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One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.” (2 Kings 4:8)

Jesus had the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus as a quiet place to rest. Paul had Priscilla and Aquilla. God gave Elisha, the prophet, a well to do woman who not only opened her home at mealtimes but also prepared a comfortable, welcoming room for him to stay in whenever he was in town. Her home became a “brook in the way” for God's man.

What Can I Do For You?
In an effort to return the favor for her care Elisha asks her, “Now what can be done for you?” What could a poor prophet give to such a wealthy woman who seems to need nothing? Her response reveals a contented heart, “I have a home among my people.” She is satisfied with her life.

But Elisha's servant, Gehazi points out that the woman and her husband are childless. Elisha makes an amazing promise, “About this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.”

Clearly this woman has already struggled with and accepted her infertility because she objects, “No, my lord, don't mislead your servant, O man of God!” In other words, don't play such a cruel joke on me.

God Gives What Man Can't
A year later God gives this faithful woman what man couldn't, a baby boy. As the child grew we can imagine that the friendship between his parents and Elisha deepened. So when the worst sorrow imaginable, the death of their son, shatters their world, it's natural that the woman should run to Elisha, the Man of God. She reminds him that she begged him not to raise her hopes that she would one day have a son. Her words imply that it would have been better never to have borne this child than to have him for such a short time and experience such horrific grief.

Elisha sends his servant, Gehazi, to attempt to raise the boy from the dead but to no avail. The mother insists that Elijah himself must raise her son from the dead.

When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he got on the bed and laid upon the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out upon him, the boy's body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out upon him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes (2 Kings 4:32-35).

Eight Jewels in a Godly Woman's Crown
Because I, too, have experienced, the death of our child, I can imagine the unspeakable joy these parents experienced when they held their young son in their arms. Alive! The bereaved mother teaches me much about facing the dark night of the soul:

1. Count pain as your friend. It is an opportunity to experience the power and majesty of God in ways you could never experience Him in the mundane of life. 2. Don't just sit there when darkness falls. Move. I mean that literally. Take whatever action you can to tap into the mind of God and get His wisdom on your circumstances. 3. Commit to a long arduous journey, knowing joy comes in the morning (Acts 20:17-38). 4. Do not be detoured by anyone or anything from the goal of knowing intimately the heart of God. 5. Renew your mind by reflecting upon the character of God. He owes you no explanations but welcomes your questions and doubts. Focus on what you know about Him, rather than what you don't know (Ephesians 3:11-21). 6. Refresh your hope by reclaiming the precious promises God has made to you (Psalm 44:22). 7. Do not be discouraged by those who should be able to help you but don't. 8. Refuse to let go of your biblical worldview and …

Trust that God does all things well.