Poisoned Yet Pardoned (2 Kin. 4:38-41) (Part 4)

INSTEAD OF GATHERING HERBS, WHAT DOES THIS SON OF THE PROPHETS GATHER?

“Then one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds . . .” (2 Kin. 4:39).

• THIS SERVANT-HEARTED, WELL MEANING BIBLE SCHOOL STUDENT INTENDS TO GATHER HERBS AND, INSTEAD, SETTLES FOR WILD GOURDS.
• How distracted he became!
• Herbs and gourds are different ingredients that are used for different reasons.
• Herbs alter flavor, but gourds add substance.
• Lesson: You can cause yourself and others a lot of trouble when you pursue your own preferences or take liberties in any ministry!
• What discernment he lacked!
• In this case the substance he adds is, unknown to him, poisonous.
• They look harmless enough.
• They feel firm enough.
• They are convenient enough.
• “What providence! I have a large pot of stew to make and I have not found any herbs. Look at all these gourds! Surely this must be God's provision!”
• Not only does the son of the prophets choose gourds, but notice that he chooses wild gourds.
• Lesson: There are believers in Jesus today who can't distinguish between cultivated and wild, because they are dominated by their own understanding instead of the Holy Spirit.

In tomorrow's post: Where does this son of the prophets gather the gourds?