“And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.” 2 Kings 4:6
This poor widow woman cried out to Elisha, the prophet, saying her husband had died and that, to clear her debts, the creditors intended to take her two sons into slavery as payment. Elisha asked her what she had in her house and she replied that only a pot of oil remained. Elisha told her to gather as many empty vessels as she could, to shut the door, pour out the oil into all the vessels and set aside all that they filled. So, she went, gathered vessels and began to pour out as she had been instructed. When all the vessels she had were full, she asked her sons to bring more, but was told there were no more left. At that point the oil stopped multiplying – because she stopped pouring it out. Elisha then told her to go, sell the oil, pay her debt off and live in peace with her sons at her side. We like to read about and would love to experience Yehovah providing for our physical needs in such a miraculous way, but we can also learn a number of powerful lessons from this story. 1. Yehovah will not forsake us. 2. He can and will provide all we need to live and support our families. 3. He requires and rewards obedience. And, of course, there are many others.
For now, though, let us look at one important truth we could easily miss. Elisha told the woman to gather as many vessels as she could. She was to pour the oil she had into as many vessels as she could possibly gather. The only limitation upon the miracle she would receive was the number of vessels she brought to pour the oil into. If she had brought fifty times as many vessels as she did, according to the word of the prophet Elisha, Yehovah would have continued to supply the oil it would take to fill them all. Her miracle was only limited by the level of her faith, demonstrated how many vessels she brought to be filled. Yehovah requires your faith and confident expectation that He will do all that He has promised and deliver the miracle that you so desperately need. Do not place limits on Yehovah.