2 Kings 4:1-44
Q.1. How did God use Elisha to save the sons of a widowed wife from slavery? What aspects of the story may apply to us? – (2 Kgs.4:1-7)
Elisha was the principal and mentor of the school of the prophets … the sons of the prophets. The widow had been married to one of the prophets. Following his death, she fell into serious debt and was left without protection from her sons being taken as slaves by her creditors (2 Kgs.4:1). God showed Elisha a miraculous way of escape for her. She and her sons were told to borrow large empty vessels. She was to take her only possession, a jar of oil, and behind closed doors she was to pour the oil into those empty vessels (2 Kgs.4:2-4). As soon as all the vessels were filled, the flow of oil stopped (2 Kgs.4:5-6). Elisha then told her – Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt and you and your sons can live on (the proceeds of) the rest (2 Kgs.4:7). Though we may not be able to reproduce the miracle per se, there are some important lessons: (i) When we are in trouble, we should go to God; (ii) God used His prophet. This suggests that we should take advice from those who represent Him; (iii) We can trust God to multiply our resources when we bring what we have to Him. (iv) We should approach our problems in ‘bite size pieces’. God used many vessels. The sale of the oil distributed variously to bring a positive outcome for this family.
Q.2. What are the main encouragements in the story of the caring woman and the raising of her son from the dead? – (2 Kgs.4:8-37)
The prominent wife from Shunem showed great sensitivity in caring and providing for the Prophet. Her kindness gave her a brilliant testimony for future generations. Her greatest desire was for a son who could protect and provide for her, since her husband was old (2 Kgs.4:14). Though she hardly dared to ask for such a miracle, God gave sensitivity to Elisha’s servant, who interceded for her. The woman was totally overcome when she was promised a son (2 Kgs.4:14-16). This happened just as the prophet foretold (2 Kgs.4:17). We can imagine her devastation when her only son died of sunstroke (c.f. Job 1:20-22). God took this opportunity to magnify His goodness. He used Elisha to raise the boy from the dead (2 Kgs.4:18-37). Her faith in God and His Prophet was amply rewarded (2 Kgs.4:20-25). Elisha went to the dead youth and the Lord empowered him to perform a miracle of resurrection (2 Kgs.4:28-35). How often ‘God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform’ (2 Kgs.4:36-37).
Q.3. When did God use His Prophet to provide for those in need? How does this story point to Jesus? – (2 Kgs.4:38-44)
Two incidents that demonstrated that God is not restricted by man’s limitations, were recorded. The prophets at the Bible School innocently prepared a pot of stew, only to discover that someone had accidently added poison to the mix (2 Kgs.4:38-40). One moment they were anticipating a flavoursome meal – the next, they would go hungry. It was at that point that God directed His Prophet to add an ingredient that cancelled out the effects of the poison (2 Kgs.4:41). The other incident was likely to be another story from the Bible School. God had directed a man to bring them the First fruits of his barley harvest (rather than to the priests at Jerusalem). However, Elisha’s servant, just like the disciples later, questioned how such a limited supply could feed a crowd (2 Kgs.4:42-43). Elisha had seen God provide miraculously before, so instructed them to distribute the loaves – and prophesied that all would eat their fill with some to spare (2 Kgs.4:43-44). The Jews of Jesus’ day would have known of the connection from their Scripture lessons at the Synagogue (c.f. Mark 6:30-44).