Westside Baptist Church

Dr. Richard 'Rick' Whiteside

GOD’S PROVISION FOR ME

2 Kings 4:8-10

-Review of the background of this incident.

I. THE BED

-presence of a bed implies rest from labors.

-Adam was a husbandman in the Garden of Eden; work wasn’t part of the curse.

-see Genesis 2:15; 3:17-19.

-God has ordained that man works, and man ought not eat unless he does work (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12); comments from man in Newfoundland who claimed to be a Christian but wouldn’t work.

-see also Psalms 3:5; 127:2.

-we are also resting spiritually, in Christ, resting from our labors to be saved; saved by grace and not of any works.

-see the references of Hebrews 4:4-11; the rest that God provides for us.

-we are anticipating a perfect rest in heaven following the rapture.

II. THE TABLE

-when we labor we need nourishment to strengthen our bodies.

-reference to the nourishment that is provided by God.

-the diversity of God’s provision, and the places where He feeds us (Psalm 23:5), even in the presence of our enemies, so they can see God’s care of me.

-God has promised to give us the bread that we need for today; nothing extra or unnecessary when we obey God (see the manna allotment in Exodus 16:15-20).

-the many miracles of God’s provision for Elijah: fed by the ravens (1 Kings 17:3-6), provisions for him and the widow woman’s family (1 Kings 17:13-16).

-am I trusting in God or in my good management; whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23)?

III. THE STOOL

-The stool is an accompaniment for the table; not completely necessary for eating, but an extra added bonus.

-Speaks to us of the extra-special treatment that God gives us; the things that He doesn’t have to do, though certainly, He is not obliged to do anything for us.

-Many examples in Scriptures:

(1) Making an appropriate helper and complement/completer for Adam.

(2) Sparing Noah and giving him instructions about building the ark.

(3) Telling Abraham about the impending doom of Sodom (Genesis 18:16-22).

-The material blessings that we enjoy from God; remember how tired Israel got from eating the same food everyday, and the complaining and problems that developed?

-The "bed" implies a rest from labors, meaning there will be sleep, while the stool implies a rest during our conscious and waking hours; the physical comforts we enjoy from God.

IV. THE CANDLESTICK

-Here is the illumination for the direction and guidance that we need for salvation and everyday Christian living.

-The ultimate source is God’s Word, His self-revelation (Psalm 119:105).

-When Moses returned to Egypt to guide them out, God had already given him a complete set of instructions of what to do and to say; He didn’t leave Moses to his own resources.

-When God was preparing to punish Pharaoh ultimately with the death angel, He gave Israel instructions for them to be spared; what parent wouldn’t have obeyed?

-God led the Israelites out of Egypt by a pillar of fire and a cloud, otherwise they would have been lost and without direction.

-God led them to Mount Sinai and gave instruction on how to approach Him in worship; not leaving it up to their own thinking or to chance.

-God promised that He would guide us the very same way (Psalm 32:8); He offers us His counsel.

-Our thinking is not the same as God; we are guilty of foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:25).

-All of these are things that everyone needs, even/especially the unsaved.

-See Matthew 6:24-34; if we would put God first in our lives, He will provide for us what we all need.

2011 Westside Baptist Church 762 Smokey Road Newnan GA 30263 (770) 251-5333 mpayne@wsbnewnan.org