202401003

wanting the supernatural

2 Kings 4:1-27 (JDV)

2 Kings 4:1 One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared Yahveh. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.”
2 Kings 4:2 Elisha asked her, “What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”
2 Kings 4:3 Then he said, “Go out and borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few.
2 Kings 4:4 Then go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these containers. Set the full ones to one side.”
2 Kings 4:5 So she left. After she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing her containers, and she kept pouring.
2 Kings 4:6 When they were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” But he replied, “There aren’t any more.” Then the oil stopped.
2 Kings 4:7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go sell the oil and pay your debt; you and your sons can live on the rest.”
2 Kings 4:8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. A prominent woman who lived there held strongly that he should eat some food. So whenever he passed by, he stopped there to eat.
2 Kings 4:9 Then she said to her husband, “I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God,
2 Kings 4:10 so let’s make a small, walled-in upper room and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp there for him. Whenever he comes, he can stay there.”
2 Kings 4:11 One day he came there and stopped at the upstairs room to lie down.
2 Kings 4:12 He ordered his attendant Gehazi, “Call this Shunammite woman.” So, he called her and she stood before him.
2 Kings 4:13 Then he said to Gehazi, “Say to her, ‘Look, you’ve gone to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army? ‘” She answered, “I am living among my own people.”
2 Kings 4:14 So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.”
2 Kings 4:15 “Call her,” Elisha said. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway.
2 Kings 4:16 Elisha said, “At this time next year you will have a son in your arms.” Then she said, “No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your servant.”
2 Kings 4:17 The woman conceived and gave birth to a son at the same time the following year, as Elisha had promised her.
2 Kings 4:18 The child grew and one day went out to his father and the harvesters.
2 Kings 4:19 Suddenly he complained to his father, “My head! My head!” His father told his servant, “Carry him to his mother.”
2 Kings 4:20 So he picked him up and took him to his mother. The child sat on her lap until noon and then died.
2 Kings 4:21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut him in, and left.
2 Kings 4:22 She summoned her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, so I can hurry to the man of God and come back again.”
2 Kings 4:23 But he said, “Why go to him today? It’s not a New Moon or a Sabbath.” She replied, “Everything is all right.”
2 Kings 4:24 Then she saddled the donkey and said to her servant, “Go fast; don’t slow the pace for me unless I tell you.”
2 Kings 4:25 So she came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to his attendant Gehazi, “Look, there’s the Shunammite woman.
2 Kings 4:26 Run out to meet her and ask, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your son all right? ‘” And she answered, “Everything’s all right.”
2 Kings 4:27 When she came up to the man of God at the mountain, she held strongly to his feet. Gehazi came to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone — she is in severe anguish, and Yahveh has hidden it from me. He hasn’t told me.”
2 Kings 4:28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not lie to me? ‘”
2 Kings 4:29 So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your mantle under your belt, take my staff with you, and go. If you meet anyone, don’t stop to greet him, and if a man greets you, don’t answer him. Then place my staff on the boy’s face.”
2 Kings 4:30 The boy’s mother said to Elisha, “As Yahveh lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So, he got up and followed her.
2 Kings 4:31 Gehazi went ahead of them and placed the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or sign of life, so he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy didn’t wake up.”
2 Kings 4:32 When Elisha got to the house, he discovered the boy lying dead on his bed.
2 Kings 4:33 So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to Yahveh.
2 Kings 4:34 Then he went up and lay on the boy: he put mouth to mouth, eye to eye, hand to hand. While he bent down over him, the boy’s flesh became warm.
2 Kings 4:35 Elisha got up, went into the house, and paced back and forth. Then he went up and bent down over him again. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes.
2 Kings 4:36 Elisha called Gehazi and said, “Call the Shunammite woman.” He called her and she came. Then Elisha said, “Pick up your son.”
2 Kings 4:37 She came, fell at his feet, and bowed to the ground; she picked up her son and left.
2 Kings 4:38 When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. The sons of the prophets were sitting before him. He said to his attendant, “Put on the large pot and make stew for the sons of the prophets.”
2 Kings 4:39 One went out to the field to gather herbs and found a wild vine from which he gathered as many wild gourds as his garment would hold. Then he came back and cut them up into the pot of stew, but they were unaware of what they were.
2 Kings 4:40 They served some for the men to eat, but when they ate the stew, they cried out, “There’s death in the pot, man of God!” And they were unable to eat it.
2 Kings 4:41 Then Elisha said, “Get some flour.” He threw it into the pot and said, “Serve it for the people to eat.” And there was nothing bad in the pot.
2 Kings 4:42 A man from Baal-shalishah came to the man of God with his sack full of twenty loaves of barley bread from the first bread of the harvest. Elisha said, “Give it to the people to eat.”
2 Kings 4:43 But Elisha’s attendant asked, “What? Am I to set this before a hundred men?” “Give it to the people to eat,” Elisha said, “for this is what Yahveh says: ‘They will eat, and they will have some left over.'”
2 Kings 4:44 So he set it before them, and as Yahveh had promised, they ate and had some left over.

wanting the supernatural

Elisha’s miracles are evidence that there is a power beyond the natural. Both the poor widow and the wealthy Shunnamite woman need this power. The LORD heals, provides, and restores life. The limits of our present world are not limits to him. This present life is a kind of test. Will we be satisfied with the natural with its limits, or will we seek more.

LORD, we want more. We want to live beyond the limits of the natural. Give us a greater portion of your power, and the wisdom to use it for Christ.

