2 Kings chapter 3 verses 2-6 ( NIV)
Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbours for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
Elisha trusted in God’s generosity and he passed that faith on to the widow and to her children. The woman’s husband had been one of the company of prophets, so she and her children must have seen God’s hand at work. So in her distress she turned to the man of God to support her.
Elisha told her to trust God and be bold in her asking. Don’t hold back ask her neighbours for all the jars they could spare. So she did. The neighbours gave all they could. They didn’t know perhaps how little oil she had left. Only she knew. Did the neighbours question her request? Did they wonder what she was going to do with all those jars?
God met her needs generously. It was the woman’s obedience to Elish’s instructions that allowed Him to be so. So imagine the impact on those neighbours when they saw all those full jars. How much would they praise God. Our obedience and faith doesn’t just impact on us. It touches others too. That’s why our obedience to God’s instructions are so important.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that the widow’s obedience allowed you to bless her as generously as You wished. Thank You for this reminder. Help me to remember the impact that my obedience may have on others. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.