In a culture where women were typically classed as subservient to men, the Shunammite stood out. She was described as a “well-to-do” woman. She owned property. She took the initiative of inviting Elisha to eat with her household. She planned the addition of another room to her house for the sake of the prophet. She personally traveled from Shunem to Mount Carmel to appeal directly to Elisha concerning her son. God placed her in a relationship where she was able to be a blessing, and to receive a blessing. Not a blessing mediated through Gehazi, nor through her husband, but a direct relationship between herself and the prophet.
For those of us who have read past Second Kings 4, we know that God maintained this prophetic dyad between Elisha and the Shunammite woman over a period of years. In Second Kings 8 we see Elisha return to warn her of impending famine, and she obeyed by moving to temporary housing in a different land for seven years. Upon her return to her homeland, Elisha’s servant Gehazi is found standing in the court of the king at the very moment that the Shunammite enters to appeal for the return of her house and field (see Second Kings 8:1-6).
Should we be looking to establish prophetic dyads on our own? No. Relationships forged apart from the will and direction of God are sources of confusion, error, and destruction. Our best and only Source is Christ Himself, the Lord of all creation. Our adoration, appeals, and petitions are to Him. But we, like the Shunammite woman, should obey when the Spirit of God leads us to bless the ministers of God who cross our path. We bless at His prompting, without seeking to gain something for ourselves. If God chooses to set up a prophetic exchange, using His servants to speak specific blessings into our lives, then that is His prerogative.
Lord, help us to live and serve according to Your leading.
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