THE LIFE OF ELISHA Death in the Pot Lesson 9  02/08/17

This was not because Israel was so special. God had promised the nation of Israel that if they obeyed Him He would bless them, and if they disobeyed Him He would curse them. This was not because Israel was so special.

3 Therefore understand today that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you. 4 “Do not think in your heart, after the Lord your God has cast them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land’; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out from before you. Deuteronomy 9:3-4

5 It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 6 Therefore understand that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people. Deuteronomy 9:5-6

This was not because Israel was so special. God had promised the nation of Israel that if they obeyed Him He would bless them, and if they disobeyed Him He would curse them. This was not because Israel was so special. It was not so they could be fat and comfortable; but because God had chosen them to be the custodians of His truth.

3 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. Romans 3:1-2

3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; Romans 9:3-4

This was not because Israel was so special. God had promised the nation of Israel that if they obeyed Him He would bless them, and if they disobeyed Him He would curse them. This was not because Israel was so special. It was not so they could be fat and comfortable; but because God had chosen them to be the custodians of His truth. It was because God had chosen them to be the channel of the Messiah.

3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:3

5 …of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen. Romans 9:5

This was not because Israel was so special. God had promised the nation of Israel that if they obeyed Him He would bless them, and if they disobeyed Him He would curse them. This was not because Israel was so special. It was not so they could be fat and comfortable; but because God had chosen them to be the custodians of His truth. It was because God had chosen them to be the channel of the Messiah. They were to be a witness to the nations of the righteousness and power of God and the truth of His Word.

4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” Exodus 19:4-6

5 “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. 6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ Deuteronomy 4:5-6

7 “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? 8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? Deuteronomy 4:7-8

This was not because Israel was so special. It was not so they could be fat and comfortable; but because God had chosen them to be the custodians of His truth. It was because God had chosen them to be the channel of the Messiah. They were to be a witness to the nations of the righteousness and power of God and the truth of His Word. If Israel would fulfill their purpose, they would be able to demonstrate the futility and falsehood of the fake god of the nations.

The real problem was a battle for the minds and beliefs of mankind.

Schools of the Prophets (locations) Jericho

2 Kings 4:38-39 38 And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” 39 So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were.

2 Kings 4:40-41 40 Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it. 41 So he said, “Then 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.

THE FAMINE AND THE POT OF STEW (2 Kings 4:38)

11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. Amos 8:11

THE FAMINE AND THE POT OF STEW (2 Kings 4:38) Elisha would use this famine, as well as, the current conditions and events to illustrate truth and teach the reality of God’s covenant with Israel.

THE FAMINE AND THE POT OF STEW (2 Kings 4:38) Elisha would use this famine, as well as, the current conditions and events to illustrate truth and teach the reality of God’s covenant with Israel. Elisha returned during a time of famine.

12 The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. Deuteronomy 28:12

23 And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. 24 The Lord will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed. Deuteronomy 28:23-24

The real problem was the spiritual famine of a godless and idolatrous society.

Principles we need to learn in light of this: When a nation turns away from the Lord it not only reaps what it has sown and brings the judgment of God on itself, but the godly also suffer.

Principles we need to learn in light of this: When a nation turns away from the Lord it not only reaps what it has sown and brings the judgment of God on itself, but the godly also suffer. This further reminds us of the need and responsibilities that we have to function as light and salt to illuminate the darkness and preserve our nation from decay.

Principles we need to learn in light of this: When a nation turns away from the Lord it not only reaps what it has sown and brings the judgment of God on itself, but the godly also suffer. This further reminds us of the need and responsibilities that we have to function as light and salt to illuminate the darkness and preserve our nation from decay. These conditions also mean times of need and opportunity for the people of God.

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

10 “So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, 11 houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full— 12 then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Deuteronomy 6:10-12

THE FAMINE AND THE POT OF STEW (2 Kings 4:38) Elisha would use this famine, as well as, the current conditions and events to illustrate truth and teach the reality of God’s covenant with Israel. Elisha returned during a time of famine. Elisha demonstrated that God was real by doing two things.

THE FAMINE AND THE POT OF STEW (2 Kings 4:38) Elisha demonstrated that God was real by doing two things: He was going to meet their need for food.

THE FAMINE AND THE POT OF STEW (2 Kings 4:38) Elisha demonstrated that God was real by doing two things: He was going to meet their need for food. He was going to use this as an opportunity to illustrate and reinforce important spiritual truth.

soup or stew; that which is boiled in a pot; pottage 2 Kings 4:38 38 And Elisha returned to Gilgal, and there was a famine in the land. Now the sons of the prophets were sitting before him; and he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.” nazid soup or stew; that which is boiled in a pot; pottage

THE GATHERING OF THE WILD GOURDS (2 Kings 4:39) Elisha demonstrated that God was real by doing two things: He was going to meet their need for food. He was going to use this as an opportunity to illustrate and reinforce important spiritual truth.

2 Kings 4:39 39 So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were.

2 Kings 4:39 39 So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were. sadeh open, uncultivated area of land where you can only find what grows wild.

citrallus colocynthus THE GATHERING OF THE WILD GOURDS (2 Kings 4:39) Elisha demonstrated that God was real by doing two things: citrallus colocynthus

2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, Ephesians 4:11-12

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:13-16

THERE IS DEATH IN THE POT! (2 Kings 4:40)

2 Kings 4:40 40 Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, “Man of God, there is death in the pot!” And they could not eat it.

THERE IS DEATH IN THE POT! (2 Kings 4:40) The world is full of poisonous ideas and solutions to life, but they are full of death and misery.

THERE IS DEATH IN THE POT! (2 Kings 4:40) The world is full of poisonous ideas and solutions to life, but they are full of death and misery. As believers we have the antidote in Jesus Christ.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8

THE ANTIDOTE (2 Kings 4:41) 41 So he said, “Then 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.

a form of flour that can be either very coarse or very fine 2 Kings 4:41 41 So he said, “Then 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. gemah a form of flour that can be either very coarse or very fine

THE ANTIDOTE (2 Kings 4:41) Devotion to the Lord flows out of our pardon for sin. Being saved to serve is the obvious picture.

THE ANTIDOTE (2 Kings 4:41) 41 … “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.”

THE ANTIDOTE (2 Kings 4:41) 41 … “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.” The prophets had to believe God, and by faith eat this stew in order to be delivered from the poison.

THE ANTIDOTE (2 Kings 4:41) 41 … “Serve it to the people, that they may eat.” The prophets had to believe God, and by faith eat this stew in order to be delivered from the poison. There is no neutral position. Either we feed off God’s life-giving Word or we feed off the poisonous words of the world.

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. Romans 8:5-7

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6

20 Where is the wise. Where is the scribe 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 1 Corinthians 1:20-23

24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:24-25

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2