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A Woman is Blessed with a Son

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"About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." "No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!" 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.

(II Kings 4:16-17)

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There was a prophet named Elisha who was one of the great prophets of Israel.

The prophet went here and there and taught God's words to many people.

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One day, Elisha went to a place called Shunem.

When he was passing by a house, the woman who lived there urged Elisha to stay for a meal.

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So Elisha received her invitation and ate food at that house.

He was very grateful to her.

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However, the woman gave food to Elisha not only one time but also whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat.

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She had another plan for Elisha and said to her husband, "I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let's make a small room for him on the roof. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us."

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Her husband said to her to do as she wanted.

They made a small room and put in it a bed and a table, a chair, and a lamp for him.

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One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there.

Elisha wanted to give something to her since she had treated him so well.

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He said to his servant Gehazi, "Call the Shunammite." So he called her, and she stood before him.

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Elisha said to Gehazi, "Tell her, 'You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?' "

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She replied, "No, I have a home among my own people.

I do not need any favors."

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After she left, Elisha still wanted to give her something. "What can be done for her?" Elisha asked. Gehazi said, "Well, she has no son and her husband is old. They have really wanted to have a baby."

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Then Elisha said, "Call her." So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. "About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." "No, my lord," she objected. "Don't mislead your servant, O man of God!"

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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. They were so glad because they had really wanted this blessing all of their lives.

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She did not seek a reward for helping Elisha. She only wanted to help the passing prophet in front of her house. She gave a meal with a pure heart and prepared a room for him. However, she received an unexpected son.

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God has the same heart like Elisha toward us. If we act with a pure whole heart pleasing to God, God will give us unexpected presents, too. I hope that all of you who have listened to today's words will receive amazing blessings from God like the Shunamammite woman.