In Second Kings, chapter four, verses thirty-eight to forty-four, these two narratives concerning the needs of the “sons of the prophets” illustrate the truth that “the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy. To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine,” as in Psalms thirty-thee, eighteen to nineteen. The remnant who remain faithful to God’s Word is under the special care of the Lord, as in Mark sixteen, verse eighteen.
There was a famine of bread but not of hearing the word of God, for Elisha had the sons of the prophets sitting before him to listen to his wisdom. Elisha made hurtful food to become safe and wholesome. If a mess of pottage is all our dinner, remember that this great prophet had no better for himself and his guests. The table often becomes a snare, and that which should be for our welfare proves a trap. There is a good reason why we should not feed ourselves without fear. When receiving the support and comforts of life, we must keep up an expectation of death and a fear of sin.
We must acknowledge God’s goodness in making our food wholesome and nourishing. I am the Lord that healeth thee. Elisha also made a little food go a great way. Having freely received, he gave. God has promised His church that He will abundantly bless her provision and satisfy her poor with bread, as in Psalms one hundred and thirty-two, verse fifteen. Whom he feeds, he fill, and what he blesses comes to much. Christ’s feeding his hearers was a miracle far beyond this, but both teach us that those who wait upon God in the way of duty may hope to be supplied by Divine Providence.