What other biblical instances show faith in God's prophets during crises? Setting the Scene: A Mother’s Bold Move (2 Kings 4:21) “She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door on him, and went out.” When her son died, the Shunammite woman did not prepare a funeral; she prepared for a miracle. By placing the boy on Elisha’s bed, she staked everything on the word and presence of God’s prophet. Faith Echoes in Earlier and Later Crises • Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath – 1 Kings 17:8-24 – Crisis: A deadly famine and an empty pantry. – Act of faith: “She went and did according to the word of Elijah” (v. 15). – Outcome: The flour and oil never ran out, and later her dead son was raised. • The Widow’s Oil – 2 Kings 4:1-7 – Crisis: Impending slavery of her two sons. – Act of faith: Borrowing jars on Elisha’s instruction. – Outcome: “When all the jars were full… the oil stopped flowing” (v. 6). Her debt was paid in full. • Naaman the Syrian – 2 Kings 5:1-14 – Crisis: Incurable leprosy. – Act of faith: Dipping seven times in the Jordan, “according to the word of the man of God” (v. 14). – Outcome: “His flesh was restored … like the flesh of a little child.” • King Jehoshaphat and Jahaziel – 2 Chronicles 20:14-30 – Crisis: A vast enemy coalition. – Act of faith: “Believe in the LORD your God… believe His prophets” (v. 20). – Outcome: God set ambushes; Judah spent three days collecting spoil. • Hezekiah and Isaiah – 2 Kings 19:14-37 – Crisis: Assyrian siege of Jerusalem. – Act of faith: Hezekiah spread Sennacherib’s letter before the LORD and received Isaiah’s word. – Outcome: “That night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000” (v. 35). • Moses at the Red Sea – Exodus 14:13-31 – Crisis: Egyptian army closing in. – Act of faith: “Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation” (v. 13). – Outcome: Sea parted; Israel crossed; enemies drowned. “The people feared the LORD and believed… in His servant Moses” (v. 31). • Joshua and the Priests at the Jordan – Joshua 3:5-17 – Crisis: Flood-stage river blocking entry into the promised land. – Act of faith: Priests stepped into the water carrying the ark. – Outcome: Waters stood in a heap; the nation crossed on dry ground. Threads That Tie These Stories Together • Crisis exposes helplessness; faith answers with obedience to God’s spoken word. • God’s prophets serve as tangible links between heaven’s promise and earth’s need. • Obedience often looks illogical—borrowing empty jars, stepping into floodwaters, closing a tomb-like door—but God honors simple trust. • Each deliverance magnifies the LORD, yet consistently validates the messenger He sends. • Yesterday’s testimonies fuel today’s confidence: the same God who upheld Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and Elisha still responds to faith that clings to His unchanging word. |
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