Daily Devotional for Tuesday, April 22

Elisha and a Poor Widow

   “Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; . . . and she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually,” 2 Kings 4:8, 9.

As missionaries, we have had the privilege of staying in “prophets’ rooms” across the country. Churches, businesses and private homes designate a room or suite for traveling missionaries and pastors. It is furnished for overnight stays and usually stocked with essentials and sometimes extra treats. What a blessing! The woman in Shunem is often credited with the idea of a prophet’s room from her hospitality toward Elisha. Hospitality is a strong cultural virtue for Israel that we can trace throughout the Scripture. The Shunammite woman displayed this in her ongoing care for Elisha.

Elisha wanted to honor her for her hospitality. He suggested he could speak with the king or the local commander on her behalf, but she refused. She was wealthy, but she identified with her townspeople; she had no need to rub elbows with the nation’s elite. Instead, Elisha talked to the King of kings and promised her a son. Her husband was old, so she did not want to get her hopes up. The Lord honored Elisha’s word, and she gave birth to a son a year later.

Some years later, her son died suddenly in her arms after a bad headache. The woman knew where to turn. In faith, she saddled a donkey and rode hard approximately twenty miles, a day’s journey, to fetch Elisha. Elisha sent his servant, Gehazi, ahead to try to resurrect the child, but the woman would not leave Elisha. She knew which of them was needed. Elisha returned with her, and her son came back to life.

The Shunammite showed great faith, and God increased it more. Her faith events were counted to her and to Elisha. Like Paul, Elisha could say, “Having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly” (2 Corinthians 10:15).

THOUGHT

When our faith increases, those around us benefit too.

Kelli Reynolds