Books by Jefferson Vann

• 148 Days with the Coming King is a compelling devotional journey designed to inspire spiritual growth and reflection over a period of 148 days. Throughout this transformative experience, readers will engage with profound insights, reflective prompts, and meditative practices aimed at deepening their understanding of faith. It includes a full new translation of Matthew’s Gospel.

• An Advent Christian Systematic Theology (volume 1) – This book is the first volume in a comprehensive series exploring the doctrinal foundations and theological interpretations of the Advent Christian denomination, aiming to provide readers with an in-depth understanding of its unique beliefs and practices as they relate to systematic theology. This volume introduces the study, and answers questions about God and how he has revealed things to humans. It also includes an appendix of selected articles on the exclusive immortality of God.

• An Advent Christian Systematic Theology (volume 2) – A comprehensive exploration of doctrines and theological concepts within the Advent Christian tradition, this volume offers readers insights into historical context, biblical references, and practical applications for contemporary faith practice. Whether for personal study or academic research, it serves as a valuable resource for understanding the depth and richness of Advent Christian theology. This volume specifically covers the doctrine humanity and sin. It also includes an appendix on human mortality and on the intermediate state.

• An Advent Christian Systematic Theology (Volume 3) – This volume is part of a comprehensive series that delves deeper into the systematic theology from an Advent Christian perspective, providing insightful analysis and interpretation of theological concepts, offering both historical context and contemporary relevance for readers interested in the rich tradition of Advent Christian beliefs and practices. This volume treats the doctrines concerning Christ, the Holy Spirit, Angels and Demons, Salvation and the Church.

• An Advent Christian Systematic Theology (Volume 4) – This volume represents a comprehensive exploration of the theological tenets unique to the Advent Christian denomination. It delves deeply into topics such as salvation, the nature of God, and eschatology, offering readers an in-depth understanding of Advent Christian beliefs. Essential for both scholars and laypeople interested in systematic theology, this work is a crucial addition to any theological library. This volume treats the doctrine of eschatology and includes indices on the resurrection and final punishment.

• Another Bible Commentary – This commentary offers insightful interpretations and detailed analysis of all the biblical texts, making it valuable for both scholars and readers seeking to deepen their understanding of scripture. The author, Jefferson Vann, has crafted a resource that blends traditional biblical scholarship with contemporary relevance, appealing to a broad audience interested in theological studies and practical application of biblical principles in everyday life.

• Devotions from Exodus – A profound collection that offers rich reflections and spiritual insights, ideal for both personal contemplation and group study, leading readers through the important themes and lessons within the Book of Exodus, promoting a deeper understanding of faith and divine guidance. It includes a new translation from the original Hebrew.

• Devotions from Leviticus – A comprehensive devotional that deeply explores themes found in the book of Leviticus, offering insights and reflections to guide personal spiritual growth and understanding of biblical principles in everyday life. . It includes a new translation from the original Hebrew.

• Devotions from Mark’s Gospel – A comprehensive and inspiring collection of spiritual reflections and meditations based on the Gospel of Mark, aimed at deepening one’s faith and understanding of the teachings of Jesus. This work can serve as a valuable resource for personal study, group discussions, or devotional reading, encouraging readers to engage more deeply with the scriptures and apply their lessons to daily life. It includes a new translation from the original Greek.

• finding gold in Genesis – This fascinating book delves deep into the transformative messages within the Book of Genesis, providing readers with practical insights and a fresh perspective on biblical stories, making it an invaluable resource for personal growth and spiritual enrichment. . It includes a new translation from the original Hebrew.

• The Coming King – This book offers a profound insight into the themes and messages found within the text of Matthew’s Gospel. It serves not only as a translation but also as an illuminating commentary that guides readers through the intricate layers of meaning and interpretation, making it an essential read for anyone interested in biblical studies and spiritual growth. . It includes a new translation from the original Greek.

• The Piney Grove Pulpit #1 – This gripping book is an essential read for anyone interested in profound spiritual insights and valuable lessons from the pulpit, aptly highlighting the wisdom and teachings that have resonated through years within the Piney Grove community. It contains sermons preached from October 2019 to October 2020.

• The Piney Grove Pulpit #2– This gripping book is an essential read for anyone interested in profound spiritual insights and valuable lessons from the pulpit, aptly highlighting the wisdom and teachings that have resonated through generations within the Piney Grove community. It contains sermons preached from September to December 2020.

• The Piney Grove Pulpit #3 – This gripping book is an essential read for anyone interested in profound spiritual insights and valuable lessons from the pulpit, aptly highlighting the wisdom and teachings that have resonated through generations within the Piney Grove community. It contains sermons preached from January to April 2021.

• The Piney Grove Pulpit #4 – This gripping book is an essential read for anyone interested in profound spiritual insights and valuable lessons from the pulpit, aptly highlighting the wisdom and teachings that have resonated through generations within the Piney Grove community. It contains sermons preached from April to August 2021.

• The Piney Grove Pulpit #5 – This gripping book is an essential read for anyone interested in profound spiritual insights and valuable lessons from the pulpit, aptly highlighting the wisdom and teachings that have resonated through generations within the Piney Grove community. It contains sermons preached from August to November 2021.

• Words from the Collector is a captivating exploration of the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes. It includes a new translation and devotional commentary of the book. The Collector is Solomon as an old man, who collected wisdom to pass on to the next generation. It includes a new translation from the original Hebrew.

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