The Part that Makes the Difference

It may not only feel inadequate, but in reality be inadequate, yet with God’s blessing men may be fed more than is enough. So we read,

[42] A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” [43] But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” [44] So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the LORD. (2 Kings 4:42-44)

The man who came out to bring the loaves was bringing the prophet his due. If anything it recognized Elisha as “the man of God.” And yet, what was given wasn’t enough. Yet—God is able to multiply the bread as it is distributed.

In the hands of our Lord we may safely trust what is given for sacred use can multiply for common food as it is used.

As such we may protest with the servant “How can I set this before a hundred men?” And we hear the Lord repeat, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.”

It’s the “thus says the LORD” part that makes the difference. In the way of sacred duty we can trust the Lord to do all that he has said.