2 Kings 4: 1- 7 – God’s Provision

2 Kings 4:1-7 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.” 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.” Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 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.” She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 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. 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.”

When I read this passage, I have two competing thoughts that go through my head. The first place my mind goes is, why didn’t the woman get more jars when she asked her neighbors for empty jars? Was she afraid to impose or inconvenience those around her? I know I would be. Did she not want to be a bother? Maybe the gossip had already started about her needing help now that her husband was dead? Did she stop short of asking everyone around? Maybe she only hit up those she knew would help out and not everyone? My mind goes here first because that’s how I would behave. My fear, my pride, my insecurities keep me from reaching out for help, even when I need it.

But when I think of this passage in terms of the God I know, His faithfulness, His mercy, His love for us. Then I see that the widow received just the right number of jars. Those near to her gave her just what she needed, and even more than she needed to pay her debts. The oil lasted the perfect amount of time for her to have enough to cover her expenses plus live off of. Our God knows what we need. He knows how best to provide for us. And He doesn’t skimp on his provision. He is an abundant God. Thank you, Lord, for all you do to provide for us! Help us to see your faithfulness every day.