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Sunday, October 21, 2012

Death in the pot


"So one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, though they did not know what they were. Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, 'Man of God, there is death in the pot!' And they could not eat it. So he said, 'Then bring some flour.' And he put it into the pot, and said, 'Serve it to the people, that they may eat.' And there was nothing harmful in the pot." 2 Kings 4.39-41
The wild vine is showy, draws attention and looks good for consumption. So is the novel  "Saint Jorge" (Brazilian soap opera), whose appeal is to entertain. But in the end, is poisonous because it conveys the spirit of idolatry. It is certain death. Anything that contradicts the Word of God kills.
But whatever promotes living faith in the Living God produces life. Jesus is the Bread of Life, the "flour" that neutralizes the death in the family pot.