“…he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified and fit for the Master’s use.” 2 Timothy 2:21
Dear Ones:
In the Old Testament, there are at least two stories which concern vessels which contain oil, specifically oil that one would use to make food. The first one has to do with Elijah and a widow woman, who in the midst of a famine, are confronted with the necessity to survive. How will God provide for them? The woman, when asked by Elijah for a small cake made from the remaining meal that was in a barrel, was then confronted with a choice, one which involved much faith. Elijah told her first of all: “Fear not.” With the request for her to prepare him a “little cake,” came a remarkable promise from heaven: “For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, ‘The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail.'” (1 Kings 17:14) It was then that the widow acted upon the word of Elijah, and placed all of her faith in the God of the word. The result was that the oil in that cruse did NOT fail, but kept flowing. Is this not a wonderful picture of the gracious provision of God according to His promise? Is it not a picture of a vessel being used, howbeit very small and insignificant, but which is constantly being replenished with life-giving oil? Such is also the servant of Christ, the honorable vessel.
In the second story, we find again a widow, the wife of a deceased man of God, one belonging to the “sons of the prophets.” Her need was acute, for her husband died with debts, and the creditor was coming to take her two sons and make them his slaves in payment. She appeals to Elisha, who instructs her to gather many “vessels” that are empty. (2 Kings 4:3) As we see in the Gospel of Matthew, she is called upon to “shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons.” (v.4) Why? We do not know fully, except that the Lord wanted to reveal Himself to her and her sons in a very particular way, one which would confirm the faithfulness of God to provide for His own, and also, to reveal His quiet power. What occurred? Elisha told her, “…(you) shall pour out into all those vessels, and you shall set apart that which is full.” She did so. When all of the vessels were full, she came to Elisha, the man of God, to tell him. He then said, “Go, sell the oil, and pay the debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.” (v.7) What do we see in this picture of these “vessels,” which are being used? And How are they being used? We see first that these “vessels” are made of clay. There is nothing special about them, except concerning the value that they have with respect to the oil that they contain. They were made to be filled with the oil, an oil of such value as would provide freedom from creditors, deliverance from the weight of debt.
When the Apostle Paul wrote to his “son” Timothy concerning honorable vessels, he was speaking of usefulness, faithfulness, and worth. The believer is a vessel of clay, the value of which God has established and revealed by the cost of Calvary. The vessel’s purpose is to first receive the “oil” of heaven, the very fullness of the Spirit of God. It is as the oil is received, and consequently poured out, used, and distributed, that the benefit is truly known. The result is God’s provision of Life in the famine, and freedom from the oppressor.
Dear Father, Take these vessels of our lives, and fill them with Christ. Enable us to open our mouths wide, trusting Thee to fill them, receiving, in order to give, that others may live. We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad
A beautiful message for our times!