Thoughts on the Bible Readings (2 Kings 4; Jeremiah 52, 1 Corinthians 12, 13) for Aug 30th.

2 Kings 4 records further miracles in the ongoing ministry of Elisha. The first relates to Elisha's care for a widow woman and her son by the multiplication of the oil into the pots that she had borrowed at the command of the prophet. The oil only ceases once there are no more pots left to fill. This miracle illustrates that God can, and will, use us to our maximum potential as long as we make ourselves available. This miracle is followed by the giving of a son to a rich, but faithful and discerning woman from Shunem. Her son dies and in her distraught state she seeks aid from Yahweh's prophet, who resurrects her son- Elijah's servant Gehazi could not do this. The lesson is that only by the persistent and prayerful patience of His servants will the LORD fulfill His will. The reader should compare this miracle and the occurrences of sevens that are spoken of with the bringing of the rain by Elijah. For both these miracles the main point for us is stated in James 5 verses 13-18. The chapter ends with the miraculous healing of the stew for the sons of the prophets. 

The prophecy of Jeremiah concludes in chapter 52 with a record of the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple. It tells of the punishment of the wicked and vacillating king Zedekiah by Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah's punishment was precisely as the prophet had predicted. The people of Judah were taken to Babylon, where their exile lasted for 70 years; as yet again prophesied by Jeremiah 25 verses 11-12 and chapter 29 verses10-14. Jehoiachin  was released from prison and elevated to the king's table until his death.

From 1 Corinthians 12-14 Paul shows that the body of believers in Christ is analogous to the human body. In 1 Corinthians 12 the Apostle Paul describes how God through His Spirit had distributed gifts and roles within the ecclesia. Just as our bodily members have unique and distinctive functions so too is it within the ecclesia of Christ: compare Romans 12 verses 3-8. It is never a question as to what member is the most important; because the unseen and less showy members are the most vital to the body, ie the heart, the kidneys etc. Just as in Ephesians 4 verses 1-16. Paul demonstrates that, rather than the gift, it is the service  - or function which the individual can contribute 

to the growth of the body into Christ its head. This chapter is an answer to all would be schismatics - the body of true believers in the one body of Christ. The Apostle finishes the chapter by telling his readers that the better way of service lay in three qualities, which were not the spirit gifts, but attributes available to all believers - FAITH, HOPE and LOVE. 1 Corinthians 13 reveals that the infantile aids of the spirit gifts would cease once their objective of establishing a mature community of believers had been completed. This is the basis of his magnificent treatise on love; showing it to be the greatest and only enduring gift. Hope will vanish when it is realised in God's Kingdom. Believing will have been completed in the receiving of immortality. What a wonderful experience awaits us when we will then know God as He now knows us. Only love goes on and never cease. Slowly read the chapter aloud. Ponder, pause and meditate its message for the way believers must live. This chapter in Paul's letter changes the Corinthians narrow self-focus to an elevation of their minds to living the truth as our Lord Jesus Christ our head directed both them and us: Ephesians 4 verses 11-16.

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