Settling a Debt - 2 Kings 4:1-7

2 Kings 4:1-7


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." 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." Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 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." 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. 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. 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." (NKJV)

The Father knows our need. And the easiest thing for God to do is to provide for our material needs. Why? Because it’s much more difficult for Him to compel us to surrender, to bend our stubborn wills to His. But in the area of material things, He has the complete cooperation of His creation. Jesus changed the water into wine. God sent manna from heaven to feed the Israelites. And here, He replenished the oil from a single jar until the village supply of jars could accept no more.

He supplies . . . and in abundance.
There are some interesting aspects to this story. First, we know the woman’s dead husband was a student at the school for the prophets. "The Old Testament prophet, Samuel, created the School for the Prophets to further the sacred teachings of Melchizedek. It remained a cornerstone for the education and dissemination of the ancient wisdom for centuries" (http://sanctuaryofthebeloved.com/schoolprophets.html). The widow describes her husband as a "servant [who] feared the Lord." It is also likely, since the widow refers to her husband as "your servant" that her husband was a disciple of Elisha. This was, in all these aspects, a deserving family.


Second, we know that this family had, at some point, turned to creditors to borrow money. The passage doesn’t describe the background of the debt, but it was substantial enough to require the payment of two slaves. Due to the patriarchal nature of the Jewish society, if the widow lost both of her sons, she would be unable to provide for herself. (Women in that culture couldn’t work or own property.) To lose both of her sons to slavery, even for a few years, would be a devastating loss and she had no other assets with which to satisfy the debt.

Third, Elisha doesn’t ask for why the woman was in debt. He doesn’t criticize her for it; he doesn’t berate her for it. He doesn’t even discuss it. He knows that God is willing to provide for her needs.

Third, Father God provided for more than her immediate need. "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest." God isn’t stingy. He wants to liberally provide for us if we trust Him.

Economic situations worldwide are becoming increasingly difficult. According to a number of different studies, the few who are rich are become richer while everyone else is becoming poorer. Certainly, the cost of living in America is becoming higher while wages aren’t matching the need. The situation seems so desperate. Many are desperate to know how their needs will be met.

Desperation, fear, and worry are not reactions that Christians should choose. Looking at our circumstances, rather than the promises of God, may make our hearts faint, but looking to our Father Who has promised to provide all of our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19) should bring peace to our hearts. Like the widow, the situation may seem desperate, but God is waiting for us to trust Him so that He can provide for the need and more that we might also be generous with those around us.

For those of us facing great need (and I’m one of those), we serve a greater God. Money is the easiest thing for Him to provide. Father God filled every empty jar in this woman’s village with oil. There was enough to satisfy the debt and more! Let’s pray and trust for our need and watch the miracle of God unfold before our eyes.

© 2015 Robin L. O’Hare. All rights reserved. Permission granted for nonprofit and church groups to use this article in its entirety (including this notice). For other uses, please contact servinggodalone@yahoo.com.