2
Kings 4:3 NCV, “Then Elisha said, “Go and get empty jars from all your
neighbors. Don’t ask for just a few.”
Theme: A Widow Asks Elisha
for Help.
Here’s
a story about a widow who ask Elisha, the prophet for help. So what happen
here, I would like to share something in my own words from 2 Kings 4:1-7. The wife of a man was from the groups of
prophets. Her husband was dead. Her creditors came to her because her husband
had a debt that wasn’t paid for. The
creditor threatened her that if she doesn’t pay up, they would take her two
boys and sell them for slavery and that would pay off her debts.
She
came to Elisha for help since her deceased husband had once served Elisha. She
explained that the creditors was going to takes her two boys for slavery. Elisha asked her question, “What do you have
in your house?” The woman said, “I don’t
have anything there except a pot of oil.”
In
KJV, Elisha said, “Go borrow the vessels all over your neighbors, even empty
vessels; find as many as you can. Just don’t borrow a few, but borrow many
vessels as you can find.” Today’s
language, we called it JARS for vessels.
In
NCV, Elisha said, “Go and get empty jars from all your neighbors. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go into your
house and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and set the full
ones aside.” So she left Elisha and shut
the door behind her and her sons. As
they brought the jars to her, she poured out the oil. 2Kings 4:3-5.
When
the jars were all full, she said to her son, “Bring me another jar.” But he said, “There are no more jars.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told Elisha. And the prophet said to her, “Go, sell the
oil and pay what you owe. You and your
sons can live on what is left.” 2Kings
4:6-7.
Dorothy:
What this story impressed me was the title, “Just don’t borrow a few.” It means
“find as many jars as you can” and keep pouring oil into empty jars. A widow’s pot of oil kept overflowing into
another jar, another jar, and another jar until there’s no more jars to fill
with oil. So there were plenty of jars
of oil to sell and be able to save her sons from slavery. God answered the
widow’s prayer to save her sons.
This
story reminds me how much God cares for those who are in need. This story
inspired me, “Don’t limit God from being able to ‘overflow you’ with your
needs, physically and financially.”
Empty jars or vessels represent us.
Ever felt empty inside? I do many times.
This is why I turned to God’s Word as an anointing oil to fill up inside
my spiritual life. The more I read God’s Word and prayer, the more He filled up
the oil of Holy Spirit inside of me.
Prayer:
O Lord, teach me to remember that you, Father God are eager to pour out oil of
blessings upon us when we ask You for help. Scripture tells me, don’t ask You
for just a few. So I am asking You to pour out plentiful oil of blessings upon
me, Tony, my friends and my families, spiritually, physically, and financially
in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!
Because
of this Manna, I appreciate the song and the words so much more. In Riverside Calvary Church, in the hearing
service on Sunday night with an interpreter. As a teenager, I remember how the
song was sung when I was able to hear with the hearing aid with the song book
to read and watch sign language in rhythm.
Song: Bring Your Vessels,
Not a Few
Chorus:
He
will fill your heart today to overflowing,
As
the Lord commanded you,
“Bring your vessels, not a
few.”
He
will fill your heart today to overflowing
With
the Holy Ghost and power.
[Lelia Naylor Morris, Sing
His Praise]
1.
Are you looking for the fullness
of
the blessing of the Lord
In
your heart and life today?
Claim the promise of your Father,
come
according to His Word,
In
the blessed old-time way.
(Next chorus)
2.
Bring your empty vessels,
clean thro’ Jesus’ precious blood,
Come, ye needy, one and all;
And in human consecration
wait before the throne of God,
Till the Holy Ghost shall fall.
(Next chorus)
3.
Like the cruse of oil unfailing
is His grace forever more,
And His love unchanging still;
And according to His promise
with the Holy Ghost and power,
He will every vessel fill.
(Next chorus)
May
the Lord bless you!
Dorothy
PS.
Really, this is tough for me to try to develop this Manna.
It took me days, but His Word feeds my soul. It's worth it!
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