2 Kings 5
KingComments2 Kings 5:1
A Handful of Flour and a Little Oil
At the gate of the city Elijah meets the widow and asks her a question to know if she is the woman the LORD intended (cf. Genesis 24:14). The woman in turn recognizes him. The test makes it clear that this woman has faith, in contrast to the many widows in Israel to whom Elijah could not be sent (Luke 4:25-26). That she believes, we hear from what she says about the LORD. She speaks of Him as the One Who lives.
It seems that she can meet Elijah’s demand for some water. In any case, she leaves to fetch water. When Elijah also asks for bread, however, the widow has to answer that she has nothing but a handful of flour and a little oil. This acknowledgment of reality is exactly what God can use.
She does not refuse to use it for Elijah, but says that this is the last flour she has for her son and herself and that both of them will have to die after using it. There is nothing in her of the spirit of Nabal who, at David’s request to give him some of his wealth, answers: “Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat …, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?” (1 Samuel 25:11).
Elijah says to her to use it for him, after he has reassured her with the words “do not fear”. He promises her in the Name of the LORD God of Israel, that the flour and oil will not run out. He calls the Name of the God of Israel in the through and through heathen Sidon. God’s Name sounds brightest from the mouth of a man of God who is in an environment where the greatest darkness reigns.
The widow accepts the word of the prophet and believes that she will not lose by it. Those who trust God will make available to Him the little bit they have without objecting. Those who act with God will first seek His kingdom. They will do so in the faith that the other things will then be given to them (Matthew 6:33). Happy are those who, in hope against hope, continue to believe and who obey in confidence in God’s provisions.
This is what God wants: that we go to the Lord Jesus with the little we have. It is, as someone once said: “Little becomes much if God stands behind it.” We see that also with the wondrous feeding. What do a few loaves and a few fish mean to so many people (John 6:9)? Give it to the Lord. He distributes it so that everyone may be satisfied and there even remains some for others (Matthew 14:20).
If we can see the widow’s house as a local church of believers, full of weakness, this scene gives us encouragement. We see that God wants to work there by means of the little there is. It is “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10) and of “little power” (Revelation 3:8).
The full power of the Holy Spirit from the beginning, when He was poured out (Acts 2:1-4), is still present today (1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 5:16; 25), but is no longer fully realized because of the unfaithfulness of the church. Yet there is still “a handful”, “a little”. This will never disappear as long as the church is on earth and there are local believers who believe in the Lord Jesus and His work and in the power of the Spirit.
The flour and oil are multiplied. This multiplication takes place by using the flour and the oil. The woman experiences the truth of the word: “There is one who scatters, and [yet] increases all the more” (Proverbs 11:24a). The opposite is also true. There may be plenty, but when used for one’s own benefit, God will blow in it and it becomes little (Proverbs 11:24b; Haggai 1:9; Haggai 2:16).
The widow receives a prophet in the name of a prophet and receives the reward of a prophet (Matthew 10:41). She will not have complained that there is so little, because day after day she experiences its presence and she lives from it. She must have been surprised every day that it is still there.
We can apply the flour and the oil spiritually. The flour can be seen as a picture of the Lord Jesus as Man. Flour is used for the grain offering (Leviticus 2:1). Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20; 27). The Man Christ Jesus, Who is God revealed in the flesh, was completely guided by the Spirit on earth. The Lord Jesus is begotten by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) and anointed with Him (Acts 10:38). The grain offering is also exposed to fire (Leviticus 2:2; 9; 14). In it we see the picture that He, the true Man devoted to God, has undergone on the cross the fire of God’s judgment.
Even if there is only a little awareness of the perfection of the Lord Jesus and even if there is only a little awareness of the power of the Holy Spirit, when we go with this awareness to the Man of God, the Lord Jesus, He will work with it. The awareness of little power and the holding to the Name of the Lord Jesus are characteristics of the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8).
In the midst of the general decay in professing Christianity, it is still possible to put God’s thoughts into practice, even if only with a few who are so weak in themselves. As encouragement the Lord says: “I am coming quickly” and He calls: “Hold fast what you have” (Revelation 3:11).
2 Kings 5:2
A Handful of Flour and a Little Oil
At the gate of the city Elijah meets the widow and asks her a question to know if she is the woman the LORD intended (cf. Genesis 24:14). The woman in turn recognizes him. The test makes it clear that this woman has faith, in contrast to the many widows in Israel to whom Elijah could not be sent (Luke 4:25-26). That she believes, we hear from what she says about the LORD. She speaks of Him as the One Who lives.
It seems that she can meet Elijah’s demand for some water. In any case, she leaves to fetch water. When Elijah also asks for bread, however, the widow has to answer that she has nothing but a handful of flour and a little oil. This acknowledgment of reality is exactly what God can use.
She does not refuse to use it for Elijah, but says that this is the last flour she has for her son and herself and that both of them will have to die after using it. There is nothing in her of the spirit of Nabal who, at David’s request to give him some of his wealth, answers: “Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat …, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?” (1 Samuel 25:11).
Elijah says to her to use it for him, after he has reassured her with the words “do not fear”. He promises her in the Name of the LORD God of Israel, that the flour and oil will not run out. He calls the Name of the God of Israel in the through and through heathen Sidon. God’s Name sounds brightest from the mouth of a man of God who is in an environment where the greatest darkness reigns.
The widow accepts the word of the prophet and believes that she will not lose by it. Those who trust God will make available to Him the little bit they have without objecting. Those who act with God will first seek His kingdom. They will do so in the faith that the other things will then be given to them (Matthew 6:33). Happy are those who, in hope against hope, continue to believe and who obey in confidence in God’s provisions.
This is what God wants: that we go to the Lord Jesus with the little we have. It is, as someone once said: “Little becomes much if God stands behind it.” We see that also with the wondrous feeding. What do a few loaves and a few fish mean to so many people (John 6:9)? Give it to the Lord. He distributes it so that everyone may be satisfied and there even remains some for others (Matthew 14:20).
If we can see the widow’s house as a local church of believers, full of weakness, this scene gives us encouragement. We see that God wants to work there by means of the little there is. It is “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10) and of “little power” (Revelation 3:8).
The full power of the Holy Spirit from the beginning, when He was poured out (Acts 2:1-4), is still present today (1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 5:16; 25), but is no longer fully realized because of the unfaithfulness of the church. Yet there is still “a handful”, “a little”. This will never disappear as long as the church is on earth and there are local believers who believe in the Lord Jesus and His work and in the power of the Spirit.
The flour and oil are multiplied. This multiplication takes place by using the flour and the oil. The woman experiences the truth of the word: “There is one who scatters, and [yet] increases all the more” (Proverbs 11:24a). The opposite is also true. There may be plenty, but when used for one’s own benefit, God will blow in it and it becomes little (Proverbs 11:24b; Haggai 1:9; Haggai 2:16).
The widow receives a prophet in the name of a prophet and receives the reward of a prophet (Matthew 10:41). She will not have complained that there is so little, because day after day she experiences its presence and she lives from it. She must have been surprised every day that it is still there.
We can apply the flour and the oil spiritually. The flour can be seen as a picture of the Lord Jesus as Man. Flour is used for the grain offering (Leviticus 2:1). Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20; 27). The Man Christ Jesus, Who is God revealed in the flesh, was completely guided by the Spirit on earth. The Lord Jesus is begotten by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) and anointed with Him (Acts 10:38). The grain offering is also exposed to fire (Leviticus 2:2; 9; 14). In it we see the picture that He, the true Man devoted to God, has undergone on the cross the fire of God’s judgment.
Even if there is only a little awareness of the perfection of the Lord Jesus and even if there is only a little awareness of the power of the Holy Spirit, when we go with this awareness to the Man of God, the Lord Jesus, He will work with it. The awareness of little power and the holding to the Name of the Lord Jesus are characteristics of the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8).
In the midst of the general decay in professing Christianity, it is still possible to put God’s thoughts into practice, even if only with a few who are so weak in themselves. As encouragement the Lord says: “I am coming quickly” and He calls: “Hold fast what you have” (Revelation 3:11).
2 Kings 5:3
A Handful of Flour and a Little Oil
At the gate of the city Elijah meets the widow and asks her a question to know if she is the woman the LORD intended (cf. Genesis 24:14). The woman in turn recognizes him. The test makes it clear that this woman has faith, in contrast to the many widows in Israel to whom Elijah could not be sent (Luke 4:25-26). That she believes, we hear from what she says about the LORD. She speaks of Him as the One Who lives.
It seems that she can meet Elijah’s demand for some water. In any case, she leaves to fetch water. When Elijah also asks for bread, however, the widow has to answer that she has nothing but a handful of flour and a little oil. This acknowledgment of reality is exactly what God can use.
