Elisha – Me From the Inside Out

Adapted from the study, She, delighting in the women of the Bible, Volume 4/pp89-90

Today’s Scripture for the Journey: 2 Kings 4:1-7

I read this and found myself so sorrowful for the widow. Death had robbed her of her husband, and now, because of her financial situation, a creditor was coming to take her two sons. Thankfully she sought godly wisdom The second book of Kings records that she spoke to Elisha concerning the situation, and his response ended in a miracle of abundant provision. It is important for us to note that Elisha didn’t simply speak to her about one jar of oil and make it many; instead, he prompted the widow to exercise her faith and borrow more vessels from her neighbors. I can’t help but wonder if she was confused at his instruction, for she had told him she had only one container of oil and nothing else, yet Elisha was telling her to get more vessels, empty vessels, and pour out what she had into them, and to keep on pouring until they were full and set them aside.

Friends, we do not read that she questioned him, or that she doubted him, or that she looked to someone else for a different answer; instead, we read that she did what he said to do. As confusing or crazy as it may have seemed to her – she acted in faith and obedience and was richly blessed – not only her but her sons too.

“She left him and did as he said to do, 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 Elisha. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”

From one vessel of oil and from faith that caused her to act in obeidience and borrow more vessels, to pouring out what she thought was the last of her oil, the oil continued to flow until all of the vessels were full. They were not only full but there was encough oil now in all of the vessels to not only pay off the creditors and save her sons from being taken away, but there was enough left over to live on. Oh, the goodness, the absolute goodness of our God that allowed her to see Him provide exactly what she needed!

This is our God! This is what He does ~This is our God, this is who He is, He loves us, This is our God, this is what He does ~ He saves us… ¹He meets us right where we are, and provides exactly what we need.

Reflection and Application

David Guzik points out that “Elisha made this woman commit herself in faith to God’s provision.” Borrowing a container from your neighbor may not seem like a big deal to us, but Guzik goes on to explain that for her “to borrow vessels in this manner would have invited awkward questions, but she did as the word of God through His prophet commanded her.” Because she did, her faith was well rewarded, and now stands as an example for us to remember that God can and does provide exactly what we need.

How have you seen the Lord provide for you before?

“God’s miracles are designed to work with our faith and effort, not to excuse our faithfulness. When we cooperate with God’s direction through obedience and trust, we position ourselves to receive His abundant provision beyond what we ask.” A summary of Guzik’s commentary

The More We Know

David Guzik emphasizes how Elisha’s miracles required those he was helping to have active faith – alongside God’s power.

Lyrics to Phil Wickham’s song, This is our God ↩︎

Based on the LGG Study, Come, Lord Jesus, Com / w3d2

Scripture: 2 Kings 1:1-18; SOAP verse 11

As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses appeared. 2 Kings 2:11 NET

Observations and Applications for the Journey

Today, on our journey, we find ;the story of Elijah and Elisha, two of the most well-known prophets of Israel. Their impact led to revival among some of the Israelites during a dark stage of Israel’s history. You can read more about their story at Gotquestions.com. ¹

There is much to be explored in these eighteen verses. For instance, Elisha’s character and his devotion to Elijah, or the miraculous parting of the Jordan river. I do encourage you to explore all of these and more in today’s, “The More We Know…” section; but for now we will focus on Elijah’s whirlwind departure, which included a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses, as well as the first of many miracles by Elisha, following his master’s death. ²

Like Enoch, from our previous post, Elijah was taken up without seeing death. I love that Matthew Henry points out that Elijah was not meditating or praying but rather continuing to go where the Lord led Him. Actually, when it occurred he was walking along with Elisha, “instructing and encouraging him.” – when suddenly a fiery chariot pulled by fiery horses appeared and Elisha watched, no doubt stunned by what he was seeing, he cried out “My father, my father! The chariot and horsemen of Israel!” When he could no longer see Elijah, his sorrow was evident as he tore his clothes in two. Then, before returning to the Jordan he picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen off him as he was taken up. When he reached the Jordan, similar to what he had seen Elijah do before they crossed over, Elisha took the cloak and hit the water and Scripture says “it divided and Elisha crossed over.” Those who saw what happened said: “The Spirit that energized Elijah rests upon Elisha.”

Don’t you just love, and I hope appreciate – the majesty and the drama of God and His Word?

From Today’s LGG Journal Entry

This is a portion of today’s LGG journal entry that I thought you might enjoy and find helpful in the application. For while we may never be taken up by a whirlwind that includes a fiery carriage and fiery horses – there are some things we can learn to put into practice as we wait for the Jesus to come …

There have only been three people recorded in the Bible who have been taken up into heaven: Enoch, Elijah, and Jesus (after His resurrection). All three times the being “taken away,” “caught up,” or “raptured,” happened a little differently but had the same effect.

Elijah knew his time to leave Elisha had come, and even though he knew the day, he did not know the hour of his departure. We know Jesus is coming soon because He has made it clear in His Word. We do not know the day or the hour, but God has let us know that the day is approaching. In the waiting, we must continue to do the work God has placed before us. We can look at Elijah as an example of how to live our lives while we are in the season of anticipation.

What we see in Elijah’s life are three ways to live our lives now. First, we need to walk forward in faith and not be afraid of what the future holds. Second, like Elijah, we need to invest in the next generation. And third, like Elisha, we need to honor those who have mentored and gone before us. Doing all three will help us live intentionally and effectively with the time we have left.

Prayer – Our Heart’s Response to the journey

Father, The imagery of Your Word is beautiful and engaging. The promise of Your coming and the encouragement to be about Your work – the work You have placed before us. Help us to live by the example of Elijah, living our lives while we are in the season of waiting. Help us to walk forward in faith and not be afraid of what the future hold. Help us and show us how to invest in the next generation; and to honor those who have mentored and gone before us. Help us to live intentionally and effectively with the time we have left – In Jesus’ name,, Amen!

The More We Know: Side trails for the Journey

Tag: Elisha

The Widow With Oil