What you have is enough! (2)

Whatever you have is enough for God to use for his good purpose!

A woman who sought wisdom from Elisha (2 Kgs 4:1–7)

Let’s look back and do some research on this Elisha man why would she go to him for wisdom?

ELISHA [ee LIE shuh] (my God saves) — an early Hebrew prophet who succeeded the prophet Elijah when Elijah’s time on earth was finished (1 Kin. 19:16). Elisha ministered for about 50 years in the northern kingdom of Israel, serving God during the reigns of Jehoram, Jehu, Jehoahaz, and Joash. The period of his ministry dates from about 850–800 b.c. Elisha’s work consisted of presenting the Word of God through prophecy, advising kings, anointing kings, helping the needy, and performing several miracles.

Elisha was the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah a town on the western side of the Jordan River. Elijah found Elisha plowing with a team of oxen. As Elijah walked past Elisha, he threw his mantle over the younger man’s shoulders. Elisha “arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant” (1 Kin. 19:21), but Elisha is not mentioned again until 2 Kings 2:1, shortly before Elijah ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire. Before taking his leave, Elijah fulfilled the final request of Elisha by providing him with a double portion of his prophetic spirit (2 Kin. 2:9–10), making him his spiritual firstborn. Upon receiving Elijah’s mantle, Elisha demonstrated this gift by parting the waters of the Jordan River, allowing him to cross on dry land (2 Kin. 2:14).

In this way, Elisha demonstrated that he had received God’s blessings on his ministry as Elijah’s successor. Elisha cultivated a different image from his predecessor. Instead of following Elijah’s example as a loner and an outsider, Elisha chose to work within the established system. He assumed his rightful place as the head of the “official” prophetic order in Israel, where his counsel and advice were sought out by kings. In contrast to Elijah’s strained relationship with the king and his officials, Elisha enjoyed the harmonious role of trusted advisor. This is not to say that Elisha never had a word of criticism for the government, as for example in the part he played in the overthrow of Jezebel and the dynasty of Ahab (2 Kin. 9:1–3). Elisha’s appearance was much more typical and average than Elijah’s.

He was bald (2 Kin. 2:23), while Elijah had been an extremely hairy man (2 Kin. 1:8). Elisha did not wander as extensively as Elijah. Instead, he had a house in Samaria (2 Kin. 6:32). Much tension had existed between Elijah and his audience. Elisha’s ministry provided a strong contrast as he was welcomed into virtually all levels of society. In perhaps the most important part of his ministry, however, Elisha followed in Elijah’s footsteps. This consisted of his performance of miracles, which answered a wide variety of needs in every level of society.

He had a reputation for sympathizing with the poor and the oppressed. Elisha’s activities and miracles as a prophet were often focused on those who were abused by officials in positions of power. One of Elisha’s “community service” miracles was his purification of an unhealthy spring near Jericho. After learning that the spring was bad, Elisha threw a bowl of salt into it, making it pure (2 Kin. 2:19–21). The Bible reports that “the water remains healed to this day” (2 Kin. 2:22). Elisha became a friend of a wealthy family in Shunem. The Shunammite woman displayed hospitality toward the prophet by regularly feeding him and building a room onto her home where he could lodge. Elisha repaid the childless couple by promising them a son (2 Kin. 4:8–17). Later, when tragedy struck the child, Elisha raised him from the dead (2 Kin. 4:18–37).

When Elisha learned that a famine would strike Israel, he warned the family to flee the land. When the family returned seven years later, the king restored their property because of their relationship with Elisha (2 Kin. 8:1–6). Elisha also advised kings and performed miracles for them. He helped Jehoram, king of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. He also helped the king of Edom defeat Mesha, king of Moab (2 Kin. 3:1–19).

Elisha ministered to all people, regardless of their nationalities. He cured Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army (2 Kin. 5:1–14), of leprosy, but he also advised the king of Israel of the plans (2 Kin. 6:8–10) of their Assyrian enemies. Even the bones of the dead Elisha had miraculous powers. When a corpse was hidden in Elisha’s tomb, it came back to life as it touched the prophet’s bones (2 Kin. 13:21).

Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).

Now lets look into Oil

Oil. In the Bible, the word oil usually refers to olive oil, although oil from myrrh, spikenard, and other varieties of trees was often used. Olive oil was one of the most important products in the economy of Palestine and in the daily life of the people. It became a symbol of peace and prosperity (Jer. 31:12), and was looked upon as a blessing from God. Olives were harvested in the fall of the year, from September through the middle of November. Olives were gathered by shaking the trees (Is. 17:6) or by beating the trees with long sticks (Deut. 24:20). The oil harvested from them was stored in vats for later use. In homes it was stored in jars or flasks for domestic purposes (1 Kin. 17:12). Every household was dependent upon a good supply of oil for their lamps (Ex. 25:6; Matt. 25:3–4, 8) and as an ingredient for bread (1 Kin. 17:12). Olive oil was also used as a medicine to treat wounds (Is. 1:6; Luke 10:34). Ceremonial anointing was a common practice, especially for consecrating the high priest (Ex. 29:2) and anointing the king (1 Sam. 10:1). It was also used for personal cleanliness (Ruth 3:3; 2 Sam. 12:20). The early church practiced anointing with oil for healing (Mark 6:13; James 5:14). Oil was an article of trade especially during Solomon’s time. Hiram, king of Tyre, received oil each year (1 Kin. 5:11), and it was also traded to Egypt. Probably the most significant use of oil was in religious ceremonies. The best grade of oil was used for cereal offerings (Ex. 29:2; Deut. 12:17), sacrificial offerings (Ex. 29:40), and for the sanctuary lamp (Lev. 24:2).

Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).

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.” 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.” Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few.

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.” So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. 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. 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.” 

Second Kings 4:1–7 tells the story of a widower whose husband, the son of one of the prophets who had served under Elisha, had passed away, leaving her with no money.

Mosaic law prohibited her from declaring bankruptcy—leaving her with no option but to offer her sons as payment for debt.

Though she sought wisdom from God through the prophet Elisha, her expectation for God’s provision was at first limited. When Elisha asks in verse 2: “What have you in the house?” she responds, “nothing . . . except a jar of oil.”

There’s no more wine. We only have five loaves of bread and two fish. Sound familiar?

But a “jar of oil” is more than enough for God. In Preach for a Year, Robert Campbell notes that this woman found the answer to her need in her own home (vv. 2–4). Elisha’s question is a good one for not only mothers but all who trust in God: What do you already have that God can use?

When the widow did what Elisha asked, God provided for her needs from what she already had. This “anointing of oil,”2 though small, was enough for God to multiply so she could pay off her debt and live off of it, too.

I do not think as the oil being used in this story is a considence. As it is a symbol like we learned as peace and prosperity. This oil gave the widow peace about her sons not having to be slaves and meant her life could prosper after.

The main point? Whatever you have is enough for God to use for his good purpose