THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS

This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.

Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.

Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&h) for each page to:

Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418

We have a great friend in Gary Godard. He has set up an archive page. To view ALL the prior devotions by Scripture, just clik

HERE


Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request for COMMENTARY ON GENESIS to the address above.

2KINGS
CHAPTER 4

1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. 2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

Here are some wonderful stories of GOD'S PROVISION and GREAT FAITH. These are not Elisha's miracles, they are miracles of GOD through a great man of faith.
A woman's husband died, leaving her and her two sons with a huge debt. The "creditor" was about to put her two sons into slavery (bondage) in order to collect the debt.
When she came to Elisha, he first said he didn't know what to do. BUT, he asked what did she HAVE?
Remember that Elisha had asked for a DOUBLE PORTION of the Spirit that was upon Elijah. I believe we could say that Elisha was DEFINITELY "in tune" with God.
When he asked what she had in the house, he was asking what God might USE.
We Christians today spend far too much time "mullygrubbing" about what we DON'T have, and far too little time allowing God to HAVE and USE what we DO have!
The widow told Elisha what she had - now Elisha is going to find out if she'll TURN IT OVER TO GOD!

3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. 4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. 5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. 6 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. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

Elisha told her to gather as many "vessels" (jars, pots) as she could find. Then she was to go into the house and close the door so that no one but her and her sons and the Lord would know what she was doing.
She did as Elisha said, and filled vessel after vessel until she ran out of them.
The lady went back to Elisha and told him that pot of oil that she HAD, when given to the Lord, was MORE than enough to fill MANY vessels!
So Elisha told her to sell them and pay off the debt.
Friends, this is a story of God's PROVISION and a woman's GREAT FAITH!
There are no telling how many people I've seen who had plenty of talent and skill awarded to them by the Lord. When they felt that God had called them into the ministry, they really struggled spiritually with whether they could "make it" doing what God called them to do. Some of those people went their OWN way and decided NOT to heed the call of God to GIVE UP what they HAD to Him. But those who gave what they had to God were blessed and they became successful in serving Him.
Those who went their own way never found PEACE and genuine serenity in their lives. But those who GAVE UP what they had to God found peace and joy!
What do YOU have that God wants you to GIVE UP to Him?

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

Elisha was a circuit prophet. He had a certain route that he took and visited certain cities. As he passed through the town of Shunem one day, a woman took note of him, and out of kindness offered him food.
Later, as she saw Elisha from time to time, she began to reflect that he was a "holy man of God." Out of respect for his need, she got her husband to build a little room adjoining their house just for Elisha to sleep in.
Many a minister has had his needs met by people who respected their work and gave out of kindness.

11 And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. 12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people.

Elisha was touched by her kindness, and wanted to know what he could do for her. Did she want him to speak to the king about her? Did she want him to mention her to the "captain of hosts," which could have been the general in charge of the army - (OR it could have been the LORD!)?
But she said she was content to dwell among her people - she was happy as she was.

14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15 And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. 17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

Elisha spoke to his servant (aide - minister - secretary) Gehazi, and asked what he thought might be done for the woman. Gehazi had noticed that she had no children. So Elisha called her and gave her a prophecy from the Lord. She would bear a child about this time next year!
Now the woman had not ASKED for this, but she probably had been asking GOD. Because her answer intimates that she might have asked and never received. Now she feels that the prophecy is too incredible to believe.
But she DID have a child, just as Elisha had prophesied.

18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. 21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

The child grew large enough to help his father in the field. And one day he cried out that his head was hurting. (Heat stroke? Tumor?) His father sent him to the mother so she could care for him.
She did all she could, but he died.
Now, this is interesting. NOTHING is said about her grieving! Nothing is said about her WEEPING! She made no preparations for a funeral either! She just took the child and laid him on the bed in Elisha's room.
She had done all SHE could for the child, but God had not saved him. Her prayers were not answered for when she asked for a child. But Elisha's had been answered. Now she puts him on Elisha's bed, and determines that she will ask Elish to intercede for her once again.
By this time, she knew Elisha well. She knew right where she could find him.

22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. 23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. 24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. 25 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.

Friends, this is a story of GOD'S PROVISION and a woman's GREAT FAITH!
She never mentioned to her husband that the child had died. This woman's faith was so great, that she believed God would give her the child back again! The husband knew it was not an ordinary time of worship, but he had such trust in her that he gave his consent and help for her to be going.
She went as fast as she could to where she knew Elisha was. He was on Mt. Carmel. He might have been teaching the younger prophets there; or it may have been a specific time for fasting and praying. But she KNEW he was there, and that's where she went.
When Elisha saw her coming he knew this was out of the ordinary, and sent Gehazi to meet her. He was to ask if everything was ok. Notice her answer, "ALL is WELL!"
All was certainly NOT well; but she knew that God was working all things together for good to them that love Him (Romans 8:28).
Horatio Spaffor penned a great song due to a similar situation. His wife and four daughters had been in a shipwreck. The four daughters were drowned. On the way across the sea to meet his wife, Mr. Spafford wrote the beloved hymn "IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!"
Here, Elisha symbolizes our Lord and Saviour - Jesus. It is to HIM we must go and make our petitions - no angels, no priests - only HIM!

