Then Elisha said, "Get some flour." He threw it into the pot and said, "Pour it out for the people to eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot. Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.”Elisha, the prophet and successor of Elijah, often performed miracles that demonstrated God's power and provision. In this instance, the use of flour is significant. Flour, a staple food, symbolizes sustenance and life. This act can be seen as a precursor to the miracles of Jesus, such as the feeding of the 5,000, where simple elements are used to provide for many. The use of flour also connects to the idea of God using ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary purposes. He threw it into the pot and said,
The act of throwing flour into the pot signifies a divine intervention. In the context of ancient Israel, prophets were seen as mediators of God's will. Elisha's actions demonstrate his role as a conduit for God's miraculous power. This moment reflects the authority given to prophets to act on God's behalf, similar to how Jesus performed miracles to reveal His divine authority. “Pour it out for the people to eat.”
This command reflects Elisha's confidence in God's provision. The people were in need, and Elisha's instruction to serve the food shows faith that God had removed the danger. This mirrors the biblical theme of God's provision in times of need, as seen in the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness. It also foreshadows the Last Supper, where Jesus provides spiritual nourishment through the breaking of bread. And there was nothing harmful in the pot.
The removal of harm from the pot signifies God's power to purify and protect. This miracle reassures the people of God's care and ability to transform what is dangerous into something safe. It highlights the theme of redemption and restoration found throughout Scripture, where God turns situations of peril into opportunities for His glory. This act of purification can be seen as a type of Christ, who purifies and redeems humanity from sin. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet and successor of Elijah, known for performing miracles and guiding the people of Israel. 2. The Sons of the ProphetsA group of prophetic disciples who were under the mentorship of Elisha. 3. The Pot of StewA meal prepared by the sons of the prophets that became harmful due to the inclusion of wild gourds. 4. GilgalThe location where this event took place, a significant site in Israel's history. 5. The Miracle of PurificationElisha's act of adding flour to the pot, which neutralized the poison and made the stew safe to eat. Teaching Points God's Provision and ProtectionJust as Elisha purified the stew, God provides for and protects His people from harm. We can trust in His care even in dire situations. Faith in ActionElisha's response to the crisis was immediate and faith-driven. We are called to act in faith, trusting God to work through our actions. The Power of Godly LeadershipElisha's leadership and reliance on God brought safety and provision to the sons of the prophets. Godly leadership can guide others through challenges. Symbolism of FlourThe flour represents purity and sustenance. In our lives, we should seek to add the 'flour' of God's Word to purify and sustain us spiritually. Miracles as a Testament to God's SovereigntyThis miracle, like others, points to God's ultimate control over creation and His ability to intervene supernaturally. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elisha's response to the poisoned stew demonstrate his faith and reliance on God? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of God's provision and protection in our daily lives? 3. How does the miracle of the purified stew connect to other biblical accounts of God's provision? 4. What can we learn from Elisha's leadership style, and how can we apply these lessons in our own roles of influence? 5. How does the symbolism of flour in this passage relate to the role of God's Word in our spiritual lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 15:22-25This passage describes Moses purifying the bitter waters of Marah, similar to Elisha's miracle of purifying the stew. Mark 16:18Jesus speaks of His followers being unharmed by deadly things, reflecting the divine protection seen in Elisha's miracle. John 6:1-14The feeding of the five thousand by Jesus, showcasing God's provision and care for His people. Acts 28:3-6Paul's encounter with a viper, where he remains unharmed, demonstrating God's protection over His servants. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Bad, Bring, Cast, Casteth, Eat, Evil, Flour, Harm, Harmful, Meal, Nothing, Pot, Pour, Serve, ThrewDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:41 1418 miracles, responses
4404 food 2 Kings 4:38-41 5268 cooking 2 Kings 4:40-44 1416 miracles, nature of Library When the Oil Flows
'And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.'--2 KINGS iv. 6. The series of miracles ascribed to Elisha are very unlike most of the wonderful works of even the Old Testament, and still more unlike those of the New. For about a great many of them there seems to have been no special purpose, either doctrinal or otherwise, but simply the relief of trivial and transient distresses. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Miracle Needing Effort
'So she went, and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: 26. Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband! is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. 27. And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Infant Salvation
Now, let every mother and father here present know assuredly that it is well with the child, if God hath taken it away from you in its infant days. You never heard its declaration of faith--it was not capable of such a thing--it was not baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ, not buried with him in baptism; it was not capable of giving that "answer of a good conscience towards God;" nevertheless, you may rest assured that it is well with the child, well in a higher and a better sense than it is well …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861 That the Grace of Devotion is Acquired by Humility and Self-Denial
The Voice of the Beloved Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to ask it fervently, to wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it gratefully, to preserve it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation until it come. Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thyself when thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion, yet not to be too much cast down, nor to grieve out of measure. God ofttimes giveth in one short moment what He …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Extracts No. Ix.
[As the objector here begins to give up his ground, his letters from this place will be given nearly entire. He commences this number as follows, viz.] "Dear sir and brother--Your reply to my seventh number has been received, and hereby duly acknowledged. I have just given it a second reading, with peculiar care and attention; and I must add, generally speaking, with peculiar satisfaction too; for as it has tended in some degree to revive my almost extinguished faith in divine revelation, so it …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." If we consider the sketch, given us in scripture, of the life of this patriarch, we shall find that few have had equal manifestations of the divine favor. But the light did not at all times shine on him. He had his dark hours while dwelling in this strange land. Here we find an horror of great darkness to have fallen upon him. The language used to describe his state, on this occasion, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Soul.
Man as we behold him is not all there is of man. He is a wonderful being. He stands in the highest order of God's creation. He Is A Compound. Man was created a physical and spiritual organism. He possesses an animal and a spiritual life. Thus he is connected with two worlds. The physical creation is termed the "outward man," and the spiritual, the "inward man." "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor. 4:16. "For we know …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 4:41 NIV2 Kings 4:41 NLT2 Kings 4:41 ESV2 Kings 4:41 NASB2 Kings 4:41 KJV
2 Kings 4:41 Commentaries
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