Welcome to Week 21 of Desiring the Kingdom and 2 Kings 4, a chapter in which we read about five miracles performed by God through his prophet Elisha. (Five days, five miracles? It’s like this chapter was tailor-made for study notes!)
The complete arc of the five miracles (Creation, Birth, Resurrection, Cleansing, and Provision) is a road map to God’s plan of redemption.
What’s more, in each case we see a picture of the faith-filled life and the personification of what it means to live the word and not just hear the word. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)
Each day this week, after you have a chance to see the application we’ve made from each miracle, we’re asking you what application you would make. That’s not a throwaway question! It may very well be that what speaks to you when you read about these miracles is something completely different from ours. Oftentimes there will be more than one application for a story from the Bible, so remain open to that. If you’re doing personal worship together with a group, discuss it with each other!
Index to Days 2 through 5
Day 1
Creation
Observe
The first miracle performed through Elisha in this chapter is aiding a widow in financial distress. He does so by declaring that her jar of oil will not run out until she runs out of containers to pour it in, after which the proceeds from selling the oil will pay her debts and support her and her two children.
{2 Kings 4:1-7 ESV}
{1} Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” {2} And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” {3} Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. {4} Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” {5} So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. {6} When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. {7} She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”
God’s plan of redemption began with Creation. Before he created the world out of nothing, God knew sin would corrupt it, yet he also knew that one day he would redeem it, bringing unimaginable glory to his great name.
In this first miracle, whichever side of the equation we choose to consider miraculous (the oil that poured endlessly from her jar or the oil that remained after she’d filled yet another container), God creates new oil out of nothing.
We should also consider that the woman was asked to do something before she saw anything happen. She was asked to get containers from her neighbors, and despite having no further explanation, she did as she was asked. We should not let an apparent lack of resources dissuade us from seeking God, nor should it make us reluctant to move as God commands.
- Can you think of a time when you feared an apparent lack of resources, but in the end God came through? What happened?
- You’ve seen the application we made from this miracle, here’s your chance to weigh in: What application could you make? What does it mean to you?
Lord, your resources are unlimited. When you tell us to go, you will provide whatever we need. You will part any seas, move any mountains, and make our path straight, so long as we are moving as you have directed. Give us boldness to carry out your mission for us, even when we can’t see how the oil jar can possibly hold enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 2
Birth
Observe
Elisha seeks to repay the generosity of a wealthy Shunammite woman who had provided food and lodging for the prophet on his travels, but she replies that she needs nothing. At the suggestion of his servant, Elisha tells her that she will bear a child even though her husband is old.
{2 Kings 4:8-17 ESV}
{8} One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. {9} And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. {10} Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.” {11} One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there. {12} And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. {13} And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?'” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.” {14} And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” {15} He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. {16} And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” {17} But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.
God’s creation fell into sin and became totally corrupt. His plan of redemption required a miraculous birth: Jesus!
In this miracle, God brought life to the womb of the Shunammite woman even though her husband was old enough to make this an impossibility.
Whether it’s the life of a person we’re considering, the spiritual life of a friend or loved one, or the life of the body within the church, the source of life remains the same. When it’s life that we are seeking, God is where we turn.
- What example can you give where God miraculously brought life, physical or spiritual, in your world or in your church?
- You’ve seen the application we made from this miracle, here’s your chance to weigh in: What application could you make? What does it mean to you?
Heavenly Father, you are the author of life. When we see all the death and decay in this world, we can comfort ourselves in knowing this is not the way you want things to be, and one day you will take it all away. Until that day comes, Lord, may we remain faithful in carrying your gospel to the ones who need to come alive spiritually, bringing mercy to those in need physically as well. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Day 3
Resurrection
Observe
The miraculously born son of the Shunammite woman falls ill and dies. She races to find Elisha, who returns with her and brings the boy back to life.
{2 Kings 4:18-37 ESV}
{18} When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. {19} And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” {20} And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. {21} And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. {22} Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” {23} And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.” {24} Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” {25} So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite. {26} Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?'” And she answered, “All is well.” {27} And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.” {28} Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me?'” {29} He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.” {30} Then the mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her. {31} Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.” {32} When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. {33} So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD. {34} Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. {35} Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. {36} Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” {37} She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.
