1 Kings 21:25 tells us, "There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited." Here in 2 Kings 4, where we learn of the widow's plight, is just one example of this truth.
King Ahab refused to support the prophets out of his kingly coffers so honest prophets were forced to borrow money at usury (exorbitant rates) to feed themselves and their families. When they died their families were left destitute as we see here in the widow of Obadiah.
Determined not to lose her sons, she appeals to the man of God, Elisha, for help. He asks her, "What do you have?"
She has nothing but a pot of oil. Since oil was a luxury, this was probably being saved for her burial. Yet she is willing to give it up, if necessary to save her sons. The best way to increase what we have is to use it.
Elisha tells her to go to her neighbors and borrow empty jars.
Once inside her house with all the empty jars her sons can carry she begins to pour. And pour, and pour. The oil doesn't stop until all the jars are full.
"Then the vessels were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not another." Then the oil stopped flowing. She came and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest." " (2Kings 4:6-7)
What strikes me most about this passage is that Elisha specifically tells her "and none to few."
"Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few." (2Kings 4:3)
The widow isn't expecting an overflow of God's blessing. She doesn't know God the way Elisha does.
The way we do.
God provided a way to pay the widow's debts, and to redeem her sons. The Good News is that Jesus has done the same for us and more!
"If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?" (Rom 8:31-32)
And yet when we go to God with our need do we expect an abundant overflow of His blessings? Do we gather many jars? or just a few?
"We fear that there will not be enough oil; God is concerned lest we fail to bring sufficient vessels to hold all He wants to give." ~ F.B. Meyer
It is always our faith that fails, never His promises. We may not be wise to look for tangible miracles of prosperity in these days but we should always expect His mercies.
"And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Php 4:19-20)
Shalom,
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