Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside. – 2 Kings 4:4
Have you ever faced a desperate financial situation? Americans’ household debt has reportedly reached a total of $17.94 trillion, with $1.166 trillion in credit card debt alone. Most are managing their debt, with a little over 3 percent of revolving balances being delinquent, but interest rates for new credit card accounts are an average of 24.72 percent. Some of that debt is growing with Christmas spending.
In today’s Bible account, Elisha met the widow of a prophet who was in desperate straits and creditors were at her door. She was in despair as her two children were about to be taken and sold as slaves. The widow sought help from the prophet. Elisha gave her sound advice. First, evaluate the situation, what you have, and seek help. In this case, the widow looked to Elisha for wisdom and direction. If you are in a similar situation, pray and seek God’s wisdom. Perhaps you need a financial counselor who can guide you. Asking for help is a sign of prudence. Then, make use of what is available to you. The widow was instructed to ask for containers from friends and neighbors until she could find no more. She was obedient even when it made no sense.
The widow did all she could and God provided. All of the vessels she collected were filled with oil, providing enough for her to sell and pay off her debts. In John 1:1-11, Jesus is presented with a different type of desperate situation. He is at a wedding feast that is underway, and the host has run out of wine. In both cases, the despair was changed into a beneficial outcome by the Lord’s miraculous provision.
Theologian Matthew Henry reminds you that “Elisha’s miracles were for use, not for show. … Such also were the miracles of Christ, not only great wonders, but great favors to those for whom they were wrought. God magnifies His goodness with His power.” Jesus has also paid your ultimate debt—the debt of sin. Receive the miracle of His forgiveness and provision, letting the oil of His love overflow in your life and the wine of joy in His salvation fill your life with abundance.
Today’s Verse: 2 Kings 4:4
Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Kings 4:1-7
4 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2 And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. 4 Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. 6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
