The Woman With The Empty Vessels Pdf
2 Kings Chapter 4 Explained2 Kings Chapter 4Verses 1-7: The amount of“oil” the widow received was limited only to the number of “vessels” shecollected. God met her needs both for the present and the future.2 Kings 4:1 'Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of theprophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowestthat thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him mytwo sons to be bondmen.' “The sons of the prophets” didmarry at times. Levitical legislation allowed for debtors to work off theirdebts (Exodus 21:2-4; Lev. Myspeed by enounce crack. 25:39-40; Deut.
The enslaving of familymembers in lieu of a debt was a common practice in the ancient Near East.(See note on 1 Kings 20:35).“My two sons to be bondmen”:According to the Mosaic law, creditors could enslave debtors and their childrento work off a debt when they could not pay (Exodus 21:2-4; Deut. Theperiod of servitude could last until the next year of Jubilee (Lev.
25:39-40).Rich people and creditors, however, were not to take advantage of the destitute(see Deut. 15:1-18).This one verse tells us a lot.Prophets were permitted to have wives. We must notice that she went to theprophet for help. Indirectly she is going to God. She knew there would be nomercy shown her by the worldly creditor.
If the creditor cannot get the money,he will take her sons into servitude to pay the indebtedness. This is a type andshadow of all of us, who owe our lives for the debt of sin we committed. Thepenalty for sin is death. Jesus (our High Priest), paid our debt in full for us.Let us follow the story, and see what this man of God does to help this widow.2 Kings 4:2 'And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? Tell me, whathast thou in the house?
And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in thehouse, save a pot of oil.' “A pot of oil”: A flask of oilused to anoint the body.Elisha realizes that he musthelp her out of this problem. The verse above is as if he is thinking with thewords he says. Notice, she submits to his decision, when she calls herself hishandmaid.
Her husband was a prophet, so the oil is, probably, a small portion ofanointing oil.2 Kings 4:3 'Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors,even empty vessels; borrow not a few.' For he perceived that she hadnone.' Even empty vessels': Whichthey might more readily lend her.' Borrow not a few': But asmany as she could get; the prophet, under a divine impulse, was directed to saythis to her, foreseeing, by a spirit of prophecy, that a large quantity of oilwould be given her.These vessels are likebuckets, or pots. She is to gather all of the spare containers that herneighbors have.2 Kings 4:4 'And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee andupon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt setaside that which is full.' “Shut the door upon thee”:Since the widow’s need was private, the provision was to be private also.Further, the absence of Elisha demonstrated that the miracle happened only byGod’s power.
God’s power multiplied “little” into “much,” filling all thevessels to meet the widow’s need (1 Kings 17:7-16).The miraculous provision was aspiritual experience and not designed for public show (Matt. 6:6).God will multiply what shehas, and every time she pours one vessel full, she is to get another vessel andfill it, until all the vessels she has are full. Notice, God uses what shealready had to bless her.
It is like the five loaves and two fishes, which Jesusfed the multitude with.2 Kings 4:5 'So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons,who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.' And did as he advised her,borrowed many empty vessels of her neighbors, having faith in what the prophethad said to her.' And shut the door upon her,and upon her sons': And then went to work as she was directed, with her sons.' Who brought the vessels toher': the empty ones she had borrowed.'
And she poured out': The oilout of her pot into them.2 Kings 4:6 'And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said untoher son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vesselmore. And the oil stayed.' For the oil being miraculouslyincreased as it was poured forth, there was enough to fill all the vessels. BenGersom and Abarbinel say, that when the pot was emptied, all the air thatentered it was turned into oil.That she said to her son,bring me yet a vessel': As she had two sons, one it is probable was settingaside the full vessels, as she poured into them. And the other in bringing toher the empty vessels, and to whom she thus speaks.'
And he said unto her, thereis not a vessel more': Not an empty one, they were all filled.' And the oil stayed': It ranno longer, it was no more multiplied; there was no necessity of continuing themiracle. This oil may be an emblem of the grace that flows from the fullness ofit in Christ, to which it is compared, which will be always flowing, as long asthere is a vessel of salvation, or faith in any to receive it (see Matt.
25:3; 1John 2:20).She and her sons did just asElisha had told her to do. They poured until all of the vessels were completelyfull. Then the oil stopped reproducing itself.2 Kings 4:7 'Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell theoil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.' Elisha the prophet, what hadbeen done, what a quantity of oil she had, and advised with him what was to bedone with it.'
And he said, go, sell thyoil, and pay thy debt': What was thus miraculously produced was no doubt verygood and excellent, and would fetch a good price. And she is therefore bid toturn it into money, and pay her debts with it. She was not to keep it all forher own use, and indulge to luxury with it, but first pay her just debt, aseveryone ought to do that is able.'
And live thou and thychildren of the rest': So that it seems there was enough to pay her debt withit, rid her of her troubles, and somewhat remaining for the support of herselfand children.This oil was so much that iteasily paid her debt, and was a living for her and her two sons. There couldhave been more children, but we know there were two sons.
