Click to read 2 Kings 4
Synopsis
Elisha demonstrated God's miracles upon a poor widow and the Shunammite boy. He also removed poison from the food offered to the prophets' gathering and fed 100 with 10 loaves of bread. These miracles showed that God was concerned for His people even though He seemed harsh at punishing the evil nation.
In all these records, we can learn about Elisha and God.
Major Verses
V2-4 - The widow cried out to Elisha knowing that he was a man of God and Elisha asked her how he could help her. When she responded that all she had was a little oil, Elisha gave her specific instructions to gather as many jars as possible so that she could pour the oil into the jars. The woman did as Elisha commanded.
What I learn
When we have a need, God requires us to trust and respond to His instructions. God can turn the very little that we have into abundance, if we allow Him to. The woman did what Elisha asked. Though it seemed silly to collect so many jars when she had only a little oil, she obeyed. Somehow, she knew that God's ways were higher than her own understanding. We must know that God only has good things for those who love and obey Him and the safest way is to obey Him.
V5 - 7 - The oil stopped only when there were no more jars to fill. The woman had the oil in as much quantity as her faith all0wed her to, this was measured by the number of empty jars she had collected. If she had collected more, God would still fill those jars. She had enough money made from selling the oil to save her two sons from being led into slavery by the creditors.
What I learn
The number of jars the woman and her sons gathered was an indication of their faith in God. God's provision is as large as our faith and willingness to obey Him. Do not allow God's blessings to us be limited by the lack of faith and lack of obedience. God is always able to do much more than we can ask or imagine. Let's be sure of His ability to provide for us.
V9 - 10 - The Shunammite woman recognized that Elisha was a man of God. So, she was prepared to house him whenever he was in her village. She did this out of good intention and did not have any impure motives. She sensed a need and did not expect any return favor from housing Elisha. Little did she knew that she would be blessed for her caring act.
What I learn
We need to learn how to be sensitive to the needs of people who come across our path. Let the Holy Spirit guide our generosity to care for others, without having to measure any return favors. Let's look out for ways to bless others, especially the servants of the Lord.
V22 - 28 - When her child died, the Shunammite woman immediately thought of Elisha and rushed to see him. Her answer to Gehazi, Elisha's servant that all was well indicated her full trust in God's hand. Though she was distressed, she did not want to show it to anyone but Elisha.
What I learn
The Shunammite woman taught me that we need to act out our faith in the Lord. While we can cry out to Him in private, our outward faith must shine through. Can we, like the woman, answer "Everything is alright" in faith? If we can, God will surely honor our faith in Him.
V 32 - 36 - Elisha's way of bringing the dead boy back to life is interesting; he layed over him in close proximity. This demonstrated God's personal care for those who are hurting and in need.
What I learn
God is a personal God. We must also learn to expand our love to those around us who need a personal touch, a word of encouragement, a hug or perhaps a word of comfort when they are hurting. The Gospel is effective when it is acted out, more than when it is simply preached.
V38 - 44 - Elisha's two other miracles demonstrated once again God's care for His people.
What I learn
God always cares for His own. Despite the circumstances, He always provides what is needed, there is no lack in Him. Praise the Lord.
Summary
Elisha's miracles demonstrated God's love for His children. What He can provide for us is only limited by our level of faith in Him. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. He provides for us so that we can bless others. Let us bless others more and more.
Up next....
Coming up on 21 April is lessons that we can learn from the healing of Naaman.
Encourage others - leave your comments ...
Synopsis
Elisha demonstrated God's miracles upon a poor widow and the Shunammite boy. He also removed poison from the food offered to the prophets' gathering and fed 100 with 10 loaves of bread. These miracles showed that God was concerned for His people even though He seemed harsh at punishing the evil nation.
In all these records, we can learn about Elisha and God.
Major Verses
V2-4 - The widow cried out to Elisha knowing that he was a man of God and Elisha asked her how he could help her. When she responded that all she had was a little oil, Elisha gave her specific instructions to gather as many jars as possible so that she could pour the oil into the jars. The woman did as Elisha commanded.
