2 Kings 8
We find here that Jehovah "called for a famine...upon the land" to judge Israel for backsliding and idolatry, and to remind them and their unprincipled king Jehoram, by means of seven years of terrible stress and affliction, that He was still jealous of the nation's loyalty and affection.
But in the midst of judgment it is always God's delight to remember mercy; thus at the very commencement of the dreadful dearth He sent a direct message to the Shunammite woman through Elisha: "Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the Lord hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years." 2 Kings 8:11Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the Lord hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years. (2 Kings 8:1).
There was nothing wonderful or miraculous about this way of escape selected by God for this true woman and those dependent upon her, but she recognizes it as a positive command and immediately acts upon it. This made the distinction between herself and probably thousands of others who in due course left their homes by choice to avoid the terrors of want and privation. Her pilgrimage was undertaken at God's special direction, and in the knowledge that it was ordered for her in God's providence, and thus she felt sure of His guidance and support whatever sorrows or difficulties might cross her path.
This emigration must have been a severe trial to one who considered it such a privilege and pleasure to dwell among her own people, and we can judge that the seven years spent in the land of the heathen Philistines, direct enemies of the Lord and His people, were not the happiest of her life.
No doubt being surrounded by idolaters made her rely more upon the God she had learned in resurrection-"the living God"-and thus she was enabled to wait patiently for the termination of the seven years of exile.
It came at last, and Israel's misery and mourning were at an end. It would have been good if they had benefited more by the discipline. The fugitive families were now free to return to the land of their fathers. "Good-by" is readily said to their temporary place of abode, and the Shunammite and her household journey home again. How she must have anticipated this homecoming, little dreaming of the disappointment that awaited her.
Arriving at last at the dearly-loved inheritance, what was her surprise and dismay to find it all in the hand of strangers. Here is a test of faith! Surely she had committed all that she left behind to God's care, confident that He would protect it during her enforced absence, and now it looked as if the worst had been allowed to happen, for her home and land had been taken over by the crown, and others placed there by the order of the unscrupulous Jehoram. But she is to prove further what God can do for her. She is a woman of prompt action, as she had shown on a previous occasion, and does not now give way to a helpless grief. Instead, with her son as her companion, she immediately makes the journey from Shunem to Samaria, to plead in person to the king for her home and lands.
Quite unknown to her, God in His watchful love goes before her on that journey to the palace, smoothing all difficulties, and preparing the heart of the monarch to receive her request.
People speak of "coincidences," but the child of God can often see in these the hand of the Lord, divinely arranging on his behalf, and so it was in this case.
Gehazi is in the king's presence at the very time that the Shunammite and her son reach the capital, and make their way to the palace. Also the king suddenly becomes possessed with a desire to have Elisha's miracles and great deeds recounted to him by Gehazi, who readily does so.
Just at the moment that Gehazi is relating how Elisha raised the Shunammite's son to life, the woman and her boy are ushered into the king's presence. Gehazi's astonished gaze recognizes them and he exclaims, "My lord, 0 king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life." The king appeals to the Shunammite for a confirmation of Gehazi's statement, and when she assures him of its truth, his interest in her is awakened, and he immediately orders that not only shall a full restitution be made of all her property, but also that the worth of its produce during the time of her absence should be given her. An officer was also commissioned to see the king's order carried out.
How wonderfully God works for the simplest soul that trusts Him! The hearts of the greatest monarchs are in His hand, and are moved to carry out His purposes when He so wills it.
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