“If you’re praying for rain, bring an umbrella.” – Old Saying

I wrote yesterday that we’re going to be seeing a lot of miracles in the ministry of Elisha. Many of them involve some kind of action as in hit the Jordan River with your cloak, and it divides. After that he purifies water by sprinkling salt into it (See 2 Kings 2.19 – 21).

Then we have two miracles that reinforce the same lesson: act first; act as if. Recall that when the people crossed the Jordan to go into the Promised Land, the flow stopped AFTER the priests stepped into the river.

In 2 Kings 3, the kings of Israel and Judah decide to attack Moab, but they find themselves stuck in the desert with no water. The kings call for Elisha, who’s not impressed with the evil king of Israel:

Elisha said, “As GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies lives, and before whom I stand ready to serve, if it weren’t for the respect I have for Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I wouldn’t give you the time of day. But considering—bring me a minstrel.” (When a minstrel played, the power of GOD came on Elisha.) He then said, “GOD’s word: Dig ditches all over this valley. Here’s what will happen—you won’t hear the wind, you won’t see the rain, but this valley is going to fill up with water and your army and your animals will drink their fill. This is easy for GOD to do; he will also hand over Moab to you.” (2 Kings 3.14 – 18, MSG)

And that’s what happened. The army digs the ditches first. The ditches miraculously fill with water which refreshes the army. But the water looks like blood to the Moabites so they assume the kings have attacked each other. They charge into the camp seeking plunder and get routed. (See 2 Kings 3.20- 27)

This event is followed in the next chapter by a story with the same lesson:

One day the wife of a man from the guild of prophets called out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead. You well know what a good man he was, devoted to GOD. And now the man to whom he was in debt is on his way to collect by taking my two children as slaves.” Elisha said, “I wonder how I can be of help. Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Nothing,” she said. “Well, I do have a little oil.” “Here’s what you do,” said Elisha. “Go up and down the street and borrow jugs and bowls from all your neighbors. And not just a few—all you can get. Then come home and lock the door behind you, you and your sons. Pour oil into each container; when each is full, set it aside.” She did what he said. She locked the door behind her and her sons; as they brought the containers to her, she filled them. When all the jugs and bowls were full, she said to one of her sons, “Another jug, please.” He said, “That’s it. There are no more jugs.” Then the oil stopped. She went and told the story to the man of God. He said, “Go sell the oil and make good on your debts. Live, both you and your sons, on what’s left.” (2 Kings 4.1 – 7, MSG)

Gather the jugs first, then the oil will flow.

Dig the ditches first, then the water will flow.

Here’s a trivial example, ongoing. Our dog passed in December 2022. Since then, we have been praying that God would send us the dog of his choice when the time is right. We still have newspaper delivery (wonder how long that will last?!), and we use the plastic bags for dog poop. I’ve continued to save the bags so we’ll have a good supply!

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11.24, ESV)