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Elisha and The Poisoned Stew – Viral Believer
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Elisha and The Poisoned Stew

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you’ve unknowingly consumed something that could potentially harm you?

You may not have had an Old Testament prophet like Elisha around to save the day, but you’ll be amazed at how this story from 2 Kings 4:38-41 continues to demonstrate the power and goodness of God!

We’re diving deep into the fascinating account of , and exploring the lessons we can learn as Charismatic Christians today.

As we venture together into this intriguing narrative from the NKJV version of the Bible, let’s prepare our hearts and minds to be encouraged and inspired by God’s unwavering commitment to our wellbeing.

So grab a seat, make yourself comfortable and join us as we take a closer look at this miraculous occasion in biblical history!

1. Elisha, the Prophet: An Overview

Elisha is one of the prominent prophets in the Old Testament, who was called by God to succeed Elijah and continue his ministry. He can be found in the books of Kings and his ministry lasted for around 50 years.

Elisha was a witness to Elijah’s miraculous life and was even present during the spectacular event when Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). After Elijah’s departure, Elisha requested and received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, signifying his role as a spiritual heir to the great prophet (2 Kings 2:9).

As a prophet, Elisha performed numerous miracles to demonstrate God’s power and care for His people. Some of these include:

  • Parting the waters of the Jordan River (2 Kings 2:14)
  • Healing the waters of Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-22)
  • Providing a widow with a miraculous supply of oil to save her and her sons from debt (2 Kings 4:1-7)
  • Raising a child from the dead (2 Kings 4:18-37)
  • Healing a man named Naaman from leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-14)

Elisha’s miracles were not just random acts of kindness, but rather, they were divine demonstrations of God’s power and compassion towards His people. Through these wonders, Elisha showed the people that the God of Israel was the one true God, who was actively involved in their lives.

Furthermore, Elisha’s ministry emphasized the importance of faith, obedience, and reverence to God, as seen in his encounters with various characters throughout the biblical narrative.

Apart from performing miracles, Elisha also played a significant role in Israel’s political landscape. He repeatedly rebuked and warned Israel’s kings for their wickedness, idolatry, and injustice (2 Kings 3:13-14; 6:31-32; 9:1-3).

Notably, Elisha prophesied the end of Israel’s oppressive rule under King Ahab and his wife Jezebel, ultimately leading to the rise of Jehu, who carried out God’s judgment against the wicked rulers (2 Kings 9).

In summary, Elisha was a mighty prophet of God, who dedicated his life to demonstrating God’s power, love, and care for His people. His ministry served as a testament to the importance of faith, obedience, and relying on God’s provision in the face of various challenges.

As we reflect on Elisha’s remarkable life and ministry, we are encouraged to remain steadfast in our faith and trust in the Lord, who continues to work wonders in the lives of His people today.

2. A Tale of Poisoned Stew: Divine Intervention

In an interesting account, we find in 2 Kings 4:38-41 a story that illustrates the powerful divine intervention of God. Elisha and the sons of the prophets are faced with a scarcity of food, and so, they decide to prepare a stew for sustenance.

However, unbeknownst to them, a poisonous ingredient is used in the stew, putting their lives in jeopardy. Let’s examine this story and see how God’s divine intervention saves them from a potentially disastrous fate.

When the sons of the prophets bring the wild gourd or vine they have gathered, which is harmful, to Elisha, he does not hesitate to seek God’s guidance and help. Elisha asks them to bring flour, which he then casts into the pot, declaring that the poison is neutralized.

The Bible states, “And he said, ‘Bring some flour.’ And he put it into the pot, and said, ‘Serve it to the people, that they may eat.’ And there was nothing harmful in the pot” (2 Kings 4:41).

From this account, we can derive interesting lessons from Elisha’s actions:

  • Dependence on God in difficult situations: Faced with a life-threatening situation, Elisha does not panic or despair. Instead, he confidently turns to God, relying on His wisdom and power to solve the problem and provide for the hungry sons of the prophets.
  • Confidence in God’s ability to save: Elisha trusts in God’s capability to neutralize the poisonous stew, effectively saving their lives. His faith in God’s power also gives those who are present the assurance that they will not suffer any harm from the stew.
  • Willingness to act as God’s instrument: Elisha demonstrates his humility by understanding that he is merely the vessel through which God works in the situation. He uses the flour as directed by God and, in return, removes the threat of poisoning from the stew.

Divine intervention in the poisoned stew shows us that God is always ready to provide protection and deliverance to His people when they rely on Him in faith. Just as the sons of the prophets trusted in Elisha’s actions, we should also have faith in God’s ability to save us from all kinds of danger.

