The Miracles of Elisha

II Kings Chapter 4

A widow of one of Elisha's fellow prophets came to him and cried that her husband had served Elisha but was now dead and the creditors were threatening to take her two sons as servants. Elisha asked her what she had in the house and she replied that she only had a flask of olive oil.

Elisha told her to go borrow as many empty jars as possible and go inside her house, shut the door and fill as many jars as she could. When all the jars were full, the oil stopped flowing. Elisha told her to sell the olive oil to pay her debts and there would be enough left to support herself and sons.

One day Elisha traveled to Shunem, where a wealthy woman invited him to eat some food. So from then on, whenever he traveled that way, he stopped at her house. The woman thought Elisha must be a holy man and she made a comfortable, furnished room for him on the
roof where he could stay whenever he came by. One day Elisha said to his servant Gehazi, to call the woman. When she came to him, he asked her if there was anything he could do for her in appreciation. She told him no, but Gehazi said she had no son. So Elisha told her that next year she would hold a son in her arms. The woman protested because she thought she was too old, but the next hear she had a son.

One day when the woman's son was older, he complained of a headache and he died. The woman carried him to Elisha's bed on the roof and left to find Elisha. She fell to the ground at Elisha's feet and told him about her son. Elisha told his servant to go to the child and lay his staff on the child's face. But the woman would not leave unless Elisha went back with her, so he did. Gehazi went on ahead and lay the staff on the child's face but nothing happened. When Elisha arrived the child was dead, but Elisha went to him alone and prayed to the Lord. Then he lay on the child's body, placing his mouth on the child's mouth and his eyes on the child's eyes and the child's body began to grow warm again. Elisha walked around the room a few times and then stretched himself over the child again. This time the child sneezed and opened his eyes. Elisha had Gehazi summon the mother and she fell at his feet in gratitude.

Then Elisha went to Gilgal, but there was a famine in the land. One day a group of prophets was seated before him and he told his servant to put a large kettle on to make stew for the men. One young man gathered vegetables from a field and a pocketful of wild gourds. The gourds were shredded and put in the stew, but soon the men realized they were poisonous. Elisha threw flour into the kettle and told the people to go ahead and eat the stew. And it then it did not harm them.

One day a man from Baal-shalishah brought Elisha a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread from his first harvest. Elisha told his servant to give it to the group of prophets. His servant was in awe that they could feed one hundred people with so little. But Elisha replied that the Lord would see that there was plenty for all and even some left over. And the Lord did as he promised.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: In Deuteronomy 15:1-8 God ordered rich people and creditors to not take advantage of the poor. This woman's creditor was not acting in the spirit of God's law. God wants us to show compassion.
During these chapters we often see God harshly judging the rebellious people, so in this chapter it is good to see God at work providing for his followers and helps us keep his severe justice in perspective.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Imagine showing kindness like the Shunamite woman, without any selfish motives. Imagine that your kindness could be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams. This is what can happen if you are sensitive to those who pass through your life. Those who touch you or teach you or preach God's word have needs that perhaps only you can meet. Would you be up for the challenge? Look around. Your opportunity to help may be right in front of your eyes. Pray that you can find ways to serve and help.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: She has shed the feeding tube and is taking formula on her own! But breathing problems are still with her, though improving all the time. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. She has been moved to a St. Louis hospital.
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for Brian and Ashley, as they lost the expected baby boy. It was so sad because she was 4 months and we had seen the sonogram of him moving and sucking his thumb.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.