In the fourth message of Elisha: God’s Double Agent, Pastor Jeff Anders moves to 2 Kings 4 and the “great woman” of Shunem. Her home was the setting for Elisha’s sixth and seventh miracles: a son conceived and later raised from the dead. Tonight’s message focuses on what made her great (she was selfless, spiritual, and satisfied) and on the promise God gave her.
Recap: The Miracles So Far
Elisha received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and the sixteen miracles of his ministry prove it. So far the series has covered:
- The dividing of the Jordan (2 Kings 2).
- The healing of Jericho’s waters.
- The cursing of the mocking youths.
- The defeat of the Moabites (2 Kings 3).
- This morning, the widow’s oil (2 Kings 4:1–7). Elisha told her to borrow empty pots and keep pouring until they were all full, then sell the oil to pay her debt and live on the rest.
Now Elisha comes to the little village of Shunem. Two miracles happen in this one home: the barren woman conceives a son (miracle six), and later that son is raised from the dead (miracle seven).
The Provision: A Selfless Woman
The Holy Spirit calls her “a great woman.” If you want to be great, consider her example.
- She made sure the man of God had a meal whenever he passed through.
- Then she asked her husband to build a little chamber on the wall with a bed, a table, a stool, and a candlestick so he would have a place to stay (2 Kings 4:9–10).
- In a small ancient home, giving up that space was a real sacrifice. Maybe she had to clean out her “walk-in closet.”
- The man of God mattered more to her than her own comfort. You can’t be great and selfish. You have to be selfless.
Hospitality Is Commanded
- Meet the needs of fellow believers and be devoted to hospitality (Romans 12:13), and do it without complaining (1 Peter 4:9).
- Remember those who are imprisoned or suffering, and don’t forget to take in believers who are traveling. Some have hosted angels without knowing it.
- Believers took care of one another and opened their homes.
The Mind of Christ
Selflessness doesn’t come naturally to our fallen nature or our self-centered culture. Even redeemed people struggle with it, and selfishness is at the heart of most of our problems.
- Don’t act out of rivalry or pride. Humbly value others above yourself (Philippians 2:3), and look out for their interests, not just your own (Philippians 2:4).
- Have the same humble attitude Christ had (Philippians 2:5). Though He was God, He didn’t grasp at His position. He took the form of a servant and humbled Himself to the death of the cross (Philippians 2:6–8). Nobody has ever humbled himself like Jesus did.
- The One who was wealthy above all became the poorest of all, so that we who live in spiritual poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
- Seek another’s good, not your own (1 Corinthians 10:24). Paul sought not his own profit but the profit of many, that they might be saved (1 Corinthians 10:33).
- Be kind to one another and honor others above yourself (Romans 12:10).
- Stop judging one another, and don’t put a stumbling block in your brother’s way (Romans 14:13–15). Follow after the things that make for peace and edify one another (Romans 14:19). If something causes your brother to stumble, don’t do it, even if you have liberty (Romans 14:21).
- The strong should bear with the weak and please their neighbor for his good, because Christ didn’t live to please Himself (Romans 15:1–3).
Sharing and Serving
- Those who have more than they need shouldn’t be high-minded or trust in uncertain riches. They should trust the living God, be rich in good works, and be ready to share (1 Timothy 6).
- Do good to everyone, especially fellow believers (Galatians 6:10).
- In the upper room, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, even Judas’s, and said that we are happy if we follow His example (John 13). Focus on yourself and you’ll be unhappy. Serve others and you’ll find real happiness.
- She reminds us of Lydia, who opened her home to Paul (Acts 16).
The Perception: A Spiritual Woman
In 2 Kings 4:9, she told her husband she perceived that this was a holy man of God. She had spiritual insight. He was no average man. He was called, anointed, and empowered by God.
- No one can imagine all God has prepared for those who love Him, yet He reveals it to us by His Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9).
- The unsaved person can’t grasp the things of God’s Spirit, because they have to be discerned spiritually (1 Corinthians 2:14). An unconverted person is like a radio that isn’t tuned in until the Holy Ghost lives inside.
- Because she knew he was God’s man, she wanted her family as close to him as possible. It is wise for God’s people to get close to God’s men who are called, anointed, and empowered.
A Satisfied Woman
In 2 Kings 4:11–13, Elisha rested in the chamber and had his servant Gehazi call her. He thanked her for all her care and offered to speak to the king or the captain of the host on her behalf. Most of us would pull out a pen and start a long list. She simply answered that she lived among her own people and needed nothing. She was content where God had placed her.
- The world may call constant dissatisfaction and the drive for more “success,” but it isn’t greatness.
- Paul thanked the Philippians for their gifts and wrote that he had learned to be content in whatever state he was in, whether he had much, little, or was in prison (Philippians 4).
- Contentment has to be learned. It comes as we rest in and trust the sovereignty and providence of God.
- Being godly and content together is real gain (1 Timothy 6:6). We came into the world with nothing and will leave with nothing (1 Timothy 6:7). If you have clothes on your back, you have more than you came with.
The Promise
In 2 Kings 4:14, Elisha still asked what could be done for her. Gehazi pointed out that she had no son and her husband was old. In 2 Kings 4:16, Elisha promised she would have a son about that season. She begged him not to lie to her or get her hopes up.
- The promise was declared, then doubted, then delivered. In 2 Kings 4:17, she conceived and bore a son at the time Elisha had said.
- The evidence grew inside her. Every cry of that baby said God’s promises are true and God’s power is real.
- God specializes in this. He did it for Abraham and Sarah when it was impossible, and for Zacharias and Elizabeth, even though Zacharias doubted too.
- She opened her home, and more than that her heart, to the man of God, and God blessed her.
Take-Homes
- Greatness is selfless. Put others ahead of yourself, just as Christ did.
- Practice hospitality and sharing. Open your home, share what you have, and serve.
- Walk in the Spirit. Ask for spiritual discernment, and stay close to those God has anointed.
- Learn contentment. Godliness and contentment together make a great person. Rest in God’s sovereignty and providence.
- Trust God’s promises. Even when they seem impossible, what God says, He delivers.