SCRIPTURE; 1 KINGS 17
ELIJAH FED BY RAVENS (vs. 1-6)
Elijah from Tishbite in Gilead said to king Ahab that there will be no dew nor rain in the next few years. Then the Lord asked Elijah to leave and hide in Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan and stayed there. He will drink from the brook and God will order the ravens to feed him. Elijah did what the Lord had told him. He went to Kerith Ravine and the ravens brought him bread and meat everyday.
THE WIDOW AT ZAREPHATH (vs. 7-24)
Sometime later, the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. The Lord told Elijah to go to Zarephath of Sidon and stayed with a widow who will supply him with food. So Elijah went to Zarephath and met a widow gathering sticks. He asked her to bring him water and some bread. But the widow replied: “I don’t have any bread – only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die” (v. 12). Elijah told her not to be afraid but go home and make a small cake of bread for him and something for her and her son. God will supply you the flour and oil.
She went home and did as Elijah had told her. There was food everyday for them. The jar of flour did not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry. Sometime later, the son of the widow got sick and stopped breathing. Elijah carried the boy to the upper room and laid him in his bed. Then he cried out to the Lord: “O Lord my God, have you brought tragedy upon this widow I am staying with by causing her son to die?” (v. 20) Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!” (v. 21)
The Lord heard Elijah’s cry and the boy returned to life. Elijah picked the child and carried him down and gave it to his mother. Then the woman said to Elijah: “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth” (v. 24).
THOUGHTS:
The drought lasted more than 3 years but the Lord took care of his faithful servant Elijah. God fed him and enabled him to help a Gentil widow. When we walk by faith, we won’t be afraid of our needs. Trust God for He is the provider of all things.
The poor widow put God first by obeying Elijah’s command. God provided for her, her son and her guest. If we give what we have to the Lord, He will take care of the rest. He can feed thousands with a few loaves and fishes.
Baal was believed to be the god who brought the rain and bountiful harvest. God responded their heresy and rebellion with action. The Lord God of Israel showed his greater power than the pagan god by withholding rain for more than 3 years.
God’s nation was supposed to take care of their prophets. But God turned to ravens (unclean bird) and a widow (foreigner from Jezebel’s territory) to care for Elijah. God has his unique way of caring his children no matter how bitter our trials or how serious and hopeless are our situations. God gives his caring touch and providence in a unique way.
The poor widow of Zarephath trusted Elijah and gave all she had to eat to him. Her simple act of faith provided a miracle. Her supplies never ended. Every miracle begins with an act of obedience. We should take the first step of faith before we can see the solution.