She does not refuse to use it for Elijah, but says that this is the last flour she has for her son and herself and that both of them will have to die after using it. There is nothing in her of the spirit of Nabal who, at David’s request to give him some of his wealth, answers: “Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat …, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?” (1 Samuel 25:11).
Elijah says to her to use it for him, after he has reassured her with the words “do not fear”. He promises her in the Name of the LORD God of Israel, that the flour and oil will not run out. He calls the Name of the God of Israel in the through and through heathen Sidon. God’s Name sounds brightest from the mouth of a man of God who is in an environment where the greatest darkness reigns.
The widow accepts the word of the prophet and believes that she will not lose by it. Those who trust God will make available to Him the little bit they have without objecting. Those who act with God will first seek His kingdom. They will do so in the faith that the other things will then be given to them (Matthew 6:33). Happy are those who, in hope against hope, continue to believe and who obey in confidence in God’s provisions.
This is what God wants: that we go to the Lord Jesus with the little we have. It is, as someone once said: “Little becomes much if God stands behind it.” We see that also with the wondrous feeding. What do a few loaves and a few fish mean to so many people (John 6:9)? Give it to the Lord. He distributes it so that everyone may be satisfied and there even remains some for others (Matthew 14:20).
If we can see the widow’s house as a local church of believers, full of weakness, this scene gives us encouragement. We see that God wants to work there by means of the little there is. It is “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10) and of “little power” (Revelation 3:8).
The full power of the Holy Spirit from the beginning, when He was poured out (Acts 2:1-4), is still present today (1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 5:16; 25), but is no longer fully realized because of the unfaithfulness of the church. Yet there is still “a handful”, “a little”. This will never disappear as long as the church is on earth and there are local believers who believe in the Lord Jesus and His work and in the power of the Spirit.
The flour and oil are multiplied. This multiplication takes place by using the flour and the oil. The woman experiences the truth of the word: “There is one who scatters, and [yet] increases all the more” (Proverbs 11:24a). The opposite is also true. There may be plenty, but when used for one’s own benefit, God will blow in it and it becomes little (Proverbs 11:24b; Haggai 1:9; Haggai 2:16).
The widow receives a prophet in the name of a prophet and receives the reward of a prophet (Matthew 10:41). She will not have complained that there is so little, because day after day she experiences its presence and she lives from it. She must have been surprised every day that it is still there.
We can apply the flour and the oil spiritually. The flour can be seen as a picture of the Lord Jesus as Man. Flour is used for the grain offering (Leviticus 2:1). Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20; 27). The Man Christ Jesus, Who is God revealed in the flesh, was completely guided by the Spirit on earth. The Lord Jesus is begotten by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) and anointed with Him (Acts 10:38). The grain offering is also exposed to fire (Leviticus 2:2; 9; 14). In it we see the picture that He, the true Man devoted to God, has undergone on the cross the fire of God’s judgment.
Even if there is only a little awareness of the perfection of the Lord Jesus and even if there is only a little awareness of the power of the Holy Spirit, when we go with this awareness to the Man of God, the Lord Jesus, He will work with it. The awareness of little power and the holding to the Name of the Lord Jesus are characteristics of the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8).
In the midst of the general decay in professing Christianity, it is still possible to put God’s thoughts into practice, even if only with a few who are so weak in themselves. As encouragement the Lord says: “I am coming quickly” and He calls: “Hold fast what you have” (Revelation 3:11).
2 Kings 5:4
A Handful of Flour and a Little Oil
At the gate of the city Elijah meets the widow and asks her a question to know if she is the woman the LORD intended (cf. Genesis 24:14). The woman in turn recognizes him. The test makes it clear that this woman has faith, in contrast to the many widows in Israel to whom Elijah could not be sent (Luke 4:25-26). That she believes, we hear from what she says about the LORD. She speaks of Him as the One Who lives.
It seems that she can meet Elijah’s demand for some water. In any case, she leaves to fetch water. When Elijah also asks for bread, however, the widow has to answer that she has nothing but a handful of flour and a little oil. This acknowledgment of reality is exactly what God can use.
She does not refuse to use it for Elijah, but says that this is the last flour she has for her son and herself and that both of them will have to die after using it. There is nothing in her of the spirit of Nabal who, at David’s request to give him some of his wealth, answers: “Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat …, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?” (1 Samuel 25:11).
Elijah says to her to use it for him, after he has reassured her with the words “do not fear”. He promises her in the Name of the LORD God of Israel, that the flour and oil will not run out. He calls the Name of the God of Israel in the through and through heathen Sidon. God’s Name sounds brightest from the mouth of a man of God who is in an environment where the greatest darkness reigns.
The widow accepts the word of the prophet and believes that she will not lose by it. Those who trust God will make available to Him the little bit they have without objecting. Those who act with God will first seek His kingdom. They will do so in the faith that the other things will then be given to them (Matthew 6:33). Happy are those who, in hope against hope, continue to believe and who obey in confidence in God’s provisions.
This is what God wants: that we go to the Lord Jesus with the little we have. It is, as someone once said: “Little becomes much if God stands behind it.” We see that also with the wondrous feeding. What do a few loaves and a few fish mean to so many people (John 6:9)? Give it to the Lord. He distributes it so that everyone may be satisfied and there even remains some for others (Matthew 14:20).
If we can see the widow’s house as a local church of believers, full of weakness, this scene gives us encouragement. We see that God wants to work there by means of the little there is. It is “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10) and of “little power” (Revelation 3:8).
The full power of the Holy Spirit from the beginning, when He was poured out (Acts 2:1-4), is still present today (1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 5:16; 25), but is no longer fully realized because of the unfaithfulness of the church. Yet there is still “a handful”, “a little”. This will never disappear as long as the church is on earth and there are local believers who believe in the Lord Jesus and His work and in the power of the Spirit.
The flour and oil are multiplied. This multiplication takes place by using the flour and the oil. The woman experiences the truth of the word: “There is one who scatters, and [yet] increases all the more” (Proverbs 11:24a). The opposite is also true. There may be plenty, but when used for one’s own benefit, God will blow in it and it becomes little (Proverbs 11:24b; Haggai 1:9; Haggai 2:16).
The widow receives a prophet in the name of a prophet and receives the reward of a prophet (Matthew 10:41). She will not have complained that there is so little, because day after day she experiences its presence and she lives from it. She must have been surprised every day that it is still there.
We can apply the flour and the oil spiritually. The flour can be seen as a picture of the Lord Jesus as Man. Flour is used for the grain offering (Leviticus 2:1). Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20; 27). The Man Christ Jesus, Who is God revealed in the flesh, was completely guided by the Spirit on earth. The Lord Jesus is begotten by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) and anointed with Him (Acts 10:38). The grain offering is also exposed to fire (Leviticus 2:2; 9; 14). In it we see the picture that He, the true Man devoted to God, has undergone on the cross the fire of God’s judgment.
Even if there is only a little awareness of the perfection of the Lord Jesus and even if there is only a little awareness of the power of the Holy Spirit, when we go with this awareness to the Man of God, the Lord Jesus, He will work with it. The awareness of little power and the holding to the Name of the Lord Jesus are characteristics of the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8).
In the midst of the general decay in professing Christianity, it is still possible to put God’s thoughts into practice, even if only with a few who are so weak in themselves. As encouragement the Lord says: “I am coming quickly” and He calls: “Hold fast what you have” (Revelation 3:11).
2 Kings 5:5
A Handful of Flour and a Little Oil
At the gate of the city Elijah meets the widow and asks her a question to know if she is the woman the LORD intended (cf. Genesis 24:14). The woman in turn recognizes him. The test makes it clear that this woman has faith, in contrast to the many widows in Israel to whom Elijah could not be sent (Luke 4:25-26). That she believes, we hear from what she says about the LORD. She speaks of Him as the One Who lives.
It seems that she can meet Elijah’s demand for some water. In any case, she leaves to fetch water. When Elijah also asks for bread, however, the widow has to answer that she has nothing but a handful of flour and a little oil. This acknowledgment of reality is exactly what God can use.
She does not refuse to use it for Elijah, but says that this is the last flour she has for her son and herself and that both of them will have to die after using it. There is nothing in her of the spirit of Nabal who, at David’s request to give him some of his wealth, answers: “Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat …, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?” (1 Samuel 25:11).
Elijah says to her to use it for him, after he has reassured her with the words “do not fear”. He promises her in the Name of the LORD God of Israel, that the flour and oil will not run out. He calls the Name of the God of Israel in the through and through heathen Sidon. God’s Name sounds brightest from the mouth of a man of God who is in an environment where the greatest darkness reigns.
The widow accepts the word of the prophet and believes that she will not lose by it. Those who trust God will make available to Him the little bit they have without objecting. Those who act with God will first seek His kingdom. They will do so in the faith that the other things will then be given to them (Matthew 6:33). Happy are those who, in hope against hope, continue to believe and who obey in confidence in God’s provisions.
