Your servant my husband is dead, and… the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.
2 kings 4:1
Let’s look at this story from the perspective of the two boys. It’s striking how often they are mentioned, and it is through their eyes that we see these two truths.
1. God works for our freedom
These two boys had quite a story to tell. If one of them could tell us his story, he might say,
I’ll never forget the day that creditor came. His words felt like a death sentence. I was about to become a slave. But then God stepped in! As the oil kept coming from the jar, we witnessed the grace and kindness of God, poured out in our home. When we sold the oil, our debt was paid. Instead of being slaves we were free!
2. God works for our joy
“The man of God… said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest’” (4:7). God did more than pay off the debt. He provided a rich future. If one of her sons was here today, he might say,
I didn’t know this at the time, but when Elisha said, “You and your sons can live on the rest,” he was telling us that we would have enough to start a small business. And we did very well with it. God did more than pay our debt. He provided for our future life.
God works with what He has already given. God works through our faith and obedience. God works for our freedom and joy.
In what area do you need God’s freedom? Where do you need His joy?
