Daily Lectionary and Psalter
119:89-128 119:129ff
Job 12:1-6, 13-25
Acts 11:19-30
John 8:21-32
Higher Things
God has always done miracles of multiplication. God provided manna for the Israelites when they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. God multiplied the oil and flour for Elijah, the widow, and her son. During the days of the Macabees, there was only enough oil for one day to burn in the temple lamp. God caused it to burn for eight days. During Jesus’ ministry, He fed five thousand with only five loaves of bread and two fish.
But why did God perform these miracles? He promised to provide for His people. The Israelites had no bread to eat, nor did Elijah, the widow, her son, or the five thousand who came to hear Jesus preach. God provided. There wasn’t enough oil for the temple lamp. God provided the oil to show His favor to the faithful remnant in the Apocryphal times.
The question begs to be asked. Why are there starving people? The answer is that God has provided more than enough for mankind to eat, but there are those who are unwilling to share the bounty God has given. Sin gets in the way once again.
There is, however, something we should never forget. The Lord does not ask more than He promises to provide. Through the Law, God demands righteousness. We are incapable of righteousness. Through the Gospel, God provides his righteousness for us. The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarapheth truly illustrates God’s promise to always provide for His people.
“You satisfy the hungry heart with gift of finest wheat. Come give us, O saving Lord, the bread of life to eat. Is this not the cup we bless and share the blood of Christ outpoured? Do not one cup, one loaf declare our oneness in the Lord.” (HS 98 #855)
¶ 9/25/2006 04:45:00 AM 0 Comments