This is what God wants: that we go to the Lord Jesus with the little we have. It is, as someone once said: “Little becomes much if God stands behind it.” We see that also with the wondrous feeding. What do a few loaves and a few fish mean to so many people (John 6:9)? Give it to the Lord. He distributes it so that everyone may be satisfied and there even remains some for others (Matthew 14:20).
If we can see the widow’s house as a local church of believers, full of weakness, this scene gives us encouragement. We see that God wants to work there by means of the little there is. It is “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10) and of “little power” (Revelation 3:8).
The full power of the Holy Spirit from the beginning, when He was poured out (Acts 2:1-4), is still present today (1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 5:16; 25), but is no longer fully realized because of the unfaithfulness of the church. Yet there is still “a handful”, “a little”. This will never disappear as long as the church is on earth and there are local believers who believe in the Lord Jesus and His work and in the power of the Spirit.
The flour and oil are multiplied. This multiplication takes place by using the flour and the oil. The woman experiences the truth of the word: “There is one who scatters, and [yet] increases all the more” (Proverbs 11:24a). The opposite is also true. There may be plenty, but when used for one’s own benefit, God will blow in it and it becomes little (Proverbs 11:24b; Haggai 1:9; Haggai 2:16).
The widow receives a prophet in the name of a prophet and receives the reward of a prophet (Matthew 10:41). She will not have complained that there is so little, because day after day she experiences its presence and she lives from it. She must have been surprised every day that it is still there.
We can apply the flour and the oil spiritually. The flour can be seen as a picture of the Lord Jesus as Man. Flour is used for the grain offering (Leviticus 2:1). Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20; 27). The Man Christ Jesus, Who is God revealed in the flesh, was completely guided by the Spirit on earth. The Lord Jesus is begotten by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) and anointed with Him (Acts 10:38). The grain offering is also exposed to fire (Leviticus 2:2; 9; 14). In it we see the picture that He, the true Man devoted to God, has undergone on the cross the fire of God’s judgment.
Even if there is only a little awareness of the perfection of the Lord Jesus and even if there is only a little awareness of the power of the Holy Spirit, when we go with this awareness to the Man of God, the Lord Jesus, He will work with it. The awareness of little power and the holding to the Name of the Lord Jesus are characteristics of the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8).
In the midst of the general decay in professing Christianity, it is still possible to put God’s thoughts into practice, even if only with a few who are so weak in themselves. As encouragement the Lord says: “I am coming quickly” and He calls: “Hold fast what you have” (Revelation 3:11).
2 Kings 5:6
A Handful of Flour and a Little Oil
At the gate of the city Elijah meets the widow and asks her a question to know if she is the woman the LORD intended (cf. Genesis 24:14). The woman in turn recognizes him. The test makes it clear that this woman has faith, in contrast to the many widows in Israel to whom Elijah could not be sent (Luke 4:25-26). That she believes, we hear from what she says about the LORD. She speaks of Him as the One Who lives.
It seems that she can meet Elijah’s demand for some water. In any case, she leaves to fetch water. When Elijah also asks for bread, however, the widow has to answer that she has nothing but a handful of flour and a little oil. This acknowledgment of reality is exactly what God can use.
She does not refuse to use it for Elijah, but says that this is the last flour she has for her son and herself and that both of them will have to die after using it. There is nothing in her of the spirit of Nabal who, at David’s request to give him some of his wealth, answers: “Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat …, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?” (1 Samuel 25:11).
Elijah says to her to use it for him, after he has reassured her with the words “do not fear”. He promises her in the Name of the LORD God of Israel, that the flour and oil will not run out. He calls the Name of the God of Israel in the through and through heathen Sidon. God’s Name sounds brightest from the mouth of a man of God who is in an environment where the greatest darkness reigns.
The widow accepts the word of the prophet and believes that she will not lose by it. Those who trust God will make available to Him the little bit they have without objecting. Those who act with God will first seek His kingdom. They will do so in the faith that the other things will then be given to them (Matthew 6:33). Happy are those who, in hope against hope, continue to believe and who obey in confidence in God’s provisions.
This is what God wants: that we go to the Lord Jesus with the little we have. It is, as someone once said: “Little becomes much if God stands behind it.” We see that also with the wondrous feeding. What do a few loaves and a few fish mean to so many people (John 6:9)? Give it to the Lord. He distributes it so that everyone may be satisfied and there even remains some for others (Matthew 14:20).
If we can see the widow’s house as a local church of believers, full of weakness, this scene gives us encouragement. We see that God wants to work there by means of the little there is. It is “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10) and of “little power” (Revelation 3:8).
The full power of the Holy Spirit from the beginning, when He was poured out (Acts 2:1-4), is still present today (1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 5:16; 25), but is no longer fully realized because of the unfaithfulness of the church. Yet there is still “a handful”, “a little”. This will never disappear as long as the church is on earth and there are local believers who believe in the Lord Jesus and His work and in the power of the Spirit.
The flour and oil are multiplied. This multiplication takes place by using the flour and the oil. The woman experiences the truth of the word: “There is one who scatters, and [yet] increases all the more” (Proverbs 11:24a). The opposite is also true. There may be plenty, but when used for one’s own benefit, God will blow in it and it becomes little (Proverbs 11:24b; Haggai 1:9; Haggai 2:16).
The widow receives a prophet in the name of a prophet and receives the reward of a prophet (Matthew 10:41). She will not have complained that there is so little, because day after day she experiences its presence and she lives from it. She must have been surprised every day that it is still there.
We can apply the flour and the oil spiritually. The flour can be seen as a picture of the Lord Jesus as Man. Flour is used for the grain offering (Leviticus 2:1). Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20; 27). The Man Christ Jesus, Who is God revealed in the flesh, was completely guided by the Spirit on earth. The Lord Jesus is begotten by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) and anointed with Him (Acts 10:38). The grain offering is also exposed to fire (Leviticus 2:2; 9; 14). In it we see the picture that He, the true Man devoted to God, has undergone on the cross the fire of God’s judgment.
Even if there is only a little awareness of the perfection of the Lord Jesus and even if there is only a little awareness of the power of the Holy Spirit, when we go with this awareness to the Man of God, the Lord Jesus, He will work with it. The awareness of little power and the holding to the Name of the Lord Jesus are characteristics of the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8).
In the midst of the general decay in professing Christianity, it is still possible to put God’s thoughts into practice, even if only with a few who are so weak in themselves. As encouragement the Lord says: “I am coming quickly” and He calls: “Hold fast what you have” (Revelation 3:11).
2 Kings 5:7
A Handful of Flour and a Little Oil
At the gate of the city Elijah meets the widow and asks her a question to know if she is the woman the LORD intended (cf. Genesis 24:14). The woman in turn recognizes him. The test makes it clear that this woman has faith, in contrast to the many widows in Israel to whom Elijah could not be sent (Luke 4:25-26). That she believes, we hear from what she says about the LORD. She speaks of Him as the One Who lives.
It seems that she can meet Elijah’s demand for some water. In any case, she leaves to fetch water. When Elijah also asks for bread, however, the widow has to answer that she has nothing but a handful of flour and a little oil. This acknowledgment of reality is exactly what God can use.
She does not refuse to use it for Elijah, but says that this is the last flour she has for her son and herself and that both of them will have to die after using it. There is nothing in her of the spirit of Nabal who, at David’s request to give him some of his wealth, answers: “Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat …, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?” (1 Samuel 25:11).
Elijah says to her to use it for him, after he has reassured her with the words “do not fear”. He promises her in the Name of the LORD God of Israel, that the flour and oil will not run out. He calls the Name of the God of Israel in the through and through heathen Sidon. God’s Name sounds brightest from the mouth of a man of God who is in an environment where the greatest darkness reigns.
The widow accepts the word of the prophet and believes that she will not lose by it. Those who trust God will make available to Him the little bit they have without objecting. Those who act with God will first seek His kingdom. They will do so in the faith that the other things will then be given to them (Matthew 6:33). Happy are those who, in hope against hope, continue to believe and who obey in confidence in God’s provisions.
This is what God wants: that we go to the Lord Jesus with the little we have. It is, as someone once said: “Little becomes much if God stands behind it.” We see that also with the wondrous feeding. What do a few loaves and a few fish mean to so many people (John 6:9)? Give it to the Lord. He distributes it so that everyone may be satisfied and there even remains some for others (Matthew 14:20).
If we can see the widow’s house as a local church of believers, full of weakness, this scene gives us encouragement. We see that God wants to work there by means of the little there is. It is “the day of small things” (Zechariah 4:10) and of “little power” (Revelation 3:8).
