She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil, and pay your debt. Then you and your sons can live on the remainder." She went and told the man of GodThis phrase highlights the widow's obedience and faith. The "man of God" refers to Elisha, a prophet who served as God's mouthpiece. In Hebrew, "man of God" is "ish ha-Elohim," emphasizing the divine authority and spiritual insight Elisha possessed. The widow's action of seeking Elisha's counsel demonstrates her trust in God's provision through His prophet, a common theme in the Old Testament where prophets often acted as intermediaries between God and His people. and he said
This phrase indicates Elisha's role as a conduit of divine wisdom. The Hebrew verb "amar" (to say) is frequently used in the Old Testament to introduce prophetic declarations. Elisha's response is not merely human advice but carries the weight of divine instruction, reflecting the belief that God speaks through His chosen servants. Go, sell the oil and pay your debt
Here, Elisha provides a practical solution to the widow's dire situation. The instruction to "go" signifies action and faith in God's provision. The oil, miraculously multiplied, becomes a means of deliverance. In ancient Israel, oil was a valuable commodity, used for cooking, lighting, and anointing, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's presence and blessing. The directive to "sell the oil" underscores the principle of stewardship and resourcefulness, encouraging believers to utilize God's blessings wisely. and pay your debt
This phrase emphasizes the importance of fulfilling one's obligations. In the ancient Near Eastern context, debt could lead to severe consequences, including slavery. By instructing the widow to pay her debt, Elisha upholds the biblical principle of integrity and responsibility. This reflects the broader scriptural teaching that God provides for His people, enabling them to live honorably and free from bondage. You and your sons can live on the remainder
This final phrase highlights God's abundant provision. The Hebrew word for "live" (chayah) implies not just survival but thriving. The promise that the widow and her sons can live on the remainder of the oil signifies God's generosity and care for His people. It assures believers that when they trust and obey God, He provides not only for immediate needs but also for future sustenance. This narrative serves as an inspirational reminder of God's faithfulness and the blessings that flow from obedience and faith. Persons / Places / Events 1. The WidowA woman whose husband, a member of the company of prophets, had died. She was left with debts and two sons who were at risk of being taken as slaves. 2. ElishaThe man of God, a prophet in Israel, who provided divine guidance and performed miracles. He instructed the widow on how to resolve her financial crisis. 3. The SonsThe widow's two sons, who were at risk of being taken as slaves due to the unpaid debt. 4. The OilA small jar of oil that the widow had, which Elisha miraculously multiplied to provide for her needs. 5. The CreditorsThose to whom the widow owed money, threatening to take her sons as slaves in payment of the debt. Teaching Points God's Provision in Times of NeedGod is aware of our needs and provides in ways that may exceed our expectations. The widow's account reminds us to trust in God's provision, even when circumstances seem dire. Faith and ObedienceThe widow's faith and obedience to Elisha's instructions were crucial in her deliverance. Our faith in God's promises and obedience to His guidance can lead to miraculous outcomes. The Role of the Community of BelieversElisha's intervention highlights the importance of the community of believers in supporting one another. We are called to be attentive to the needs of those around us and act as instruments of God's provision. Stewardship and ResponsibilityThe instruction to sell the oil and pay the debt emphasizes the importance of responsible stewardship of God's blessings. We are to manage our resources wisely and fulfill our obligations. God's Care for the VulnerableThe account underscores God's compassion for the vulnerable, such as widows and orphans. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect this compassion in our actions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the widow's situation in 2 Kings 4:7 illustrate God's provision in times of need, and how can we apply this to our own lives today? 2. In what ways does the account of the widow and Elisha encourage us to act in faith and obedience when facing difficult circumstances? 3. How can the church today emulate Elisha's role in supporting and providing for those in need within the community? 4. What lessons can we learn about stewardship and responsibility from Elisha's instruction to the widow to sell the oil and pay her debt? 5. How does this passage challenge us to reflect God's care for the vulnerable in our own communities, and what practical steps can we take to do so? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 17:8-16The account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, where God provides for a widow through miraculous means, similar to Elisha's provision for the widow in 2 Kings 4. Matthew 6:25-34Jesus teaches about God's provision and encourages believers not to worry about their needs, trusting that God will provide, as demonstrated in the widow's account. James 1:27Highlights the importance of caring for widows and orphans, reflecting God's heart for the vulnerable, as seen in Elisha's response to the widow's plight. People Elisha, GehaziPlaces Baal-shalishah, Edom, Gilgal, Mount Carmel, ShunemTopics Debt, Debts, Declareth, Loan, Money, Needs, Oil, Pay, Payment, Remainder, Repay, Rest, Sell, SonsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 4:7 5289 debt
5587 trade 2 Kings 4:3-7 1416 miracles, nature of 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 4:7 NIV2 Kings 4:7 NLT2 Kings 4:7 ESV2 Kings 4:7 NASB2 Kings 4:7 KJV
2 Kings 4:7 Commentaries
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