Tag Archives: miracles
For such a time as this ( day 31)
The Story of Elisha and the widow’s oil is not only one of the best known of this prophet’s miracles. It is also an account which has parallels with the earlier passage of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath ( 1 Kings 17:7 ff) – She is along with her son dying of hunger – they have only a little flour and some oil. Which they are going to eat, and then wait to die of hunger. But Elijah asks for a cake. Can we imagine the widow’s thoughts? ‘ We are dying of hunger, and this wild-eyed freak wants a cake!’ No, the widow does as Elijah asks( 1 Kings 17:15) and is blessed. And so here also (in 2 Kings 4:1-7) there is the test of faith. Continue reading
For such a time as this ( Day 30)
Elisha’s answer to the widow is positive and practical. “How can I help?” He is positive in his response; he’s also practical in what he does. The main issue is getting the debt paid.
All she has is a little oil, probably olive oil in a jar. A little oil was all that God needed. It is fascinating how God works in miraculous ways, in the little things. There are many examples of a little becoming much in scripture. We have the case from the book of Judges of Gideon’s army reduced to a mere handful ( Judges 7) There is the story of David versus Goliath in 1 Samuel 17); we have the account from the life of Elijah, which is so similar to this one ( 1 Kings 17). The flour and Jug of oil of the widow Continue reading