Have someone done something for you or have you received something that was so on point that you can’t but think I have to repay this person one way or the  other. This was exactly how Prophet Elisha felt. In episode “116_ A gift with no strings attached” we see how prophet Elisha became a beneficiary of a great gift from the Shunamite woman. In our study today, we would look at Elisha’s reaction.

Let turn the Bible to 2 Kings 4: 14-17

14 “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked.

Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”

15 Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. 16 “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “you will hold a son in your arms.”

“No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!”

17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.

Prophet Elisah has been the beneficiary of the Shunamite’s woman’s family kindness and generosity. He felt he must find a way to repay this kindness one way or the other.

The woman has said she doesn’t want anything in return for her generosity.She was content with her life. But prophet Elisah begins a quest to find what can be done for the woman.

Gehazi, the prophet’s servants said  “She has no son, and her husband is old.”

Prophet Elisha prophesied to the Shunamite woman that she would have a son by the following year.

She does not believe Elisha, and warns Elihsa not to mislead her. Not to turn a wish to help into a prophecy. 

She accommodated Elisha because she ascertained he was a true prophet of God.  It is the true character and prophecies of Elisha that made the shunammite woman notice Elisha in the first place. For prophet Elisha to mislead the Shunatime with a false prophecy would taint his testimony as a true prophet of God. So were prophet Elisah to say something just because of her gift would dishonour the office of the prophet Elisha.

By the following year, the Shunamite woman had a son. Elisha’s prophecy had been fulfilled. He was a true prophet of God. The unexpected generosity of the Shunamite, brought about the unexpected gift of a son.

What stands to me in the few passages of scripture. Is the contentment of the Shunamite woman. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6: 6 Godliness with contentment is  great gain.

The Shunamite woman may not have physically had all she had ever prayed for but she was content with what God had given her.

The Oxford dictionary defines contentment as a state of happiness and satisfaction.

Contentment is a peaceful ease of mind.  Matthew Henry’s commentary of the Bible describes it as a submission and obedience to the will of God.

Contentment is not a word or concept we hear of in this time and age. Where there is always something else you could be achieving. Another thing to add to your accumulation of achievements. It’s the state of being happy and satisfied with God’s will.

Contentment has mainly to do with things beyond our circle of influence and control. The Shunamite woman was happy and living a full life. She did not allow the fact that her husband was old and she did not have any son to consume her existence. She did not allow it to permeate every interaction she had. Her contentment with her life allowed her to enjoy what she had, she was happy and she was able to see outside of herself. She was able to see the needs of Elisah.

Contentment focuses the mind and attitude on what one has. Which breeds gratitude and happiness.

Are you consumed by any issue? That it takes over everything you are all about? That is not the state of being content. 

The shunammite woman exemplifies Contentment for us. Are you Contentment?

As you brood over this word and your life, may the Lord bring you to a statement of Contentment. Amen.

God bless.