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BACKGROUND
SEA
SEA, THE
RIVER
RIVER
RED SEA
RED SEA, PASSAGE OF
EXODUS
RED SEA
I. The Bitter Lakes region
II. The Gulfs of Suez and Aqabah
JORDAN
I. Archaeological sites
II. Topographical features
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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| ELISHA’S MINISTRY AS A PATTERN FOR THE
CHURCH TODAY (Final 6 of 12) |
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As mentioned earlier, Elisha’s overall ministry was one of love and grace towards people, the role of the Church today. Looking at some of his recorded activities, we will see the lessons in these events that point the way ahead for us today.
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| 7. FEEDING THE HUNGRY: |
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 Elisha fed the hungry with ‘multiplying bread’ hundreds of years before Jesus.
2 Kings 4:42-44
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New Testament Fulfilment: There are two occasions recorded of Jesus feeding the multitudes with minimal resources.
Mark 8:17-21
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Today’s Application: This has both a natural and spiritual application. In the natural we are to provide food and services of ‘helps’, for the ‘hungry’ on a community basis, out of the resources the Lord has given us. In the spiritual, bread represents the Word of God, (John 6:32-35) made available through Jesus, and commanded to be ‘provided’ to the world. (Matthew 28:19-20)
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| 8. THE PRICE OF HEALING: |
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 Elisha healed wealthy Naaman – after Naaman had had a few doubts about his ability to do so.
2Kings 5:1,13-14
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Elisha refused to accept a gift in return – for it was God who healed not Elisha.
2 Kings 5:15-16
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Elisha’s servant Gehazi, didn’t have the same understanding, and thought a payment would be ‘very nice thank you’ to help meet expenses.
2 Kings 5:22-23
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He compounded the problem by lying to Elisha and paid the consequences.
2 Kings 5:26-27
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New Testament Fulfilment: Simon the Sorcerer tried a similar thing with Peter and John. He received the same reaction.
Acts 8:18-22
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Today’s Application: We must remember that every miracle comes from God. All the glory must be given to Him. No payment can be accepted. The greatest problem area is in a healing ministry. People are generally most grateful to be healed and will readily offer payment for ‘services rendered’. Healing evangelists particularly, need to be very careful in this area.
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| 9. A GOD OF MIRACLES: |
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 Making iron float is impossible under natural laws. Yet it happened!
2 Kings 6:1-7
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New Testament Fulfilment: Jesus himself defied the forces of nature to walk on water. It is most interesting that only 9 of the 35 recorded miracles of Jesus related to overcoming the forces of nature. The remaining 26, (74%) related to healing, reflecting the emphasis of His ministry.
Matthew 14:25-7
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Miracles too, happened to the early followers of Jesus and still occur today.
Acts 5:17-26
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Today’s Application: Miracles affecting nature still take place today, almost always in times of desperate need. For miracles are to glorify God and promote His purposes, not to build up the ego of an individual or line their pockets! However the greatest majority of miracles still occur in the area of healing, reflecting God’s love of, and to, people.
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| 10. GRACE SHOWN TO THE ARAMEANS: |
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 When the Jews could have killed them in the normal fashion of a victorious army of the times. Instead, a feast was prepared for the vanquished!
2 Kings 6:15:23
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New Testament Fulfilment: Grace is being and is to be shown to the people of the world during the current ‘Age of Grace’ in which we live.
John 3:16-21
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Today’s Application: Today mercy, not judgement, is being shown to the world through God’s grace. For Jesus came to give people a last chance to come back to the Father through Him, before the final judgement at the end of the Age. His example, which we are to copy, was one of grace, not condemnation of unbelievers. His condemnation was saved for the ‘religious’ Pharisees and Sadducees. Grace does not mean that everything is acceptable, to believers or non-believers, but rather that we should try and convince others through loving them, not hating or dismissing them. To bring a message of the hope of salvation, including the potential eternal consequences of non-acceptance, not one of condemnation, of peoples’ chosen lifestyle. To show grace, just as Jesus did!
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| 11. OVERCOMING FAMINE IN ISRAEL: |
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 Caused by another siege of the Arameans – even after being shown mercy and grace by the Jews! Elisha predicted its seemingly impossible end, and the demise of a skeptic. Both occurred!
2 Kings 6: 24-31, 33-7:2, 10-11, 18-20
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New Testament Fulfilment: This passage has a future fulfilment. For the famine and the atrocities committed in it is a picture of the world today. It seems impossible that evil will be overcome. There are sceptics and scoffers. Atrocities are committed. The Church (Elisha) is hated and threatened with death. But the promised day of deliverance will come.
2 Peter 3:2-13
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Today’s Application: We are living in a world of war and famine, of manmade and natural disasters. The church is often blamed for the problems or simply regarded as irrelevant to the times. Skeptics abound! In many places the church faces increasing persecution. More is promised! But we, each one, can be strengthened by the promise that the famine and wars will end and God’s kingdom is being and will be established upon the earth, as the picture of Elisha shows and Jesus promised. Hallelujah!
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| 12. THE LAND IS RESTORED: |
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 The Shunnamite woman, the faithful follower who provided for Elisha and who’s son was brought back to life, was sent away by Elisha to avoid a seven year famine. Upon her return, the king restored the woman’s inheritance.
2 Kings 8:1-6
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New Testament Fulfilment: We are to be separated from the world spiritually, living a life of righteousness.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
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The promised day of the Lord will come, no matter how unlikely it may seem now.
2 Peter 3:10-13
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Today’s Application: “Lord, we live for you and eagerly await your return.”
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> THE 12 FEATURES OF ELISHA’S MINISTRY AS A PATTERN FOR THE CHURCH TODAY - A Summary
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 Together with the principle message that God is showing us today.
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 Under the New Covenant, God's love and grace abound. I am just so grateful for that! You too?
It is so important though that we don't take it all for granted and live lives that do not honour Him!
The Two Seasons
In the yearly cycle, the four seasons are not as clearly marked as the lands to the north of it. But to the Jew every season was a special time and a reminder of the promises of God, as He said to Noah "seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter" (Genesis 8: 22).
Though the Bible specifically mentions summer, winter, spring and autumn, it may come as a surprise to know that the Bible never mentions four seasons, but only two.
The Hebrew word "stav", translated today as autumn, is mentioned only once in the Bible in the Song of Solomon: "for lo, the winter is passed, the rain is over and gone..." (Song 2:11), "stav" really speaks of the time of the winter rains.
The Hebrew word "aviv", translated today as spring is mentioned twice in the Bible, both referring to a stage in the ripening of barley rather than a season. The month of Aviv (hodesh ha'aviv) is the time when this ripening of barley takes place, this is of course the Hebrew month of Nissan.
There is no mention of a season called spring anywhere in the Bible.
Therefore we must conclude that the Bible only recognizes two seasons, summer and winter, or as the writers of the Talmud put it, "the days of sun" and "the days of rain."
Source: http://www.bible-history.com
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
827. We can't outgive God's grace to us - but we could try!
David Tait
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