MIRACULOUS PROVISION
Opening Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank you for your direction. As you speak to me, help me to listen and to then follow where you lead me.
Read 2 KINGS 4:38–44
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Death in the Pot
38 Elisha returned to Gilgal and there was a famine in that region. While the company of the prophets was meeting with him, he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot and cook some stew for these prophets.”
39 One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine and picked as many of its gourds as his garment could hold. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were. 40 The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.
41 Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He put it into the pot and said, “Serve it to the people to eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.
Feeding of a Hundred
42 A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said.
43 “How can I set this before a hundred men?” his servant asked.
But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” 44 Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Bring before the Lord people serving him in other lands.In this passage we catch a glimpse of the day-to-day life of Elisha and other prophets. They were not unaffected by the world around them, having to forage for food (v. 39) or depend on the goodwill of others (v. 42) during a time of famine. As leader, Elisha appeared to have carried responsibility for the upkeep of the entire group (vv. 38, 42), a fact underlined by the widow we saw in verse 1, who felt she had a claim on Elisha.
Once again in our days, many struggle to make ends meet. God still can and still does provide for his people in miraculous ways. I have been privileged to hear many first-hand accounts of God’s provision, both through miraculous multiplication and through well-timed gifts. It’s scary not to know where your next meal is coming from, but it’s awesome when God steps in, showing that he knows and cares about your need.
Some of us are called to be like the man from Baal Shalishah, donating some of our first fruits for the sustenance of others (v. 42). And some of us are to be like Elisha (vv. 42, 43), receiving with thanks and then sharing what we are given, even though it doesn’t look like there will be enough to go around (see also Mark 6:39–42).
Apply
If you are in need, talk to the Lord about it. If you have plenty, consider how and with whom you might share what you have received.
Closing prayer
Loving God, thank you for everything that is mine because of the grace and mercy you pour out on me each day. Help me to use all that you give me to encourage others.
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