The full power of the Holy Spirit from the beginning, when He was poured out (Acts 2:1-4), is still present today (1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 5:16; 25), but is no longer fully realized because of the unfaithfulness of the church. Yet there is still “a handful”, “a little”. This will never disappear as long as the church is on earth and there are local believers who believe in the Lord Jesus and His work and in the power of the Spirit.
The flour and oil are multiplied. This multiplication takes place by using the flour and the oil. The woman experiences the truth of the word: “There is one who scatters, and [yet] increases all the more” (Proverbs 11:24a). The opposite is also true. There may be plenty, but when used for one’s own benefit, God will blow in it and it becomes little (Proverbs 11:24b; Haggai 1:9; Haggai 2:16).
The widow receives a prophet in the name of a prophet and receives the reward of a prophet (Matthew 10:41). She will not have complained that there is so little, because day after day she experiences its presence and she lives from it. She must have been surprised every day that it is still there.
We can apply the flour and the oil spiritually. The flour can be seen as a picture of the Lord Jesus as Man. Flour is used for the grain offering (Leviticus 2:1). Oil is a picture of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20; 27). The Man Christ Jesus, Who is God revealed in the flesh, was completely guided by the Spirit on earth. The Lord Jesus is begotten by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) and anointed with Him (Acts 10:38). The grain offering is also exposed to fire (Leviticus 2:2; 9; 14). In it we see the picture that He, the true Man devoted to God, has undergone on the cross the fire of God’s judgment.
Even if there is only a little awareness of the perfection of the Lord Jesus and even if there is only a little awareness of the power of the Holy Spirit, when we go with this awareness to the Man of God, the Lord Jesus, He will work with it. The awareness of little power and the holding to the Name of the Lord Jesus are characteristics of the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:8).
In the midst of the general decay in professing Christianity, it is still possible to put God’s thoughts into practice, even if only with a few who are so weak in themselves. As encouragement the Lord says: “I am coming quickly” and He calls: “Hold fast what you have” (Revelation 3:11).
2 Kings 5:8
The Widow’s Son Dies
It is a small, but happy company, there in that house in Zarephath. In this time of scarcity, they always have to eat, because the man of God has moved in there. Then comes the trial in that house. It is the next class in the school of God. If we can assume that Elijah was by the brook Cherith for one year and with the widow for two years, we can see these three years as teaching years in the school of God.
The first year, the first class, is by the brook Cherith. The second year, the second class, is with the widow to learn that the handful of flour and the little oil are sufficient in days of the greatest weakness. Now comes the third year, the third class, with the lesson of death and resurrection. After the exercise in the hiddenness by the brook Cherith and the formation in the family, in picture the church, we now learn that the foundation of blessing and life lies in death and resurrection.
The only son of the widow becomes ill and dies. This empties the house. It is not only a trial for the woman, but also for Elijah. This profoundly dramatic event brings the woman to a renewed awareness of God’s hand in her life. She is reminded of a sin, the burden of which she apparently had not yet lost.
This may happen to us as well. There are things that happen in which we suddenly find ourselves in God’s presence. Through a sudden incident, God can bring us to a standstill and immediately reminds us of a sin we have committed, but which we have hidden or forgotten and which we have not yet confessed. God works this out to give the opportunity to confess that sin.
The woman addresses Elijah with “man of God”. She knows he is. Through him she has come to know God as a Sustainer, Someone Who takes care of her. But now through him she will get to know God in a special way: as the God of resurrection. Elijah is in this house a picture of the Lord Jesus through whom we learn to know God as the God of resurrection and new life.
2 Kings 5:9
The Widow’s Son Dies
It is a small, but happy company, there in that house in Zarephath. In this time of scarcity, they always have to eat, because the man of God has moved in there. Then comes the trial in that house. It is the next class in the school of God. If we can assume that Elijah was by the brook Cherith for one year and with the widow for two years, we can see these three years as teaching years in the school of God.
The first year, the first class, is by the brook Cherith. The second year, the second class, is with the widow to learn that the handful of flour and the little oil are sufficient in days of the greatest weakness. Now comes the third year, the third class, with the lesson of death and resurrection. After the exercise in the hiddenness by the brook Cherith and the formation in the family, in picture the church, we now learn that the foundation of blessing and life lies in death and resurrection.
The only son of the widow becomes ill and dies. This empties the house. It is not only a trial for the woman, but also for Elijah. This profoundly dramatic event brings the woman to a renewed awareness of God’s hand in her life. She is reminded of a sin, the burden of which she apparently had not yet lost.
This may happen to us as well. There are things that happen in which we suddenly find ourselves in God’s presence. Through a sudden incident, God can bring us to a standstill and immediately reminds us of a sin we have committed, but which we have hidden or forgotten and which we have not yet confessed. God works this out to give the opportunity to confess that sin.
The woman addresses Elijah with “man of God”. She knows he is. Through him she has come to know God as a Sustainer, Someone Who takes care of her. But now through him she will get to know God in a special way: as the God of resurrection. Elijah is in this house a picture of the Lord Jesus through whom we learn to know God as the God of resurrection and new life.
2 Kings 5:10
The Son Becomes Alive
Elijah listens to her need and says to her: “Give me your son.” Thus the Lord Jesus says to us “give Me your problem”, just as He once said to a desperate father that he should bring his son to Him (Mark 9:19b). At the same time, Elijah takes the son from her bosom. He disconnects the boy from the natural connection that exists between the boy and his mother. His mother can’t help him anymore. All the natural things on which a person can rely must first be taken away if God is to do His work through His life-giving power.
Elijah brings the boy to his upper room. Later the woman in Shunem also brought her son to an upper room (2 Kings 4:21); there the believers also laid Dorcas (Acts 9:37); there Eutychus was also brought back after he fell out of the window of the upper room (Acts 20:8-12). An upper room is a place above the earth, where those who are there are with God as it were. Elijah lays him on his bed, his deathbed, so to speak. Then he stretches himself upon him, making himself one with him symbolically. This he does up to three times.
Each new life is based on the fact that the Lord Jesus made our problem of sin His on the cross. All subsequent problems that may arise in our life are also made His in His service in heaven as High Priest and Advocate. As Elijah calls to God, so does Christ pray for us.
Elijah prays fervently to God to let life return to the child. Before this event we do not read of anyone who has been brought back to life from the dead. This makes Elijah’s faith in God as the God of the resurrection all the more remarkable. He is an example to us in his faith in the power of God over death. However, he is not an example for us to pray for the revival of a dead person. Thus David did not expect to bring his child back to life through prayer and fasting (2 Samuel 12:23). Elijah has a power to work wonders that David did not have.
When Elijah calls to God as his personal God, God listens to the voice of Elijah and brings outcome. He restores life and thus confirms Elijah as the man who restores things. Elijah gives the child back to its mother. He is the prophet who restores the relationship between the generations and restores the hearts of the parents to the children and the hearts of children to the parents (Malachi 4:5a; 6a). God also wants to do this with us if we can no longer live to His honor because of a problem of any kind.
Elijah’s prayer is clear: “Let this child’s life return to him.” In this we clearly see the existence of the soul in a state separate of the body, which is also a proof that the soul does not die after death. The LORD hears the prayer. As a result, the woman acknowledges that Elijah is a man of God. We will also give all honor to the Lord Jesus when we have experienced His power to give life. Thus the death of this child, as well as later that of Lazarus (John 11:4), becomes a reason to glorify God and to honor His prophet.
2 Kings 5:11
The Son Becomes Alive
Elijah listens to her need and says to her: “Give me your son.” Thus the Lord Jesus says to us “give Me your problem”, just as He once said to a desperate father that he should bring his son to Him (Mark 9:19b). At the same time, Elijah takes the son from her bosom. He disconnects the boy from the natural connection that exists between the boy and his mother. His mother can’t help him anymore. All the natural things on which a person can rely must first be taken away if God is to do His work through His life-giving power.
Elijah brings the boy to his upper room. Later the woman in Shunem also brought her son to an upper room (2 Kings 4:21); there the believers also laid Dorcas (Acts 9:37); there Eutychus was also brought back after he fell out of the window of the upper room (Acts 20:8-12). An upper room is a place above the earth, where those who are there are with God as it were. Elijah lays him on his bed, his deathbed, so to speak. Then he stretches himself upon him, making himself one with him symbolically. This he does up to three times.
Each new life is based on the fact that the Lord Jesus made our problem of sin His on the cross. All subsequent problems that may arise in our life are also made His in His service in heaven as High Priest and Advocate. As Elijah calls to God, so does Christ pray for us.
