The Shunammite Woman

Driving home: There is no valid reason to believe that chapter 4 is hung together necessarily chronologically, but there seems to be a thematic unity in this chapter, having beheld the prophet on the brink, a battlefield in conjunctio…

The previous incident in 2 Kings 4, where God marvelously provided for a poor preacher's widow, is used to set the thematic context of God's tender concern for individuals.

and it seems that the underlying concern of this chapter is to demonstrate the great concern of the prophet Elisha. The great concern of Jehovah, not only for the great issues that affect the life and future and even the existence of the nation of Israel, and surely that was necessary to fulfill redemptive designs, but to show this same God in tender fatherly concern, ministering to the needs of his children in very difficult times, in times of apostasy, in times when the great majority of these, the visible adherence to the worship of Jehovah, had turned aside from that adherence and were fou...

1:24 - 2:44 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: This section details the Shunammite woman's hospitality to Elisha, focusing on the location (Shunem), her identity as a 'great woman' of wealth and piety, and her initiative to…

A commentator's description of Shunem's geographical location and pleasant characteristics is quoted to provide rich background for the narrative.

A quote from one of the commentators who, speaking on this very passage or writing, says, About midway between north and south of the promised land, only a few days' journey from Jerusalem, there is an extensive plain which reaches from the sea coast to the vine-covered borders of the Jordan River, presenting here and there a hill and a partially watered area watered by the river Kishon. In this, this tract of land, which for fruitfulness of the soil, the luxuriance of its vegetation and the pleasantness of its climate, was in former days scarcely equaled in the world, was situated amidst grov...

7:08 - 8:34 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: This section details the Shunammite woman's hospitality to Elisha, focusing on the location (Shunem), her identity as a 'great woman' of wealth and piety, and her initiative to…

Jezreel, the seat of wickedness, is described as casting a 'shadow' over the quiet town of Shunem, helping to appreciate Elisha's digression to avoid ungodly interaction.

was even now residing. Further on, in 2 Kings chapter 10, it is made very evident that at Jezreel there was still a very blatant refusal to acknowledge the claims of Jehovah, and there was open Baal worship. So if we can picture now this lovely little rural agricultural town called Shunem, under, as it were, the shadow of this place called Jezreel, that in a real sense, was the seat of the wickedness in the northern kingdom under these sons of Ahab, perhaps we can appreciate a little bit what it was that made the prophet apparently go out of the normal path between the southern parts of the no...

8:34 - 9:58 Read in full sermon

Driving home: She comes to the conclusion that this man has something more than a hairy mantle, he has something more than a name and a reputation for being a man of God. The result of her own careful observation after many visits in …

Edersheim is quoted to explain the cultural significance of building an upper chamber with an outside stair, highlighting the thoughtfulness and respect of the Shunammite woman's hospitality.

of commitment on their part and here i read from edersheim who often gives wonderful and helpful insights on some of these historical and cultural patterns in palestine the outside stare let us read from edersheim who often gives wonderful and helpful insights on some of these historical patterns in palestine the outside stare let us up from the road to the roof of the house so it was not necessary to pass to the interior of the dwelling part of the roof of the house she would now surround with walls so as to make an upper chamber of it this would give the prophet at all times undisturbed and ...

19:15 - 20:38 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Martin explains that the narrative's immediate message to ancient Israel was a powerful assertion of Jehovah's livingness and power over Baal, demonstrated through supernatural…

Martin imagines the cynical response of Baal worshippers to the Shunammite woman's prophecy, using it to highlight the contrast with true faith in Jehovah.

Can you imagine what the response might have been? For some who had sold out to the worship of Baal there was probably nothing but sheer cynicism. You're going to have a kid? Not with that old man you got for a husband.

30:35 - 30:49 Read in full sermon

The point: Examine if your religion is 'all in your mouth' or if your consistent domestic godliness whets the appetite of loved ones to hear the gospel.

The well-known phrase and the character of Talkative from Pilgrim's Progress are used to illustrate the lack of consistency in domestic godliness.

You've heard the well-known phrase, a saint abroad and a devil at home. You remember talkative in Christian, in Pilgrim's Progress, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, the comment is made that his religion is all in his mouth. It is not established in his heart. In his home and in his conversation. What of you? Are you a talkative? Your religion all in your mouth? Why is it that some of you young people, your parents, don't have their appetites whetted to come and hear the gospel you say you love and believe? Because they've not seen much to whet their appetite. Could that be the reason? Could it be ...

54:04 - 54:51 Read in full sermon

The point: Cultivate a spirit of humility that makes you grateful for all of God's blessings and finds expression in thankfulness to those who show you kindness.

The simple act of sending thank you notes for hospitality or support is used as an example of cultivating a spirit of gratitude in 'little things'.

O, pray that you be able by the grace of God to cultivate a spirit of gratitude. Have you sent a letter yet to those churches that support us in the work of the Academy? Do you send a little note when people have you in a home? He said, it's just a little thing.

59:06 - 59:26 Read in full sermon

The point: Cultivate a spirit of humility that makes you grateful for all of God's blessings and finds expression in thankfulness to those who show you kindness.

The biblical account of the ten lepers, with only one returning to give thanks, is used to warn against irresponsible ingratitude for blessings received.

Well, life's made up little things. Most of us live months and years before we do anything dramatic, and we do, maybe, one thing and then go back to three or four more years of the Monday. And it's in the little things you see. This was no speech made before thousands in Israel. This was no great showdown on Mount Carmel before the prophets of Baal and the entire nation. This was in the privacy of a rooftop dormitory. And he says, woman, I must do something to show my kindness. May we not be like the nine of the ten lepers who receive from the hand of Christ, but are so irresponsibly taken up ...

59:26 - 60:13 Read in full sermon

The point: Be people lovers, not users or abusers, cultivating love and sensitivity for others.

The feeling of awe or apprehension when receiving a call from elders is used to illustrate the Shunammite woman's potential awe of Elisha, explaining why he spoke through Gehazi.

Sensitivity to people. You wonder why he didn't address the woman directly in the first instance. Well, I think the clue is given by several of the commentators. Having come to the conviction that he was indeed a man of God and God's representative in Israel, having shown her sensitivity to his need to be shut in with God and to have dealings with God, there was probably a sense of reserve and awe. And he was sensitive to this. And rather than, rather than address her directly, which might have totally unhinged her, it's like you getting a phone call saying the elders want to see you. You get,...

60:39 - 61:39 Read in full sermon

The point: Be people lovers, not users or abusers, cultivating love and sensitivity for others.

Christ's gentle questioning of Peter in John 21, rather than rebuking him for his denial, is used as a prime example of love and sensitivity.

not break the bruised reed or quench the smoking flask. We saw that sensitivity in his dealings with Peter in the reading in John 21 this morning. Isn't it a moving passage? Peter, do you love me? He didn't stand up and thunder at Peter and say, Ah, talk is cheap. Where was your love a few days ago? Standing there warming your hands by the fire, cursing and swearing and saying, Nay, O man of God, do not lie unto thy handmaid. He doesn't say, I didn't know me. Where was your love then? No, the Lord doesn't do that. He just gently probes him with the question, Peter, how many times did you deny ...

62:25 - 63:10 Read in full sermon