From 2 Kings 4:38-41 (studied in the previous article), we learned that there was a famine in the land where Elisha the prophet was. After some bad gourds got added to some “community stew”, God performed a miracle through Elisha to make it better.
That is an interesting background to what is recorded next in 2 Kings 4, though.
A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. “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.
2 Kings 4:42-44 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ki.4.42-44.NIV
We’re not sure where this Baal Shalishah was located, nor how much time had passed, but whether or not there was still a famine, it sounds like there wasn’t enough food for the group. In fact, while this bread could have been brought from outside the reaches of the current famine, since bread doesn’t always keep very long, perhaps it was a celebration of the first fruits since the famine had ended.
However, in language that sounds something like when Jesus fed thousands of people at a time (on multiple occasions, centuries later), God made the food go far enough not only to feed the crowd, but also to have leftovers! In fact, I wonder if some of those eating the loaves and fishes that Jesus multiplied in the first century remembered this account from Israel’s history, and – if they had paid really close attention – maybe they even remembered why the food was enough: because of the word of God, which is powerful (see Hebrews 1:3).
So, looking back at multiple miracles that God performed through the prophet Elisha in 2 Kings 4, what do we do with them? These aren’t meant to just be fun stories. Since God included them in the Bible, these accounts have a purpose (or maybe multiple purposes).
For one thing, these examples reinforce what was studied in an earlier mini-series of articles, looking at other miracles in the life of Elisha:
- We should be bold to ask God for help, with both big things and little things.
- We should allow God to decide what the best answers are to our requests.
- We should consider why we want God to act, and what good purpose His intervention could serve.
- We should be ready to act as God directs, even if it’s not how we think that we would solve the problem.
- While we wait and obey, we should look for God’s action, even if it’s not what we expect.
- And, in all things – even if God takes us through a path of trials or hurting – we should give God the credit, the glory, and the thanks for what He does in our lives.
And, for what it’s worth, I think that it’s also good to observe that God used food as a key part of His work in multiple miracles from this chapter. There are people who see food as an enemy, or just an energy source (a means to an end). Examples from the Bible suggest to me, though, that God intended for His people eating together to be a meaningful experience: through enjoying what we eat, having fellowship with others as we do so, and giving Him thanks for providing for us (whether miraculously or “normally”, but all from His hand). Food isn’t just a utility; it is a blessing from God.
So, what is it that you need this week? Where are you running out of what you need, expecting a payment to come due, dealing with an illness, facing a shortage, or something else? As the hymn says:
“Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.” [emphasis mine]
In fact, I think that sometimes we create even more trouble for ourselves by not seeking God’s help. As another verse of this hymn reminds us:
“Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!”
And, although I don’t think that I’ve ever sung it, I discovered a last verse to this hymn, which should give each of us hope (if we have given our lives over to Jesus Christ), even as we walk through trials on this earth:
“Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.”
From Sunday School lesson prepared for June 15, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – 1 & 2 Kings, by Jesse C. Long, Jr. © 2002 College Press Publishing Co.
- Lyrics from What a Friend We Have in Jesus > Lyrics | Joseph M. Scriven
Those Who Sin Differently 