2 Kings 4 – 6:7 – God Works Miracles Through Elisha
The Widow’s Oil
A woman whose husband from the company of prophets died leaving his family destitute. She appealed to Elisha asking him what she should do to pay off her debts. The only thing she had of any value was a small jar of olive oil. Elisha sent the woman to her neighbors to ask for every empty jar they could spare. He told her to put her oil into all the jars. As she filled each jar the oil miraculously multiplied and filled all the jars. He then told her to sell the oil and pay her debts.
As usual there are lessons in miracles. The lesson here is faith. Having faith often doesn’t make sense. She probably thought this gathering of empty jars didn’t make sense and may have felt uncomfortable and embarrassed. Her faith was demonstrated by saying yes to God’s plan. Having faith doesn’t mean we should sit around and wait for God to do all the work. Have you noticed the miracles in the Bible? God’s plan unusually involves people actually doing something. Sometime we have to ask before we receive. What would have happened is she hadn’t asked her neighbors for the jars? God wanted others to be involved. He wanted to show Himself to her and to her neighbors. Let’s be like the widow and live by faith.
The Shunammite Woman
Elisha often traveled through the town of Shunem. There he would visit a rich woman and her husband for a meal. She knew he was a man of God so she made a small bedroom for him to stay when he was in town. He offered to repay her in some way, but she told Elisha that she had everything she needed but a child. Elisha told her next year she would have a son. One year later, she had a son. He grew and one day he became ill. Soon after he died. She and her servant went to Elisha for help. Elisha told the servant to go on ahead and take his staff and lay it on the boy’s face. He did as he was told, but there was no response from the boy. When Elisha reached the woman’s house and saw the boy had not awakened. He shut the door and prayed to the Lord. He lay on the boy and he awoke.
The woman believed that God could save her son. She knew God gave her the son in the first place and she knew He was the One who could restore his life. She didn’t hesitate to go to Elisha, the man of God. From kings to widows, God cares about the needs of His followers. He hears our prayers.
The lessons here are: use what you have to be a blessing, share generously, offer hospitality, seek to serve even in suffering, give God gratitude, and walk by faith in the one true God.
Stew Purified
Elisha returned to the company of prophet in Gilgal. There was famine in the land, food was scarce and resources were limited. One of the servants went out and gathered herbs and wild vine to prepare a large pot of stew for the prophets. As they ate the stew they realized it was toxic and they shouldn’t eat it. They said, there is death in the pot! Elisha added flour and the stew became edible and nourishing. It wasn’t the flour that made the stew good to it. The real purification was the miraculous work of God through Elisha.
There is death in the pot when you don’t desire Bible truth, when you don’t grow spiritually, when you focus on worldly ways, when you accept false doctrine and worldly philosophy, and when you know there is death in the pot but you continue to eat.
Are you in a situation that seems like “poisonous stew”?
Loaves Multiplied
A man brought Elisha 20 loaves of bread. Elisha said to give it to the people to eat. His small amount of bread fed 100 men. God promised to provide beyond the immediate need. Elisha trusted the promise of God, acted on it and saw the promise miraculously fulfilled. They ate and had food left over. This reminds me of the miracle where Jesus fed the 5,000. Elisha was like Jesus.
Leprosy Healed
Naaman was the commander in the army of the king of Aram who had leprosy. A maid to Naaman’s wife told her the prophet Elisha could cure Naaman. Naaman didn’t know that God’s grace was free and was willing to pay the prophet for His service. The king of Aram sent a letter to the king of Israel asking for help for Naaman. The king of Israel had no relationship with God or Elisha. When the king of Israel read the letter, he became suspicious and tore his clothes. Elisha heard of the situation and sent his servant to meet with Naaman. Naaman was told him to wash in the Jordan seven times and he would be healed. Naaman resisted and was offended, because he was sent instructions by a servant and it was such a simply plan. He left in anger.
Naaman was a proud man and it wasn’t easy for a proud man to do such a humble thing, but his servants showed wisdom. They urged him to obey the prophet. Naaman followed their advice and went to the Jordan. He dipped himself seven times as he was told and God cured him. Naaman returned and offered gifts to Elisha, but Elisha refused. Elisha wanted to show that God’s grace and love was free.
Naaman experienced something more wonderful than his healing. He saw God as the true God and he believed. He wanted to worship the true God so he asked for a little soil the take home. He thought he could only worship God on Israel’s soil and Elisha didn’t argue with him. He began his new life of faith and knew all other gods were false gods.
Elisha’s servant Gehazi overheard that Elisha refuse Naaman’s gifts. Gehazi ran after Naaman and told him a lie. He falsely claimed Elisha had sent him to ask for the money and gifts. Naaman was pleased and wanted to thank God. This was an opportunity to give to God so he gave him twice as much. Gehazi hid the gifts in the house before Elisha could see. When he returned, Elisha confronted him. Elisha knew Gehazi had lied and did this evil thing against God. In judgment Gehazi was struck with Naaman’s leprosy which would cling to him and to his descendants forever. This might seem harsh, but God in His wisdom gives blessings and also judgments. His ways are always right.
Gehazi was like Judas. Both loved money. A person can’t serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). The love of money is the root of all sin (1 Timothy 6:10).
Ax Head Recovered
The place where the prophets lived and trained was not large enough to meet the needs of all those who wanted to be trained in ministry. So they asked Elisha to go with them to the Jordan and they would build a larger center. During the construction there was an accident. As one of them was cutting down a tree, the ax head fell into the water. This alarmed them because they had borrowed the ax head and didn’t want to lose it. They told Elisha. Elisha cut a stick and threw it where the ax head had gone in the water. Then the ax head was made to float. This was another miracle from God through Elisha. We all know that iron is very heavy and doesn’t float. But with God all things are possible.
This story teaches us that God supplies what His people need. He even cares about the small things that His people worry about each day (Matthew 6:28-34).
The principles for these miracles:
This week’s attribute of God is He is Good. God does not always fix every problem or make all pain go away, but He is good, righteous, faithful, and compassionate. He offers hope, refuge and care for those who come to Him. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7.
Next time we will continue our study of Kingdom Divided in 2 Kings. Hope to see you here. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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