Podcast 79, Story if Elisha, “Pt 5”

It is no coincidence that the miracles of God’s true prophets parallel those miracles that will be performed by Christ when he comes to the earth. They are meant to be interpreted that way for it is by the power of Christ that they are performed. It was a common belief among the Jews that miracles could only come from God.

John 3:2

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Christ was often referred to as Rabbi, which merely meant great teacher. It was not originally an ordained priesthood office until after the diaspora. Elisha, like his mentor Elijah, is defined by his many miracles.

2 Kings 4:38-41

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. 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. 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. 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.

Faith always comes before the miracle. In the above story, the pot is filled with poison which would bring death. Think of the faith it took for the sons of the prophets to trust in the word of Elisha. Think of the faith required of Elisha that the poison would be ameliorated by the meal. How many times did Christ say, “Thy faith hath made the whole.” The apostles didn’t ask Christ to increase their miracles. They asked Christ to strengthen their faith.

Luke 17:5

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

In a heartwarming story, the Savior tests the faith of the Woman of Canaan, a gentile who had extraordinary faith in Christ.

Matthew 15:22-27

And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.

To some perhaps the Savior’s language seems harsh, but he is testing her faith and teaching his apostles a lesson. When Christ leaves he sends the Apostles to teach the gospel among the gentiles. The woman of Canaan’s answer is priceless and for her faith she receives exactly what she asked for.

Matthew 15:28

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Can anyone doubt that she became one of the first gentile Christians?