Thursday 18 September 2025
But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred people?” So he repeated, “Give it to the people and let them eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” (v. 43)
Background
A theme threads itself from yesterday's reading to today's: God’s provision towards us. But just when we might become distracted by the themes that are emerging I am pulled up short by a reading like today's. Not because of its content but because of where it is – in the Old Testament. I know that it was Jesus who twice fed multitudes with a few loaves and fish (Matthew 14:13-21 and 15:32-39), but today’s story tells of God using Elisha to do a similar miracle hundreds of years before Jesus.
From the story I note God’s providing for his people even when opportunity and resources seem scarce. They’ve just got a few barley loaves, which by any standard is not much. We’re told that the land is in famine so there's little hope for a quick upturn in fortunes. In those days barley would be seen as a basic foodstuff, perhaps used to feed animals rather than people. Simple plain barley loaves aren’t much to work with, but this is in part a story of how God doesn’t need much to work with.
The story also leads us to consider words such as trust, obedience, generosity and signposting. Elisha trusts that God will follow through with this miraculous feeding of 100 men. He demonstrates obedience as he distributes the food as an act of faith. Elisha’s following through on God’s action in the story offers us a glimpse of God’s generosity, and how playing our part in the action leads to both spiritual and practical outcomes.
As miraculous as this story and the feeding of the hundred people is, I note that they were fed with 20 loaves. I invite you to turn to chapter 6 in John's Gospel and read of Jesus' ministry and how five loaves were sufficient to feed 5000 people. Our reading today is full of God’s generosity and his providing for his people, alongside our knowing that God would offer an even greater miracle later, through the life and ministry of Jesus.
To Ponder:
- The feeding of God’s people in today’s story shows how an act of faith and generosity can have a significant impact. What thoughts or ideas does this spark in you?
- Do you take any comfort from the fact that God has provided for his people in the past? Does your answer give more or less confidence that God will provide for you, today?
Prayer
God, ever present, though not always seen, I thank you for the stories of your abundant provision for people throughout history. Please help me to sit with the tensions of all that needs doing so that I can become part of the act of providing for those in need. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Mark Cheetham
Mark is Superintendent Minister of the Salisbury Circuit and Minister at Salisbury Methodist Church.