TEXT:
‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debt: and you and your sons live on the rest’ – 2 Kings 4:7
THOUGHT:
In Part 1, we looked at Debt, Death and the Desperation of this widow. How a bad situation got worse and was about to deteriorate even further with the imminent arrival of the creditor to take her two sons into slavery. How did this great need get turned around?
- She brought God into her problem
God needs to be invited into our lives as He will not force His way in. God does not seem to mind if we turn to Him as a last resort when we have run out of all other options. The widow appealed to Elisha for help.
Those with crippling debts, either end up talking to no one and trying to hide their problem, or to everyone as they try to borrow more money. But do they talk to God? Eventually the widow had no other direction to go in other than heavenward and it became the best move she had ever made.
- She acted in faith when told what to do
Crying out to Elisha, I wonder what she expected him to do! Lend her some money, pay the debt in full, or talk to the creditor to buy more time? Whatever response she was hoping for, I am sure it never even entered her mind what she was told to do. ‘And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbours. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”’ – 2 Kings 4:3-4 NLT.
Faith was evident in both of them: in Elisha to tell her to do such a thing, and in the widow and her sons, to obey such a command. There were no protests over the stupidity of such an action, unlike Naaman, who at first refused to do what Elisha told him to do. It was only after his servants intervened did he obey and received his healing – 2 Kings 5:11-12. ‘Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God’ – Romans 10:17. Something on the inside of her said, “Do it, for this is going to work!’
We read of a similar incident in John 2:1-11. Mary, Jesus and His disciples had been invited to a wedding. Everything was going well until they ran out of wine. At first it seemed that Jesus ignored Mary’s request to do something, but she instructed the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’ Then Jesus told the servants to fill up six large stone pots with water, right to the brim. They did so but it was no easy task, for each one contained between twenty and thirty gallons. Jesus told them to take some out for the master of the feast to taste. His exclamation, “You have saved the best wine to last!” summed up what a wonderful miracle had taken place.
What has God told you to do, personally or through others? Perhaps you are arguing with it, thinking it is stupid. Do not be the one who stops your miracle, be the one who releases it!
- She shut the door – ‘shut the door behind you and your sons’
Faith works in the unseen realm. Why do we need to shut the door?
To keep out distractions
Then she would be able to concentrate on what she needed to do. Jesus taught His disciples to shut the door when praying – Matthew 6:6.
To keep out doubt and unbelief
Jesus shut out the wailing crowd at Jairus’ house in order to raise his daughter from the dead – Mark 5:40. Peter did the same when Dorcas was raised from the dead – Acts 10:40
To keep out discussion
Neighbours would want to see why her sons had asked to borrow the jars. They would have said, “What are you doing that for? Do you think it will really work?” For her, that was the time to DO and not DISCUSS!
- The size of the miracle was determined by her and not God
With trembling hands she took the jar of oil and poured it into the first jar and it quickly filled up. “Bring another!” The jars ran out before the oil stopped flowing. Now they had a house full of jars of oil. What could they say? Tears, hugs and joy all mingled together.
God is called El-Shaddai, the God who is more than enough. Reporting back to Elisha, the widow is told to sell the oil, pay the debt and live on the rest of the money. God not only took care of the past, but provided for her future.
What lessons can we learn both practically and spiritually?
- God’s way of lending and not borrowing is the best way.
If we will honour God financially with our tithes (one tenth of income) and offerings, He will open the windows of heaven and pour out His blessing abundantly – Malachi 3:8-12. We can always find an excuse not to give to God but never find a biblical one.
- Taking out credit is not sinful
We just need to be careful not to over-borrow. Too many households could only survive for two or three months without any money coming in, because they are over-stretched financially and have no savings to fall back on.
- Trouble and tragedy can come to anyone
This family had loved and served God, but it did not exempt them from problems. When it happens, do not blame or curse God. Turn to Him for He has promised to be, ‘Always ready to help in times of trouble’ – Psalm 46:1 NLT.
- Do not expect God to do what you are not willing to do yourself
The widow had tried every way to get out of debt and sold everything, before she called out for help. God was there to help her, with no condemnation only compassion.
- Always remember that when you are unable, God is able!
He promises, ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know’ – Jeremiah 33:3. When He does, obey in faith and you will have your miracle too!
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