fell at Elisha's feet, bowed to the ground in gratitude, grabbed her child and left with him.

Now think about the following:

  • I often hear people say that miracles were only to draw people to God, but this is a situation where a man of God awarded a miracle as a kind of thank you gift. Is it possible that there are holy people today who can authorize miracles? What biblical evidence supports your response? (Do some research, don't just rest on old assumptions!)

  • How would you react if someone prophesied that you would have a child despite your medical history? (If someone did prophesy and your baby did not survive, does that mean it's the end of the road for you? Find out what happens in these situations) What does your response say about your ability to believe in the unseen?

  • How did you react after your child died? How is it different from the Shunammite woman's example? The woman felt justified in asking the prophet "why" ... but she did not lose faith in his ability to do what was right in his sight. What has your approach been when talking to God? (i.e "My way or the highway" or "let Your will be done. I trust You.")

  • Do you think the Shunammite woman's character had anything to do with God opening her womb? How does your character match or contrast those of the Shunamite woman? What areas do you need to develop?

  • Thinking about the Shunammite woman's example is there something you can do today to invite a miracle into your life?

I firmly believe that the stories in the Bible provide an example for how we should and shouldn't behave as believers. This woman provides an excellent example of warmth, grace, wisdom, poise and faith. When tragedy hit, she hurt (evidenced by falling at the prophet's feet with a bitter and vexed soul ... previously she only spoke to Elisha through his servant and she maintained a reverent distance from the man of God) and even questioned the fairness of it all. But she did not become ugly and hateful. She did not lose faith. Neither should we.

Feel free to share your thoughts, questions and responses in the comments section.

Hugs!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

This was truly a revelation for me! Thanks for posting and God bless!

Sharee said...

Vycksgirl ...thanks for your comments ... I'm glad it was of use! Hugs!

Anonymous said...

First. thank you for your commentary. Second, you profile the shunamite woman as "barren" but this is not reflected in the text. Do you see it somewhere else or is this a stereotype we have placed upon her?
Curious

Btw-I am a male

Sharee said...

Hi Troy ... thank you for an interesting question. We know the Shunammite woman has an old husband and has no children (vs. 14). But, you are correct we don't actually know the biological reason the couple had no children. I can make a few assumptions though. Back in those days children were considered a blessing from God so if the couple had no children it was not by choice. We can also infer that society casted the burden of *not* bearing a child squarely on her shoulders. So whether her husband was impotent or had low sperm count it is she who would have been considered "defective". As such, I can't agree that the term "barren" is a stereotype. The Shunammite woman was unable to have children with her husband, which is a tragedy she was stuck with until the prophet interceded on her behalf.

Anonymous said...

When I read this story I never once thought it was the woman who was barren. I thought it was the husband who had the problem which is what the servant mentioned. She has no child and her husband is old.
kj

Sharee said...

kj

Thanks for your comment. All we really know is that she had no children until the prophet made it so. We can only draw conclusions as to the "why" ...

Lace Bern said...

Many people wonder if there is a natural cure for hiv or are looking for ways on how to get rid of hiv for good. there are many natural hiv remedies that can put Hiv into remission. there is a method for how to get rid of Hiv Wish is taking of herbal medicines. My problem with Hiv has caused me many traumas,especially in my sex life.I was so afraid of infecting my boyfriend, I suffered the embarrassment of visiting dermatologists queries hundreds of times.Unfortunately,they did not find a definitive solution to my problem.The solution came from the least expected herbal doctor which is Dr Tokubo. By reading in a specialised forum on the subject,How to cure Hiv virus completely. Many people had tried, with excellent and quick results.I had nothing to lose so I decided to contact dr.tokubo and use his herbal medicine to eliminate my Hiv. I spent two weeks using his herbal medicine and today my Hiv completely disappeared and turn out negative after numerous test from different hospital. I recommend this method to all people who want to eliminate the Hiv from their body forever, The doctor contact, drtokubotemple@gmail.com or Call/Whatsapp Number:+2349037990322.He cure the bellow sickness/illness
HERPES
HSV 1 & HSV 2
ASTHMA
DIABETES
EPILEPSY
CANCER
INFERTILITY
STAPHYLOCOCCUS.
BARENESS
HIV /AIDS
HEPATITIS B
Kidney?
HPV
ALS

Unknown said...

Gehazi pointing out that the husband is old - points to an impending fate for the woman if nothing is done for her by way of conceiving a child. A widow with no son will impact her welfare negatively.

Anonymous said...

GOD has certainly lead me here this hour because before sharing this I prayed he lead me to site where my testimony will become blessing to people lives. I found out 4years ago that I was infected with HIV because I was engaged to a man that i knew I should have never had in my life. Like most of us here the HOLY SPIRIT was warning me but I decided to do what I wanted . He never came out to tell me he had it I just happened to go through some old stuff he left at my house and there some antiviral meds appeared . I got checked and was diagnosed. It instantly felt like agony!!! The enemy tempt me with suicide,depression and all kinds of unhealthy emotion. I was looking for love in all the wrong places and people. The enemy kept speaking to me that my life was over.. But one day I quickly with tears in my eyes prayed to GOD for healing. And GOD showed me a vision that my cure is in nature I woke up prayed over it, gradually I started having passion for herbs then gradually I started using for treatment. One evening I think early February this year after my evening prayer I was on a site on herbal remedies for STD and a page was telling possible cure for herpes, then on peoples comments I saw testimonies of people telling how same DR yakubu have successfully cured them of herpes and he cured all manner of STD including HIV. I copied his contact.. .... That same night in my dream I was in the doctor office and the doctor telling me there’s been a mistake THAT I’M FREE FROM ANY DISEASE in my body. I woke up the next morning and prayed over it then contacted DR YAKUBU who immediately responded to me he talked to me and assured me of permanent cure if I finish taking certain quantity of his meds of which I ordered for immediately and started use. Within few weeks of use I noticed total relieved in my body system then went for a test and was confirmed negative and another test and the result was same. Glory be to GOD who cured me as he promised. God is real and he still saves humans through fellow humans. Reach DR YAKUBU through his e-mail;dryakubuherbalhealingclinic@gmail.com