This verse is the beginning of a famous story about a widow seeking help from the prophet Elisha. Let's break down the meaning:
"Elisha said to her, “What should I do for you?" This shows Elisha's willingness to help those in need, a common theme in the stories about him. The widow has likely come to him because she is in dire straits and knows of his reputation for divine power.
"Tell me: what do you have in the house?" This question is crucial. Elisha isn't just going to magically solve her problem. He wants to work with what she already possesses. This is a principle often seen in biblical stories: God often uses what we have, no matter how small or insignificant it seems, as a starting point for something miraculous. He does not create something from nothing, he uses what is there.
"She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.”" This reveals the widow's dire situation. She seems to have virtually nothing of value. The "pot of oil" seems like a negligible amount, barely enough to be worth mentioning. However, this seemingly insignificant resource is the key to the miracle that follows. She is honest about what she has. This is what Elisha asks of her.
In essence, this verse sets the stage for a demonstration of God's power to provide and transform what little we have into something abundant. The widow's need and Elisha's question highlight the theme of faith and divine intervention in times of desperation.
This verse is the beginning of a famous story about a widow seeking help from the prophet Elisha. Let's break down the meaning:
"Elisha said to her, “What should I do for you?" This shows Elisha's willingness to help those in need, a common theme in the stories about him. The widow has likely come to him because she is in dire straits and knows of his reputation for divine power.
"Tell me: what do you have in the house?" This question is crucial. Elisha isn't just going to magically solve her problem. He wants to work with what she already possesses. This is a principle often seen in biblical stories: God often uses what we have, no matter how small or insignificant it seems, as a starting point for something miraculous. He does not create something from nothing, he uses what is there.
"She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house, except a pot of oil.”" This reveals the widow's dire situation. She seems to have virtually nothing of value. The "pot of oil" seems like a negligible amount, barely enough to be worth mentioning. However, this seemingly insignificant resource is the key to the miracle that follows. She is honest about what she has. This is what Elisha asks of her.
In essence, this verse sets the stage for a demonstration of God's power to provide and transform what little we have into something abundant. The widow's need and Elisha's question highlight the theme of faith and divine intervention in times of desperation.