She waited, untilElisha told her to sell it, before she did this. He will see to theneeds of those in service for Him. In this case, He took care of even more thantheir needs.Verses 8-14: Elisha wanted tothank the Shunammite woman for “all this care” and hospitality she had shown himand his servant.
The absence of children in the Old Testament was interpreted asa curse or, at best, a sign of shame. And with “no son,” she would likely end upimpoverished once her “husband” died.2 Kings 4:8 'And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was agreat woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that asoft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.' “Shunem”: A town in theterritory of Issachar near Jezreel (Joshua 19:18), on the slopes of Mt., Moreh,overlooking the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley (see note on 1 Kings 1:3).The woman was a “great woman,”a lady who was financially well-off and of significant social standing.This is the beginning of atotally different happening. Shunem was in Galilee.
The fact that the 'woman wasgreat' could mean great in stature, or it could mean well thought of. It,probably, means that she was a woman of financial means. This would be morelikely, since it would be in direct contrast to the widow earlier in the lesson.She discovered Elisha passing her house, and she invited him in to eat. Itseemed, that every time Elisha came this way, he made it a point to stop and eathere.
Many people travelling in those days depended on the hospitality of thepeople to feed them. There were no restaurants.Verses 9-10: For the upperroom where the prophet’s chamber was located (see the note on 1 Kings 17:19).2 Kings 4:9 'And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that thisis an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.' “Man of God” (see note on1:9).
The woman recognized Elisha as a prophet uniquely separated unto God.Elisha’s holiness prompted the woman to ask her husband that a separate, small,walled upper room be provided for the prophet (verse 10). The woman must havefeared the “holy” Elisha coming into contact with their “profane” room (Lev.10:10).He must not have told themthat he was a prophet, but she had decided that he was by his clothes and hisactions. Probably, he prayed before eating, or perhaps, he spoke of the LORD.2 Kings 4:10 'Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let usset for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and itshall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.' Either of the city, to whichtheir house might join, or of their garden, a little distance from the house.Though the Jewish writers commonly understand it of a little edifice built up ofwalls of stone or bricks, and not one with reeds, or stud and mud.' Let us set for him there abed': That he may stay all night when he pleases.' And a table': Not only to eathis food, but to write on, and lay his books on he reads. Of the table of ascholar of the wise men, in later times, we are told, that two thirds of it werecovered with a cloth, and the other third was uncovered, on which stood theplates and the herbs.'
And a stool': to sit upon atthe table.' And a candlestick': With acandle in it, to light him in the night to read by, and the like.' And it shall be, when hecometh to us, that he shall turn in thither': Where he would be free from thenoise of the house, and be more retired for prayer, reading, meditation, andstudy.“And where he would not bedisturbed by the servants of the family, and be mixed with them.
All this shecontrived, both for his honor, and for his quietness and peace.She felt that she would liketo help Elisha more, than just feeding him when he came. They would fix him aplace to rest his weary bones.2 Kings 4:11 'And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into thechamber, and lay there.' As he had been in practice todo.' And he turned into thechamber': Built for him, and to which he was directed.' And lay there': All night,and which no doubt was frequently repeated by him, he accepting of the kindnessof his host.We see, that she had beencorrect in assuming he needed a place of rest, when he came. He did stop andrest for a while.2 Kings 4:12 'And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite.
Empty Vessel Meaning
And whenhe had called her, she stood before him.' “Gehazi”: Elisha’s personalservant who was prominent here (and in 5:20-27). Probably Gehazi is the unnamedservant (in verse 43). The tern “servant” used there was used (in 1 Kings19:21), of Elisha’s relationship to Elijah. Throughout this narrative, Elishacontacted the Shunammite woman through Gehazi (verses 11-13, 15, 25, 29). Gehaziwas involved in this ministry so that he might have opportunity to mature in hisservice to the Lord.The word for “servant” heredesignates one who is a professional trainee.
It is used of young soldiers (in 1Kings 20:14-15), and of Elisha’s own relation to Elijah (in 1 Kings 19:21).“Gehazi” held a privileged andresponsible position with Elisha.2 Kings 4:13 'And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast beencareful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? Wouldest thoube spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, Idwell among mine own people.' “I dwell among mine ownpeople”: This reply expressed her contentment, since she wanted nothing.Elisha wanted to repay her forher kindness. He thought, perhaps, she wanted him to speak for her to the king,or the captain of the host. She was satisfied with her station in life, and toldhim she would rather live among her own people. Notice, she asked for nothingherself.2 Kings 4:14 'And he said, What then is to be done for her?
And Gehazianswered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old.' “No child, and her husband isold”: This remark implied two things:(1) She suffered the shame ofbeing a barren woman (Gen. 16:1; 18:10-15; 25:21; 30:1-2; 1 Sam. 1:6); and(2) Her husband might diewithout an heir to carry on his name (Deut. 25:5-10).Since she would not tellElisha anything she wanted for her kindness, Elisha had Gehazi to check and see,if there would be anything she wanted, or needed.
