Elisha next entered the chamber alone, and, shutting the door, he prayed to the Lord; and in the end, the child was perfectly restored to life and health.
And this wondrous miracle was no doubt intended to foreshadow the general resurrection of the last great day, and to show that "with God all things are possible."
Here, too, we see a figure of "Him that was to come." The Shunammite prayed to God through Elisha, from whose lips she had at first received the promise; and in the name of Jesus we are to seek all blessings from heaven.
"He ever lives to intercede
Before His Father's face;
Give Him, my soul, thy cause to plead,
Nor doubt the Father's grace."
Time rolled on, and other sorrows came upon the highly-favoured mother. A terrible famine raged in Samaria, and at Elisha's bidding she and her household left the land of Israel for seven years (see 2 Kings viii.); and then, peace and plenty having been restored, she returned and went to the king to ask for her house and land in Shunem. Behold here the wonder-working providence of the Lord. At the very time of her visit, Gehazi was telling the king of Elisha's miracles, especially that of raising one to life; and as the woman presented her appeal, Gehazi, recognizing her, exclaimed, "My lord, this is the mother, and this her son, whom Elisha restored to life." Deeply interested at once in her case, the king granted all her request with the utmost readiness.
So "all things work together for good to them that love God," and Jesus always sympathizes with His people's sorrows, and helps and comforts them, so that "they who wait for Him shall not be ashamed." May we, in every time of trial and difficulty—
"Wait for His seasonable aid,
And though it tarry, wait;
The promise may be long delayed,
But cannot come too late."
Our next subject will be, The Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard (Matt. xx. 1-16).
Your affectionate friend,
H. S. Lawrence.