Inn Sense.

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. She 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 on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” (Second Kings 4:8-10)

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Joy spoke on Second Kings 4:8-37. The account of the interaction between Elisha and the Shunammite woman provides several key thoughts for our reflection this week.

Verses 8 through 10 give us a glimpse of the wisdom and discernment of the Shunammite. After seeing Elisha on a number of occasions, she suggests to her husband that they create a space in their home for Elisha to rest in whenever he passes through their community.


At a recent event, I learned that each month several hundred ministers leave ministry. Why? Because ministry is often a life of high demands, low pay, and no encouragement or appreciation from the constituents they are called to serve.

Sometimes we are not conscious of the needs of our ministry leaders. We come to church for a myriad of reasons; more often than not, we expect to "get" something out of our attendance. It is a rare Christian who asks, "How can I bless my pastor? How can I bless the evangelist who passes through my town on a regular basis?"

The Shunammite woman models an answer: "I can bless this prophet by creating an atmosphere of refreshment and rest."

Now, I understand that we aren't all well-to-do like this woman was. Not everyone can renovate their home or open their apartment to host itinerant ministers. Not everyone is in a position to open their wallets or purses. But we can all open our hearts. We can create an atmosphere of refreshment and rest through our prayers for, and encouragement of, ministry leaders with whom we regularly interact.

Let's take a page from the life book of this Shunammite. Without fuss or fanfare, and without hidden agenda, she did her part to be a blessing to one of God's ministers. May God help us all to follow her lead.