Then 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. And the woman arose, and did after the saying of the man of God: and she went with her household, and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. And it came to pass at the seven years' end, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. (2 Kings 8:1-3)
God always warns us about the problems and issues that may come our way. In 2 Kings 8:1-3, Elisha alerted the Shunammite woman to an impending famine, providing her with direction from the Lord regarding what to do. This woman had already witnessed God’s power at work when her son was raised from the dead. Instead of doubting, questioning, or resisting God’s instruction, she immediately obeyed what God told her: to move to the land of the Philistines. It was a strange and uncomfortable direction for her, but obedience to God’s guidance often requires leaving behind what is familiar and stepping out in faith.
One thing is clear from the text: she did not delay at all. The famine lasted in her hometown for seven years, and during that time, she was well provided for. However, after seven years away, she returned to find that her home and land had been taken from her.
Nevertheless, she remembered what God had promised her, and she did not remain silent. She boldly approached the king to reclaim what was rightfully hers.
Not only did the King return her land, but he also restored everything that had accumulated over the seven years. She regained all that she had lost and more. The Shunammite woman’s story serves as a reminder of the power of obedience, faith, and God’s plan for restoration. Even in times of famine, God had a purpose!
Practical Application
The Shunammite woman confidently approached the King's throne, knowing that the good king would restore. You can confidently approach God’s throne, knowing our King’s character. The woman went to the king to make her request known; she did not settle for loss. God delights in restoring what the enemy has taken, but we must come before Him in faith.