30/10/2023 - THE SIMPLEST ANSWER

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And he said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. 2 Kings 2.20

Elisha understood that the men of Jericho, when they spoke to him, wanted his help to solve a problem, even though they had not made such a request. The wisdom of these citizens to listen made them believe the latest developments involving Elisha. Pastors need to learn from this fact, because often people come to us not to be penalized, but to receive the necessary guidance.

They wanted to know how they could quench their thirst with the waters of Jericho or give them to their livestock, for the curse Joshua had placed on the city when he destroyed it centuries before only mentioned the death of the firstborn and the youngest of those who dared to rebuild the place (Josh 6.36). Was there also a curse for future residents? Or perhaps Elisha could accomplish something on their behalf? Well, they mentioned the problem, and the prophet soon solved it.

That dilemma would soon be solved, provided they brought him a new bowl in which the congregation’s offering is received. Elisha showed the purpose of his calling, but these men had to do something new and small, so that the Lord would do something great and eternal. This is how the Most High always works. When we listen to His Word, faith arises in our hearts (Romans 10:17), and any issue can be solved!

By listening carefully to them, the newly lifted up prophet understood God’s guidance. Oh! If our pastors and other leaders were willing to do God’s will by considering in faith what they are told, the Lord would show them the solution. The answer may come in the act, in the observation made while meditating on the Scriptures, or in the message revealed for the next service. When God speaks, His testimony soon comes, the testimony in the heart that the decision is right (Hebrews 10:15,16). So, Elisha asked for a new bowl!

Those men were noble, for they realized that the anointing resting on the new prophet was the way out from an issue that had been going on for centuries. The curse placed by Joshua did not say that it was forbidden to drink from the waters. Thus, everything that had not been said was no longer a problem for those who returned to live in the ancient land of the Canaanites, its first inhabitants. The rebuilding happened in the days of Ahab.

Elisha was specific when he instructed them to add salt to the new bowl, and they did so. The prophet knew how to proceed, and there is no record of anyone else doing something similar. Often, we are used to begin, by faith, a new work. Isaiah instructed them to put a lump of figs on Hezekiah (2 Kings 20.7). Herbal medicine? No, an act of faith that some have called a point of contact. Follow the Lord’s touch!

We must do something for faith to work. After anointing the blind man’s eyes with mud made from spit and soil, Jesus said to him: Go to the pool of Siloam and wash (John 9.11), and the man obeyed. We must do the same works as Christ!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares