My Faith: Lessons from a widow woman
Many times, we skip to the end of the widow woman’s story in 2 Kings where she and her sons live happily ever after. Sure, she was told to go, sell the oil, pay her debt, and live on the rest, but there’s so much more to this story. The chapter begins with her crying out that her husband-who feared the Lord-is dead, and the creditors are coming to take her sons to be slaves to work off the debt. So, the prophet Elisha asked her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?”
“Your maidservant has nothing but a jar of oil.” 2 Kings 4:2b
Initially, she said she had nothing and then added “but a jar of oil.” I imagine it seemed inconsequential to her. The widow had given away everything in her house to satisfy the debts of her now dead husband. This left her with only a small jar of oil; however, she probably avoided giving it away because during biblical times and even now oil is valuable. Like the widow, we often discount that small thing we possess that is valuable. What is the one thing you have that you would not ordinarily consider of use to your current circumstance? Look at journals you may have that tell the story of how God walked with you through some of the worst moments of life. You are better for the journey and have a story that can bring life to others. What about that hobby that needs to be fine-tuned into a profitable business? God didn’t put it in your heart, mind, or spirit for you to sit idly and not use your gift.
If the widow woman is anything like some of the strong women I know, she may have found it quite difficult to seek assistance from her neighbors as instructed. Often, we find it hard to ask for help. Unwillingness to seek help can stem from pride, mismanagement of resources, or simply not trusting and surrendering to God our vulnerability. Our heart says yes, but our bank of resources is depleted or nonexistent, and we still won’t ask for help. What if the widow woman didn’t ask for help? Scripture states she would have lost her children to slavery. When we ask, God provision flows from Him, through His people, and onto us.
“So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons.” 2 Kings 4:5
A couple of things happen here. The widow did as she was instructed, collected the jars, and involved her children in the process of filling the jars. What an opportunity to witness God’s love through a miracle! A family was coming together in a way that only God could have orchestrated. One day, the widow’s sons would share this miracle with their children. This is how we prepare our children to function as a family and to maintain a household. Talk about a generational blessing!
“Then she came and told the man of God.” 2 Kings 4:7a
The widow went back to give a report of what she’d done and to receive more instruction. She could have done her own thing after Elisha told her to fill the jars, but she came back for teaching. God is available to all of us for instruction beyond what he initially requires of us. I’ve been guilty of this more times than I can care to put in this column, but I'm so thankful I've gotten out of my own way and gone back for further instruction on a regular basis.
“Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.” 2 Kings 4:7b
Sell, pay, live. The widow could have easily said, “Forget the creditors,” and just lived. But instead, she again followed the instruction of the prophet to sell the oil, pay her debts, and then live. I’ve seen people receive financial blessings and forget their debts. The latest clothes, car, or gadgets top their lists. As a result, they deplete their blessings and circle back to God, receive correction in love, and change their behaviors when He blesses the next time.
It’s not uncommon to see the story of the widow reenacted in our lives today. We fall on hard times, try to figure out our circumstances, and end up where we should have initially started: seeing God as our source. Whether you need to ask for help, come to the realization of what is in your hands to remedy a situation, or going to God before making a bold step, remember what the widow did and reflect on knowing it is better to surrender it all to God in the beginning, than waiting until there is nearly nothing left.
