The Prophet ElishaShembull

God’s Care for a Widow and Her Sons

“Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, ‘[…] The creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.’” (2 Kings 4:1)

“She came and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.’” (2 Kings 4:7)

A widow asked for Elisha’s help. Her husband had belonged to the group of prophets under the leadership of Elijah and Elisha. But he had died, and now his wife and two children were in a desperate financial situation. They could not pay their bills, so the creditor wanted to take the children as his slaves. The situation seemed hopeless.

But for God, nothing is impossible. He took the only thing the widow had (a jar of oil) and used it to help her. Elisha told her to borrow vessels and fill them all with oil from her jar. The woman did as she was told, and the oil only stopped flowing when all the jars were filled. Now the widow could sell so much oil that she could pay her debts and had some money left to live on. Her needs were satisfied.

This story is an example of God’s care for widows and orphans. Whereas we humans tend to pay more attention to influential and wealthy people, God especially cares for the poor and powerless who ask Him for help.

Only God can do miracles. Therefore, He is the One to turn to in times of need!

What does this story evoke in you? Do you believe that God does still help people in miraculous ways?