03/01/01

just the other day, the phrase 'death in the pot' kept going through my mind and the next morning when i was going to continue my devotion from where i left off in 2 kings 5, i saw that same phrase, and instantly, i felt God wanted to speak through that phrase.

i began seeking the Lord and as i began reading through different versions and doing research on the net, wow, there were so many things which we can learn through that one experience with elisha.

in 2 kings 4:38 it talks about Elisha entering Gilgal, and in the land of Gilgal, was in a state of famine or barren land. i see the famine as a state of our spiritual barrenness, which could be due to a covenantal curse or out of disobedience.

however, i feel God is talking more about disobedience and sin.
In 2 Kings 4:39, "One of them went out into the fields to gather herbs and found a wild vine. He gathered some of it's gourds and filled the fold of his cloak. When he returned, he cut them up into the pot of stew, though no one knew what they were."

the harmful is always available. in a land of famine, where crops aren't able to grow and flourish, yet this wild vine survived. a wild vine. if you knew that it came from a wild vine, not knowing what kind of food it is, i believe u probably would not have eaten it or at least tested if it was suitable for consumption.

in the KJV, ".... and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not." satan has his way of disguising sin so that people will fall for them. a trap is set and disguised so that the prey would fall for it. and in the same way, satan is disguising sin so that people will not see the truth and commit them.

in 2 kings 4:41, we see how God provided for those who are faithful to the covenant, when others suffered. We know that Elisha was a faithful servant and prophet of the Lord, thus God's hands was upon him. but even if we've sin and entered the famine, there's still hope.

Elisha said "Get some flour." He put it into the pot and said, "serve it to the people to eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

the remedy for sin is Jesus Christ. and here, the flour represented the bread of life, whom Jesus said "I am the bread of life." He is the cure to every form of death caused by sin.

John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." the bread of life is the Word as well. the Word of God can safeguard us from all things evil. we have to feed and nourish our spirits daily with the word of God.

the flour was representation of God's grace. the company of prophets could've been wiped out that very day. Just as the world, lost if Jesus wasn't sent to die for our sins.

I believe in this time, there are 2 groups of people in church. one who have been following the Lord faithfully and the other living in disobedience. And i believe this is the word of God for both groups. that if you are living right, God is going to use you to lead those in sin back to him. and when i mentioned those in sin, I don't just mean, those who have not gained salvation but also people in church.

noticed the group of people Elisha was addressing, they were the company of prophets. the son, children of prophets who have settled before Elisha to hear the Word of God and not just any stranger or passer-by.

now is the time, "Wake up! ARISE!" walk out from spiritual barrenness caused by sin and disobedience and pursue God.