POUR THE OIL September 2023
Scripture Reference. 2 Kings 4:1-7 (NKJV)
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.”
Language, mannerisms, interpretation of gestures all influence our comprehension. I am reminded of a time when Priscilla was about four years old, and we were at a store to buy patties. The owner’s brother wanted to put an extra patty in the bag that she had. He said to her, “Hold the bag.” She did nothing. He kept repeating, “Hold the bag”. She then said, “I am holding it”. In the meantime, I was enjoying the exchange, then I explained to her that he meant for her to open the bag so that he could give her an extra patty.
Sometimes, what God wants to do in our life, is hidden in what we interpret from what He says. In our Scripture reference we read of a certain woman who knew what it was to live a respectable life. She was one of the wives of the prophets who were highly esteemed since they advocated with God for the people. This is the reason she went to Elisha. She no doubt, was privy to the knowledge of God’s blessing or judgment of the society.
We can imagine that she lived comfortably, during her husband’s lifetime. Now, final expenses for her husband, left her a debtor. With this, she called Elisha, her husband’s acquaintance. She informed him that she was widowed and as a result she faced poverty and the possibility of losing her sons to creditors. How devastating and distressing that was! It was depressing for her to not only mourn her loss, but also, to be penniless and be hounded by creditors.
Her existence in a male-dominant society, was threatened by the thought of losing her sons also. In the absence of her husband, she relied heavily on them. She reminded Elisha of her husband’s commitment to the work of ministry. Surely, Elisha would be compassionate. She could have sent her sons to hide, but the question would be who would help her?
It seems that Elisha should have surmised what she wanted. He knew her needs, but he asked about her desire. Sometimes we tend not to be specific about what we lack. Instead, we state what we think others want to hear. We are concerned about how we will be judged by society and so we revert to keeping up appearances. The task at hand was for this widow to refocus.
Yes, she suffered loss, was about to lose her built-in helpers, but she ignored what she still had. There was unrecognized value in her possession. The Prophet had insight about the seemingly insufficient resource. What could a jar of oil do for the creditors? Does Elisha want me to offer it to them? It is all I have. Those are fleeting thoughts that the destitute widow might have had.
Elisha did not lament with her about her situation. God allowed him to see potential in what she still possessed. She might have been left penniless, but not useless. In her imagination, she did not even see the oil to be usable for her family. In minimizing its value, she was limiting its worth.
An apparently foolish action would become the proof of God’s providence. Our insufficiency may just be the thing that God uses for His glory. Elisha’s help was sought because the widow trusted his ability to bring a solution to her problem. He had experienced God’s power while he executed his job: that of washing Elijah’s hands.
In 2 Chronicles 20:20, we are encouraged to believe God’s prophets if we want to prosper. It may be easy to believe in God, but a little more challenging to believe what someone else tells us, especially if we question their source of information. Prophets are identifiable by the accuracy of their foretelling and its alignment with Scriptures, (Deuteronomy 18:22; I John 4:1).
Elisha’s character was reputable. The widow could draw that conclusion since her late husband had served in the company of Prophets, and quite likely he shared with her what took place among them. When Elisha washed Elijah ‘s hands, a seemingly menial task, it was the evidence of God’s presence with him also. (2 Kings 3:11).
Although she stated her situation, Elisha asked her what he should do for her. Surely, she did not expect him to either pay the debt or place her sons in hiding. Had he suggested either of the two, she would still have ended up being in need. He saw the real insufficiency: a livelihood. Miracles extend beyond the visible.
How important is it for us to walk by faith? If her sons had become slaves, she would have lost the ones who were left behind to assume the male responsibilities for her. The sons would not be paid. Imagine them being whipped and brutally handled. What added tragedy! Then she would have to fend for herself.
In answer to the two questions that Elisha asked (2 Kings,4:2), the widow mentioned the jar of oil. What did that have to do with paying a debt, therefore, keeping her helpers at home? Why was she even paying any attention to a jar of oil? Seemingly, her faith told her that there was something special about that oil. She did not have the slightest clue as to all that was hidden in that insignificant jar.
Can we visualize the sons knocking on doors, borrowing containers? They must have had a good reputation in the neighborhood, because the people were willing not just to answer the door, but also, to loan all their utensils. What a haul!
Just in case the neighbors would show up to see what was going on, Elisha told the widow to shut the door. Doubt, speculation, and criticism must be shut out, if we expect to experience the miraculous. How big was that jar? Amazingly, she began to pour the oil in obedience and confidence that the prophet was being directed by God. Blind faith.!
When all the vessels were full, she still had oil in her original jar and she was ready to continue to pour it. The only reason she stopped pouring is that there were no more vessels to be filled. If we have exhausted all our gifts, then we can relax. If not, there are things in us that we can use to impact others. Ephesians 3:20, was evident when she became wealthy. I imagine she could even pay for the vessels that she was using to run her oil business.
There are needy people who will never be influenced for good, if we fail to shut out everything that keeps us from experiencing the extraordinary. The gifts, talent, encouragement, help that we deem too unimportant to be valuable, may just be what God wants to use. The world waits for our accountability. Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, we have what it takes to initiate positivity.
Regardless of how unimportant we may think our service will be, it is not our job to discredit its impact. It was only a jar of oil, yet its use spread throughout the neighborhood. There is a little oil at everyone’s disposal. Whatever form it may be in, or wherever we have it hidden, the Lord needs it to motivate others.
Surely, the miracle right before their eyes, increased the faith of not only, the widow and her sons, but also that of the neighborhood. No doubt the news spread like wildfire, now that the widow and her sons’ new, upscale lifestyle, was evident.
Society is our creditor. We owe them a debt. We are not being asked to enslave our children, but it is our responsibility to use the oil of the Holy Spirit that we have stored up. The oil of anointing destroys yokes. If we keep it hidden, the consequence will be continuous scarcity of mercy, humility, and justice in society.
When the oil was in her jar, it was valueless for everyone. What could she have done with it? Similarly, our drive/passion/skill is of no use to us if we keep it just for our household. During the entire time that the widow was worried, her source was right there in her possession, unknown to her. Could it be that our resource is at hand just waiting to be revealed and used by us?
It is hardly likely that the miracle of the unending oil would have been a household secret. News travel. The buzzword among the neighbors would have been, the visit from Elisha, the manifestation of God’s power and the effect on the widow and her sons. Their four walls were not large enough to conceal their experience.
Had we been living back then, we would be among those who would not only search for a little oil in our house, but also hurry to invite Elisha to reside with us. Well, a greater than Elisha is available to us. The Holy Ghost who gives us power to impact people, also fuels our drive to live righteously, peaceably, and joyfully., thereby demonstrating the kingdom of God. (Romans 14:17).
In these trying times when life seems to be proverbially at a standstill, someone is waiting for us to fill a certain void. What oil of encouragement, prayer, financial support, positivity, do we minimize? Isn’t it time for us to pour the oil?
Dr. O. A. James
REFLECTION
How can we place a positive imprint on society?