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, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. 28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? 29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. 30 And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her.

When the woman came to Elisha, she fell at his feet and poured out her anguish. In effect, her words were both faith and unrest. She had indeed told Elisha to not "deceive" her. It would be deceit to her if she received a child and then lost him.
Elisha had not known - God had not revealed it to him (verse 27). But now he knew IMMEDIATELY (verse 29). Elisha is a SYMBOL of our Lord. He did NOT KNOW - and God had to reveal it to him. But our Lord, Jesus knows ALL THINGS! And when we go to Him, He will in haste dispatch an answer to our petition just as Elisha sent Gehazi on urgent mission for the child.
Both the woman and Elisha have cast their dependency now upon the LORD. She has cried for deliverance and will not be denied (Hebrews 11:35). Elisha realized that the "..prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the LORD shall raise him up.." (James 5:15).
God gives His saved people a hope that does NOT make them ashamed to ASK (Romans 5:5).
Elisha sends Gehazi to lay his "staff" upon the child. Why the "staff?" This staff represents the Word of God, and Elisha's LIFE! Elisha had staked HIS life on the Word of God. Now he sent that staff realizing that God had SAID the woman would have a child, and God had NOT said that the child would die!
This is a story of GOD'S PROVISON and GREAT FAITH!
The woman vowed she would not depart from Elisha. She would not go home first and wait for his arrival.
She would remain with him until her answer was given.
Friends, that's the way we should be with Christ our Lord!

31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. 32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. 33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. 34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. 35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. 37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

Gehazi did as Elisha had said, and he realized there was NO LIFE in the child. He ran quickly to meet Elisha and the woman who were on their way, and told them what he'd found.
The staff represented the Word of God. The Word of God alone cannot save! For the spirit of the law brings DEATH! It convinces and convicts us of sin; and the "..wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23).
But when Christ and His Holy Spirit come into the life, then "..the Spirit of life in Christ .." sets us FREE from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2)!
When Elisha arrived, he cleared the room except for himself and the child. He must be in sincere prayer, and he must be earnest in his petition. There must be no distractions, and the glory must be given to GOD ALONE for what was about to happen!
He prayed, begging and pleading with God to return life to the child. Then he used the lesson he'd learned from Elijah (1Kings 17:21) and stretched himself upon the child and breathed into his mouth.
Elisha paced up and down as a man with deep concern, then he repeated the mouth to mouth resuscitation.
Then the child regained life! He became warm, then sneezed. Elisha called Gehazi, and told him to call the mother. When she came, she humbly bowed and received her child in deep gratitude.
Friends, this is a story of GOD'S PROVISION and GREAT FAITH!

38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. 39 And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not. 40 So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. 41 But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.

In Gilgal, the younger prophets would gather and Elisha would teach, just as Elijah had done before him. Of course these younger prophets had given themselves to the Lord, and were in physical need. Elisha always caused physical food to be prepared, as well as the spiritual food he would teach them.
One of the young prophets gathered a gourd that was PRETTY but not HEALTHY. It caused a "death" to be in the pot of stew.
Perhaps the moral of this story is: that when people come to the Bible and find what they want that is PRETTY - they only find DEATH!
We must come to the Bible and find what GOD wants, then we will find LIFE! God uses the Bible to reveal HIMSELF! It is only through diligent search of the Scripture that we find Jesus! And in HIM we find LIFE!
It was not the hand of Elisha that healed the pot of stew, it was the hand of God through a man of FAITH!
This is a story of GOD'S PROVISION and GREAT FAITH!

42 And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. 43 And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. 44 So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.

This reminds me of the story of Jesus blessing the loaves and fish in Matthew 14.
What seems like a meager amount to man, under God's blessings, becomes an abundance.
Because of Elisha's great faith in God, he directed that the food be placed before ALL of the people. Now "twenty loaves of barely" were only small loaves - like biscuits.
There were over 100 men there!
Notice Elisha's words: "...thus saith the LORD.."
He did not speak until he'd heard from God! OH! How we need to pray earnestly and search God's Word diligently until we HEAR FROM HIM!
This is a story of GOD'S PROVISION and GREAT FAITH!

Please continue with us in daily Bible study.