READING FOR NOVEMBER 13, 2025: 2 KINGS 4, 1 PETER 3, PSALM 119:17-24 2 KINGS 4 This chapter describes spectacular miracles performed by God through the prophet of Elisha. Each one addresses a serious human need and calls for concrete expressions of obedience and/or faith on the part of the recipient of the miracles. They also clearly foreshadow the miracles of Jesus. A question to consider, is are such miracles possible today?
The Miracle of the Prophet’s Poor Widow: Widows must have struggled in antiquity. We often see them scratching out a living in the Bible. Most of 1 Timothy 5 describes how the church should care for them. The widow in this chapter had been married to a prophet connected to a group of prophets, possibly affiliated with Elisha. Due to debts her husband had incurred, she was on the verge of giving up her two sons to indentured servitude. Her only asset was a small jar of olive oil. That’s what Elisha built upon for her deliverance. God can take what little we have to deliver us from a hopeless position. Elijah told her to borrow as many empty bottles as she could and fill them with her meager supply of oil. The resulting amount of oil then became sufficient inventory to sell and pay off all her debts. God did the miracle, but the woman had to acquire the bottles and sell the oil. She obeyed in faith.
The Miracle of Shunammite’s Son: The next encounter brings Elisha in contact with a wealthy Shunammite woman. She and her husband often hosted Elisha for a meal when he was pass- ing through. She convinced her husband to build an extra bedroom so that he and his assistant could spend the night when in town. Elisha, thankful for her unsolicited kindness, wanted to do her a favor. His assistant noticed that the couple was childless and getting old. This is the ultimate disgrace during this time. So, Elisha promised that she would have a son within the year. Of course, she did. There’s more to the story, though. When the child grew up, he suf- fered a fatal head condition. This left the mother feeling worse than before he was born, but she took action by traveling to see Elisha at Mount Carmel. First, Elisha sent his assistant to lay his staff on the boy’s face. Nothing happened. Finally, Elisha lay on the child,twice. The boy opened his eyes. This miracle recalled Elijah’s raising the widow’s son and anticipated Jesus’s similar miracles. Jesus’s resurrection was unique, though, because of His new glorified body.
The Miracle of Feeding the Sons of Prophets: At Elisha’s direction, a servant gathered gourds for a pot of stew. This concoction was poisonous, however. Undisturbed, Elisha simply poured more flour into the stew to remove the threat. Then a man gave Elisha the first fruits of his barley and grain—quite an act of faith during a time of famine. Yet, it was nowhere near enough to feed 100 hungry men. But just like Jesus feeding the 5,000, though, the food was enough for all with leftovers to spare. Did this really happen? Yes. Could it still happen? Jesus thought so: “The one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also” (John 14:12).
READING FOR NOVEMBER 13, 2025 CONTINUED: 1 PETER 3, PSALM 119:17-24 1 PETER 3 Peter wrote in chapter 2 about submitting to governing authorities for God’s sake (2:13). He said that this submission counterintuitively brings freedom (2:16). Now he says we should extend this principle to the family: “In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands” (3:1). The American revolution, which occurred in the Enlightenment Period, was highly influenced by such thinkers as Rousseau who held the “cultivation and realization of human freedom as the highest end for human beings.” Extreme individualism is not in synch with the biblical concept of submission to authority. This might be why Christians in Africa, less influenced by Enlightenment thinking, are more receptive than we are to authority as it relates to family structure and the superiority of biblical revelation over human self-actualization.
Peter gives a fascinating method to wives for evangelizing their non-Christian husband: don’t talk about Jesus but “maintain a pure and respectful behavior” (3:2). He also advises wives to be more concerned with their inner person than their outer appearance. Men must show their wives understanding and honor befitting their high status as fellow heirs of Christ. If they don’t, their prayers won’t be effective. All are obligated to be “harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble.” Is that how our friends and family describe us? We will be blessed if we are (2:9). If folks take advantage of us and abuse our kindness, Peter, like all the biblical authors, says we should reframe it as blessing. We have the honor of being like Jesus, who was mocked and abused because He came to die for our sins. Space doesn’t permit a full discussion of other interesting passages in this chapter. Some thoughts, though:
- We should be ready to explain why we are Christians. It would be a good idea to write this out.
- Does vs 13 say Jesus preached after the crucifixion in hell to people alive during Noah’s time? Maybe, but, if so, it was not to give them a second chance. Heb. 9:27 implies that it’s not possible. Difficult!
- Related to Noah’s flood, Peter suggests it’s not the water that saves in baptism, but faith in Jesus.
PSALM 119:17-24 Asking God to open our eyes so we can perceive the wonderful truths in His word is such a fantastic prayer before reading the scripture. It is surprising that it is not prayed publicly more often. In verse 19 Is the Psalmist claiming to be an alien on earth but a citizen of heaven? Not sure, but it is true for Christians: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phi.3:20). If that’s the case, our soul should be crushed with longing for His word—a word from our true home. Ever notice that many daily devotionals usually only include brief scriptural passages that are highly positive and inspirational in nature? The Psalmist in verse 21 reminds us that the entire Bible often rebukes us. Watch out for tiny slices of “inspirational” readings that only provide fuzzy warmth and were ripped from larger contexts. The final verses suggest the Bible is our advisor. Be willing to be changed by the Bible’s advice, instead of bending the Bible to fit what we want it to say.
