2 Kings 4:1-7 New International Version (NIV)
The Widow’s Olive Oil
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 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”
3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors 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.”
5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 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.”
1. The woman was widowed and in debt.
She chose not to capitalize on her woes while seeking help from the man of God. She acknowledged her husband was a servant who feared the Lord. His service and the fear of God was well known even to the prophet. He might be dead, He even left us with debt but ! He was a God fearing Man.
I wonder what testimony your family members can testify of concerning you in your absence?
2. Her help was within her.
How many times have we been quick to say we have nothing. Mostly what is the key to our breakthrough might be something we ignore, assume or despise. But our God has a history of using what He has already given you. He used The rod of Moses, the harp of David, the Little oil and flour of the Zarepath widow, the five loaves and two fishes.
Countless times the Lord has used what we have. Our prayer should be Lord open my eyes to see what I
have that you can use in my life. Amen.
3.Get Empty Vessels:
Go around , seek , borrow empty vessels and not a few. There are empty vessels all around us. But there is work involved to get them. They dont just appear, we have to seek for vessels which are empty so that we pour into them.
4. Shut the door:
This was not magic or entartainment for the whole community. The Miracle had to happen behind closed doors.Failure to shut the door has hindered the outpouring of the oil. It is human nature to brag or boast and if we are not careful such exposure may limit the glorious,miracoulus workings of our God.
5.Pour out until there is no more empty vessels.
6. Return to the source;
After experiencing the miracle she did not ignore the next instructions. She returned to the man of God for divine leading on what to do next. There is more of His glory and Power. Let us not get disconnected from the source of our resources.
