The Oil Remained – What to Do in Times of Trouble

2 Kings 4:1–7

If you’re frustrated because you’re not getting what you want, stop for a second: Have you actually flat-out asked for it? If you haven’t, stop complaining. You can’t expect the world to read your mind. You have to put it out there, and sometimes putting it out there is as simple as just saying, “Hey, can I have that?

Sophia Amoruso

- What do you do when you have problems and it seems there is no way out?

- What do you do when you have gotten to the end of the rope and it feels like all hope is lost?

A poor widow who was at the verge of losing hope had an encounter with a prophet of God and that changed her life.

There are some lessons I got from her experience with the man of God which I would share today.

• She spoke up. The first remarkable thing the widow did was to cry out. She had an overwhelming challenge and she cried out for help.

“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 Kings 4:1 (NLT)

Many times we find ourselves in situations that seem beyond our control. We shouldn’t sit down with arms folded and expect miracles to happen.

We need to take a leap of faith. If the poor widow had sat back without taking any action, her children would have been taken away as slaves by her creditors.

• She had something tangible. When she ran to Elisha for help, she had something to offer, she had resources that could be multiplied. She had something that could be given in exchange for what she needed at the moment (money).

“Elisha said, “I wonder how I can be of help. Tell me, what do you have in your house?”

“Nothing,” she said. “Well, I do have a little oil.” – 2 Kings 4:2 (MSG)

• She obeyed Elisha even though his instruction seemed impracticable. Why borrow vessels from neighbours (all of them) when she already clearly stated that she had only one jar of oil? She obeyed perhaps because she knew how powerful Elisha was, (she believed in his works), so she was expectant of a miracle.

“She did what he said. She locked the door behind her and her sons; as they brought the containers to her, she filled them. When all the jugs and bowls were full, she said to one of her sons, “Another jug, please.”

He said, “That’s it. There are no more jugs.”

Then the oil stopped.” 2 Kings 4:5–6 (MSG)

Why did Elisha ask her to borrow vessels? What did he mean by that? He was literally telling her to position herself for her miracle. She had asked, obeyed, but she needed to stay ready for that miracle.

Elisha possibly could have told her to borrow vessels later or whenever she deemed fit, or would have asked her to borrow from one or two neighbours, but he commanded her to borrow from all her neighbours, which I translate as searching thoroughly for opportunities till you can search no more; searching until all options have been fully utilised.

Are you willing to listen to the instruction of God even when it seems crazy?

• She had the content, but needed a container; she needed packaging. She needed to make her content appealing to the eyes in order to attract value. Had Elisha not been present, she would have used up that oil alone, or it would have been totally useless (because her sons would have been taken away by the creditors).

What do you have? It could be your talent, skill, idea, money or a plan. With your content you are one step ahead to getting your desired breakthrough. You need something more. Your container could be a platform, connection, people, etc.

• Why did Elisha ask the widow to shut the door upon her and her sons only?

I believe it was for her to remain focused, and in the faith, also for her not to give in to distractions and unbelief from others (neighbours). Imagine if she had just mentioned to them that a prophet asked her to gather many vessels when she had just a small jar of oil, the neighbours would have consciously or subconsciously planted a seed of doubt in her heart, not out of jealousy, but because they did not understand the instruction that had been given to her.

• She obeyed without seeking further advice or public opinion. I am certain that whoever she had told about the instruction she was given would have thought she was crazy.
• The widow was given the power to determine the extent of her blessing.

“……When all the jugs and bowls were full, she said to one of her sons, “Another jug, please.” He said, “That’s it. There are no more jugs.” Then the oil stopped.”

The oil didn’t stop until she exhausted all her jars. Had she more jars, she would have continued pouring more oil. Indeed, the Lord is ready bless us as much as our faith can contain. In Genesis, the Lord blessed Abraham with as much blessings as he could see;

“After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction – north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.”

• The process of pouring the oil is the process of implementation. This is where the work is. After you have gathered resources, you now have to dish out your content. This stage requires complete focus, dedication, commitment, determination, resilience; which was why Elisha asked to the widow to shut the door. There didn’t need to be any room for distractions.

I can imagine how she felt when pouring the oil. At some point, she would wonder whether the oil would finish, but she kept on pouring (that was the character of resilience and determination coming to play) until the she exhausted the vessels she had gathered.

Your content is inexhaustible.

Below is the summary of the lessons from the widow’s story:

• Speak up about your challenges. Talk to someone.
• Believe in your prophet.
• Be obedient and humble. Listen to your prophet.
• Search within. The solution to your problem begins with what you have. Believe in yourself – your skills and abilities.
• Remain focused on your target, shut out crowd opinions and avoid distractions when following instructions.