I. Observation
A. I have read 2 Kings 4:1-7 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.
Yes
No
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters:
Elisha
The widow
The creditor
2. Plot:
The widow reaches out to the Elisha for assistance since she is facing paying off her debts. If she fails to pay them, her sons will be taken as slaves. Based on this request, the prophet asks her to seek as many jars as she can, and then he fills them with oil ( Satterthwaite, 1998) . Elisha then asks her to sell some of the oil to pay off the debt, and then she can use the rest for her sustenance.
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3. Narrative structure:
The introduction: The death of the husband of the widow.
Conflict: He had not paid off his debts at the time of his death, and because of this, his creditors wanted to take his sons as slaves.
Course of action: Since the woman was helpless, she turned to Elisha for assistance.
Resolution: The woman agreed to get jars, and then the prophet performed a miracle.
Conclusion: The oil-filled the jars and this enabled the woman to pay off the debt.
C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
1. Who: The woman, her sons, creditor, and Elisha.
2. What: Considering her situation, what action was the woman supposed to take? She turned to the prophet for assistance.
3. Where: Where did the incident take place? The location was the widow’s home.
4. When: When did this incident occur? The timing of this incident was at the death of the woman’s husband.
5. Why: Why did the prophet ask her what she had? To determine her preparation and willingness to change her position.
6. How: How did the woman pay off the debts? She sold some of the oil.
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words), explain what you
think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember, the Old Testament narratives frequently communicate truth by showing it to us in story form instead of telling it to us by way of teaching or sermon.
The main point of the author is to show the readers the importance of having faith and turning to God for assistance. In this case, the woman’s husband was close to the prophet, but his death affected his family. However, the woman felt that reaching out to Prophet Elisha would assist her in dealing with her problems. Although she was not sure what he would do, she was convinced that it would benefit her ( Satterthwaite, 1998) . Even when she was requested to get the jars, she did not ask what they were meant for, but the widow had faith and followed the instructions of the prophet. Eventually, the jars overflow with oil, and she finally learns that the Lord can use what you have to fulfill your daily needs.
B. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able
to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
God provides the answers even in situations where one seems stuck and helpless.
III. Correlation
A. How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State what
type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
The narrative fits into the redemption narrative of the Bible. At the beginning of the Old Testament, God assures Adam and Eve that he will provide for them, although they disobey him. However, he goes ahead and forgives them despite their transgressions. Such instances are repeated across the Old Testament when various individuals are in despair, but the Almighty comes in to assist them, despite what they might have done in the past. It shows that God is willing to help his followers as long as one has faith in Him and will do as the Lord requires without questioning his abilities.
B. How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle is the one you have
written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your belief is a true Biblical principle, it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the principle discovered in this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
The principle outlined summarizes God’s actions in the scripture, whereby he frequently comes across as a helper and assists even in tough situations. There are various instances in the Bible, whereby even sinners have called out to God, and he manages to offer assistance as long as they have faith. In the book of Daniel, Meshack, Abednego, and Shadrack were thrown into a den of lions since they remained firm that they can only bow down before God and not to idols. Despite the danger that they faced, they remained adamant and prayed to God, who managed to protect them, and they walked out without a scratch. Similarly, in the book of 1 Kings chapter 17, a widow’s son died while Elijah was in the house, and she turned to him in despair. Elijah then turns to the Lord and asks for his assistance ( Shemesh, 2008) . He then spreads himself over the boy several times, and he comes back to life, then he hands her to the widow. Both of these instances show the ability of God to assist in situations that can be considered impossible as long as the affected persons have faith in his ability.
C. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State
and explain at least one way that the principle of this narrative can be identified in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
The principle of offering assistance to people in faith is also a characteristic of Jesus Christ. Each time that an individual turned to Jesus, they were expected to have faith and to believe that their problems would be resolved. An example was in the book of Luke 8 when Jairus had come to seek for help from Jesus and he raised his child. The bleeding woman also represents faith. Instead of talking to Jesus, she had faith that all she needed to do what to touch his robe, and she would be healed. She managed to get some space, and the moment that she touched his robe, she stopped bleeding ( Brodie, 1983) . Jesus realized this, and when He called out to her, he told her that it was her faith that had healed her. Another instance whereby the power of faith is evident is when Jesus heals the paralyzed man at Capernaum. When Jesus tells the man to stand up and walk, the man has faith that this was possible, and when he does so, he is healed. Based on these examples, it is evident that the principle of faith that dominates the Old Testament is also represented in the works of Jesus Christ.
IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty
It is the duty of the head of the family to protect the household. After the death of her husband, it was the task of the widow to protect her children from enslavement because of a debt. It was out of this desperation that she reached out to Elisha, who managed to offer assistance. At that point, arguing with the creditor that she was not the one who had taken the debt or that the person who made the debt was dead would not have been of help. She took responsibility and figured out a way to protect her children.
B. The question of character
An individual’s personality determines how they behave when they are placed in a situation of crisis. In this case, the woman could have decided to run away with her sons to prevent them from being enslaved. However, she was willing to stick around and to fight for them. Based on this faith, she reaches out to the prophet and asks for his assistance. Elisha listens to the woman and realizes that the woman’s plea was out of her good character, with the only objective being to protect her children. Elisha then proceeds and offers her a solution to her problems.
C. The question of goals
The goals of an individual highlight what is essential to a person. Given her situation, it is clear that the widow was suffering after the death of her husband. All this while she had not asked for any assistance from the prophet. She only does so when her sons are in danger, and she has no option. The widows only goal is that she can have enough money to pay off her husband’s debt. It is based on this plea that the prophet decides to use the opportunity to give her a source of income that would sustain her for life.
D. The question of discernment
One will come across situations whereby their actions seem not to bear any fruits. During such times, it is important not to doubt oneself and continue, with the focus being on the final goal. In the case of the widow, she did not know why she was being asked to collect the various jars, and she did not ask questions. All she had was the belief that what the prophet was asking would help to resolve her situation. Everything becomes clear when she starts to pour oil in the jars, and it enables her to pay her debt and a means of livelihood.
References
Brodie, T. L. (1983). Luke 7, 36-50 as an internalization of 2 Kings 4, 1-37: A study in Luke's use of rhetorical imitation. Biblica , 457-485.
Satterthwaite, P. E. (1998). The Elisha Narratives and Coherence of 2 Kings 2-8. Tyndale Bulletin , 49 , 1-28.
Shemesh, Y. (2008). Elisha and the Miraculous Jug of Oil (2 Kgs 4: 1–7). Journal of Hebrew Scriptures , 8 , 1-18.
