Then go inside, shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these jars, setting the full ones aside." Then go insideThe phrase "go inside" signifies a movement from the public to the private, a transition from the external world into a place of intimacy and seclusion. In Hebrew, the word for "inside" (בַּיִת, bayit) often refers to a house or dwelling, symbolizing a place of safety and refuge. This instruction to go inside underscores the importance of faith being nurtured in the quiet, away from the distractions of the world, where God often works His miracles in the hidden places of our lives. shut the door behind you and your sons
The act of shutting the door is symbolic of creating a sacred space, free from external influences and distractions. In biblical times, shutting the door was a way to ensure privacy and focus. This phrase emphasizes the need for undisturbed communion with God, where faith can be exercised without the skepticism of onlookers. It also highlights the importance of family unity in faith, as the sons are included in this intimate act of obedience and trust. and pour oil
Oil in the Bible is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit, anointing, and provision. The Hebrew word for oil (שֶׁמֶן, shemen) is associated with abundance and blessing. The act of pouring oil signifies an act of faith and obedience, trusting that God will provide even when resources seem limited. It is a reminder that God’s provision often requires our active participation and faith in His promises. into all these jars
The jars represent the vessels of our lives, ready to be filled with God’s provision. In the ancient Near East, jars were common household items used for storage, symbolizing preparedness and capacity. This phrase encourages believers to prepare their hearts and lives to receive God’s blessings, ensuring that they are ready to be filled with His Spirit and grace. setting the full ones aside
This instruction to set aside the full jars signifies the importance of recognizing and valuing God’s blessings. It suggests a sense of stewardship and gratitude, acknowledging that what God provides is to be cherished and used wisely. The act of setting aside also implies anticipation of continued provision, encouraging believers to trust in God’s ongoing faithfulness and abundance. Persons / Places / Events 1. ElishaA prophet of God who succeeded Elijah. Known for performing miracles and providing guidance to the people of Israel. 2. The WidowA woman whose husband was a member of the company of prophets. She sought Elisha's help to save her sons from being taken as slaves due to her debts. 3. The SonsThe widow's children, who were at risk of being enslaved because of the family's financial situation. 4. The JarsEmpty vessels that the widow was instructed to gather to hold the miraculous supply of oil. 5. The HouseThe setting where the miracle took place, symbolizing a place of faith and obedience. Teaching Points Faith in ActionThe widow's obedience to Elisha's instructions demonstrates faith in God's provision. Believers are encouraged to act in faith, trusting God's promises even when circumstances seem dire. God's Abundant ProvisionThe miracle of the oil signifies God's ability to provide abundantly beyond our expectations. Christians are reminded that God is aware of their needs and is capable of meeting them in miraculous ways. The Importance of ObedienceThe instruction to "shut the door" signifies a private act of faith and obedience. It highlights the importance of following God's commands, even when they don't make immediate sense. Community and SupportThe widow's need to borrow jars from her neighbors illustrates the importance of community and support within the body of Christ. Believers are encouraged to seek and offer help within their faith communities. Trusting God's TimingThe process of filling the jars required patience and trust in God's timing. Christians are reminded to wait on the Lord and trust His timing in their lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the widow's situation before the miracle reflect challenges we face today, and what can we learn from her response? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate faith in action in our own lives, similar to the widow's obedience to Elisha's instructions? 3. How does the concept of God's abundant provision in this passage encourage you in your current circumstances? 4. What role does community play in this account, and how can we apply this principle in our church or small group? 5. Reflect on a time when you had to trust God's timing. How did that experience strengthen your faith, and how can it encourage others? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 17:8-16The account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, where God provides an unending supply of flour and oil, demonstrating His provision. Matthew 6:25-34Jesus teaches about God's provision and encourages believers not to worry about their needs, emphasizing trust in God's care. Philippians 4:19Paul assures that God will supply all needs according to His riches in glory, reinforcing the theme of divine provision. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Aside, Behind, Containers, Door, Entered, Filled, Full, Hast, Jars, Oil, Ones, Pour, Poured, Putting, Remove, Shut, Shutting, Sons, VesselsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:3-4 5445 potters and pottery 2 Kings 4:3-6 1418 miracles, responses
7773 prophets, role 2 Kings 4:3-7 1416 miracles, nature of 2 Kings 4:4-5 5299 door Library When the Oil Flows
'And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.'--2 KINGS iv. 6. The series of miracles ascribed to Elisha are very unlike most of the wonderful works of even the Old Testament, and still more unlike those of the New. For about a great many of them there seems to have been no special purpose, either doctrinal or otherwise, but simply the relief of trivial and transient distresses. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Miracle Needing Effort
'So she went, and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: 26. Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband! is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. 27. And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Infant Salvation
Now, let every mother and father here present know assuredly that it is well with the child, if God hath taken it away from you in its infant days. You never heard its declaration of faith--it was not capable of such a thing--it was not baptized into the Lord Jesus Christ, not buried with him in baptism; it was not capable of giving that "answer of a good conscience towards God;" nevertheless, you may rest assured that it is well with the child, well in a higher and a better sense than it is well …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861 That the Grace of Devotion is Acquired by Humility and Self-Denial
The Voice of the Beloved Thou oughtest to seek earnestly the grace of devotion, to ask it fervently, to wait for it patiently and faithfully, to receive it gratefully, to preserve it humbly, to work with it diligently, and to leave to God the time and manner of heavenly visitation until it come. Chiefly oughtest thou to humble thyself when thou feelest inwardly little or no devotion, yet not to be too much cast down, nor to grieve out of measure. God ofttimes giveth in one short moment what He …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Extracts No. Ix.
[As the objector here begins to give up his ground, his letters from this place will be given nearly entire. He commences this number as follows, viz.] "Dear sir and brother--Your reply to my seventh number has been received, and hereby duly acknowledged. I have just given it a second reading, with peculiar care and attention; and I must add, generally speaking, with peculiar satisfaction too; for as it has tended in some degree to revive my almost extinguished faith in divine revelation, so it …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." If we consider the sketch, given us in scripture, of the life of this patriarch, we shall find that few have had equal manifestations of the divine favor. But the light did not at all times shine on him. He had his dark hours while dwelling in this strange land. Here we find an horror of great darkness to have fallen upon him. The language used to describe his state, on this occasion, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Soul.
Man as we behold him is not all there is of man. He is a wonderful being. He stands in the highest order of God's creation. He Is A Compound. Man was created a physical and spiritual organism. He possesses an animal and a spiritual life. Thus he is connected with two worlds. The physical creation is termed the "outward man," and the spiritual, the "inward man." "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." 2 Cor. 4:16. "For we know …
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles Supplementary Note to Chapter ii. The Year of Christ's Birth.
The Christian era commences on the 1st of January of the year 754 of the city of Rome. That our Lord was born about the time stated in the text may appear from the following considerations-- The visit of the wise men to Bethlehem must have taken place a very few days after the birth of Jesus, and before His presentation in the temple. Bethlehem was not the stated residence of Joseph and Mary, either before or after the birth of the child (Luke i. 26, ii. 4, 39; Matt. ii. 2). They were obliged to …
William Dool Killen—The Ancient Church Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 4:4 NIV2 Kings 4:4 NLT2 Kings 4:4 ESV2 Kings 4:4 NASB2 Kings 4:4 KJV
2 Kings 4:4 Commentaries
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