2 Kings 4:38-44

2 Kings 4:38-44

Most people know about the miracles of Jesus. If someone has had some type of encounter with Scripture, they can probably tell you a few things they know about Him: that He was a good person and teacher who did miraculous things. When people think about the miracles Jesus performed, raising the dead, walking on water, and feeding the 5,000 are probably some of the most recognized. What people do not realize is that some of these same miracles were performed in the Old Testament as well. Knowing this, the miracles of Jesus are even more miraculous. He took them all to a whole new level. For instance, He raised people from the dead like Elijah and Elisha, but He also raised Himself from the dead!


One commonly overlooked story from the Old Testament is found at the end of 2 Kings 4. First there is the story of the deadly stew, which we will come back to later. The chapter ends, however, with a story very similar to the feeding of the 5,000. After the incident with the stew, a man came up with a small portion of bread, just 20 loaves, to give to Elisha. Seeing the needs of the sons of the prophets around him, Elisha asked that it be distributed amongst them. The man questioned his instructions, realizing that it was a small amount of food for such a large group of men. He did not see how it would physically be possible for them all to be filled. Elisha persisted that he distribute the bread, saying that God had promised that there would be plenty with some left over. Then, after they had all eaten, some was left, just as God had promised.

This story parallels the feeding of the 5,000, but I can probably count on one hand how many times I have ever heard this passage mentioned other than my own reading through Scripture. I do not understand why it is overlooked. This whole chapter in 2 Kings has been amazing. It has shown God at work in miraculous ways, providing for His children. It has shown us what great faith looks like and how we should turn to God first in our time of need. We have spent 3 days in 2 Kings 4, but there has been a lot of truth packed into these three short stories.

So now look back to the story about the stew, which is another picture of God’s provision and protection of His children. Elisha and some of his men were preparing a stew for these same sons of the prophets (before the bread story). But some of Elisha’s servants unknowingly retrieved some ingredients that were poisonous. After mixing it into the stew, several of the men realized that there was a problem with the stew and were fearful for their lives. Elisha quickly responded to the problem by throwing some flour into the pot, which miraculously cured the stew, making it edible for the men.

There are some great stories in the Old Testament, and I would encourage you to read through these 39 books if you have never done so, especially the books of history. In today’s church, we seem to know a lot about the New Testament, but sadly, many people pass over the Old Testament. The New Testament is so much richer in light of the Old Testament, and you will be amazed at some of the parallels that you will find. Just because we have a “newer” section of Scripture does not mean that the “older” one is obsolete. There are some great lessons that can be learned from these great stories of the Patriarchs.

Matt