Scripture:
II Kings 4:1-7 NKJV
[1] A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant, my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” [2] So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” [3] Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. [4] And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.” [5] So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. [6] Now it came to pass when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. [7] Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”
Observation:
I have always looked at the scripture as an amazing act from GOD that provided what the woman needed so that her sons could not be taken as slaves. I think the first thing we need to notice is that the women came to Elisha. Her husband, who was a man of GOD, had died, and she was in need. I could imagine this was a hard time for her and her two sons. They had just lost their father and were up to their ears in debt. Fear was setting in, and the widow had no idea what to do. As Elisha looked at the situation. He asked her, ” What shall I do for you? tell me. What do you have in the house?” I’m sure Elisha could see the desperation the widow had expressed and wanted to help. All he needed to know was… if she was willing to give it all. Her answer was simple, I have just a little jar of oil. When Elisha answered her, I’m sure she had a puzzled look on her face. What do you mean, go get jars? I told you I didn’t have much of anything. A jar of oil isn’t going to do much. But rather than questioning, she just did what Elisha asked her to do. Which at the time didn’t make sense. But as the jars started coming into the house, her hopes were getting higher, and soon, they had gathered all the jars the neighbors had to offer and started to fill them one by one. Until the last one was filled to the very top. Elisha asked her, “Are there any more vessels?” When the widow said, “That’s the last one.” Elisha gave her further instructions. Go and sell the oil to pay your debt and keep what is left for you and your sons to live off of.
Application:
GOD is the GOD of more than enough. HE is always going to ask you to do your part. In every mirrical in the bible. HE gave the one who received it a task Moses had to step up to the edge of the sea and pit his stick in the air, Joshua had to match around Jericho and shout praise, and Gideon had to carry a torch and a vessel to cover it. Then, smash it at just the right time. My point is that these are all things they had the ability to do. They may not have made sense at the time, but those who were used in a mighty way obeyed and got to see a supernatural act of GOD. Now that being said. When I think about the filling of these vessels. Sometimes, I think about how little I actually have. I mean, if it depended on me. It would be just pouring oil from one vessel to another and then back again like some kind of science experiment. In and of myself, I am nothing. 2nd Corinthians 4:7 tells us it’s not about us. We are the tools that GOD uses. HE is the master craftsman. But listen, that craftsman wants us to gather empty vessels… other men and women, and pour into them what we have. That is the treasure that is christ Jesus. If you know, even just a little bit about the bible, you have something to offer someone who knows nothing about it. We have a job to do, and time is getting short. You may not think you have anything to offer. You may be looking at a little bit of oil thinking… what is this? It’s nothing, but that oil might be what burns just bright enough for someone else to see the path. Listen, the book says, “GO into all the world and make disciples.” Use what you have to fill those around you. GOD will give you more. Until every empty vessel is filled. HE is the GOD of more than enough. The question is, do you trust him enough to give what you have in order to receive HIS abundance.
Prayer:
Father, we know how it looks. As we sit her looking like all we have is this little bit. We know that you want to release your flood gates, and we want to be obedient. We want to go get the vessels for you to fill. We don’t have much Father, but what we do have we want you to have. It’s better in your hands than it is ours. It will go further and have a bigger impact. We are nothing but vessels that contain what you have placed in us. Show us how to give what we have. We know that you will not leave us begging for bread. You will not leave us without. You are the all sufficient one… the GOD of more than enough. We pray that as we step out of the boat in faith, you will meet us on the water. You will not allow us to sink. Help us to focus on you. As we tilt the vessel to fill another empty jar. We do love you, and we trust that you are more than enough. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.