The Woman of Shunem, Great in Many Ways

The Woman of Shunem, Great in Many Ways

Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly.  Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.” ……….

2 Kings 4:8-37

We find in the ‘notable’ woman of Shunem, another unnamed figure of the Scriptures whose life is worthy of our attention.  While we do not seek to magnify any mere human for their own sakes,  we want to recognize that these holy folk are good examples for us to consider.  Their lives show us large evidence of evangelical grace which we ought to desire to see in our own lives.  In that spirit today, let it be our heart’s desire that God would make us great in the way in which the company of Shunem was.

As we read the passage, we find that this woman was great in her spiritual perception.  In the ninth verse she remarks to her husband, “I perceive that this is a holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.”  She was sensitive to the fact that here was a true servant of the Most High God.  In a day when many make claims for themselves regarding their spirituality as leaders, we would do well to have real spiritual perception of who are the true men of God.

This woman was also great in her hospitality, especially toward the people of God.  At her own expense, she built a room in order to enhance her ministry to Elisha.  Here is a spirit of Christian graciousness which we would do well to imbibe.  She was also great in her contentment.  When Elisha asked what he could do in response to her kindness, she answered, “I dwell among mine own people.”  She was content with what she had.  “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”  Are we as content as she was?  The passage shows us also that this woman was great in her perseverance.  When she approached Elisha after the untimely death of her son, she refused to leave until the man himself followed her.  When we are about some important business for God, do we display that type of perseverance?  We find that this Shunemite was also great in her gratitude.  When Elisha had raised up her boy from the dead, she “went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground.”  Truly great souls are great in gratitude.  Oh that God would make us great as this Shunemite was.

Our Great God and Savior,

we pray that Thou wouldst

advance in us those Christian

graces so exhibited by this saint of old. 

Make us truly

great in spiritual things.

Where the Bush is Burning

Tomm Tice