Elijah prays fervently to God to let life return to the child. Before this event we do not read of anyone who has been brought back to life from the dead. This makes Elijah’s faith in God as the God of the resurrection all the more remarkable. He is an example to us in his faith in the power of God over death. However, he is not an example for us to pray for the revival of a dead person. Thus David did not expect to bring his child back to life through prayer and fasting (2 Samuel 12:23). Elijah has a power to work wonders that David did not have.
When Elijah calls to God as his personal God, God listens to the voice of Elijah and brings outcome. He restores life and thus confirms Elijah as the man who restores things. Elijah gives the child back to its mother. He is the prophet who restores the relationship between the generations and restores the hearts of the parents to the children and the hearts of children to the parents (Malachi 4:5a; 6a). God also wants to do this with us if we can no longer live to His honor because of a problem of any kind.
Elijah’s prayer is clear: “Let this child’s life return to him.” In this we clearly see the existence of the soul in a state separate of the body, which is also a proof that the soul does not die after death. The LORD hears the prayer. As a result, the woman acknowledges that Elijah is a man of God. We will also give all honor to the Lord Jesus when we have experienced His power to give life. Thus the death of this child, as well as later that of Lazarus (John 11:4), becomes a reason to glorify God and to honor His prophet.
2 Kings 5:12
The Son Becomes Alive
Elijah listens to her need and says to her: “Give me your son.” Thus the Lord Jesus says to us “give Me your problem”, just as He once said to a desperate father that he should bring his son to Him (Mark 9:19b). At the same time, Elijah takes the son from her bosom. He disconnects the boy from the natural connection that exists between the boy and his mother. His mother can’t help him anymore. All the natural things on which a person can rely must first be taken away if God is to do His work through His life-giving power.
Elijah brings the boy to his upper room. Later the woman in Shunem also brought her son to an upper room (2 Kings 4:21); there the believers also laid Dorcas (Acts 9:37); there Eutychus was also brought back after he fell out of the window of the upper room (Acts 20:8-12). An upper room is a place above the earth, where those who are there are with God as it were. Elijah lays him on his bed, his deathbed, so to speak. Then he stretches himself upon him, making himself one with him symbolically. This he does up to three times.
Each new life is based on the fact that the Lord Jesus made our problem of sin His on the cross. All subsequent problems that may arise in our life are also made His in His service in heaven as High Priest and Advocate. As Elijah calls to God, so does Christ pray for us.
Elijah prays fervently to God to let life return to the child. Before this event we do not read of anyone who has been brought back to life from the dead. This makes Elijah’s faith in God as the God of the resurrection all the more remarkable. He is an example to us in his faith in the power of God over death. However, he is not an example for us to pray for the revival of a dead person. Thus David did not expect to bring his child back to life through prayer and fasting (2 Samuel 12:23). Elijah has a power to work wonders that David did not have.
When Elijah calls to God as his personal God, God listens to the voice of Elijah and brings outcome. He restores life and thus confirms Elijah as the man who restores things. Elijah gives the child back to its mother. He is the prophet who restores the relationship between the generations and restores the hearts of the parents to the children and the hearts of children to the parents (Malachi 4:5a; 6a). God also wants to do this with us if we can no longer live to His honor because of a problem of any kind.
Elijah’s prayer is clear: “Let this child’s life return to him.” In this we clearly see the existence of the soul in a state separate of the body, which is also a proof that the soul does not die after death. The LORD hears the prayer. As a result, the woman acknowledges that Elijah is a man of God. We will also give all honor to the Lord Jesus when we have experienced His power to give life. Thus the death of this child, as well as later that of Lazarus (John 11:4), becomes a reason to glorify God and to honor His prophet.
2 Kings 5:13
The Son Becomes Alive
Elijah listens to her need and says to her: “Give me your son.” Thus the Lord Jesus says to us “give Me your problem”, just as He once said to a desperate father that he should bring his son to Him (Mark 9:19b). At the same time, Elijah takes the son from her bosom. He disconnects the boy from the natural connection that exists between the boy and his mother. His mother can’t help him anymore. All the natural things on which a person can rely must first be taken away if God is to do His work through His life-giving power.
Elijah brings the boy to his upper room. Later the woman in Shunem also brought her son to an upper room (2 Kings 4:21); there the believers also laid Dorcas (Acts 9:37); there Eutychus was also brought back after he fell out of the window of the upper room (Acts 20:8-12). An upper room is a place above the earth, where those who are there are with God as it were. Elijah lays him on his bed, his deathbed, so to speak. Then he stretches himself upon him, making himself one with him symbolically. This he does up to three times.
Each new life is based on the fact that the Lord Jesus made our problem of sin His on the cross. All subsequent problems that may arise in our life are also made His in His service in heaven as High Priest and Advocate. As Elijah calls to God, so does Christ pray for us.
Elijah prays fervently to God to let life return to the child. Before this event we do not read of anyone who has been brought back to life from the dead. This makes Elijah’s faith in God as the God of the resurrection all the more remarkable. He is an example to us in his faith in the power of God over death. However, he is not an example for us to pray for the revival of a dead person. Thus David did not expect to bring his child back to life through prayer and fasting (2 Samuel 12:23). Elijah has a power to work wonders that David did not have.
When Elijah calls to God as his personal God, God listens to the voice of Elijah and brings outcome. He restores life and thus confirms Elijah as the man who restores things. Elijah gives the child back to its mother. He is the prophet who restores the relationship between the generations and restores the hearts of the parents to the children and the hearts of children to the parents (Malachi 4:5a; 6a). God also wants to do this with us if we can no longer live to His honor because of a problem of any kind.
Elijah’s prayer is clear: “Let this child’s life return to him.” In this we clearly see the existence of the soul in a state separate of the body, which is also a proof that the soul does not die after death. The LORD hears the prayer. As a result, the woman acknowledges that Elijah is a man of God. We will also give all honor to the Lord Jesus when we have experienced His power to give life. Thus the death of this child, as well as later that of Lazarus (John 11:4), becomes a reason to glorify God and to honor His prophet.
2 Kings 5:14
The Son Becomes Alive
Elijah listens to her need and says to her: “Give me your son.” Thus the Lord Jesus says to us “give Me your problem”, just as He once said to a desperate father that he should bring his son to Him (Mark 9:19b). At the same time, Elijah takes the son from her bosom. He disconnects the boy from the natural connection that exists between the boy and his mother. His mother can’t help him anymore. All the natural things on which a person can rely must first be taken away if God is to do His work through His life-giving power.
Elijah brings the boy to his upper room. Later the woman in Shunem also brought her son to an upper room (2 Kings 4:21); there the believers also laid Dorcas (Acts 9:37); there Eutychus was also brought back after he fell out of the window of the upper room (Acts 20:8-12). An upper room is a place above the earth, where those who are there are with God as it were. Elijah lays him on his bed, his deathbed, so to speak. Then he stretches himself upon him, making himself one with him symbolically. This he does up to three times.
Each new life is based on the fact that the Lord Jesus made our problem of sin His on the cross. All subsequent problems that may arise in our life are also made His in His service in heaven as High Priest and Advocate. As Elijah calls to God, so does Christ pray for us.
Elijah prays fervently to God to let life return to the child. Before this event we do not read of anyone who has been brought back to life from the dead. This makes Elijah’s faith in God as the God of the resurrection all the more remarkable. He is an example to us in his faith in the power of God over death. However, he is not an example for us to pray for the revival of a dead person. Thus David did not expect to bring his child back to life through prayer and fasting (2 Samuel 12:23). Elijah has a power to work wonders that David did not have.
When Elijah calls to God as his personal God, God listens to the voice of Elijah and brings outcome. He restores life and thus confirms Elijah as the man who restores things. Elijah gives the child back to its mother. He is the prophet who restores the relationship between the generations and restores the hearts of the parents to the children and the hearts of children to the parents (Malachi 4:5a; 6a). God also wants to do this with us if we can no longer live to His honor because of a problem of any kind.
Elijah’s prayer is clear: “Let this child’s life return to him.” In this we clearly see the existence of the soul in a state separate of the body, which is also a proof that the soul does not die after death. The LORD hears the prayer. As a result, the woman acknowledges that Elijah is a man of God. We will also give all honor to the Lord Jesus when we have experienced His power to give life. Thus the death of this child, as well as later that of Lazarus (John 11:4), becomes a reason to glorify God and to honor His prophet.
2 Kings 5:15
The Son Becomes Alive
Elijah listens to her need and says to her: “Give me your son.” Thus the Lord Jesus says to us “give Me your problem”, just as He once said to a desperate father that he should bring his son to Him (Mark 9:19b). At the same time, Elijah takes the son from her bosom. He disconnects the boy from the natural connection that exists between the boy and his mother. His mother can’t help him anymore. All the natural things on which a person can rely must first be taken away if God is to do His work through His life-giving power.
