Law of Spiritual Increase
In 2 Kings chapter 4, we see a powerful miracle performed by the prophet Elijah, illustrating the law of spiritual increase. A widow, representing the church today, faced a dire situation: her husband, a son of the prophets, had died, leaving her in debt and vulnerable to the creditor who threatened to take her children as slaves. She came to Elijah, symbolizing Christ, seeking help. Elijah asked what she had in her house, and she replied, "a pot of oil," which signifies the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers. Despite her destitution, she still possessed this pot of oil, a precious resource that can bring spiritual abundance. Elijah instructed her to borrow empty vessels from her neighbors, emphasizing the need for humility and fellowship—borrowing from others to be emptied so that the Holy Spirit can fill us abundantly. When she obeyed and poured the oil into the vessels, it miraculously filled every one until no more vessels remained, illustrating that the Holy Spirit's supply is limitless when we are willing to be emptied. The oil's overflow paid her debts and provided for her future, symbolizing that through emptiness and reliance on the Holy Spirit, believers can experience spiritual increase, victory over debts, and divine provision. This story teaches us to seek humility, fellowship, and dependence on the Holy Spirit for spiritual fullness.
Outline of Main Points
- Elijah’s miracles often turn impossible situations into glory, symbolizing life and resurrection.
- The widow represents the church—oppressed by the world, yet spiritually rich through the Holy Spirit.
- The spiritual condition of Israel reflected in the poverty and faithfulness of the sons of the prophets.
- Our generation’s spiritual decline is linked to reliance on flesh and legalism, leading to spiritual poverty.
- In times of destitution, we must turn inward and recognize the Holy Spirit within us as our resource.
- The pot of oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit, always present but often underutilized due to lack of emptiness.
- Borrowing empty vessels from others signifies humility, fellowship, and the need to be emptied to be filled.
- True spiritual abundance comes through emptiness, humility, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
- The overflow of the Holy Spirit provides spiritual victory, provision, and the ability to pay our debts.
- Encouragement to love, fellowship, and be humble with brothers and sisters to facilitate spiritual fullness.
- Spiritual law: emptiness precedes fullness; dependence on the Holy Spirit is essential for growth.
1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. 2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil. 3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. 4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full. 5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. 6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.
