Feeding The Multitude: Old Testament Pattern

Feeding The Multitude: Old Testament Pattern 

II Kings 4:42-44 NKJV

[42] Then a man came from Baal Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain in his knapsack. And he said, “Give it to the people, that they may eat.” [43] But his servant said, “What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?” He said again, “Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the Lord: ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’ ” [44] So he set it before them; and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.

In the Old Testament, this story of Elisha feeding 100 men with 20 loaves of bread foreshadows Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 in the New Testament. Both stories demonstrate that God can do big things through what is given to Him. It doesn't matter wether what is available is a child's lunch or tokens of first fruits. The issue is to be willing to let go first. Let it go for God.

   In both instances, there were leftovers. These leftovers were not wasted. God doesn't like waste. But beyond waste, there's is the fact that what you give to God, He will give you back, a full measure, pressed down shaken together, and running over. God is not in the business of defrauding people. If it is God, then there must be an improvement, with or without your expectations.

   It significant that in both cases, there's a servant who questions the wisdom of the master in presenting what is small to the multitude. There's a difference in how we see. An earhly perception is different from divine perception . It does also appear that the people who served were the very first witnesses of the multiplication. The meal multiplied aa they were served. If our faith is in God, he will multiply what is available to meet what is needed. Our faith must be first in God. Don't look down on what youve been given. God will create profit in all. Good morning.