Biblical Mandates For 21st Century Mothers

2 Kings 4:1–7 NLT

1 One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” 2 “What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied. 3 And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. 4 Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.” 5 So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. 6 Soon every container was full to the brim! “Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons. “There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing. 7 When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.”

INTRODUCTION:

A- Background

1- The Targum names the dead prophet Obadiah (1 Kgs 18:4) who, according to Josephus (Ant. ix.4.2), had borrowed money to feed the young prophets.

I- RECOGNIZE THAT BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GODLY PEOPLE. (2 Kings 4:1)

2 Kings 4:1 NLT

1 One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.”

A- Godliness is no guarantee of a care-free life.

1- This woman’s family was devoted to God.

2- Sometimes the trials can be severe.

a. The trials may take many forms:

Financial

Sickness

Wayward children

(Proverbs 22:6)

Proverbs 22:6 NLT

6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Criticism and persecution

(Hebrews 11:36-40)

Hebrews 11:36–40 NLT

36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. 40 For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.

B- Godliness does guarantee that you have someone to turn to.

1- Turn to God.

(Hebrews 13:5)

Hebrews 13:5 NLT

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

(John 14:18)

John 14:18 NLT

18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.

(Hebrews 4:16)

Hebrews 4:16 NLT

16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

2- Turn to God’s people.

(James 2:15-16)

James 2:15–16 NLT

15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

II- BELIEVE GOD AND SUBMIT WHAT YOU HAVE TO HIM. (2 Kings 4:2)

A- God does not require you to have a lot, but what you have must be submitted to him.

1- All this lady had was:

herself

her sons

her house

her oil - not much of that!

The ‘pot (’āsûk) of oil’ (av; niv a little) is a unique word here, possibly for a small anointing flask.

2- What do you have that you can submit to the Lord?

Yourself

(Joshua 24:15)

Joshua 24:15 NLT

15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

Children

house

possessions - does not have to be a lot!

B- The built-in promise - God will use what you have!

1- There has never been anything submitted to God that he has not used.

pot of oil (text)

oil and flour used to feed Elijah (I Kings 17:8-24)

Loaves and Fishes (Matthew 15:32-39; Matthew 14:16-20)

III- COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD’S WAY WHOLEHEARTEDLY AND ALLOW HIM TO DO THE REST. (2 Kings 4:3-7).

A- Follow the instructions God gives. (2 Kings 4:3-5)

2 Kings 4:3–5 NLT

3 And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. 4 Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.” 5 So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another.

1- Those instructions may involve getting help from other people.

God’s servant

Godly neighbors and friends

2- Those instructions will include tests of faith that put your credibility on the line.

with people around you.

with your family

*Elisha elicits faith and action by questions, encouragement (‘not a few’) and word.

The quantity of oil was only limited by the woman’s lack of faith in failing to ask for more empty jars (av ‘vessels’, kēlîm)—a general word for utensils irrespective of type and size.

B- When we obey, God does the rest! (2 Kings 4:6-7)

2 Kings 4:6–7 NLT

6 Soon every container was full to the brim! “Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons. “There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing. 7 When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.”

1- Saves souls

2- Provides needs

3- builds faith in lives (Yours and others)

CONCLUSION: