QT 12 Jan 11

2 Kings 4:7-10 (NIV) She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."

8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, "I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us."

NOTE: Two stories, one of a very poor woman about to be sold into slavery and one of a rich woman who prepares a place for Elisha to stay. One is not more important than the other or any different. They are the same to God. But the rich woman is very smart. She seeks to use her wealth for good. Even when Elisha presses her for some kind of favor in return, she refuses to provide one. She is a good example of a person who uses God's blessings for good and not for herself.

QT 11 Jan 11

2 Kings 4:3-7 (NIV) Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."

5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one."

But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.

7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."

NOTE: While we rarely see the creative act of God in the day of his rest, he still, on rare occasion, creates out of nothing something of value. In Jesus' day, it was wine from water. In Elijah's day, it was grain and oil. Here it is an abundance of oil. There are other ways that God could have answered the woman's prayer and her subsequent faith, but he chose this way. It is an interesting time in Israel. There are numerous miracles, but the faith of Israel does not change. Israel, and its leaders continue to follow the sin of Jeroboam, son of Nebat.

What does it take to get our attention in a rationalistic, technology-centric, and cult-piqued society? Maybe it is too late. We made our choice and we now live with the results of our rebellion until we realize how little our rebellion from God has gained us.