The feeding of the hundred men follows suitably. The two incidents seem designed to be considered together, if only because, in each case, the miracle was wrought in connection with eating. “And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men! He said again, Give unto the people, that they may eat; for thus saith the Lord, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof. So he set it before the men, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord” (2 Ki. 4:42-44). The first fruits were properly the portion of the priests (Num. 18:8-12), but everything was in disorder in Israel. Aaron’s sons were in exile, Jeroboam’s priests doing duty instead at his idolatrous altars; the first fruits were accordingly presented to the man of God, as Jehovah’s true representative in the land. Observe that the offering came “from Baalshalisha.” From the place of Baal’s abode, where Satan reigned, something was brought to God. Even so will it be in the Millennial age. This poor world, where Satan’s throne now is, will yet yield its true offering to God. The usurper is destined ere long to be overthrown, in order that the Man of God’s good pleasure may be established in the place of power and glory. “The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this” (Isa. 9:7).
Then the feeding time will come. No longer will there be “dearth in the land”; never again will there be “death in the pot.” Of Zion it is written: “I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread” (Ps. 132:15). The Lord Jesus gave an earnest of this when He fed the five thousand. So enthusiastic were the people after that marvel that they were disposed to take Him by force and make Him King (Jn. 6:15). He refused their desire, and retired to the mountain alone. When the hour for the appointed kingdom comes, He will receive it neither from men nor from Satan, but from the Father, who alone has authority to delegate it to any.
In Elisha’s day, “They did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the Lord.” There was plenty for all. In the Millennial age, “There shall be abundance of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains [surely a most unlikely place]; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon” (Ps. 72:16). To Israel, “The Lord hath sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength. Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine for the which thou hast laboured; but they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord; and they that have brought it together shall drink it in the courts of my holiness” (Isa. 62:8, 9).
How blessed when all the woes of Israel and the nations are healed, and when all men’s wants are fully met! “According to the word of the Lord”; so shall it be. But this awaits the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.