"The Oil is Ready. We Just Need Empty Vessels"

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. Do not 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.” 2 Kings 4:1-7.

What can we take from this story?

God is concerned about our needs. He has a very special place in His heart for widows and orphans (James 1:27).

When we are in grief, we are not thinking clearly. It is up to us (the neighbors) to bring hope!

The widow had to ask for what she needed. Through Elisha, she knew God would give her instructions.

She collected the jars in obedience to the word of the Lord.

She went into her home, shut the door and began to pour out this oil. Acting on the word of the Lord, she was seeing God’s provision through her obedience and the cooperation of her neighbors.

The Oil never stopped until she came to the end of her capacity.

She told Elisha, the man of God to be sure she did not operate in her own strength.

Finally, like the story of the ten talents, God loves multiplicity. Go sell and pay your debts…and live on what is left.

Will you help us? Together we can accomplish more.

The oil is ready, we just need empty vessels!