THE EMPTY VESSELS ARE NOW ALL FULL (2Kings 4:1-7)

This is a touching story of how God supplied much needed help thru His prophet Elisha. A woman who was married to a prophet in Israel came to Elisha, desperately asking for help. Her husband died and left her and their two sons poor. He borrowed money and now, the creditor came to take his money or the two sons as slaves. The prophet did not make plans to take care of his family. That was no good. But the good thing, according to his widow, was that ‘he feared the Lord’. The Word of God promises blessings upon a man who fears the Lord (Read Psalm 112). Here we see that a man who fears the Lord is celebrated by heaven and earth. He is a worshipper of God. His family and children are blessed. He is a fruitful man. God’s light of revealed truth comes to him even during spiritual darkness. He is kind, loving, generous, and discreet. He is strong, courageous and fearless, a true spiritual leader of men. His reputation among angels and men is established. His heart is established. Wealth and riches are found in his house. His descendants are mighty on the earth. They are champions and heroes. The enemies of the righteous man are totally disappointed and defeated. These are mighty promises that this widow should have known. But the reality was that she and her sons were poor. She went to the prophet Eisha having just two things: faith in God’s Word in her heart and a little olive oil in her house. This little treasure was more than enough for a miracle. Elisha tells her what to do. She borrows many vessels from her neighbors. Behind the closed door, she pours the little oil and miraculously, she fills all the available vessels. She sells the olive oil. She pays off the debt and uses the rest to live well with her sons. This is a story of miraculous supply which is found in the realm of God’s Kingdom.

Lessons:

*God is alive! God does miracles! God is merciful! Nothing is impossible for God!

*God is our Provider! He answers prayers, especially desperate prayers of faith in His promises.

*When you are in trouble, seek God’s wisdom thru fasting and prayer. Ask a mature Christian that you trust for prophetic word and prayer!

*The Bible commands that we treat widows, orphans and needy with kindness. The creditors are wicked! Only God can save us!

*Oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and joy! It was used as fuel for the lamps, to anoint kings and priests, and for the healing of bodies.

*Elijah’s prophetic word to the widow in Zarephath was that the oil in the jar will not run dry (1Kg 17:16). Elisha’s word to the widow was that the oil would pour and fill all the empty vessels. Both prophecies are symbols of God’s fountain or blessings that never runs dry!

*Jesus said that when we pray to God, we should do it in the secret place (Matt 6:6). Shut doors and open hearts are the key to answered prayers and miracles. Publicity, desire to be seen by men, to achieve fame in the religious world, interrupts the flow of the Holy Spirit.

*Have faith in God’s Promises found in the Bible. God’s Word is settled in heaven. It must manifest on earth. Circumstances bow to God!

*Trust and obey God’s commands! Do what He says! Cooperate with God. Do the little you can, and God will do the rest!

*Humble yourself! Ask for help from other Christians, your spiritual neighbors.

*Be ready to give to God the little (oil) you have so that God can use it to bless you and others! Little (oil) is much when God is in it!

*Gd gives you the wisdom and power to make wealth! God also gives you the wisdom to manage your wealth!

*God does not waste His resources. He never gives too little, in such a way that you cannot solve the problem. He never gives too much!

*God does not only save you from poverty, slavery and death. He keeps you alive to testify to His glory!

*God helps you thru miracles of provision to pay your debt. The only debt that cannot be paid in this life is the debt of Love (Rom 13:8). Jesus died to pay our debt to God, for “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 6:23). Therefore, we too must pay the debt of love to Jesus, by preaching His Gospel (Rom 1:14).

*Remember to testify to God’s mercy, goodness, and power! Give all the glory to God! Worship the Lord!