2 Kings 4:42-44 And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley… I. A LESSON ON PROVIDENCE. This dearth came in consequence of sin. The proud and wicked people would never yield, except they were obliged by God's strong hand. And when He punishes, He makes men know how powerful He is. Some men nowadays would not be touched in any other way. When God takes to preaching, His voice is heard outside the churches and chapels. You cannot have retributive providences, and only the wicked suffer; the godly have their share of want. Elisha was in need. But the godly have some one to look up to. The God of to-day is the God of the Old Testament: — the manna God, — the barrel of meal God, — the God who has said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee." II. There is here A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF BENEVOLENCE. We don't know the farmer's name who relieved the prophet. He was one of a noble band of nameless ones. We know where he came from, — the village has got into the Bible, through the man's goodness. It is possible to make our birth. place famous by living for Jesus. We sometimes say, he gives twice who gives quickly. The farmer gave as soon as he could. Don't wait till you have churned, and give God the buttermilk. For many wait to be rich before they will be generous, only to find that their heart is too sour to give anything. First fruits 1 Give God the best part of your life, that which has the sunshine. If you will care for God with your May and June, He will care for you in November. 1. He came himself. He did not send it. If you want a thing well done, do it yourself. Especially is this true of acts of benevolence. Be your own almoner. "Pure religion, and undefiled, before God the Father, is to visit the fatherless and widow." 2. This farmer increased God's capital. The rule is, that God works by means. He does not usually act without the assistance of His creatures. Many of His plans are unfinished because the men are on strike! Let it be said, with all reverence, this miracle could not have been performed if the man had not come from Baal-shalisha with the corn and cakes. The prophet might have been fed, but not in this way. III. The good farmer ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL MORE THAN HE INTENDED. He meant feeding the prophet, and he fed a hundred others! And is not this the ease nowadays? When Robert Raikes began his Sunday School he only thought of the poor ignorant children of Gloucester; he little thought that he would be imitated, and that there would be thousands of Sunday Schools. When Charles Wesley asked Bohler if he must tell of his joy in Christ, the answer was, "If you had a thousand tongues, tell it with them all." He little thought that the idea would be set to rhyme, but Wesley wrote — O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer's praise! and that has been sung by millions of happy Christians in all parts of the world. The fact is, God can make a much better use of our talents than any one else can. You cannot get so much interest for your money anywhere else. Lord Byron was a much greater poet than Isaac Watts, but they will be singing Watts' hymns when Byron's name is forgotten. Elisha would not have had the chance of feeding his students if the farmer had not brought the corn. And the good man was equal to his opportunities. In spite of the sneer of his wretched servitor, who was then in training for leprosy, he would have the cakes divided. "Give unto the people that they may eat." How like God! He does not sell, but gives, and so it is with the bread of life. It is given to whoever will come. Are you hungry? Does your soul need satisfying? His mercy can do it. (T. Champness.) Parallel Verses KJV: And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. |
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