Bible Pathways - May 2, 2008

2 Kings 4

Highlights In Today's Reading:

Compare the works of God through Elisha. Do you see His care for the widow and the childless; raising the dead, feeding the multitude, miraculous healing? Note how the deadly sin of greed appears and reaps eternal consequences.

God reminds us of a certain woman (a widow) of the wives of the sons of the prophets (that came to) Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen (II Kings 4:1). The two sons would be slaves until the year of jubile (jubilee) (Leviticus 25:39-40). This helpless widow poured out her heart to Elisha.

The prophet directed her to go, borrow . . . empty vessels (II Kings 4:3). We may ask: "Why not borrow vessels with something in them?" But that would have taken her further into debt. And that should remind us of the dangers of going in debt. There is a danger of using money which really is not ours, of living beyond what the Lord has provided and incurring liabilities which we have no assurance of repaying.

This widow's situation assures us that our loving Father in heaven is concerned about our personal needs, struggles, and sorrows. The Bible is partly a history of nations, but it is much more a history of individuals for whom the Lord desires to save and provide and to sustain. These biblical historical facts are written for our encouragement so that we may pray to the same Lord and know He cares and hears our prayers.

The only possession the prophet's widow had in her house seemed worthless because it was only a small vessel of oil (4:2); but God can take the little we have and make it into something priceless and precious to the Almighty Creator as we give ourselves to Him.

In God's economy, the individual is never lost in the crowd. It could be one widow who touches the hem of His garment when He is surrounded by multitudes (Matthew 9:20) but she is not ignored by the Lord; or a sorrowing widow whose only son was in a coffin, ready to be buried (Luke 7:12) but Jesus interrupted to raise him up. There also was a helpless cripple lying near the pool of Bethesda who had no one who cared for him (John 5:7) but Jesus had compassion on him and healed him.

Since God is the Creator of all things, it is not hard to believe that there is no personal need that He cannot meet.

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).

Thought for Today:

A debt free life frees us to serve the Lord with less stress and greater integrity.

Christ Revealed:

By the meal that took the poison out of the pot (II Kings 4:40-41). Meal, made of crushed corn, speaks of Christ, who was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised (crushed) for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5) thereby removing the poison of our sin.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Joseph Pozzay and by Emily Wallace and by Carole Barber and by C.J. Jordan • Staff: Al Joslyn • Government Official: Rep. Peter Welch (VT) • Country: Mongolia (2.4 million) in east-central Asia • Major language: Khalkha Mongol • As a 70-year era of communism wanes, Bibles are now on sale in the capital, Ulaanbaatar • 95.5% Tibetan Buddhist; 4% Muslim; .3% Christian; .2% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Pray fervently with others (Romans 15:30).

Optional Reading: Romans 5

Memory Verse for the Week: James 2:26