The people were being punished by God for worshiping other deities, and famine was deemed an appropriate consequence for idolatry. Wherever there is a shortage of food, there inevitably follows a period of difficulty, strife, and occasionally even mortality. When one is deprived of sustenance, it becomes challenging to focus on anything else but the basic necessity of nourishment.

These two miracles show us something greater. Elisha’s miracle signifies that our true necessity is not only physical sustenance but also the Bread of Life: Jesus. He caters to the famished soul as the ultimate source of life, nourishment, pleasure, and fulfillment. The beauty of the gospel lies in the fact that Jesus reversed the curse and offers us himself, which is precisely what we need.

Outline

• God will take care of you and can turn a

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  into a
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  .

• Flour wasn’t the power; this was God’s

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  confirming God’s
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  .

• God takes care of you so that you can make known his

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  and take care of
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  .

• You were born in

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  poison pot, but Jesus
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  that curse.

• God will not only provide for you, he is

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  beyond your wildest imagination.

Application

• Do you believe God will meet you in famine?

• Has the curse of sin been reversed for you?

• Are you content in your faithful God?

Questions

1. We often take the basic necessities of life for granted, including food. These stories often concern food and show us that it ultimately comes from the hand of God. Do you take the basic necessities of life for granted? What is your next step?
2. Have you experienced instances in your life where your best efforts were frustrated and a relationship or situation went from bad to worse? In retrospect, can you see how God has redeemed the situation?
3. Paul admonishes us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Col. 3:23). Everything is meant to bring glory to God and to serve him. Have you ever committed your job to the service of the Lord? Why or why not?
4. Our bank accounts reveal our priorities. The man from Baal Shalishah brought the best of his harvest even during a famine. It is tempting to give God less than our first and best. We have so many bills and so little cash! Are you giving God your firstfruits or leftovers? What is your next step?