December 31, 2021
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Reading along with us in 2 Kings? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Kings 4 (NIV)
The Widow’s Olive Oil
1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”
2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”
3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few.........Continue Reading
2 Kings 4
2 Kings 4
What a neat chapter here with miracles that resemble those of Elijah, but clearly establish that Elisha is God’s man too. And what a great picture of how God’s grace works in the first one: I will fill as many jars as you have, so the number of jars limit the amount of oil. It’s kind of like you have not because you ask not. God offers us abundance according to His will, are we going to put ourselves in a position to receive it? And how fitting it is for this non Jew to recognize the man of God and offer hospitality to him without expectation of return, and yet how fitting it is for Elisha to offer to bless her because of it. And when God provides a miracle it doesn’t mean it is clear sailing after that, but when a hiccup or tragedy happens, God is there to do His work.. And what a miracle He does here. It is interesting that he works in the context of practical means, as He does at times, but it is no less a miracle, accomplished only by His hand. What is striking though is how long this young man is dead, which makes raising him to life more miraculous. It’s like Elisha has to transfer his life to him….again an interesting picture for God to give them…
Elisha certainly established himself here as a prophet and a man of God. These miracles are all signs of that. I did find the miracle of a son for the woman to be in particular and interesting one because while he provided her a son the son then dies. God’s plan is not always clear and I am sure this confused the woman….why would he give her a son just to take him away but ultimately she remained faithful and he was raised. God never promised us easy paths but that He will be with us every step…good and bad!
Elisha performs miracles to aid those who ask.