THE MIRACLE OF INCREASE

 

2 Kings 4: 1–7
Believe that god is able to supply your needs, even when you have no idea how

 Faith is, in essence taking God at His Word, and His Word at face value.  God has a limitless supply of resources for all who trust in and obey Him.  Fearing that we will not have enough in times of need insults the God who has revealed Himself as Yahweh-Yireh, The Lord-Our-Provider.

KEY LESSONS IN FAITH

Know that God promises to keep His people alive in famine.  This applies spiritually, too.  God’s spiritual resources for us are limitless, even during times of spiritual drought.

Ж Now, by the complaint of this poor woman, we are given to understand,

That her husband, being one of the sons of the prophets, was well known to Elisha. 

Ж That the creditors were very severe with her.  Two sons  had to be the support in her widowed state, and their labor is estimated assets in her hand; that must go therefore, and they must be bondmen for seven years (Exod. 21:2) to work out this debt.

Ж In this distress the poor widow goes to Elisha, in necessity upon the promise that the seed of the righteous shall not be forsaken. The generation of the upright may expect help from God’s providence and countenance from his prophets.

Ж He effectually relieves this poor widow’s distress, and puts her in a way both to pay her debt and to maintain herself and her family. He did not say, Be warmed, be filled, but gave her real help. He did not give her some small matter for her present provision, but set her up in the world to sell oil, and put a typical thing into her hand to begin with. This was done by miracle, but it is an indication to us what is the best method of charity, and the greatest kindness one can do to poor people, which is, if possible, to help them into a way of improving what little they have by their own industry and ingenuity.

Ж He directed her what to do, considered her case: What shall I do for thee? Elisha then enquired what she had to make money of, and found she had nothing to sell but one pot of oil. If she had had any plate or furniture, he would have bidden her part with it, to enable her to be just to her creditors.

If she had not had this pot of oil, the divine power could have supplied her; but, having this, it will work upon this, and so teach us to make the best of what we have. The prophet, knowing her to have credit among her neighbors, bids her borrow of them empty vessels, for, it seems, she had sold her own, towards the satisfying of her creditors. He directs her to shut the door upon herself and her sons, while she filled all those vessels out of that one.

She must shut the door, to prevent interruptions from the creditors, and others while it was in the doing, that they might not seem proudly to boast of this miraculous supply, and that they might have opportunity for prayer and praise to God upon this extraordinary occasion.

 In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Published Author/Gospel Lyricist &Producer

FOUNDER/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

www.biblestoriestheatre.org.