In God’s plan of redemption, his miraculously born son would die to save his people. But he would not remain in the grave!
In this miracle, consider who the Shunammite woman told that her son was dead. No one! She did not tell her husband when asking for the servant and the donkey, she did not tell Elisha’s servant when he asked her whether all was well, and she didn’t even tell Elisha. She simply fell at his feet in her sorrow. Even though her sorrow was great, her actions (telling no one that her son was dead, but instead coming to find Elisha) showed that she knew the truth.
Nothing is impossible for God. No situation is too far gone.
- Where do you need the resurrection power of God in your life today? What needs to come alive again?
- You’ve seen the application we made from this miracle, here’s your chance to weigh in: What application could you make? What does it mean to you?
Lord, we are so grateful to serve a God who gives life. You told us yourself that you came so we might have life and have it abundantly. There is so much death in this world, death of all kinds. But you work where nothing else can. Wherever there is death, we ask you to bring life. In marriages, families, even within your church, Lord, any place that sin and selfishness have tried to kill, bring life instead. Soften hearts, change lives, do what you alone can do. You are the God of resurrection power. Do this we pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 4
Cleansing
Observe
Elisha directs that a pot of stew be prepared for the sons of the prophets to eat, and one of them “helpfully” throws a pile of unidentified vegetation into the pot, poisoning all who ate.
{2 Kings 4:38-41 ESV}
{38} And Elisha came again to Gilgal when there was a famine in the land. And as the sons of the prophets were sitting before him, he said to his servant, “Set on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” {39} One of them went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew, not knowing what they were. {40} And they poured out some for the men to eat. But while they were eating of the stew, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. {41} He said, “Then bring flour.” And he threw it into the pot and said, “Pour some out for the men, that they may eat.” And there was no harm in the pot.
In God’s plan of redemption, the death and resurrection of his son makes it possible for people to be cleansed from the poison of sin.
In this miracle, Elisha finds out that the stew is poisoned and directs them to throw flour in the pot. Why flour? Perhaps it was merely symbolic, with Elisha wanting them to see he had taken some action so they would know the stew had been purified. Or perhaps it’s because flour is what you use to make bread?
Jesus said “I am the bread of life,” and thus it is the bread of life who removes the poison of sin from believers.
- They did not know the ingredients in the stew would poison them. It is often the same with sin. Something we expect to be safe becomes sinful. What unexpected poison has Jesus cleansed for you?
- You’ve seen the application we made from this miracle, here’s your chance to weigh in: What application could you make? What does it mean to you?
Heavenly Father, you warned us about sin’s poison. It doesn’t take much. You spoke through Paul who told us that just a little bit of it can spread everywhere. Let us live in holy consecration to you, as Paul also said not with malice and evil but with sincerity and truth. Guard our hearts, Lord, we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 5
Provision
Observe
A man arrives with “firstfruits.” These were provisions intended for God and the Levitical priests, but the northern kingdom was so apostate that this man sought out Elisha as the only legitimate person to receive this support. Elisha immediately orders that the food be shared with the sons of the prophets, and the small amount of food miraculously becomes more than enough.
{2 Kings 4:42-44 ESV}
{42} A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” {43} But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.'” {44} So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the LORD.
In God’s plan of redemption, he provides abundantly through his Holy Spirit, giving his people everything they need to grow and flourish.
Verse 38 says there was famine in the land of Gilgal, so these provisions would have been precious to Elisha. When Elijah called him to be a prophet, Elisha had relinquished all that he had to follow him. These firstfruits represented safety for him in a time of famine, yet still Elisha’s first thought was to share what he had with others. God will multiply what we give him in miraculous ways, doing far more than we can imagine.
- What examples can you think of where God has taken the time, talent, or treasure you’ve given and multiplied it to do more than you originally thought possible?
- You’ve seen the application we made from this miracle, here’s your chance to weigh in: What application could you make? What does it mean to you?
Dear Lord, thank you for all the ways in which you provide for me. Let me always hold what I have with an open hand, ready to use what you’ve given me to accomplish your will. I believe that you can do great things and multiply even my weakness in mighty ways. Let me be a part of building your kingdom, Lord, I want to be amazed at how you move. In Jesus’ name, Amen.