I. Observation
A. I have read 1 Kings 21:1- in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.
o Yes
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: (List them)
Elisha ( prophet sent by God), Widow, Two Sons, Deceased husband, and creditor
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
You have a widow with two sons whose husband died. Because of the failure of the kings during this time and their rebellion, there is increased” apostasy among the people”. The two sons are going to be handed over as slaves, but the woman has nothing to pay the debt to prevent them from being handed over. God provided prophets during this time to provide relief and demonstrate miracles. The widow of great faith however has no oil and is essentially broke (empty-handed). This is where Elisha comes to perform a miracle on behalf of God and restore the woman’s debt so she will be able to pay the debt off and keep her sons.
3. Narrative Structure: (50-100 words)
Introduction:
There is a widow who was one of the wives of the sons of the prophets who greatly revered the Lord.
Inciting incident:
However, her husband (son of the prophets) is now dead and she is left with her two sons in debt to a creditor.
Rising action:
The prophet Elisha comes into play and asks the woman what do you want me to do for you? And what do you have available? While the widow replies “ nothing”. Elisha instructors the woman to go collect empty vessels and bring them to be filled.
Climax:
Through faith and obedience, the widow did what Elisha asked of her and the jars were filled with oil. This was ultimately a miracle on behalf of God worked through Elisha.
Falling Action:
When all the jars were full, she asked the sons to bring another, but there were none left. The oil stopped flowing,
Resolution: The debt was paid off and the sons were able to live off the rest of what was left.
C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
1. Who:
● Author ( possibly Jeremiah wrote the book)
● Audience was possibly the people of Judah.
● Widow
● Elisha
● Two sons
● Creditor
● Deceased husband (son of the profits)
2. What:
There is a widow who has two sons and was married to one of the sons of the prophets. However, her husband has died and she is left in debt with her two sons. Because of her debt, her sons are going to be handed over as slaves unless she is able to pay off the debt. The woman does not have anything to pay the debt with, in this case, oil. The Profit Elisha comes into the story to provide relief and help to the widow and two sons by performing a miracle.
3. Where:
● Israel (Northern Kingdom)
● Widow’s House (possibly)
● No specific city is named in the passage.
● Baal
4. When:
● During the reign of King Jehoram and Jehoshaphat
● During the ministry of Elisha
● During a period when the kingdom was divided and the Assyrian Captivity (Hinson. p137)
● During the rise and fall of Israel and Judah (Hinson p.137)
5. Why
The husband of the widow was a son of the prophets so Elisha would have been familiar with him. We can see in early chapters that Elisha knew the sons of the prophets. What really stands out is in verse 1 where we see that the husband before he was deceased “ feared” or “ revered” the Lord. This probably has a great impact on the decision of Elisa to help the widow at this time because he was a man of God. What we know is that God appointed profits during this time to bring relief to the people who were distressed during this time suffering under the kings who have been rebelling against the covenant. It was essentially Elisa’s duty to come to the rescue at this time because God appointed him to do so.
6. How:
When the widow presented her case before Elisa, he asked her what do you want me to do for you. And what do you have? It is important to note here that Elisha received a “ double portion” of Elijah’s spirit when he succeeded him earlier on. Elisa gave specific instructions to the widow in order to collect oil she would have to go and collect empty vessels from all the neighbors. How all this unfolded was that the widow showed faith by being obedient to what Elish asked of her. If the widow had questioned him and doubted what Elisha asked, none of this would have unfolded as it did. Through Elisha, God performed a miracle in which the jars were filled with oil, and through the filling (of oil, the widow’s debt was relieved. She now had enough to pay the creditor the debt and more left over for her sons to live off of.
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words) explain what you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember the Old Testament narrative frequently communicate truth by showing it to us in story form instead of telling it to us by way of teaching or sermon.
To be able to give a proper interpretation of the text I first look at all the observations made, but the rest of the text surrounding this passage to understand what is going on. The Kingdoms are divided and the kings are rebelling against God. We can see this in the beginning of the Book of 2 Kings. One of the consequences of this division is that the people are suffering and there is great apostasy. The message is clear from the author that God sent the prophets Elijah and Elisha to be a foreshadowing in the Old Testament narrative of the coming messiah Jesus Christ in The New Testament.
While making it clear in the case of the widow’s oil, Elisha was not the Messiah, but he was sent by God to do certain work. “ Elijah’s miraculous deeds were effective in demonstrating Yahweh’s supremacy over life, death, and agricultural productivity.” ( Hinson. p126). Here you have a widow is who broke and has nothing to save her two sons from being slaves. God wanted to demonstrate his power through Elisha and the woman’s faith to supply all her needs. She was empty. Elijah asked what do you want me to do for you? What do you have available? Obviously, she had nothing tangible. What she did have were faith and an empty vessel and that is all that was needed for God to work.
B. Based on your above answer, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
One principle from this passage is for God to work is to have faith and be willing to trust Him to do a mighty work. He doesn’t need someone to be full, but poor in spirit. God works best when we are empty and have nothing to bring.
III. Correlation
A. How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible?
State what type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
The story of the widow’s oil in terms of the Old Testament narrative is one of redemption. I made reference in the interpretation section that the prophets Elijah and Elisha was a foreshadow of what was coming in The New Testament narrative of Jesus Christ the savior. Jesus would be the ultimate redeemer. This Old Testament narrative of the widow’s oil continues to remind me of Buck Hatches series “ Progress of Redemption” where God continues to work overtime in history to bring his people back in relationship to him. God wanted to restore to the widow what she didn’t have. It wasn’t just about filling jars of oil to pay debt, but making it known that God is still with his people working to redeem and love them. The widow had faith and God wanted to restore her. He will do the same for us if we allow him.
