The Prophet ElishaShembull

God’s Timing

“And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land.” (2 Kings 8:5)

The Shunammite woman had spent seven years in Egypt, as Elisha had advised her to do. In her absence, her farm was confiscated, probably by the king. When she returned, she had to make a request to him to give her land back to her, so she could provide for herself and her household. But what would her chances be? Would a powerful king give up something he had taken as his own possession for years? This woman was in a tenuous situation.

But God intervened once more. At the very moment when this woman came to the king, he was questioning Elisha’s former servant Gehazi about the great miracles Elisha had performed — such as bringing a dead boy back to life. This miracle had happened at least seven years previously but was now being discussed by the king and Gehazi. God used this conversation to prepare the way for this woman’s deliverance. When she appeared in the king’s court, together with her son who had been raised from the dead, the timing was perfect. As the king heard how God had miraculously cared for them, he granted this woman’s petition and gave her back all of her belongings.

God’s timing was perfect. Can you mention other examples of this, from the Bible or from your own experience?