Sometimes Bible stories can seem far removed from our current experience. For example, how does the story of the widow in 2 Kings 4 gel with real life? Her husband had died, leaving her with an enormous debt and her creditors threatened to take her sons into slavery. She was able to pay the debt by pouring out from a little jar a supernatural supply of oil.
In the case of the widow, we may be able to identify easily enough with the need to pay off a large debt, but not the solution.
She sought help from Elisha the prophet.
Elisha asked her, “What do you have in your house?”
She answered, “Nothing . . . except a jar of oil.”
Elisha sent her to borrow “not a few” empty containers from her neighbors. Then she was to shut herself up in her house with her sons and fill the containers from her jar of oil. Her sons brought her the containers and she poured out the oil, filling each one. When they ran out of containers, the flow of oil stopped. Elisha then told her to sell the oil to pay off her debts. She and her sons could live off the rest.
The same question Elisha asked of the widow appears in other Bible accounts. “What do you have?
The same answer is repeated or implied as well. Nothing . . . except . . . some little thing the respondent obviously viewed as unimportant in light of the need.
When God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt, and Moses offered excuses, God asked, “What do you have in your hand?”
When Moses answered, “A staff,” God showed him what He could do with a dead stick.
When Moses raised his staff, God sent the plagues on Egypt, parted the Red Sea, and brought water out of a rock in the desert.
Before Jesus fed the 5000, and again before He fed the 4000, He asked, “What do you have?” From the few loaves and fish available, He fed the crowds. God is never limited by our lack.
Bible stories that appear distant from modern day situations, teach us about the God who is infinitely creative and will take care of His people, as He has throughout history.
God has not changed. The same God asks us to examine what we have.
Our answer may be, “Nothing . . . except a tiny amount of talent,” or “Nothing . . . except a few limited resources.” Or, “Nothing . . .except a little bit of faith.” Whatever we have may feel insignificant, but the power is not in us; it is in God. The same God who shows His faithfulness through remote Bible stories is present and active in our lives. Whatever He has given us in the way of talent, resources or faith is enough for our current circumstances, if we trust Him.
More important than what is in our hand, is what is in our heart. It doesn’t matter who we are, or what we have. What matters is that He is with us. Will we trust Him?
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Blessings,
Phyllis
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.
Copyright 2022 Phyllis L. Farringer
Wow, God is NEVER limited by our lack – so true and a wonderful way to bring the old to be even more applicable in our own lives. More important than what is in our hand but what is in our heart – It is amazing to think through all of the times I have been more concerned with what I have in my hand. Thank you for this! I am continuing to thoroughly enjoy this blog, and only wish it was every day 🙂
Thank you, Paul.
What a great reminder that God is with us supplying all our needs even when we think we have nothing to work with. I love that you show how these OT stories are not just stories but are so applicable to us today.
Thank you, Pat.