Isn't it something to know you are recorded in the Bible as a woman of faith described as great by God? Yes, being aware of the fact that your name is mysteriously hidden by the Almighty, yet being called the great woman. We've heard about many men throughout history who had attributed the title of being great in their names (Alexander the Great, Alfred the Great, Constantine the Great, Frederick the Great, Charlemagne - which is translated as Charles the Great, etc.) The title great was rendered for the people who usually used to be Great Kings in the past, yet in the Bible God attributes the title great to a simple woman on the surface, but very complex inside.
This type of woman is found in
2 Kings 4:8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.
Reading about what this woman does makes me think how much we need to have faith in God no matter the circumstances, to serve God first, to be determined as she was when she had to do certain things, to have the spiritual discernment,
2 Kings 4:9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.
The term "perceive" refers to observing things, to discern, to recognize. Whenever you are exposed to all sorts of people as a child of God, you feel when you are in good company, you notice certain situations and filter everything through scriptural lenses. Darlings, it is the indwelling Holy Ghost Who tells us things, so mind it!
Moreover, another attribute of the Shunammite woman is generosity. She not only perceived that Elisha was a holy man, but she also provided food and shelter for him,
2 Kings 4:10-11 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.
And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there.
Are you quick to help others, to give your best to provide for their needs?
Matthew 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
If we do everything with God in our hearts, He marks it! When we are God's disciples, we are also one with Him, so the above words Jesus refers to is Him being present in the heart of the believer. Whatever good we do, God considers it. He is our hope, our Friend, Father, Companion, Counselor.
Going back to our text, another remarkable thing about this woman was self-control in overwhelming circumstances. I suppose it is not easy to deal with the death of a young child as she did. The Shunammite woman went directly to Elisha perseverant, faithful, after he previously prophesied about her son,
2 Kings 4:16-17 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.
And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.
2 Kings 4:21-22 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.
And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again.
She kept the humble posture when she looked for Elisha, and was not angry nor dismayed.
2 Kings 4:27-28 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the Lord hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.
Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?
I have heard about a woman of such great a faith; for whatever she was doing she prayed: when changing the diapers - PRAYING, when cooking - PRAYING, when taking care of the children - PRAYING, when washing the clothes - PRAYING, when washing the dishes - PRAYING, etc. Such a woman cannot ever face hell! It is obvious! There are many godly people who live so naturally by example because they love the Lord, so the Holy Spirit starts a work in the heart of the Bible-believer,
James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Have you ever considered that one day (if it has not already happened), that woman will see her example recorded by God in His Book by calling her the great woman? Prayer is so important in our walk with the Lord. Do your best to serve the Lord in everything you do!
With 25 bunches of blessings,
Denisa
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