“So the woman went home and did what Elijah told her to do. And the woman and her son and Elijah had enough food every day. The jar of flour and the jug of oil were never empty, just as the LORD, through Elijah, had promised.” (1 Kings 17:15-16 NCV)
God had sent Elijah out into the country where he was brought food by ravens. Elijah also drank from a brook. This was the time of a drought which God had sent on the land. When the brook finally dried up God sent him away to a place where this widow lived. Elijah needed food and water but he didn’t know the widow and her son needed food. They had only enough flour and oil to make enough bread for them for one meal. Elijah told her to make him some bread first. Because she was willing to give what she had, she was blessed with enough flour and oil to live on the rest of her life. Because she was willing to give, God provided for her and her son their daily bread.
“The wife of a man from the groups of prophets said to Elisha, ‘Your servant, my husband, is dead. You know he honored the LORD. But now the man he owes money to is coming to take my two boys as his slaves!’ Elisha answered, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?’ The woman said, ‘I don’t have anything there except a pot of oil.’ Then Elisha said, ‘Go and get empty jars from all your neighbors. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go into your house and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and set the full ones aside.’ So she left Elisha and shut the door behind her and her sons. As they brought the jars to her, she poured out the oil. When the jars were all full, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another jar.’ But he said, ‘There are no more jars.’ Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told Elisha. And the prophet said to her, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay what you owe. You and your sons can live on what is left.'” (2 Kings 4:1-7 NCV)
Here we have another widow who has no one to take care of her. Her husband was dead and she couldn’t pay her bills. She was obedient to do what Elisha told her even though she probably wondered what was going to happen. All she had was a pot of oil. Elisha told them to gather all the jars they could and then go inside in private. This was not to be a public spectacle. The amount the Lord provided depended on the work the family did finding jars.
In both cases God provided enough for the people to live on. Both of these miracles were done in private and were not. meant to be something showy.
None of these families were made rich but were given enough for the moment
Once I heard someone say, “God can move mountains but you must bring your shovel.” God can provide for your needs like He did Elijah when he sent the ravens with food. Most of the time though He blesses you when you do your part as He did the women above. God loves you and will provide your needs if you follow him.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33 NKJV)
By Dean W. Masters
Owner of the Master’s List.
Unedited redistribution approved