Elisha, the Prophet's Widow, and the Oil (P1): The Context and Introduction of the Widow.

Wiyau—the one whom GOD lifts up! Saleum meuturi—the one whom GOD nourishes! GOD is faithful. Yes, GOD is faithful. Circumstances do not defeat GOD. They reveal Him. Because GOD reveals Himself through people, circumstances are opportunities for Him—opportunities to reveal His wisdom, goodness, and presence. The solutions to our problems are often closer and simpler than we think. It is in simplicity that certain answers will come: a word, a phrase, an image, an idea, an adjustment, an update. Don’t tell GOD how to do what He has promised to do for you. Ask Him to help you. Listen and take notes.

❖(Psalms 68:5, NKJV) : A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.

❖(Psalms 37:25-26, NKJV) : " I have been young, and now am old ; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.

❖ (2 Kings 4: 1-7, NKJV) : " 1 A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” 2 So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors—empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. 6 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. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.”

Our study text is found in Chapter 4 of the Second Book of Kings, verses 1 through 7. As usual, let’s begin with the context of this story.

1. The context

Elisha is the prophet who succeeded Elijah after the latter ascended to heaven (2 Kings 2:9–14). His name means “God is Savior” or “God is Salvation” (Strong’s No. 477, Hebrew). A prophet from the school of prophets led by Elisha had died. We do not know exactly whether this prophet was still in training or whether he was a recognized (ordained) prophet. I choose to believe that he was an ordained prophet.

This prophet died in debt. The debt was so large that his widow and his two sons could not repay it. The creditor threatens the widow that he will take her two sons as slaves to work for him in order to repay their father’s debt. According to the law in effect at that time, creditors could take debtors and their children as servants for several years to repay a debt (Exodus 21:2–4).

2. The Introduction of the Widow (2 Kings 4:1)

The widow goes to see Elisha, hoping he will provide her with financial assistance. She approaches the prophet Elisha, crying out. Why is she crying out? The prophet Elisha is not deaf. She is described as a woman from the community of prophets. I infer that it was not difficult for her to gain access to the prophet Elisha or to the prophets who surrounded him. Did she want to attract the prophets’ attention? Some people believe that the presence of a crowd can be used as leverage. Was she crying out because she had bitterness in her heart? How long had her husband been dead? Did members of the community go to visit her? What do you think?

She said to the prophet Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, has died, and you know that he feared the LORD.” Personally, I hope that when I die, people will say that I feared the LORD above all else.

• She begins by saying “your servant.” It’s a way of telling Elisha that he has a responsibility to help her.

• Then she says, “my husband.” It’s a way of saying that, in his absence, she is the one who needs your help. Given their relationship, she has every right to ask you for help.

• Next, she adds, “You know that he feared the LORD.” It’s a way of saying to Elisha, “Don’t act as if you didn’t know him. He did you no wrong. You have no reason not to intervene. Even if he wasn’t your best friend, you had nothing to fault in his service. He had a good reputation.”

  
  

I would have liked to ask that widow some questions. In particular:

• Regarding the management of her family’s finances : Was she aware of her husband’s debt before his death? If so, how did they plan to pay it off? Was he receiving a salary from Elisée? Was he supposed to receive a salary from Elisée? I understand that this family lived on a single income—the husband’s. However, how did they end up with such a large debt? The text does not tell us that they owned a field capable of generating income.

  
  

• Regarding her understanding of Elisha’s ministry: Is it a prophet’s role to give money? Do we go to a prophet to receive a word or to receive money? It’s no secret that Elisha came from a wealthy family (1 Kings 19:19). But is that a reason to mismanage his resources and expect money from him? If Elisha had come from a poor family, would she have started by asking him to pray for her?

  
  

• Regarding the relationship between Elisha and her late husband: Yes, her husband was a servant of Elisha. But is it his fault that he was so deeply in debt? Had he been asked to take on more debt when he wasn’t ready? Had he spoken to Elisha about his difficulties? No matter how great a prophet may be, he is not omniscient. I don’t know how many prophets were under Elisha’s mentorship or leadership. But if he was the only one in debt, it means he missed a key part of his training: lessons on consent, financial management, and so on.

  
  

What do you think? 🙂 I don’t just have questions. There are things I appreciate about this widow’s attitude. She sought help from the person who represented the voice of GOD for her and her husband. She went to talk about her problem with someone who was able to give her good advice, who had a covenant with GOD, and who had already won a battle like hers. She didn’t go begging for bread here and there. She didn’t rush to sell her house. She didn’t run away from her creditor. She didn’t curse her creditor. She didn’t feel sorry for herself. She didn’t curse GOD. She didn’t curse the prophets.

She didn't wait for someone to take her children to GOD's house. She went straight to the one who represented GOD's voice in her life. She knew that, one way or another, GOD would intervene. She didn't know how. But she knew that nothing is impossible for GOD. She knew the following two verses:

❖ (Psalms 68:5, NKJV) : A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.

❖ (Psalms 37:25-26, NKJV) : " I have been young, and now am old ; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.

Questions

If we were in a situation similar to that of this widow, what should our attitude be? In addition to the verses already mentioned, what other verses could we draw upon? What could we do to avoid such a situation? Do we know anyone who has gone through similar situations?

• Circumstances do not define GOD, but reveal Him. GOD does not cease to be GOD when we face problems. Faith is not about knowing everything, but about believing what we do know and acting in obedience.

  
  

• I would like to say to a wealthy person: Teach your household well according to the words of the LORD. Teach your children well. Let them know the mistakes not to repeat. Let them know where to seek advice and help when you’re not there. You can inherit money from your parents. But the wisdom to manage it well isn’t inherited. It’s learned.

• I would like to say to a poor person: Curses and blessings are often generational choices—mistakes repeated from generation to generation, and ignorance passed down from generation to generation. Have you asked GOD why your family is poor? You can be born into a poor family and, by GOD’s grace, become rich. GOD blesses, teaches, heals, restores, redeems lost time, protects, guides, and establishes. He has done this for others. He can do it for you.

  
  

• I would like to say to a child : Don't blame God and His servants for your parents' choices and mistakes.

  
  

• I would like to say to a poor person: The rich also have problems and priorities. If you befriend people for financial gain, be certain they will distance themselves from you for lack of financial gain.

  
  

• I would like to say to a parent: If it's too late for you, it's still early for your children. They're still young enough to learn. If you think you're too old to become rich, your children are too young to be poor.

• I would like to say to someone in debt: Pray to GOD that He will grant you a long enough life to pay off your debts.

  
  

• I would like to say to a homemaker: It’s not his money. It’s your money. You shouldn’t just be informed of important decisions. You should be consulted before important decisions are made.

  
  

• I would like to say to a prophet: the anointing is not an excuse for being irresponsible, and good stewardship is not a lack of faith. The anointing multiplies and amplifies what you already have. The anointing does not replace wisdom. Appearances can sometimes be deceiving. There is no point in envying others. Some people travel by private jet but are in debt. Just because a person is anointed in one area doesn’t mean they’re necessarily anointed in another. You have to distinguish between the spiritual aspect of finances and the practical aspect of managing money. Some people live off donations, inheritances, and financial miracles. Others live by wisdom. Learn from everyone.

  
  

** Wiyau = Good morning in Kabiyè (Togo)

** Saleum meuturi = Good morning in Acehnese (Indonesia)