The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Elijah and Elisha are known as signs prophets because they are remembered for the miracles and signs that they performed. Other prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and numerous others, are known as writing prophets because they are known for their words rather than deeds. In today’s passage, Elisha performs a miracle like that of Jesus feeding the five thousand, which is the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four Gospels.

A famine has descended upon Israel. The man brought his first fruits to Elisha rather than to God via the Temple, as prescribed by the Law. This man thought that the Levitical priests were corrupt, and that Elisha was a man of God. The man’s first fruits are not enough to feed Elisha and his followers, hence Elisha’s miracle of feeding the one hundred with leftovers to spare. Jesus had his disciples pick up an abundance of leftovers, too.

Paul is stating that all the peoples of the world derive their existence from God the Father and that Gentiles are fellow heirs of Christ. The divide between Jews and Gentiles no longer exists because of Christ. Being a child of God is based on faith rather than works. Paul prays for the Ephesians that they may begin to understand, though still in a glass darkly, the grace and love of God for all people. Paul ends this passage with a doxology (Now to him . . .), a liturgical expression of praise to God. One can sense that Paul is in a state of rapture as he is overwhelmed by the love of God and his bestowing grace upon those who believe and repent.

David Littrell