In the Hebrew families, thewomen thought it was a curse from God not to have children. She had notmentioned this, but Gehazi found out for Elisha.2 Kings 4:15 'And he said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood inthe door.' Perhaps finding an impulse onhis own mind, from the Spirit of God, that this was the thing to be done forher.' And when he had called her,she stood in the door': Of his chamber (See 2 Kings 4:12).2 Kings 4:16 'And he said, About this season, according to the time of life,thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do notlie unto thine handmaid.' “Nay, my lord”: In response toElisha’s announcement that she would have a son, the woman asked Elisha not tobuild up her hopes if she would be disappointed later.
Her reply indicated thatshe felt having a son was impossible.“Man of God” (see note on1:9).There are several instances inthe Bible, where people beyond childbearing age have children. They are a giftfrom God. It is more than she can believe. Her heart's desire would befulfilled. He tells her, the baby will be born before this time the next year.2 Kings 4:17 'And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elishahad said unto her, according to the time of life.' “Conceived bare”: This waslike Abraham and Sarah (Gen.
21:1-2).His prophecy came true. Shehad her son.Verses 18-23: Based on heractions, the woman may have been trying to keep the boy’s death a secret fromher husband until Elisha came.2 Kings 4:18 'And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went outto his father to the reapers.' Perhaps was six or seven yearsof age, or more.' It fell on a day that he wentout to his father to the reapers': It was harvest time, and the men were reapingthe corn in the fields. And his father, though a wealthy man, was with them todirect them, and see they did their business well, as Boaz formerly.
And thechild went out from the house to the field, to see his father and the reapers,for his recreation and diversion.2 Kings 4:19 'And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to alad, Carry him to his mother.' The lad may have suffered afatal sunstroke.“My head, my head”: The childprobably suffered sunstroke.
The cries of the boy, the part affected, and theseason of the year (“reapers”), lead to that conclusion. Sunstroke could befatal, as in this case (verse 20).Children, who live on a farm,love to go out and watch the fields being reaped.
He was, probably, still asmall child, but old enough to go to the field with his father. He suddenlygrabs his head and begins to complain of pain. This could have been a sunstroke,or many other things. I personally have experienced extreme heat and faintedfrom it. Your head pounds severely with this.2 Kings 4:20 'And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he saton her knees till noon, and then died.' The lad led him home, anddelivered him to his mother.'
He sat on her knees tillnoon, and then died': Out of her great affection, she took him on her knees, andlaid his head in her bosom to sooth the pain, and in this posture he continueduntil the middle of the day, and then expired. By which it appears it was in themorning when he went into the field, and when the sun was pretty high, and beatstrongly on him. Which, it may be, produced a fever, and which issued in hisdeath.Whatever happened to him inthe field was very serious. He is not in a coma, he is dead.2 Kings 4:21 'And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, andshut the door upon him, and went out.'
Into the little chamber builtfor the prophet.' And laid him on the bed ofthe man of God': Not from any imagination of any virtue in it to bring her childto life. Though she might think of the prophet, and have faith that he couldraise it to life, as Elijah raised the widow of Zarephath's son laid on his bed,of which she might have heard. But this being a private room, and into whichnone went, she laid it here to conceal its death from her husband and family,and to prevent grief, and that they might not bury it until she returned.'
And shut the door upon him':That no creature might enter, and, do any damage to his corpse.' And went out': Not out of thechamber, that she did before she shut the door, but out of the house.She knew her only help was theLORD. She left the child on the bed of Elisha.
She put him in Elisha's room, sono one would disturb him, until she could get back with Elisha.2 Kings 4:22 'And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee,one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God,and come again.' In the field, who might bewithin call, or by a messenger she sent to him.' And said, send me, I praythee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man ofGod, and come again': Intimating that she should not be long gone, but shouldreturn again presently.
Saying not a word of the death of the child, or of theoccasion of her going.Notice, she did not tell herhusband, that their son was dead. He does know that she wants to go for theprophet Elisha, because the child is sick. She calls for an animal to ride, andan escort to go with her.2 Kings 4:23 'And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him today? it is neithernew moon, nor sabbath.
And she said, It shall be well.' “Neither new moon, norSabbath”: The first day of the month and the seventh day of the week were bothmarked with special religious observance and rest from work (Num. Thehusband implied that only on such dates would a person visit a prophet.
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Scroll to the bottom to enter your vote orcomments, then close. Help spread the Word by casting yourvote.it's a proven system that keeps this ministry free!Grace Notes Sermon Ministry:Running on EmptyII Kings 4Do you clean your plate?
At a restaurant, doyou feel compelled to suck down your soda before you leave and get the lastbit you paid for? Do you scrape out that one ravioli stuck in the can?
Howabout cereal or soup, do you tip up the bowl and drink down the last bit?Whether your answer is yes or no, I guarantee you would if you were starvingor literally dying of thirst!In our text.A man died / left wife penniless / she had nohusband / money / food / income / government program to apply to / noprospects for improvement.All she had was 2 sons, and the creditorswere about to come take them as slaves (the law allowed for this).She had one more thing: a little pot ofoil. Every other pot in the house was empty / vessel / jar / cupboards /pockets / purse.In her emptiness / nothingness, shewent to the Prophet Elishaand she learned something about nothing! / whatGod can do w/ an empty vessel!v.