Called to do All That

Scripture: A man came from Baal Shalishah, bringing the man of God twenty loaves of barley bread baked from the first ripe grain, along with some heads of new grain. “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said. “How can I set this before a hundred men?” his servant asked. But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: ‘They will eat and have some left over.’” Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord. 2 Kings 4:42-44

Observation: In this section of scripture telling of Elisha's miracles, this passage involves the feeding of 100 men with bread. It is a clear parallel to Jesus doing the same thing, and will even be referenced as scripture when that occurs. However, there are a few differences, the most obvious of which is the numbers. Eventually, Jesus will feed 5,000 'men' and their families (so, assume ~20,000 people) with 7 loaves of bread. Here, Elisha will feed 100 men that are the company of prophets (so likely 100 people) with 20 loaves of bread.

In those days, a loaf was likely what we would consider a round of pita bread, so 1/5th of that isn't a lot ... but it's not nothing. It is enough for a light snack to get a person through the day. However, it isn't enough for a meal, and certainly it wouldn't be SO much that everyone was filled to the point of leaving leftovers unfinished. So yes, Elisha has done a miracle by extending this bread to feed 100 men. However, again, this will be nothing like Jesus, who will extend 7 loaves to feed 200 times more people, and then have an amount bread left over that is greater than the amount with which he began.

Application: I do not fully understand the lives of Elijah and Elisha, as they navigated a time in which they were undeniably powerful prophets, dedicated to the Lord, yet fighting a losing battle against the people and kings of Israel as they descended further and further into spiritual rebellion. However, it is passages like today that seem to make it clear there are parallels to learn about these two prophets that inform the life and mission of Jesus, and in turn the mission of his Church today.

There are elements of Elijah and Elisha where they are gentle, even supporting, advising, and assisting those we would consider their enemies. There are times when it seems the primary focus is showing compassion on the poor and destitute who, given the context, likely include other gods in their daily routine but who still cling to a little hope in Yahweh. There are times when they turn angry and aggressive, directly fighting the authorities and false worship all around them.

Again, I do not fully understand all this. I know that I and all believers are to do many of those same things ... show mercy toward our enemies, love and care for the downtrodden, defend and declare the truth of the gospel. Yet I also know that the mix and timing - knowing which action to take in which modern circumstance - is complicated and confusing. I'm not sure I can figure that out based on Elijah and Elisha.

What I can learn is that, indeed, these are the actions the Lord would have us take. Not just confronting powerful liars, but also offering them patient advice. Not just advising the powerful, but also living in community with other believers. Not just interacting with other believers, but visiting the poor and compassionately helping them. Not just helping the poor, but also confronting the powerful liars.

We - the full body of Christ - are called to do all that. Does that mean I do it all? Does it mean that I do some of it and others do other parts of it? Can we discern which things to do when, where, and with whom? This is the complexity of life with Jesus that only the Holy Spirit can help us discern, I think.

Prayer: Lord, today I will talk to people who are far from you. I will talk to someone, I'm sure, who is actively opposed to you. May I have your wisdom only to know what to do and say in those interactions, today and every day. Amen.