I am using the daily Bible reading schedule from “The Bible.net” for my daily Bible reading.

Today, I am reading and commenting on 2 Kings 3-4.

The story about the woman from Shunem provides several interesting lessons.  Elisha wanted to do something for her to thank her for the care she provided him, but she was content with her life as it was.  So, Elisha did some research and found something she would like: he had God give her a son.  The woman chastised Elisha for giving her such hope.  When a few years later her son took sick and died, she felt justified in her castigation.  She had been content with her life and would have preferred to continue in that contentment rather than risk the grief which was the possible companion to the joy of having a son.  This is a normal human reaction.  Many times we pass up opportunities for joy in order to avoid the risk of grief, failure, or some other form of suffering.

But there is more to it than that.  By providing the woman with the joy of a son, Elisha obligated himself to offsetting the risk of grief.  Elisha accepted this obligation.  When the boy became sick and died, he went to great lengths to restore the boy to his mother.  This lesson is an important one to keep in mind.  When we choose to do something good for others we need to measure our ability to follow through.