Wednesday 17 September 2025
Now the wife of a member of the company of prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but a creditor has come to take my two children as slaves.” (v. 1)
Background
The length of today’s passage is a challenge and distracting given the different story elements that emerge. A thread through the verses seems to be those in need reaching out to God through the ministry and presence of God’s prophet Elisha.
Narrowing this to the opening story, a woman begs Elisha for help because her husband has died leaving her and her children in debt (v. 1). She says she has nothing to eat and only one small jar of oil. The prophet Elisha tells her to gather as many vessels as possible and to pour the oil out. Her children gather jars and vessels from the community and the woman pours. The oil keeps flowing until the last container is filled.
There is no limit to God’s goodness and desire to bless us, but the question of capacity comes to mind. What limitations do I and you place on God’s ability to bless us?
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil…” are perhaps recognisable words from Psalm 23:5. The psalmist affirms that no matter what other people think of you or do to you, God provides for you, sustains you, values you, calls you, and loves you.
I wonder if you see a connection between Psalm 23:5 and the story of the woman and the oil? Does it speak to you of God’s desire to provide for you, yet also remind you that when members of the community offer what they have, God’s blessings will continue to flow?
The communal contribution of jars and vessels allowed the oil to continually be poured out, collected, and then used for food and for anointing, to save not only the woman and her children, but to sustain and bless others. Sometimes in our lives we can get caught up in debates about whether the glass is half full or half empty, but in this story it was only when there were no more jars that the oil stopped flowing.
To Ponder:
- Much of the time, we have as little control over the events in our lives as we do over the weather. But as with the weather, we have a great deal of control over the way we choose to see those events and respond to them. Is there someone you would ask God to help? From your point of view, what would that look like?
- How might you create capacity to receive all that God desires to give you?
Prayer
God of all that was, is and will be, I pray with a sense of being overwhelmed by the potential of your generosity. Lord, help me to become increasingly able to receive the gift of life that you offer, for my own sake and for the sake of those around me. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Mark Cheetham
Mark is Superintendent Minister of the Salisbury Circuit and Minister at Salisbury Methodist Church.