What I learn
When we have a need, God requires us to trust and respond to His instructions. God can turn the very little that we have into abundance, if we allow Him to. The woman did what Elisha asked. Though it seemed silly to collect so many jars when she had only a little oil, she obeyed. Somehow, she knew that God's ways were higher than her own understanding. We must know that God only has good things for those who love and obey Him and the safest way is to obey Him.
V5 - 7 - The oil stopped only when there were no more jars to fill. The woman had the oil in as much quantity as her faith all0wed her to, this was measured by the number of empty jars she had collected. If she had collected more, God would still fill those jars. She had enough money made from selling the oil to save her two sons from being led into slavery by the creditors.
What I learn
The number of jars the woman and her sons gathered was an indication of their faith in God. God's provision is as large as our faith and willingness to obey Him. Do not allow God's blessings to us be limited by the lack of faith and lack of obedience. God is always able to do much more than we can ask or imagine. Let's be sure of His ability to provide for us.
V9 - 10 - The Shunammite woman recognized that Elisha was a man of God. So, she was prepared to house him whenever he was in her village. She did this out of good intention and did not have any impure motives. She sensed a need and did not expect any return favor from housing Elisha. Little did she knew that she would be blessed for her caring act.
What I learn
We need to learn how to be sensitive to the needs of people who come across our path. Let the Holy Spirit guide our generosity to care for others, without having to measure any return favors. Let's look out for ways to bless others, especially the servants of the Lord.
V22 - 28 - When her child died, the Shunammite woman immediately thought of Elisha and rushed to see him. Her answer to Gehazi, Elisha's servant that all was well indicated her full trust in God's hand. Though she was distressed, she did not want to show it to anyone but Elisha.
What I learn
The Shunammite woman taught me that we need to act out our faith in the Lord. While we can cry out to Him in private, our outward faith must shine through. Can we, like the woman, answer "Everything is alright" in faith? If we can, God will surely honor our faith in Him.
V 32 - 36 - Elisha's way of bringing the dead boy back to life is interesting; he layed over him in close proximity. This demonstrated God's personal care for those who are hurting and in need.
What I learn
God is a personal God. We must also learn to expand our love to those around us who need a personal touch, a word of encouragement, a hug or perhaps a word of comfort when they are hurting. The Gospel is effective when it is acted out, more than when it is simply preached.
V38 - 44 - Elisha's two other miracles demonstrated once again God's care for His people.
What I learn
God always cares for His own. Despite the circumstances, He always provides what is needed, there is no lack in Him. Praise the Lord.
Summary
Elisha's miracles demonstrated God's love for His children. What He can provide for us is only limited by our level of faith in Him. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. He provides for us so that we can bless others. Let us bless others more and more.
Up next....
Coming up on 21 April is lessons that we can learn from the healing of Naaman.
Encourage others - leave your comments ...
Hi all again - Ps Peter here. Pls leave your comments too. My learning is how God prophesied some of what Jesus would through the life of Elisha. Elisha is shown as a forerunner to Jesus Christ in the miracles that he was able to perform. His first miracle was a miracle of provision of oil similar to Jesus first miracle with wine at the wedding of Cana. There was the prophesy of a child to be born similar to how Jesus birth was prophesied. There was the raising from the dead of the same child - much like Jesus raised the only son of a widow in Luke 7:12 and he himself was later raised from the dead. Elisha fed a large group with a few loaves of bread just as Jesus did.
ReplyDeleteThose who followed the prophet and Jesus received the miracles.
What is exciting is that God is still doing these miracles in the name of Jesus because He lives. I have seen several miracles in the last three years - 3 prophecies of 3 different children to be born. Also unusable things things being miraculously fixed like the pot of stew, God fixed my aircon miraculously. God is still working today!!! Do any of you have testimonies of miracles?
Can you imagine that what if God does not love us anymore? Will God not show us His miracles anymore?
ReplyDeleteDuring OT days, there are those who fear and ponder over these statements...but we need not fear.
We must be thankful that God still love us, as He has already shown His Best Miracle that is in Christ Jesus. For He is faithful, always!