1 & 2 Kings: Some Left Over – Part III
Elijah Fed by Ravens
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
When we study the stories of Elijah and Elisha we find that with their miracles of sustenance for the marginalized there is always something left over. Their acts of mercy foreshadow Jesus’ acts of mercy in the New Testament.
Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath: In 1 Kings 17 Elijah predicts a great drought. He moves east to rest, as God recommends, and rests near a stream where ravens bring him bread and meat. After a time the water dries up and so Elijah follows God’s voice as it counsels him to move to another place to stay with a particular widow. What follows when the prophet resides with her is a story that gives us counsel about what we might do when we find ourselves searching for solutions to problems that for us are enormous, but that for God are quite ordinary. When we use the scripture link to explore different versions of this story, we find that solutions to our own dilemmas appear – and we also find that when God provides, there is always something left over to share with others.
Aert de Gelder: Elisha and the Widow of the Prophet
Elisha, the Widow’s Oil, and the Multiplication of Loaves: In 2 Kings 4 Elisha helps the widow of a God-fearing man whose creditors want to take his two children as slaves in payment for an unpaid debt. Miracles follow when Elisha follows God’s advice. Later in this chapter we see the renewal of life through resurrection, and transformation of a poisoned stew. More miracles follow in subsequent chapters and again, comparing varying versions of these stories using the scripture link brings us a fresh perspective of stories we may have heard many times. Ultimately, the message remains . . . when God provides, there is always something left over.
Tomorrow . . . Matthew’s story of the loaves and fish.
Images from: https://www.freebibleimages.org/photos/elijah-fed-by-ravens/ and https://agnes.queensu.ca/explore/collections/object/elisha-and-the-widow-of-the-prophet-pouring-the-flasks-of-oil/
The Noontimes 