Oil Poured Forth

A widow struggled to meet financial obligations after her husband’s death. Finally, she had nothing left to her name but a jar of oil and she was about to lose her children—creditors demanded they be turned over as slaves to pay her debts.

But the prophet of God named Elisha had a word for the widow. He told her to borrow as many vessels as she could. Then he told her to shut the door upon yourself and your sons, and pour into all these vessels . . . Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” (II Kings 4:4b, 7b RSV)

She obeyed God’s Word through His servant Elisha. As she poured her small amount of oil into the many vessels, the oil increased and she filled every one of the vessels she had borrowed. God gave the widow a miracle and supplied all her needs.

Our resources might also be small. But when our inner life is poured forth—lived in response to God and His Word—He brings an increase. Current needs will be met and we will be able to live on the rest.

Originally published July 31, 1981.

A New Covenant

It was impossible for anyone to live by all of the Old Testament regulations or by the early covenants God made with His people. When the Pharisees and Levites of Christ’s time (and earlier) tried, their lives became unbalanced. In fact, the Old Testament is a history of people who failed to keep their part of their covenant with God—because they could not.

Many New Testament passages quote Old Testament prophets that foretold the coming Messiah who would set things right. The book of Hebrews quotes Jeremiah: The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah . . . I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. (Heb. 8:8b,12 NIV)

Jesus understood the prophets and approached the Law differently than the religious leaders of His time. He never denigrated the Law or its practice—He shifted attention away from regulations to the reasons behind them. He emphasized loving, doing good, blessing, and praying—even when dealing with those who mistreat you. (Lk. 6:28b)

But in the end, Jesus fulfilled the Law when He made an offering we can’t make. He offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. He is our New Covenant.

Originally published February 24, 1984, and February 11, 1983.
Picture: Viewed from the street, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

The Ultimate Prophet

Jesus was a prophet; He proclaimed Truth and He foretold events. When one of His disciples looked at Jerusalem—and historians say the city, especially the Temple, was beautiful—he couldn’t suppress his excitement.

Jesus was not so excited. He replied, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Mk. 13:1,2 NKJV) We know Jesus wasn’t happy to share this particular knowledge. But the prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD when the Romans destroyed all of Jerusalem—including the temple.

Prophets do two things. First, as seers (see-ers) they perceive or see and they understand things others do not understand. Second, as tell-ers they tell others what they saw if God tells them to share it with others.

Jesus was the ultimate prophet during His earthly ministry. He was the One who saw and understood all things—and He was the One who told or revealed all truth. In fact, Jesus not only understood and proclaimed truth, but He was Truth. As God Incarnate, the Living Word, everything He said and did expressed the nature of His Father.

Originally published January 22, 1988.