The Prophet ElishaSýnishorn

God’s Care for a Desperate Mother

“When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. […] The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.” (2 Kings 4:32; 4:35)

The story about the wealthy woman and her son continues. When the child had grown, he suddenly died. His mother reacted strangely. She did not tell anyone, not even her husband, that the child had died but told him that “all is well.” She laid her dead son on the bed in the guestroom that Elisha regularly used and went to the prophet. She insisted that he come home with her since only he, being “the man of God,” could help her.

This mourning mother turned to a prophet for help but also questioned God’s faithfulness. Would He now take the child she had not even asked for? Losing her beloved son was even worse than remaining childless! This tension increased when Elisha’s initial attempts to raise the boy failed. Even this man of God could not heal or raise someone from the dead by himself. He was fully dependent on the Lord.

Verse 35 describes how God did a miracle: the child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Through faith, this mother received her son back from death (see Hebrews 11:33-35). God was faithful, after all.

Who do you turn to when questioning God’s goodness and faithfulness?