Reading this chapter, 2 Kings 4, reminded me of when Jesus walked this earth. Jesus helped those in need. He helped widows and orphans. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8. Are we not all widows and orphans?

Elisha lived that same love for others. When the widow of one of his prophets appealed to Elisha he helped. A creditor was going to take her 2 sons as payment for a debt she could not afford. Elisha told her to collect all her neighbors empty jars, and not just a few, and the oil from her one jar, all she had left, would fill those jars and “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” v. 1-7. Practical, life-saving miracle.

When a woman who was not poor appealed to Elisha to stay in her home in an upper room she and her husband would prepare, Elisha wanted to repay her kindness. She didn’t ask for a son but Elisha told her, “About this time next year you will hold a son in your arms.” v. 8-15. She didn’t exactly give the answer I would imagine Elisha expected. “No, my lord!” Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!” v. 16. According to the word of the Lord, she had a son.

He grew and one day became ill and died in his mother’s arms. She immediately went and found Elisha and would speak to no one about her sorrow except to Elisha. “Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes?’” v. 28. Elisha immediately leaves with her for the house. When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the Lord. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy’s body grew warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth in the room and then got on the bed and stretched out on him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. v. 32-35. He restored her son to her.

When Elijah was with his prophets, and stew was prepared, they could not eat it because a wild vine was added that was poisonous. 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. v. 41.

And then the account so reminiscent of Jesus feeding the 5,000. A man comes bringing to Elisha 20 loaves of barley bread. “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said. “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.’” Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord. v. 42-44.

Jesus and His disciples experienced the needs of a crowd that had listened to Jesus all day and were tired. The disciples knew they couldn’t provide enough food for all of them and wanted to send them away to fend for themselves. Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. Matthew 14:13- 21. Just like Elisha’s servant, the disciples only knew what could not be done. Yet what did Jesus do, what did Elisha know? According to the word of the Lord they ate and were satisfied and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

According to the word of the Lord. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17.

God so loved. The world condemns. We see only what cannot be done by us. Let us rejoice that we love a God who loves to eternal life with Him. Almighty God, Creator of all life, does not mislead us. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6.

You can learn for yourselves about this wonderful God who loves so lavishly. We have His word written and Holy Spirit to help guide our understanding. Let Him lead you. He’s here. Always.