Elijah brings the boy to his upper room. Later the woman in Shunem also brought her son to an upper room (2 Kings 4:21); there the believers also laid Dorcas (Acts 9:37); there Eutychus was also brought back after he fell out of the window of the upper room (Acts 20:8-12). An upper room is a place above the earth, where those who are there are with God as it were. Elijah lays him on his bed, his deathbed, so to speak. Then he stretches himself upon him, making himself one with him symbolically. This he does up to three times.
Each new life is based on the fact that the Lord Jesus made our problem of sin His on the cross. All subsequent problems that may arise in our life are also made His in His service in heaven as High Priest and Advocate. As Elijah calls to God, so does Christ pray for us.
Elijah prays fervently to God to let life return to the child. Before this event we do not read of anyone who has been brought back to life from the dead. This makes Elijah’s faith in God as the God of the resurrection all the more remarkable. He is an example to us in his faith in the power of God over death. However, he is not an example for us to pray for the revival of a dead person. Thus David did not expect to bring his child back to life through prayer and fasting (2 Samuel 12:23). Elijah has a power to work wonders that David did not have.
When Elijah calls to God as his personal God, God listens to the voice of Elijah and brings outcome. He restores life and thus confirms Elijah as the man who restores things. Elijah gives the child back to its mother. He is the prophet who restores the relationship between the generations and restores the hearts of the parents to the children and the hearts of children to the parents (Malachi 4:5a; 6a). God also wants to do this with us if we can no longer live to His honor because of a problem of any kind.
Elijah’s prayer is clear: “Let this child’s life return to him.” In this we clearly see the existence of the soul in a state separate of the body, which is also a proof that the soul does not die after death. The LORD hears the prayer. As a result, the woman acknowledges that Elijah is a man of God. We will also give all honor to the Lord Jesus when we have experienced His power to give life. Thus the death of this child, as well as later that of Lazarus (John 11:4), becomes a reason to glorify God and to honor His prophet.
2 Kings 5:17
The Lord Will Give Rain Again
After more than three years the LORD orders Elijah to show himself to Ahab again, because He is going to give rain. What a merciful God! The promise of the LORD that He is going to give rain does not take away that Elijah prays for it, as it appears further on. The promise is precisely an exhortation to pray.
Elijah will come and restore everything, the Lord Jesus said to His disciples (Matthew 17:11). Elijah’s character is that of restoration. Moses is the law giver. Elijah brings the people back to the law after they have deviated from it. Moses was prepared in the wilderness for forty years. Elijah has also been prepared by the LORD. Moses has performed with Pharaoh and Elijah with Ahab. Then they are both prepared by God in silence for their service. In John the baptist the service of Elijah is fulfilled. John is also prepared and then comes into the public domain.
Now comes the appearance in public for Elijah. He has to show himself to Ahab. The restoration of the people is preceded by the appearance of Elijah. He brings hearts back to God. Ahab is the spiritual leader of God’s people. The restoration is not without him, because he is the representative of the people.
2 Kings 5:18
Ahab and Obadiah
Obeying the command of the LORD, Elijah sets off to Ahab to show himself to him. Before that meeting takes place, we hear of a man, Obadiah, who is at the court of Ahab and of whom we read that he feared the LORD greatly. The palace of Ahab and the fear of the LORD are two opposing worlds. Obadiah cannot openly confess that he fears the LORD greatly, for he also fears Ahab. The fear of the LORD must go hand in hand with turning away from evil (Proverbs 3:7).
Yet the LORD has used Obadiah. In his fear of the LORD he has taken care that a hundred prophets did not fall into the hands of the murderous Jezebel. He even kept them alive by providing them with bread and water. This is indeed no small matter at a time when water is scarce and harvests fail due to drought. Possibly he was helped in this by the seven thousand who did not bow their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). In any case, it is no small achievement for which the LORD will surely reward him.
But he cannot be a real witness to the LORD, as Elijah is. He walks on the lead of Ahab and gets his commands from him and not from the LORD like Elijah. Obadiah cannot possibly be an open witness to the LORD, because he remains connected with evil.
Whoever wants to be a real witness cannot be connected with evil. A believer who lives in fellowship with the world will act as the world. He will strive to keep the world livable and even improve it. Whoever wants to be a man of God must cleanse himself from the vessels to dishonor (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Obadiah does not do that. On the contrary, he is working, together with Ahab, to undo the consequences of God’s judgment.
Ahab cares more about his cattle than about his people, his subjects. For his cattle he goes looking for water. He orders Obadiah to search part of the land as well. Ahab apparently trusts Obadiah fully. This is how he got to know Obadiah. Although Obadiah is in the wrong position and is forced to participate in a foolish expedition, it shows that he is generally good at his work. A person who fears the LORD will be a useful force for his employer who does his job well, even though sometimes it must be said of a job that it is not a job of faith.
2 Kings 5:19
Ahab and Obadiah
Obeying the command of the LORD, Elijah sets off to Ahab to show himself to him. Before that meeting takes place, we hear of a man, Obadiah, who is at the court of Ahab and of whom we read that he feared the LORD greatly. The palace of Ahab and the fear of the LORD are two opposing worlds. Obadiah cannot openly confess that he fears the LORD greatly, for he also fears Ahab. The fear of the LORD must go hand in hand with turning away from evil (Proverbs 3:7).
Yet the LORD has used Obadiah. In his fear of the LORD he has taken care that a hundred prophets did not fall into the hands of the murderous Jezebel. He even kept them alive by providing them with bread and water. This is indeed no small matter at a time when water is scarce and harvests fail due to drought. Possibly he was helped in this by the seven thousand who did not bow their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). In any case, it is no small achievement for which the LORD will surely reward him.
But he cannot be a real witness to the LORD, as Elijah is. He walks on the lead of Ahab and gets his commands from him and not from the LORD like Elijah. Obadiah cannot possibly be an open witness to the LORD, because he remains connected with evil.
Whoever wants to be a real witness cannot be connected with evil. A believer who lives in fellowship with the world will act as the world. He will strive to keep the world livable and even improve it. Whoever wants to be a man of God must cleanse himself from the vessels to dishonor (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Obadiah does not do that. On the contrary, he is working, together with Ahab, to undo the consequences of God’s judgment.
Ahab cares more about his cattle than about his people, his subjects. For his cattle he goes looking for water. He orders Obadiah to search part of the land as well. Ahab apparently trusts Obadiah fully. This is how he got to know Obadiah. Although Obadiah is in the wrong position and is forced to participate in a foolish expedition, it shows that he is generally good at his work. A person who fears the LORD will be a useful force for his employer who does his job well, even though sometimes it must be said of a job that it is not a job of faith.
2 Kings 5:20
Ahab and Obadiah
Obeying the command of the LORD, Elijah sets off to Ahab to show himself to him. Before that meeting takes place, we hear of a man, Obadiah, who is at the court of Ahab and of whom we read that he feared the LORD greatly. The palace of Ahab and the fear of the LORD are two opposing worlds. Obadiah cannot openly confess that he fears the LORD greatly, for he also fears Ahab. The fear of the LORD must go hand in hand with turning away from evil (Proverbs 3:7).
Yet the LORD has used Obadiah. In his fear of the LORD he has taken care that a hundred prophets did not fall into the hands of the murderous Jezebel. He even kept them alive by providing them with bread and water. This is indeed no small matter at a time when water is scarce and harvests fail due to drought. Possibly he was helped in this by the seven thousand who did not bow their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). In any case, it is no small achievement for which the LORD will surely reward him.
But he cannot be a real witness to the LORD, as Elijah is. He walks on the lead of Ahab and gets his commands from him and not from the LORD like Elijah. Obadiah cannot possibly be an open witness to the LORD, because he remains connected with evil.
Whoever wants to be a real witness cannot be connected with evil. A believer who lives in fellowship with the world will act as the world. He will strive to keep the world livable and even improve it. Whoever wants to be a man of God must cleanse himself from the vessels to dishonor (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Obadiah does not do that. On the contrary, he is working, together with Ahab, to undo the consequences of God’s judgment.
Ahab cares more about his cattle than about his people, his subjects. For his cattle he goes looking for water. He orders Obadiah to search part of the land as well. Ahab apparently trusts Obadiah fully. This is how he got to know Obadiah. Although Obadiah is in the wrong position and is forced to participate in a foolish expedition, it shows that he is generally good at his work. A person who fears the LORD will be a useful force for his employer who does his job well, even though sometimes it must be said of a job that it is not a job of faith.
2 Kings 5:21
Ahab and Obadiah
Obeying the command of the LORD, Elijah sets off to Ahab to show himself to him. Before that meeting takes place, we hear of a man, Obadiah, who is at the court of Ahab and of whom we read that he feared the LORD greatly. The palace of Ahab and the fear of the LORD are two opposing worlds. Obadiah cannot openly confess that he fears the LORD greatly, for he also fears Ahab. The fear of the LORD must go hand in hand with turning away from evil (Proverbs 3:7).
