4 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.’ 2 Kings 4
The above chapter from 2 Kings 4 is part of the readings for Jewish people this coming Shabbat. The chapter describes two separate instances when God moved through the prophet Elisha to help mothers in desperation for their children.
On the first occasion the mother of the two boys was in dire poverty and her sons were about to be taken from her by a debtor. Elisha asked her what she had to hand, sometimes our smallest seed is what God will use to help deliver us. The widow only had a little oil, but the prophet told her to go and borrow as many ‘jars’ as she could get her hands on. He told her to borrow many, that was a step of Faith, believing for a large supply.
3 Elisha said, ‘Go round and ask all your neighbours for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.’ 2 Kings 4
God’s provision was to be done in secret, only the widow and her sons would see it. No one else could speak negatively over her situation and stop the miraculous flow of the oil. There are times when God speaks to us and we shouldn’t share, even with other believers. The words of others may hinder our provision if they’re not in faith with us. Once the flow of the precious oil began they couldn’t stop, they had to keep filling the jars, no distractions allowed.
6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another one.’
But he replied, ‘There is not a jar left.’ Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.’ 2 Kings 4
God didn’t just send some oil, every jar that the woman had collected was filled. The flow never stopped until every jar was filled. Elisha told her to sell the oil (I’d love to have seen some of that oil! Remember the wine Jesus produced at the marriage feast, it was the BEST WINE.) Then when her debt was paid there was still enough oil left over for her and her sons to live on. We serve a generous God, but we must trust Him, even in difficult situations.
The second part of this chapter is about the Shunemite woman who provided for Elisha on his travels. She received a miracle child but he died. Once again God rescued the boy and returned him to his mother. Beautiful accounts of God’s blessings, being read this Shabbat by Jewish people all across the earth. May God bless His word to His people on this sacred day of rest.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.