2 Kings 4 chronicles several miraculous works of the prophet Elisha, the successor of Elijah. As we read in 2 Kings, and really anywhere in the Bible, we ought to ask ourselves, why has inspiration chosen to reveal this? With that in mind, let’s briefly consider some of these events.
- The Widow’s Oil (4:1-7). Here we have the account of a widow who cried out to Elisha in desperation. She was down to possessing one jar of oil. Elisha instructs her to collect some containers from her neighbors and begin pouring her oil into one container after another. She did so, until all of the containers were filled. Then Elisha tells her to sell the oil to pay her bills and then live on what remains. While we understand the story with relative ease, it is another matter as to understanding the meaning and relevancy of the story. In other words, why is this story in the Bible? But instead of getting ahead of ourselves, for now, let’s just say that it goes beyond God’s prophet having mercy on this widow.
- The Wealthy, Hospitable Shunammite (4:8-17). This woman (and her husband) take in Elisha and prepare a little room for him to dwell in when he is in the area. Out of gratitude for what had been done for him, Elisha asks what he should do for her (or them). Elisha is informed that she has no son, and little prospect of having one because of the age of her husband (and, presumably her). In verse 16 the prophet said to her, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” The verse then records her response. She said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” She says in a sense, “Come on. Tell me the truth.” Verse 17 says, “But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.” She conceived and she bore a son according to the word of the prophet. Just like he said she would.
- The Raising of the Shunammite’s Son (vv. 18-44). The next account involves the Shunammite’s boy, who by this time is of some age. (The quiet passing of many years suggests that this event must be significant.) We are told of the boy suffering from a terrible headache while working in the field. The father sends him to the house, to his mother, and he dies. For our purposes we won’t recount all of the details of the story here, but the mother quietly summons Elisha. Upon his arrival, he finds the boy dead as he was informed. He then prays to the Lord on behalf of the boy and in a miraculous way resuscitates him. We’ll not elaborate on the purpose of revival at this point.
- The Stew of Death (4:38-41). This event involves some deadly stew being served to the sons of the prophets during a famine in the land. Undoubtedly, because of the destitute times, stew had been made from usually vegetables (what could be found). Inadvertently, the chef had served up toxic stew. We aren’t given much information, but somehow the partakers are aware that something is badly wrong. So Elisha, the “magic chef,” adds some flour and heals the stew. He advises that the meal continue. It did… and no one was harmed. The word of the prophet could be trusted, even with one’s life.
- Feeding the One Hundred (4:42-44). Elisha instructs twenty loaves of bread (and some grain) to be given to one hundred men. These were probably more like rolls than the large loaves we are accustomed to, so like the times when Jesus fed the multitudes, the amount was seemingly woefully inadequate. But yet Elisha basically says, “Let dinner be served, and we’ll have leftovers.” The men ate, and just like in the cases of Jesus feeding the multitudes, we are told about the leftovers after dinner. Now note what verse 44 says: “So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.”
How did things work out? “According to the word of the Lord.” How do things always work out? The way God says they will!
The word of the Lord is “perfect,” “sure,” “right,” “pure,” and “true” (see Ps. 19:7-9). Since that is the case, “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold, sweeter than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward” (Ps. 19:10-11). We have every reason to trust every word of God. The only thing standing before God doing anything He says He will do, is possibly some time. Live according to the Word of the Lord!
Daren Schroeder
