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There was “a certain woman”. She was a ministry woman. She was the wife of one of the sons of the prophets. This woman had a desperate need. Her husband was dead and her creditors had come to take her two children to be slaves. |
| In her growing hopelessness she became a blame-shifter. “Your servant, my husband, is dead”, cried the widow woman to Elisha. In her pain, the woman shifted the responsibility to Elisha for not being a more responsible leader. Even God was implicated, as the woman continued, “…and you know that your servant feared the Lord.” Where was Elisha’s God? He could have prevented this tragedy. |
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Elisha’s response was, “What shall I do for you?” This word “do” or “asah” carried a sense of ethical obligation to the Jews. Literally it means to create. Elisha seemed to say, “Widow-woman, you are right, a creative miracle is the only option.” |
| Elisha then asked, “What do you have in your house?” The prophet knew that she had something that needed to be tapped into, even if it was only a need. A creative miracle usually starts with something we already have, rather than something we do not have. |
| She responded, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” Her identity had changed from “a certain woman” to “your maidservant”. The widow woman’s identity needed to be in God, not in her circumstance or even her need, in order to receive her miracle. |
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The order came forth from the Servant of God: “Go borrow empty vessels for yourself from all your neighbors. This was something she was to do “for herself”, not for her sons, not for the prophet. “Get a lot” he told her, “then go in and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour the oil into the vessels and set aside the full vessels”. |
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Obedience was paramount for the widow woman to receive her miracle. The Scripture states that she went from the man of God and shut the door behind her. Unknowingly, she closed the door to her pain, poverty and victimization. When the door was shut, the broken, depressed woman began to pour out her miracle. When the vessels were all full, the oil stopped. When God’s work was complete, the anointing stopped. He didn’t intend for her to make a business out of collecting empty jars. |
| When her task was complete, she opened the door, went out and told the prophet Elisha, not realizing that re-opening the door would bring the beginning of the rest of her life. The prophet said, “Now go and sell the oil, pay your debt and you and your sons can live on the rest.” |
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The following flowed out of this passage in II Kings 4:1-7.
SHUT THE DOOR |
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The Widow had a need – her cupboards were empty.
She felt alone – with nothing left to give.
Then God sent His Servant and her welcome brought him in.
“I have nothing to serve. I have spent it all, but you are welcome to step in.”
“Are there vessels with oil in this humble house?” asked the Servant of God.
“Only but one,” was her answer. “Then, go and fetch other empty vessels”, he replied.
Not understanding why, unable to see the future, she did what was asked.
Upon returning with just a few clean vessels, the Servant of
God said these words, “Before you pour out your miracle, you
must first shut the door behind you.”
And as she did, He did, and thus began the beginning of new life.
Your miracle awaits you. You, who are bankrupt, abandoned,
rejected and humiliated. Welcome the Son of Man and begin to
search for vessels for He will pour out YOUR miracle – but
always remember it will happen only after you shut the door
behind you – leave the old ways of responding to life, count on
your miracle being poured out, not the old lost vessels of
yesteryear.
It happened with Elisha and the Widow woman – it can happen
with you, IF you do not forget to shut the door behind you.
Barbara
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TESTIMONIES OF GOD’S GRACE |
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A beautiful Black girl writes, “I truly believe that today is a new beginning for me. For the first time in my life I can see my destiny unfold. I have not known who I am or what I was to do, only the things I was good at doing. My identity had been lost by my good intentions to be good. I turned my back on my origin because I saw no good there. I wanted God so badly that the only option I had was to leave what I thought was a hindrance. I walked away from myself and who I was, from my confidence, my hope, and my future. It was a very interesting thing to see a fragmented soul restored, my heart and being restored! I know there are so many lost, wounded, broken and bruised souls I am to reach. I’ve wanted to help others but I could not see through my own pain, but now I believe my family can be free too. I do not know God’s timing, but my origin, my race, and nations will be free! |
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To sum it up, I lost my identity when I disconnected myself from my origin, but today I have been reconnected. I have to forgive and be forgiven. I can now live the life God intended for me to live and be who He wants me to be, and that includes my origin, and my family. Today is a new beginning for me. My view, my opinions, my desires have changed. I feel different. I have hope. I don’t know how easy or difficult this transition will be, but I welcome it.” |
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A wife who received God’s physical healing writes, “Do you remember praying for my mitral valve condition? I can usually only drink one cup of coffee and then there is heaviness in my chest and the chest pains follow. This has been the case for years! Well, last night we were with some friends and I drank a cup of very strong coffee about 9:30 p.m. About one hour later, I had to ask if it was decaf coffee because I had absolutely no resulting chest pains, heaviness, etc. Last night absolutely confirms to me that the mitral valve condition is healed. I usually experience great fatigue, chest pain and heaviness whenever I would have any caffeine – in chocolate, tea, etc., but especially with fully caffeinated coffee! God’s presence was so strong in that sacred room; I will never forget that week with you.” |
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A Messianic Jew writes, “This has been so amazing and truly God’s rich blessings and healing have exceeded my expectations, just as the prayer on your welcome card said. I never imagined I could have made it through a week or day with the news I got this week. But that was before I knew the woman of God that He has created me to be. My husband shared with me the most trying, painful experience of my life, while at the same time, the most empowering of seeing how the L-rd brought me to the place of not being shaken. My victory of this week will be seen daily in my life!” |
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| MISSIONS |
Malaysia
Chester and Betsy Kylstra have extended an invitation to us to minister Healing and Restoration at Pastor Bat Tzion Leong’s church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this July. We have prayed and believe God is opening this door to yet another Nation. The church has graciously offered to help with airfare for the trip. We will spend one or two weeks with them, depending on what is needed. |
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Indonesia
Thanks to each of you who have contributed toward the District Pastor’s Conference in Sumba, Indonesia in July. Nearly half of the needed monies are provided. Lord willing, we will minister in Sumba first and then on to Malaysia. |
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Kenya
Our hearts go out to a wonderful needy group in Kenya that has asked us to bring God’s healing and restoration message to them. Like the people in Indonesia, these cannot afford our tickets but will provide accommodations. This trip, should God open the door, will happen in 2007. Thank you for praying regarding this needy invitation. We may like to take a group, if you are interested. |
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| Extending Our Lifeline |
| We feel close to each of you, and thank you for being a part of this ministry, for your love and communication with us. Restoration Ministries is larger than this mountain, it includes all of you, our dear friends around the world, including Steve and Ania Hylan soon to be qualified Healing House Network Ministers in Poland. What a blessing to take this message to other nations and train nationals to expand the work. Thank you for standing with us. Your reward is on the way. |
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With love, John & Barbara Briggs
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