Table of Contents
Date: Sun AM 5th July 2020
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: 2 Kings 4:35
Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
Podcast
The Boy Who Sneezed Seven Times: Lessons from 2 Kings 4:18–37
In the rich narrative of 2 Kings 4, we encounter one of the most moving miracles in the Old Testament: the raising of the Shunammite woman’s son by the prophet Elisha. This remarkable account, culminating in the boy sneezing seven times as a sign of restored life, offers profound spiritual insights for believers today. Drawing from the text read from the Authorised Version, we explore seven key lessons – each corresponding to one of those seven sneezes – that reveal God’s sovereignty, the reality of faith, and the triumph of divine power over death.
The Background of a Miraculous Story
The story centres on a “great woman” from Shunem – a wealthy, godly lady married to an older husband. Despite her prosperity and influence, she had long been childless, a deep sorrow and social stigma in ancient Israel. In gratitude for her generous hospitality towards Elisha – providing him meals and even a furnished chamber for rest – God rewarded her faithfulness with the gift of a son.
Years later, as the boy had grown into a lad (perhaps nine or ten years old), tragedy struck. While helping his father during harvest, he suddenly complained of a severe headache. Carried to his mother, he sat on her lap until noon – and then died.
Rather than despair openly or arrange an immediate burial, the mother acted with extraordinary faith. She laid her son’s body on Elisha’s bed, shut the door, and set off on an 18-mile journey to Mount Carmel to find the prophet. When Elisha saw her approaching, he sent his servant Gehazi to enquire, “Is it well with thee? Is it well with thy husband? Is it well with the child?” Her poignant reply was simply, “It is well.”
Reaching Elisha, she clung to his feet in anguish, pouring out her grief: “Did I desire a son of my lord? Did I not say, Do not deceive me?” Elisha first sent Gehazi ahead with his staff to lay upon the child, but nothing happened. The prophet then accompanied the mother home, entered the room alone, prayed, and performed an extraordinary act: stretching himself upon the lifeless boy – mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands – until the child’s flesh grew warm. After pacing and praying again, Elisha repeated the action. Then came the unmistakable sign of life: the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
Overjoyed, the mother bowed at Elisha’s feet and took up her living son.
Seven Lessons from Seven Sneezes
This miracle is far more than an isolated wonder; it teaches timeless truths about faith, trial, and resurrection power. Here are seven lessons drawn from the narrative.
1. A Calamitous Trial
Even the most faithful believers are not shielded from life’s deepest sorrows. This prosperous, godly woman – who supported God’s prophet materially, practically, and spiritually – faced unimaginable tragedy: the sudden death of her precious, miracle-born son.
God’s people are not immune to suffering. Trials may come as illness, bereavement, financial ruin, or family heartbreak. Scripture reminds us, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). Yet such trials are ordained by a sovereign God to prove the genuineness of our faith. As with Job, who declared, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD,” we are called to trust rather than grow bitter.
Remarkably, this mother neither blamed God nor questioned His goodness. She responded with quiet faith, laying her son in the prophet’s room – a silent act of hope.
2. A Confidential Trust
In crisis, true faith turns instinctively to God. The Shunammite did not confide first in her husband or begin funeral preparations; she went straight to the man of God, confident that Elisha, under divine power, could help.
Her actions echo James 2: faith without works is dead. She demonstrated living faith by committing her burden to the Lord through His servant. Psalm 55:22 urges us: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee.” Like John the Baptist’s disciples who “went and told Jesus” after his death, we must pour out our grief to Christ, who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
3. A Comforting Testimony
When her husband asked why she was travelling to Elisha on an ordinary day, she replied, “It shall be well” (Hebrew: shalom – peace, safety, certainty). She kept silent about the death, sparing him immediate distress, because her faith in God’s power comforted and strengthened her.
This quiet confidence testifies to the sustaining grace available to believers. Even in the darkest hour, faith declares “peace” – not denial of pain, but assurance of God’s ultimate goodness.
4. A Confessional Truth
When Gehazi asked the threefold question, her answer was again “It is well” – again the single Hebrew word shalom. This confession reflected deep spiritual peace: peace with God through justification by faith (Romans 5:1), and the peace of God that guards our hearts (Philippians 4:7).
Even with her child dead, she confessed safety, certainty, and satisfaction in God’s hands – a powerful reminder that true peace transcends circumstances.
5. A Careful Tenderness
Elisha’s response to the distraught mother reveals godly compassion. When Gehazi tried to push her away, the prophet said, “Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her.” He recognised her anguish and offered gentle understanding, mirroring Christ’s compassion for hurting souls.
In our churches, we must show similar tenderness to the grieving, distressed, and despairing – becoming a refuge like David’s cave of Adullam.
6. A Compassionate Togetherness
The mother vowed, “I will not leave thee,” and Elisha arose and followed her home. In her deepest valley, she was not abandoned; the man of God walked beside her.
This foreshadows Christ’s promise: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). In trial, Jesus accompanies us every step.
7. A Conquering Triumph
The climax – the boy sneezing seven times – proved undeniable resurrection life. Elisha’s passionate, prayerful, personal involvement (stretching himself upon the child) displayed God’s power working through human means.
This act prefigures Christ’s greater victory over death and points to gospel ministry today. God sovereignly saves, yet uses human instruments: our prayers, our witness, our face-to-face contact with the spiritually dead. As Paul declares, “We are labourers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9).
The seven sneezes symbolise complete, overflowing evidence of new life – a picture of the spiritual resurrection God works when His people trust and obey.
Conclusion
The story of the Shunammite’s son challenges and encourages us. Trials will come, yet faith trusts God confidentially, testifies comfortingly, confesses truth boldly, receives tenderness, enjoys Christ’s presence, and participates in His conquering triumph.
May we, like this great woman, lay our burdens before the Lord and see His resurrection power at work – in our lives, our families, and our world. To God be the glory. Amen.
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