This week’s passage continues where we left off last week. The Lord had provided for Elijah - water in the desert from a stream and food brought to him by ravens. There Elijah waited on God to show him what he was to do next. Eventually the water dried up and then God directed Elijah where to go next. I cannot imagine what Elijah was thinking as the flow of life-giving water began to diminish. What we read this week is a most beautiful biblical account of faith and God’s provision. Last week we saw how courage is a key element in serving God and now we will see from Elijah and the widow of Zarephath that trust (in God) is another essential to service.
After the water supply ran out the word of the Lord came to Elijah and directed him to pack up his things and go to Zarephath in Sidon. The location must have gotten Elijah’s attention. Recall from last week Jezebel’s father was king of Sidon. Elijah was to relocate right into the heart of a pagan land ruled by his chief adversary’s father. In our wisdom we would run in the opposite direction, but Elijah obeyed God even when it did not make sense. God calling His prophet to live in the heartland of Baal worship once again demonstrated our God’s preeminence over all others.
In verse 9 God tells Elijah a widow would provide for him while he was there. Again, this is illogical. How would God use a Gentile widow, with a dependent son, who was herself destitute to provide for the prophet? She would have no surplus to give him. Elijah later finds her at the city gate (v. 10) where he asks for a cup of water. She brought him the water and he then makes an additional request for her last piece of bread. She was about to go and prepare this last bit of bread for herself and her son so they may eat it before they die. She was not a follower of God and she had lost all hope for living.
From verse 10 we see that she recognized Elijah as a Hebrew and as a prophet of God. She was totally honest about her sad situation, but she was willing to listen. In verses 13-14 Elijah instructs her first to not be afraid. (Remember serving requires courage.) He then tells her exactly how he wants her make bread for her and her son, but FIRST make Elijah a small loaf so he may eat too. She had to overcome her fear and act on what God’s prophet had told her. Who among us would give food to a stranger before our own children? Fear is a natural emotion, but we cannot allow fear to paralyze us into inaction. God told many of His people to act/obey when they could not see the final result: Abraham, Noah, Moses, Daniel and many more are examples.
Pause:
Have you ever felt God leading you to take a step of faith when you could not see where it may take you? If so, have you shared your story of God’s faithfulness with someone in need of encouragement?
In verse 14 Elijah shares God’s promise with her. If she takes this step of faith God will provide for her, her son, and Elijah for the entire time of the famine. The flour jar and the jug of oil will be supernaturally replenished by God until rain comes again to the land. God had proved His faithfulness in the past to Elijah, and Elijah knew God would continue to honor His promises. How often does God take what little we have and make something more of it? After all, as Paul wrote to the Ephesians, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine (3:20).
Verses 15-16 share the rest of the story. Like Elijah, the widow heard, and she believed. She then took the next step that is often left undone – “she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah.” James writes in the NT that faith without works is dead. The question I ask myself then – Do I truly posses faith if I am unwilling to act on what I profess to believe?
God was faithful to His promise. The woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days without worry of running out. Everything that was done “according to the word of the LORD he had spoken through Elijah.” Her obedience combined with God’s faithfulness resulted in a miracle.
God may ask us to share something He has given us. We may feel we have little time, energy, money, talent, or resource to share. The widow in Luke 21 gave a very small amount (the mite was roughly 1/64th of a day’s wage) but her gift was greater than the offering of the others. Jesus commented that she had the faith to give from a position of poverty while others gave pridefully from a position of privilege.
Perhaps God is calling us to give something or some part of ourselves in service to Him and we can’t see how it is possible. I have to believe God sees possibilities when all we see are our limitations. I pray we invest time in seeking His kingdom first and then allow Him to add all the other things to us as He sees fit. Service to God should be fueled by trust in Him.