This tale serves as a valuable reminder that our trust in God’s power and wisdom will never be in vain.

3. The Miraculous Healing: The Power of Faith

Throughout the New Testament, we see numerous instances where the power of faith leads to miraculous healing. Jesus, with His divine authority and compassion, restored the sick to health, exemplifying the significance of a person’s faith in receiving their miracle.

In fact, Jesus would often say, “your faith has made you well” (Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34; Luke 8:48). The following are a few examples of miraculous healing that powerfully display the strong relationship between true faith and divine intervention:

  • The healing of the paralytic at Capernaum (Mark 2:1-12): In this account, Jesus forgave a paralyzed man’s sins and healed him because of the faith of the man’s friends. Their faith was demonstrated through both their perseverance and determination to bring their friend directly to Jesus, despite the overwhelming crowds.
  • The healing of the woman with a bleeding issue (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48): In this story, a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years touched Jesus’ cloak with the belief that just touching His garment would suffice to heal her. Jesus acknowledged her faith, declaring that it was her trust in Him that had made her well.
  • Healing of the blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43): In this account, blind Bartimaeus called out to Jesus, unwaveringly believing that the Messiah could restore his sight. Jesus praised Bartimaeus’ faith and proceeded to heal him, leading many to give glory to God.

The role of faith in the process of miraculous healing cannot be overstated. A person’s genuine belief in Jesus’ healing power and God’s ability to work through them plays a vital role in the miracle’s manifestation. As Jesus said in Matthew 9:29, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

It is important to note, however, that our faith should not be anchored in the hope for a miracle itself but rather, in the supreme power and authority of Jesus Christ, who can do all things.

As Charismatic Christians, we believe in the continuation of the miraculous works of the Holy Spirit, which includes healing. While it is essential for us to have faith, it is equally important to maintain a humble and submissive heart, and to trust in God’s will.

Ultimately, we can draw inspiration from these biblically documented miracles, build our own faith in Jesus’ power, and experience divine intervention as a testament to our trust and belief in Him.

4. Lessons from the Poisoned Stew Story: Contemporary Applications

In the story of the poisoned stew found in 2 Kings 4:38-41, we learn several valuable lessons that can be applied to our contemporary lives:

  1. Listen to godly counsel – In this passage, Elisha’s servant doubts the prophet and brings in poisonous gourds. Rather than disregarding Elisha’s guidance, the servant should have followed his advice. In our lives, it’s important for us to seek and follow wise, godly counsel. This often comes from our church leaders or in our interaction with other mature believers.
  2. Trust that God can redeem what is harmful – When everyone realized that the stew was poisonous, the situation seemed hopeless. But Elisha, by anointing some flour and tossing it into the pot, showed that God can redeem what appears to be harmful. This is a valuable lesson for us today. God is able to turn around seemingly hopeless situations for our good, as long as we trust Him and have faith in His power.
  3. Do not let fear paralyze you – In this story, we see a potential disaster was halted by Elisha’s faith-filled action. Rather than succumbing to fear, he looked to God for a solution. Today, we can do the same. When we encounter difficulties or potential disasters, it’s important that we don’t let fear paralyze us. We must trust in God and take faithful action based on His guidance.
  4. Expect God to share His wisdom and take action – Elisha not only listened to God’s wisdom, but he acted upon it. In our lives, we should expect God to provide wisdom, and be ready to take action based on His instructions. This includes being open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, reading God’s Word to deepen our knowledge, and staying connected through prayer.

In conclusion, the story of the poisoned stew is a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to godly counsel and trusting in God’s ability to redeem seemingly harmful situations. We must be vigilant not to let fear paralyze us, and always be ready to act on God’s wisdom.

May our lives be marked by faith, trust, and obedience as we navigate the challenges of our contemporary world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the story of serves as a profound lesson in faith, leadership, and the power of miracles. God’s intervention through Elisha not only saved the lives of the prophets in the region, but also illustrated the importance of relying on divine guidance in times of crisis.

This biblical account is a constant reminder of the incredible impact a humble and a faithful servant of God can have on the lives of many.

Whether you’re a religious believer or simply someone fascinated by ancient history and stories, this tale from the Bible offers inspiration and assurance that there is hope during life’s most challenging moments.

It encourages us all to lean on our faith and trust in a higher power, even when the odds seem insurmountable. In today’s world, that message is perhaps more relevant than ever before.

So, the next time you find yourself in a position of uncertainty or facing seemingly insurmountable difficulties, remember . Let the story serve as a testament to the miracles that can occur when we trust in God and follow His guidance. Remember, it is often during the darkest moments when miracles can shine the brightest.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.