The Widow’s Oil

God seems to like to bless his people with a “cup that runs over” as talked about in Psalm 23. Many times throughout scripture this blessing and miracle can be seen. In the book of John chapter 2, Jesus’ first miracle was to turn water in wine. In Matthew 14, Jesus feeds 5000 on 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. This miracle of sustenance and blessing that never runs dry seems to be a theme. In the Jewish tradition, the miracle of Hanukah is the oil lamp that burns for 8 days straight on only 1 day’s worth of oil after the Maccabees were victorious at reclaiming the holy temple. These are just a few of the many examples I could choose.

In the book of First Kings, chapter 17 there is a quaint and intimate story of a widow from Zarapheth, who had enormous faith. This widow heard from God that she was to provide for the prophet Elijah although she only had 1 small jar of oil and jar of flour left in all her provisions for herself and her son. But God told her to do so, and the prophet confirmed, and she obeyed. After her obedience, God caused her jar of oil and flour to not run out throughout the entire drought Israel was experiencing. God provided enough. In the painting the oil is represented through the little jar of overflowing oil.

I pondered a little more about the story and thought through a detail that is not often talked about, it is the widow’s relationship with prophet Elijah. Elijah lived with her. They would have become intimate but romantically neutral friends through this time. The flowers in the back are baby’s breath flowers and they have an historic symbolic meaning of purity and innocence, like the friendship built between the two characters.

Light from a candle radiated as the central focus, illuminating the jar, the flowers, and the oil on the jar. The light and life of God is at the heart of every Bible story and can be seen here.

“The Widow’s Oil” is a symbolic reminder that God’s provision is beautiful, and it is enough.