Two Miracles in 2 Kings

This week reading through 2 Kings, I noticed two accounts which had miracles similiar to other more well-known stories in Scripture. Did you know the Jordan river was parted and walked across on dry ground? And twenty barley loaves plus fresh ears of grain managed to feed a hundred men?

Elijah tells his follower, Elisha, that he will be taken to heaven by the Lord today. Elijah took his cloak and struck the water, parting it for him and Elisha, and the two crossed over together. Elisha then requested that a double portion of Elijah's spirit be granted to him. Elijah said that if Elisha saw him taken up into heaven, then Elisha's request would be granted. Elisha watched as chariots and horses of fire and a whirlwind caught up his master to glory. Elisha then took up the cloak of Elijah and returned to the Jordan River striking the water in the same manner and walked across on dry ground. (2 Kings 2:1-14)

The second account takes place two chapters later and demonstrates in a smaller way a miracle Jesus would later perform. Elisha has just finished providing edible stew for the sons of the prophets. Famine had taken over the land, and food was scarce. A man comes and brings Elisha barley bread and fresh ears of grain. Elisha commands his servant to feed the group of men which numbered about a hundred. Still Elisha tells him to set it before them, as the Lord had said they would eat and have some left over. So Elisha's servant obeys. "And they ate and had some left, accourding to the word of the Lord." (2 Kings 4:42-44)

I found it interesting how the first miracle pointed back in history to Moses' parting of the Red Sea, and then the second miracle forshadows the future miracles of Jesus. One man, Elisha, was priviledged to take part in each of these miracles. Likely he did not completely understand the part he would play in reminding us of the past faithfulness of God, while also providing us hope for the future.