Yet the LORD has used Obadiah. In his fear of the LORD he has taken care that a hundred prophets did not fall into the hands of the murderous Jezebel. He even kept them alive by providing them with bread and water. This is indeed no small matter at a time when water is scarce and harvests fail due to drought. Possibly he was helped in this by the seven thousand who did not bow their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). In any case, it is no small achievement for which the LORD will surely reward him.
But he cannot be a real witness to the LORD, as Elijah is. He walks on the lead of Ahab and gets his commands from him and not from the LORD like Elijah. Obadiah cannot possibly be an open witness to the LORD, because he remains connected with evil.
Whoever wants to be a real witness cannot be connected with evil. A believer who lives in fellowship with the world will act as the world. He will strive to keep the world livable and even improve it. Whoever wants to be a man of God must cleanse himself from the vessels to dishonor (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Obadiah does not do that. On the contrary, he is working, together with Ahab, to undo the consequences of God’s judgment.
Ahab cares more about his cattle than about his people, his subjects. For his cattle he goes looking for water. He orders Obadiah to search part of the land as well. Ahab apparently trusts Obadiah fully. This is how he got to know Obadiah. Although Obadiah is in the wrong position and is forced to participate in a foolish expedition, it shows that he is generally good at his work. A person who fears the LORD will be a useful force for his employer who does his job well, even though sometimes it must be said of a job that it is not a job of faith.
2 Kings 5:22
Ahab and Obadiah
Obeying the command of the LORD, Elijah sets off to Ahab to show himself to him. Before that meeting takes place, we hear of a man, Obadiah, who is at the court of Ahab and of whom we read that he feared the LORD greatly. The palace of Ahab and the fear of the LORD are two opposing worlds. Obadiah cannot openly confess that he fears the LORD greatly, for he also fears Ahab. The fear of the LORD must go hand in hand with turning away from evil (Proverbs 3:7).
Yet the LORD has used Obadiah. In his fear of the LORD he has taken care that a hundred prophets did not fall into the hands of the murderous Jezebel. He even kept them alive by providing them with bread and water. This is indeed no small matter at a time when water is scarce and harvests fail due to drought. Possibly he was helped in this by the seven thousand who did not bow their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). In any case, it is no small achievement for which the LORD will surely reward him.
But he cannot be a real witness to the LORD, as Elijah is. He walks on the lead of Ahab and gets his commands from him and not from the LORD like Elijah. Obadiah cannot possibly be an open witness to the LORD, because he remains connected with evil.
Whoever wants to be a real witness cannot be connected with evil. A believer who lives in fellowship with the world will act as the world. He will strive to keep the world livable and even improve it. Whoever wants to be a man of God must cleanse himself from the vessels to dishonor (2 Timothy 2:20-21). Obadiah does not do that. On the contrary, he is working, together with Ahab, to undo the consequences of God’s judgment.
Ahab cares more about his cattle than about his people, his subjects. For his cattle he goes looking for water. He orders Obadiah to search part of the land as well. Ahab apparently trusts Obadiah fully. This is how he got to know Obadiah. Although Obadiah is in the wrong position and is forced to participate in a foolish expedition, it shows that he is generally good at his work. A person who fears the LORD will be a useful force for his employer who does his job well, even though sometimes it must be said of a job that it is not a job of faith.
2 Kings 5:23
Obadiah and Elijah
On his way to Ahab, Elijah runs into Obadiah. Two men who fear the LORD meet. However, there is a world of difference between them. One is a declared opponent of Ahab, the other is doing his best, hand in hand with Ahab, to ensure that in this time of scarcity the horses of Ahab at least have something to eat. Obadiah is shocked when he sees Elijah and calls him “my master”. Elijah corrects him and says that Ahab is his master. This is what Obadiah also himself says in 1 Kings 18:10. This reminds us of the word of the Lord Jesus: “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24a).
Elijah is used to obeying immediately. If the LORD says “go”, then he goes (1 Kings 18:1-2). If Obadiah receives the same assignment from Elijah, he objects to it with all kinds of objections. He easily complies with Ahab’s plans, but can hardly bow to God’s plan. This is often the case in the lives of Christians who join the world. When the Word of God asks for simple obedience, they have all kinds of excuses to get out of it.
Fear dominates the life of Obadiah. He is afraid of Elijah and he is afraid of Ahab. He fears more for his own life than for that of Elijah. He tells how Ahab had Elijah restlessly searched to kill him, in the superstitious opinion that the disaster then would stop and rain would come again. There is also no peace with regard to Elijah with Obadiah. For him, Elijah is also a danger. He sees Elijah as the object of his master’s hatred and not as the representative of the living God.
Many believers live in the cleavage that characterizes Obadiah’s life. They are in systems where all kinds of evil teachings are. They condemn these teachings, but they stay where they are. They tell themselves that they might still be useful. They are, however, in ever-increasing disturbance of conscience. On the one hand they feel that the Lord Jesus is dishonored, and they sometimes want to protest against it; on the other hand they are afraid of the religious leaders. This situation will ultimately lead to them either silencing their conscience or leaving that place.
Nor does Obadiah understand anything of the work of the Spirit. He believes that the Spirit will do something special with Elijah, causing him to run into the greatest difficulties and even to fear for his life. He does not know God’s thoughts and therefore he suggests thoughts about the Spirit that are totally outside the spiritual reality. Never will the Spirit do anything that would put out of action the Word of God or go against the Word of God. Elijah said in the power of the Spirit that Obadiah must announce him to Ahab. It is an insult to the Spirit to assume that He will suddenly work something else.
Obadiah feels compelled to justify himself. The reason he is so afraid of his life is because he is so full of himself. He who has lost himself does not fear for his life, for he has already lost it. Obadiah mentions everything he has done for the LORD. But the Lord does not want us to speak about ourselves like this (Proverbs 27:2). Paul calls himself “insane” (2 Corinthians 11:23) when he is forced to speak about himself. People who give up high about themselves do not find appreciation among spiritually minded people. Nor is Elijah impressed by the achievements Obadiah lists. Without saying a word about it he turns around and goes to show himself to Ahab.
2 Kings 5:24
Obadiah and Elijah
On his way to Ahab, Elijah runs into Obadiah. Two men who fear the LORD meet. However, there is a world of difference between them. One is a declared opponent of Ahab, the other is doing his best, hand in hand with Ahab, to ensure that in this time of scarcity the horses of Ahab at least have something to eat. Obadiah is shocked when he sees Elijah and calls him “my master”. Elijah corrects him and says that Ahab is his master. This is what Obadiah also himself says in 1 Kings 18:10. This reminds us of the word of the Lord Jesus: “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24a).
Elijah is used to obeying immediately. If the LORD says “go”, then he goes (1 Kings 18:1-2). If Obadiah receives the same assignment from Elijah, he objects to it with all kinds of objections. He easily complies with Ahab’s plans, but can hardly bow to God’s plan. This is often the case in the lives of Christians who join the world. When the Word of God asks for simple obedience, they have all kinds of excuses to get out of it.
Fear dominates the life of Obadiah. He is afraid of Elijah and he is afraid of Ahab. He fears more for his own life than for that of Elijah. He tells how Ahab had Elijah restlessly searched to kill him, in the superstitious opinion that the disaster then would stop and rain would come again. There is also no peace with regard to Elijah with Obadiah. For him, Elijah is also a danger. He sees Elijah as the object of his master’s hatred and not as the representative of the living God.
Many believers live in the cleavage that characterizes Obadiah’s life. They are in systems where all kinds of evil teachings are. They condemn these teachings, but they stay where they are. They tell themselves that they might still be useful. They are, however, in ever-increasing disturbance of conscience. On the one hand they feel that the Lord Jesus is dishonored, and they sometimes want to protest against it; on the other hand they are afraid of the religious leaders. This situation will ultimately lead to them either silencing their conscience or leaving that place.
Nor does Obadiah understand anything of the work of the Spirit. He believes that the Spirit will do something special with Elijah, causing him to run into the greatest difficulties and even to fear for his life. He does not know God’s thoughts and therefore he suggests thoughts about the Spirit that are totally outside the spiritual reality. Never will the Spirit do anything that would put out of action the Word of God or go against the Word of God. Elijah said in the power of the Spirit that Obadiah must announce him to Ahab. It is an insult to the Spirit to assume that He will suddenly work something else.
