Jar of Oil

Our interests have been turned to a small jar of olive oil, the only food item to be found in the home of a widow and her two sons. Many of us know this miracle of the widow’s oil, with Elisha. Here is some relevant background information.

Elisha is God’s prophet, to whom the widow of a man from the company of prophets, goes in desperate need of help for herself and her two sons. This woman has run into dire poverty, since the death of her husband. When the prophet asks her what she has in her house, she replies. Your servant has nothing there at all, she said, except a small jar of olive oil. 2 Kings 4: 2b. It is this small jar of olive oil, which will be used to bring immeasurable wisdom and immensely sound truths to us, concerning this Acts 12: 24 verse of Scripture. But the word of God continued to increase and spread. It is from these few words that we are shown that God’s Word IS! Think about it. The God who is, I AM, is showing us how His Word IS. 

What a blessed privilege to be able to share this devotion with you.  The word, IS, was spelt out, if you like, in this way.

1.    The Word of God continued to Increase.

2.    The Word of God continued to Spread.

The truth is that I could not see how the Word could Increase, if God is His Word. O how our Lord is a Teacher par excellence! O how He specialises in daft students like myself, to bring us understanding beyond our natural inclinations! For all who are as I am, rejoice in the Holy Spirit, our wonderful Teacher. As indicated, we are being given learning, through the miracle of the widow’s oil.

This poor woman had one small jarful of olive oil in her possession. What does the prophet advise?  He advises her to increase the jars in her house. He tells her to go around asking all her neighbours for empty jars. She is asking for jars that do not contain anything, whether full, three-quarters full, half-full, or quarter full. The jars must be empty to fulfil the prophet’s purpose. For miracle to take place, each jar must be empty. She is asking for a large number of jars, not just a modest few. The prophet does not leave it up to her, for upfront, he tells her not to ask for a small quantity of empty jars. Now her house is filled with a huge quantity of empty jars and one small, full jar of olive oil.

Prophet Elisha then instructs her on what she is to do with the one, small jar of olive oil. Go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side. 2 Kings 4: 4. Did you get that? Do you really get it? The one small jar of olive oil becomes the great source of oil supply, the flowing fountain of oil, which is replenishing itself as it fills other jars. I can assure you that not one of the other empty jars is as small as this jar. What I am really saying is that in quantity and perhaps quality, the little jar was the least of all, yet it was able to fill all the others to the brim and not run out.  

Note clearly that it was one small jar, only one, but from that jar, other jars were filled.

The oil continued to increase, meaning that the one oil remained unchanged, for the container was not changed in shape, nor size. No! It remained the same and from it, other containers were brought and filled to the brim, I dare say. You must see God’s Word as increasing in the same way. God is One!  God is His Word and His Living Word is He. His Word does not change for He is Immutable. God’s Word increases when hearts come to know His Living Word and are filled by this Miracle Word. The Word increases as God, in His mercy gives increase. As lives, empty lives; sick lives; confused lives; lives that are troubled; lives that want to believe but are wavering and weary; lives that are in deep turmoil and held by unwanted stress; come before God’s Word, they will be filled and so the Word continues to increase. God is the One Unchangeable! 

Returning to the story of the widow and her oil, note that the one jar has been able to fill other empty jars.  Now listen to this, as I was kept on this fact for some time. I distinctly heard. No half full or half empty jar was brought to her house. No jar that needed topping up was brought.  Only empty jars were filled. The Lord was plain and unapologetic when He told me that He does not ‘top up’, He ‘fills.’ Those who come to Him come, precisely because they are broken, afraid and empty. They are scared, doubtful, down, truly down, not knowing what decisions to make or where to go even.

The Word of God did not just Increase, but it Spread. Look at the widow’s house again.  There are dozens of jars that have been filled, but does she just keep them there? No! Listen to what the man of God tells her to do. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, Bring me another one. But he replied, There is not a jar left. Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God and he said, Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left. 2 Kings 4: 6 – 7. The oil is sold to others, anyone who wishes to purchase oil.

The point to note is not the selling of the oil, but the fact that other people share that oil. People from any and every walk of life; from far and near can have this oil. It is good oil and in this way, the oil spreads.  God’s Word is not bought in that way, but it spreads in the same way. It must be accepted, and it matters not who accepts. God’s Living Word will fill every life. Whosoever will, may come! Wherever one is, it matters not. The situation or condition of the person matter not. The Word of God is powerful and can bring about any change He desires in a person. God’s Word spreads to all sorts and conditions of men, because the Lord, IS, His Living Word.

The Lord God remains the One Immutable Word, yet His Word continues to Increase and Spread far and wide.

Jesus, Holy Word Incarnate, I come as Your Increase and Spread. I come Lord, broken, afraid, shaky and helpless.  I come totally without a leg on which to stand. I come because Your Living Word has drawn me to this place of prayer. I am before You, accepting this prayer of the Spirit in me.  Thank You Lord for I too will know Your Word that IS within me.  May Your Holy Name be forever praised and worshipped, for You only are Holy. You are our forgiving, healing, receiving God.  You are Faithful.

Praise to You O One God. Your Word IS.  Amen!