The Oil Left in the Jar
Day 4 — August 25, 2018
By Edith Hoffman
1 Kings 17:7-5 tells us of the Old Testament prophet, Elisha, asking a poor widow for a piece of bread. Her response was that she only had a little bit of oil in her jar, and a little bit of flour. She was planning to make a small cake for her son and herself for their last meal before they died. Elisha insisted she make the meal for him.
Several months ago this was our Bible study in the church-wide Bible study group. We had a guest teacher who was younger than our group. She challenged us to think about the use of the oil left in our jars.
We all do different things at different stages of our life. And we too often assume we can not be still used by God. By faithfully giving the oil and flour to God’s prophet, the oil and flour did not run out.
Hoarding what we have left won’t make it grow. May we all pray for guidance for the best use of our talents and gifts. Lord, give us Your directions and a willingness to serve You and Your church in Shelby.
“As surely as the LORD your God lives, she replied, “I don’t have any bread– only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it– and die.”
For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’
She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.
1 Kings 17:10-15