The Barrel and the Jug

Have you ever felt like you have come to the end of your resources and you begin to loose hope? Has your money, health, friends, patience, etc., all been depleted leaving you with doubts about the future? Well you’re not alone and you can take comfort in a story about a women in the bible that God intended for us to hear in times just like this.

The story takes place in 1 Kings 7: 7-16. There was a severe drought in the land and a widow in the town of Zarephath was out gathering sticks for a fire so she could cook the last meal for her and her son. The barrel of flour and the jug of oil that once was full were now down to the last bits which would be used to make their final meal.

While she was gathering sticks she met the prophet Elijah who asked her for a drink of water and a piece of bread. After telling him of her dire situation he told her not to be afraid but to go and make a small cake of bread for him and then make some for herself and her son. He then encouraged her with a word from the Lord saying, “the barrel of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.”

How would you respond in this situation? If someone asked you for your last meal would you give it to them? How about your last dollar or the last bit of patience you have?

Her response was – she went away and did as Elijah had told her and the results were – there was food every day for Elijah, the woman and her family. For the barrel of flour and the jug of oil did not run dry in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

At the beginning of the story she thought she was preparing her last meal because her eyes had been on the barrel and the jug. But as she stepped out in faith she was actually preparing the first of many meals that would see her, her family and Elijah through the famine.

I had the opportunity yesterday to choose my response to my own version of this story. My current job will be ending in one week and I was reviewing the finances trying to determine how long I could stretch my final paycheck.

After deducting the expenses for the next few months it left me with a very small amount. My first response was one of panic and wondering how quickly I could make money in my new business. But then this story came to mind and I was reminded that there was still a small amount in the barrel. God can do immeasurably more with that small amount than I can ever imagine.

I was also reminded that the famine lasted for awhile in the story and through it all God provided. I don’t think that the widow’s barrel and jug were overflowing throughout this season rather that each day as she reached into the barrel and the jug there was always just enough.

In the beginning she looked at her circumstances through the eyes of fear, but after receiving a word from God she was able to reach into the barrel and the jug and see the contents with hope. She was now seeing through the eyes of faith that believed in God’s word and His provision.

Can you imagine what her thoughts must have been each morning when she looked inside and there was still enough? It was a daily miracle and I’m sure it brought a smile to her face and joy to her heart.

The woman in the story believed God’s word for her and stepped out in faith using the very last of her resources to serve someone else. God came through in a mighty way for as long as it was needed.

We also have God’s word available to us. It is full of promise, hope and direction for any circumstances that we may encounter. Stories like this one are in the bible as examples of what is possible when we believe God and step out in faith.

My Prayer

Father I thank you for the wonderful stories in Your word that encourage and challenge me to live by faith. This widow proved that it can be done and no matter the circumstances You will bring us through. Thank you for the encouragement and I look forward to all that you have in store for me in the future. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Isaiah 41:10

“For I AM the Lord, Your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, DO NOT FEAR, I WILL help you.”