When Things Just Go Wrong – Part I

Posted On December 10, 2021

II Kings 4:38-44; 4 Kingdoms 4:38-44

Experience in this world has reminded many of us that, despite our best intentions, plans and efforts, sometimes things just seem to go wrong. This is true as well when we, as Christians, are trying to serve our Lord. With our hearts and minds we want to “walk worthy of the calling with which you are called” (Ephesians 4:1). However, we find that mistakes, shortcomings and accidents make their way into our service to God and to others. In so doing, the service we are offering becomes inadequate and ineffective. That leaves us sad and disappointed.

Here within the ministry of Elisha, we read of three miracles performed by the prophet to redeem and restore the Lord’s servants who could have been devastated by things that just went wrong. Perhaps a brief look into these short passages will offer some encouragement to those who have been beset by such happenings.

“Death in the Pot” (II Kings 4: 38-41)

After being away for some time, Elisha returned to Gilgal where he had first assumed leadership among the sons of the prophets. There he found the land in the grip of a famine.

Elisha asked that they prepare a large pot of stew for their meal. So, one of the men went into the field to gather herbs and other ingredients for the stew. In so doing, he found a wild vine (it must have looked edible and tasty) and harvested its melons, which he later sliced and added to the pot.

According to some commentators, this man was likely a stranger to the region of Gilgal. Further to the north, wild melons flourished and were often used for cooking. Here, this vine may have been colocynth, which grows abundantly by the Dead Sea. It has a fine-looking fruit but is deadly poisonous. He made a serious mistake, albeit unwillingly, in his effort to serve the others and follow the prophet’s request.

When the company sat to eat, some quickly discovered that something had gone wrong. Whatever the symptoms or reactions may have been, they began to cry out to Elisha, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” (vs. 40). Not only was the precious food spoiled (remember the famine) but those eating were in critical danger.

As we have read previously, Elisha responded quickly but calmly to their cries for help. He asked for some tangible substance by which to deliver the power of God and bring healing. “Then bring some flour” (vs. 41). After scattering it into the pot (which they could see), he directed them to serve the stew again, for “there was nothing harmful in the pot” (vs. 41). God had acted (which they could not see) through His prophet in a way they could see.

The man who had made this mistake must have been greatly relieved. The prophet had covered his mistake and redeemed the crisis. During the days of our Lord Jesus in the flesh, He was there to correct His disciples and cover their errors with His mercy. And He is with us today. Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, working through His servants, God can bless our service, though it be sometime mingled with mistakes. He can confront evil and ensure that our unintended mistakes are forgivable and redeemable. He can save the pot of stew and use it for His glory.

“When There Is Not Enough” (II Kings 4: 42-44)

While the area around Gilgal was yet in the famine, a man appeared from the nearby land of Baal-Shalisha. That region is mostly fertile plain and pastureland which lays between the hills of Judea and the Mediterranean Sea. It is also known as Sharon – well-known for the beauty of its vegetation. This man apparently had a good harvest and, as an act of kindness and his devotion to God, he chose to bring the first fruits to the prophet of God.

Knowing the dire conditions among his brethren and in keeping with his heart of compassion, Elisha directed, “Give it to the people, that they may eat” (vs. 42). Whereupon, the servant (speaking practically and doing his math) quickly informed Elisha that the 20 loaves and the loose grain would not be nearly enough to feed all of them. So, Elisha repeated his word to the skeptical servant and even added to it. “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the Lord: “they shall eat and have some left over”” (vs.43).

May we pause for a moment to notice the man from Sharon standing nearby and overhearing that conversation. We might wonder if his countenance had fallen when it appeared that his supply would fall short of the need. The joy he must have felt in providing food for the sons of the prophets was now fading into disappointment …. “I didn’t bring enough; I didn’t give enough. I’m so sorry!” The bread basket in his hand and the grain sacks lying at his feet were all empty and there wasn’t enough. He had tried but fell short.

When the bread and grain were distributed to them, it was just as Elisha had said. They all ate and there were leftovers. The prophet had again covered the man’s lacking and redeemed the crisis. The joy returned to his heart.

This little story – almost hidden between several other “greater” miracles – reminds us again of the greatness of our God.

               “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).

               “Ah, Lord God! Behold You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (Jeremiah 32:17).

               “Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”” (Matthew 19:26).

Despite the farmer’s best intentions, his offering just didn’t seem to be enough. But the Lord honored his gift just as He honored the lad’s five loaves and two fish. Even so with us, when we bring what we have with a good heart – though it may fall short by the world’s measure – our great God can make it right.

In Part II, we will look at the third of these three “small” miracles, encouraging us when things just seem to go wrong.

Grace and peace to you all.

Fr. Andrew