2 Kings 4:6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said to her… This incident is rich in suggestiveness. It may be employed to illustrate the rapid changes of human fortune; the crushing weight of cumulative trials; or the practical sympathy of a true prophet who is never so faithful in his calling as when he visits the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and exerts his influence in their behalf. There are, however, considerations suggested by the particular method adopted in this case which throw light upon God's way of giving, and indicate, not obscurely, the terms upon which we, who have no miraculous interpositions to expect, may become recipients of His continual bounty. I. IN THE COMMUNICATION OF HIS GRACE THE MOST HIGH MAKES THE CONFESSION OF OUR HELPLESSNESS THE CONDITION OF HIS HELP. The sense of need must be awakened before He will bestow the required aid. "Tell me what hast thou in the house?" was a question intended to fathom the depth of the woman's poverty. Until this insufficiency of all human resource has been felt and acknowledged, the Divine assistance will not be sought and cannot be given. The Saviour in His miracles of mercy made it apparent that He did not interpose until all human help had failed. When He was about to feed the multitudes He asked the disciples, "How many loaves have ye?" and measured the limits of ordinary means before drawing on the infinite capabilities of Omnipotence. The trembling sufferer who sought to touch His robe had tried all other measures before resorting to Him. The disappointed fishermen were obliged to admit that they had taken nothing ere they could be gladdened by a great success. So is it still. The choice gifts of God are withholden from the self-complacent and lavished on the needy — "He hath filled the hungry with good things, but the rich He hath sent empty away." II. HE ENRICHES US BY THE MULTIPLICATION AND INCREASE OF PREVIOUS GIFTS. It would be equally easy for Him to work without means, but He chooses rather to work by them. "What hast thou in the house?" is something more than a gauge of poverty; it is a wholesome reminder that in the poorest lot there is some remnant of former possessions, some basis for present hope. The multitudes whom our Lord miraculously fed might have been relieved by the creation of an altogether new and strange provision; but He used such common food as was available, and then multiplied the stock till every need was met. The persuasion of our helplessness does not warrant our neglect of such opportunities and the use of such talent as we have. Too often we covet fresh interpositions of Divine power when we have at our command previous gifts whose energy is unexhausted, and former experiences which may fitly stimulate activity and encourage hope. Moses held in his own hand the simple instrument whereby with God's blessing he would compel attention to his words (Exodus 4:2); and if not in our hands, we may have in our house that which, like the widow's oil, shall be multiplied by the bounty of Him. III. HE MEASURES HIS BESTOWMENTS BY OUR CAPACITY TO RECEIVE. While there is an empty vessel to hold it, His grace continues to flow. He entrusts talents "to every man according to his several ability." A preoccupied heart has no room for the Saviour. He is "gladly received" when He is eagerly waited for (Luke 8:40). In the dispensation of spiritual gifts the same rule obtains — "He giveth more grace," and again more, according to the ardour of our wishes and the measure of our preparedness to receive His favours. Still as of old — "He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness" (Psalm 107:9), drawing out our desires, and at the same time enlarging our capacity. IV. HE DELIGHTS TO EXCEED THE REQUIREMENTS OF PRESENT NEED. Not content to give enough to satisfy the clamorous creditor, He supplied a store for the maintenance of the widow and her sons for some time to come. The fragments left after each feast in the wilderness far exceeded the original provision. This generosity is a conspicuous feature in all the communications of grace. David was overwhelmed at the bounty of which he was the recipient, yet what he held in possession was small compared with future blessings secured to him by promise (2 Samuel 7:19). Jacob, in like manner, after giving up all hope that he should ever see Joseph again, was constrained to acknowledge that God had far exceeded his most sanguine expectation. "I had not thought to see thy face; and lo, God hath showed me also thy seed" (Genesis 48:11). (Robert Lewis.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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