Obadiah feels compelled to justify himself. The reason he is so afraid of his life is because he is so full of himself. He who has lost himself does not fear for his life, for he has already lost it. Obadiah mentions everything he has done for the LORD. But the Lord does not want us to speak about ourselves like this (Proverbs 27:2). Paul calls himself “insane” (2 Corinthians 11:23) when he is forced to speak about himself. People who give up high about themselves do not find appreciation among spiritually minded people. Nor is Elijah impressed by the achievements Obadiah lists. Without saying a word about it he turns around and goes to show himself to Ahab.
2 Kings 5:25
Obadiah and Elijah
On his way to Ahab, Elijah runs into Obadiah. Two men who fear the LORD meet. However, there is a world of difference between them. One is a declared opponent of Ahab, the other is doing his best, hand in hand with Ahab, to ensure that in this time of scarcity the horses of Ahab at least have something to eat. Obadiah is shocked when he sees Elijah and calls him “my master”. Elijah corrects him and says that Ahab is his master. This is what Obadiah also himself says in 1 Kings 18:10. This reminds us of the word of the Lord Jesus: “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24a).
Elijah is used to obeying immediately. If the LORD says “go”, then he goes (1 Kings 18:1-2). If Obadiah receives the same assignment from Elijah, he objects to it with all kinds of objections. He easily complies with Ahab’s plans, but can hardly bow to God’s plan. This is often the case in the lives of Christians who join the world. When the Word of God asks for simple obedience, they have all kinds of excuses to get out of it.
Fear dominates the life of Obadiah. He is afraid of Elijah and he is afraid of Ahab. He fears more for his own life than for that of Elijah. He tells how Ahab had Elijah restlessly searched to kill him, in the superstitious opinion that the disaster then would stop and rain would come again. There is also no peace with regard to Elijah with Obadiah. For him, Elijah is also a danger. He sees Elijah as the object of his master’s hatred and not as the representative of the living God.
Many believers live in the cleavage that characterizes Obadiah’s life. They are in systems where all kinds of evil teachings are. They condemn these teachings, but they stay where they are. They tell themselves that they might still be useful. They are, however, in ever-increasing disturbance of conscience. On the one hand they feel that the Lord Jesus is dishonored, and they sometimes want to protest against it; on the other hand they are afraid of the religious leaders. This situation will ultimately lead to them either silencing their conscience or leaving that place.
Nor does Obadiah understand anything of the work of the Spirit. He believes that the Spirit will do something special with Elijah, causing him to run into the greatest difficulties and even to fear for his life. He does not know God’s thoughts and therefore he suggests thoughts about the Spirit that are totally outside the spiritual reality. Never will the Spirit do anything that would put out of action the Word of God or go against the Word of God. Elijah said in the power of the Spirit that Obadiah must announce him to Ahab. It is an insult to the Spirit to assume that He will suddenly work something else.
Obadiah feels compelled to justify himself. The reason he is so afraid of his life is because he is so full of himself. He who has lost himself does not fear for his life, for he has already lost it. Obadiah mentions everything he has done for the LORD. But the Lord does not want us to speak about ourselves like this (Proverbs 27:2). Paul calls himself “insane” (2 Corinthians 11:23) when he is forced to speak about himself. People who give up high about themselves do not find appreciation among spiritually minded people. Nor is Elijah impressed by the achievements Obadiah lists. Without saying a word about it he turns around and goes to show himself to Ahab.
2 Kings 5:26
Obadiah and Elijah
On his way to Ahab, Elijah runs into Obadiah. Two men who fear the LORD meet. However, there is a world of difference between them. One is a declared opponent of Ahab, the other is doing his best, hand in hand with Ahab, to ensure that in this time of scarcity the horses of Ahab at least have something to eat. Obadiah is shocked when he sees Elijah and calls him “my master”. Elijah corrects him and says that Ahab is his master. This is what Obadiah also himself says in 1 Kings 18:10. This reminds us of the word of the Lord Jesus: “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24a).
Elijah is used to obeying immediately. If the LORD says “go”, then he goes (1 Kings 18:1-2). If Obadiah receives the same assignment from Elijah, he objects to it with all kinds of objections. He easily complies with Ahab’s plans, but can hardly bow to God’s plan. This is often the case in the lives of Christians who join the world. When the Word of God asks for simple obedience, they have all kinds of excuses to get out of it.
Fear dominates the life of Obadiah. He is afraid of Elijah and he is afraid of Ahab. He fears more for his own life than for that of Elijah. He tells how Ahab had Elijah restlessly searched to kill him, in the superstitious opinion that the disaster then would stop and rain would come again. There is also no peace with regard to Elijah with Obadiah. For him, Elijah is also a danger. He sees Elijah as the object of his master’s hatred and not as the representative of the living God.
Many believers live in the cleavage that characterizes Obadiah’s life. They are in systems where all kinds of evil teachings are. They condemn these teachings, but they stay where they are. They tell themselves that they might still be useful. They are, however, in ever-increasing disturbance of conscience. On the one hand they feel that the Lord Jesus is dishonored, and they sometimes want to protest against it; on the other hand they are afraid of the religious leaders. This situation will ultimately lead to them either silencing their conscience or leaving that place.
Nor does Obadiah understand anything of the work of the Spirit. He believes that the Spirit will do something special with Elijah, causing him to run into the greatest difficulties and even to fear for his life. He does not know God’s thoughts and therefore he suggests thoughts about the Spirit that are totally outside the spiritual reality. Never will the Spirit do anything that would put out of action the Word of God or go against the Word of God. Elijah said in the power of the Spirit that Obadiah must announce him to Ahab. It is an insult to the Spirit to assume that He will suddenly work something else.
Obadiah feels compelled to justify himself. The reason he is so afraid of his life is because he is so full of himself. He who has lost himself does not fear for his life, for he has already lost it. Obadiah mentions everything he has done for the LORD. But the Lord does not want us to speak about ourselves like this (Proverbs 27:2). Paul calls himself “insane” (2 Corinthians 11:23) when he is forced to speak about himself. People who give up high about themselves do not find appreciation among spiritually minded people. Nor is Elijah impressed by the achievements Obadiah lists. Without saying a word about it he turns around and goes to show himself to Ahab.
2 Kings 5:27
Obadiah and Elijah
On his way to Ahab, Elijah runs into Obadiah. Two men who fear the LORD meet. However, there is a world of difference between them. One is a declared opponent of Ahab, the other is doing his best, hand in hand with Ahab, to ensure that in this time of scarcity the horses of Ahab at least have something to eat. Obadiah is shocked when he sees Elijah and calls him “my master”. Elijah corrects him and says that Ahab is his master. This is what Obadiah also himself says in 1 Kings 18:10. This reminds us of the word of the Lord Jesus: “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24a).
Elijah is used to obeying immediately. If the LORD says “go”, then he goes (1 Kings 18:1-2). If Obadiah receives the same assignment from Elijah, he objects to it with all kinds of objections. He easily complies with Ahab’s plans, but can hardly bow to God’s plan. This is often the case in the lives of Christians who join the world. When the Word of God asks for simple obedience, they have all kinds of excuses to get out of it.
Fear dominates the life of Obadiah. He is afraid of Elijah and he is afraid of Ahab. He fears more for his own life than for that of Elijah. He tells how Ahab had Elijah restlessly searched to kill him, in the superstitious opinion that the disaster then would stop and rain would come again. There is also no peace with regard to Elijah with Obadiah. For him, Elijah is also a danger. He sees Elijah as the object of his master’s hatred and not as the representative of the living God.
Many believers live in the cleavage that characterizes Obadiah’s life. They are in systems where all kinds of evil teachings are. They condemn these teachings, but they stay where they are. They tell themselves that they might still be useful. They are, however, in ever-increasing disturbance of conscience. On the one hand they feel that the Lord Jesus is dishonored, and they sometimes want to protest against it; on the other hand they are afraid of the religious leaders. This situation will ultimately lead to them either silencing their conscience or leaving that place.
Nor does Obadiah understand anything of the work of the Spirit. He believes that the Spirit will do something special with Elijah, causing him to run into the greatest difficulties and even to fear for his life. He does not know God’s thoughts and therefore he suggests thoughts about the Spirit that are totally outside the spiritual reality. Never will the Spirit do anything that would put out of action the Word of God or go against the Word of God. Elijah said in the power of the Spirit that Obadiah must announce him to Ahab. It is an insult to the Spirit to assume that He will suddenly work something else.
Obadiah feels compelled to justify himself. The reason he is so afraid of his life is because he is so full of himself. He who has lost himself does not fear for his life, for he has already lost it. Obadiah mentions everything he has done for the LORD. But the Lord does not want us to speak about ourselves like this (Proverbs 27:2). Paul calls himself “insane” (2 Corinthians 11:23) when he is forced to speak about himself. People who give up high about themselves do not find appreciation among spiritually minded people. Nor is Elijah impressed by the achievements Obadiah lists. Without saying a word about it he turns around and goes to show himself to Ahab.