B. How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture?
This principle is the one you have written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your principle is a true Biblical principle will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the principle discovered in this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
. The principle seen not only in this narrative but throughout scripture is one where there is a need because there is a lack of something. There is a great need that people have and could be spiritual or physical. In all situations in the scriptures, we see that God wants us to bring before him very little if nothing. It is not what we can bring to him, but it is all about Him. In an earlier chapter of 2 Kings, we see an example where the water is bad and not fruitful. Elisha was instructed to get a jar and fill it with salt and to fill the water with it. This God produces fruitfulness. Two of the greatest stories similar are seen in the New Testament narrative when Jesus turns water into wine and feeds the five thousand. You have a case where there is a wedding and there is no wine for the people to drink, similar to a widow not having any oil. Jesus takes something that is empty and fills it. He does the same thing with only two fish and five loaves of bread. He takes something that is very little and produces.
C. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ?
State and explain at least one way that the principle of this narrative can be identified in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
There are two verses found in scripture that can greatly support the person and the work of Jesus Christ in relation to this narrative of the widow’s oil. I already mentioned that Elisha was to be a foreshadowing of the person and work of Jesus Christ. He took something that was empty and filled it, but what this means in relation to Jesus Christ is what is really important. Again Elisha was not a savior, but something more important was about to come. In the New Testament narrative, we see in The Sermon on The Mount that Jesus teaches to the crowd “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” ( Matt 5:3). “ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. ( Matt 5:6). Perhaps a great correlation of this narrative in the Old Testament narrative with Jesus is seen with the Samaritan woman at the well.” He asks her for a drink, and she replies but the wells are deep and you have nothing to draw from. What Jesus was really talking about was being filled with the water of eternal life. He has all the resources, but we have to come to him empty. The widow was empty of oil, but she came to God willingly. This is what Jesus came to do, to fill our empty, sinful, broken vessels with the water or oil of life.
IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty
One of the major duties or responsibilities that we can learn from the widow in the Old Testament narrative is a financial duty to God and our neighbors. Everything good comes from above. God is the source of everything. We see that not only does God fill the needs of the widow, but gives more so they have extra left. The question is what do we have as resources that we can take to God and allow him to use for his glory? It may be very little or only a few pennies or perhaps nothing. God can take anything and increase it. Some of the greatest lessons are in the parable of talents where God takes a few talents and multiplies it. I think this is a lesson of duty where we can take what we have and give to the church and how God can increase whatever we give him for His glory. It has nothing to do with what we bring or how much, but depends on God’s abilities. Whatever we have or possess, we have a duty to God to entrust it to him for his glory. The Bible has much to say about tithing and giving to your neighbor. One of the greatest lessons from this I learned is to start trusting more on God and not what I have, but to be more responsible with what he does supply. I have a long way to go in my walk with Christ and have made many poor choices with what God gives me. It may be money, friends, heeding the holy spirit, family, or tangible things that I haven’t valued. From this point on, I need to ask myself what my duty is to God and man.
B. The question of character
Throughout the narrative and surrounding text, we saw characters in for example many of the Kings we should avoid. These men rebelled against God and sinned. However, when we look at a widow, for example, we see a person of great faith. Her deceased husband who was a son of the profits revered (feared the Lord). Elisha, while not perfect and was a sinful man like us, obeyed what the Lord had asked of him. Are we willing to step out in faith like a widow and trust God in everything to Him? Like the deceased husband, do we have all the character of wisdom that understands that fearing and revering the Lord is the first step to living a Godly life? While we are not prophets chosen by God like Elisha and Elijah and certainly not perfect like Christ. Of course, if we accept Jesus as our savior and propitiation for our sins, God certainly sees us like his son. While I don’t think we are called to be miracle workers like these men, we are definitely called to have a character of Godliness before other people. When other people that are not believers ( even believers) look at us, what are they seeing? Our character should shine so bright that people can see God in us.
C. The question of goals
Looking at this biblical narrative and the theme of redemption it had in and the foreshadowing of Jesus as the Messiah should want to direct us to continue studying in the word but keeping the great commission before us. As we continue to learn the word of God, we continue to see the big picture that is being played out. There was creation, the fall which cursed everyone, now we are seeing redemption being played out, and eventually, the new creation and it will be glorious. However, there is a goal that we must have moving forward this moment that we can take specifically from this narrative. The goal is to be empty. Before God can do anything for us, we have to come to a place where we are willing to give everything to him, to be rid of all pride, self-sufficiency, and self-worth. Jesus says “ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” This is basically saying that a person who is so full and rich is going to be the one who is hardest for God to do his work in. The lesson from this is that we should be willing to empty ourselves so we can allow The Holy Spirit can come in and fill us. Once we get out of the way and allow the spirit to work, anything according to the will of God can happen. This is the place I really want to get to. A place where I am so empty and tired of relying on myself, that Jesus can come in and do his work. To be abundant and a goal to produce fruit. Fruitfulness for his purposes, not mine.
D. The question of discernment
In this biblical narrative, Elisha had great discernment. He was very aware and concerned with what was happening to the people around him. The widow had a need and was able to meet her there and provide through God. The enemy wants to do nothing but hinder us from being fruitful. The more we spend time in the word and prayer, the harder the enemy will come in and attack. Everytime I draw nearer to God is when I feel the enemy coming in harder to attack. We need to be strong in the Lord and in his might first of all, but moving forward we need to have great discernment for the needs of those around us. It is very easy to be all about self, but we need to be more like Jesus. Through the spirit we should ask for wisdom and discernment to how we can help hurting people. It may be a widow perhaps, or an ederly person, someone with a physical disability, a college student who is a nonbeliever and hurting, a coworker who is empty of joy, a family member who is empty spiritually. God will bring people in our path and we need good discernment to be there for them.
