The drought was in judgment of the nation's rampant idolatry, led by the royal couple Ahab and Jezebel. Love this story. This have really touched and challenged my faith in God. read more, Scripture: Tap the title above, next to the arrow, to go to thatlesson with a link back to thispage. Thanks so much for sharing. And note that his prayers were no small prayers and his faith was equally huge. But the end of your hope is the middle of Gods story. I found your writing uplifting. The generosity of the widow of Zarephath to the prophet Elijah was in response to the initiative of God. by Tamar Kadari In Brief The widow of Zarephath plays a small but important role in Elijah's story. Thank you and Thank you God for your help. Baal brought death, but Gods continued care showed her that God brought life. Her planwithout God's miraculous intervention, which she must have hoped forshe and her son will starve to death. Season: Epiphany 4c Thank you very much and may God bless you. "[The widow had] a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse and the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail". In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have a living prophet again on the earth! But the brook dried up after a while. 3Now wash and anoint yourself, and Thank you for stopping by. She was also aware that she was the victim of a severe drought, and had just this very day used up all the food she had, except . Thank you for being you. We can learn so many lessons from the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. Resources to inspire your faith in God and his provision: Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links which means that I get a small commission (at no extra charge) when you purchase my recommended products. Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. The Zarephath widow was going to have her last meal with her son before they died of starvation. As you continue in faith and prayer, you continue to give God permission to do what he needs to do to answer your prayers. I am a widow with 3 children. Sidon was Jezebels home territory (1 Kings 16:31). Thanks. This sermon explores Elijah's interactions with the widow of Zarephath, and we learn that God never abandons us, faith requires obedience, and to receive a blessing I must be a blessing. Thanks Beka. They connect narratively to an earlier event in which Jeroboams wife tries to save her sick son (1 Kgs 14:218). Ive been serving the Lord for sometime know,but I still have this fear in me,and Im also afraid of going to hell,because Jesus says in his word,deny me on earth and I deny you on the day of jugdment,this sermon give Im hope in putting faith before my fear Amen. What do we do then? But God chose her to be the source of a miracle for Elijah-and because our God seeks after hearts, he chose Elijah to be the source of a miracle for her. www.simplybible.com Copyright Ron Graham 2001, "I have commanded a widow there to provide for you", "She said, 'As the Lord lives, I have no bread'", "She said, 'As the Lord lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in a bowl and a little oil in a jar. While Ahab and Jezebel and Elijah were drawing swords on earth, that was just a representation of what was happening in the spiritual word. In fact, she was gathering sticks to make a last meal for herself and her son, and then die. Text: I Kings 17:8-22; Malachi 3:2-3 Look, I am gathering a couple of sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, so that we may eat it and die., 13Do not be afraid, Elijah said to her. The raising of the son of the widow of Zarephath is a miracle of the prophet Elijah recorded in the Hebrew Bible, 1 Kings 17, taking place in the Phoenician city of Zarephath. Episode 96: Can We Talk? Great read! Widow of Zarephath: Midrash and Aggadah - Jewish Women's Archive Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 'Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.' So he set out and went to Zarephath. widow. The widow declared her faith Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth (1 Kings 17:24). Blessings to you as well. She wasnt even from Israel. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. That's why I have given this lesson the very short title, She. God sends him to stay by a brook first. 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, Help your church understand God's plan in pain, Call your people to experience a higher freedom, Proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. Let us know. B. read more, Scripture: gain access to 50+ premium resources to enhance your study of Scripture. This has blessed me as I was seeking help on this account in the Bible. When God commanded Elijah to go to Zarephath, God said, "I have commanded a widow there to provide for you" (1Kings 17:8-9). 816, the widows son dies. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food." 10 So he went to Zarephath. RELATED: Women of faith in the Bible 14 Characteristics and lessons learned. A. The widow of Zarephath encountered God's undeserved grace when He sent Prophet Elijah to her in her time of need. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have been encouraged by these lessons from the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. Ahab was the king in Israel at a crucial time. Have an update or correction? Required fields are marked *. Perhaps he told her the stories of Abraham and Moses, the flood and the crossing of the Red Sea. And while there are tests of faith, there is no lack in God either. Her oil is running thin, but God knew Elijah would come. I am searching for the life of the prophet Elijah for my Sunday School lesson and God gives me this article. But anyone who is willing to open their hearts, God is ready to walk in. The boy returned to life, and Elijah brought the child to his mother. God multiplied the flour and oil so that she did not have to worry about food. The only problem? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Its hard for me with no one. It was in the middle of this drought that Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath become a part of each others lives. She could have gone into business selling flour and oil; pouring out as much as she could sell; getting a premium price because of the famine. She left a legacy of faith that has lasted for generations. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. They tell only what we see but the eternal God is our refuge and always, always, always underneath are his everlasting arms. Clearly, when we give our all to God, He will surpass our expectations of Him. Maybe, like me, you find yourself a young widow and single mom. For three years, every time she reached into that jar of flour, there was enough. Yet God showed himself faithful. 22And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the childs life returned to him, and he lived. Hi Duncan. If it seems crazy that God provided for Elijah through ravens, its just as far-fetched that God provided for Elijah through a gentile, and not only a gentile but a woman, and not only that but a widow! The story of the woman with the issue of blood and many other stories show Jesus doing that (https://thefaithspace.com/lessons-from-the-woman-with-the-issue-of-blood/ ). The Widow of Zarephath lessons that we will explore in this post might challenge you. These stories of miracle working, which make Elijah a favorite prophetic figure in the New Testament, are artfully situated in their Kings setting. So the widow was aware that the man of God was coming, and that she was to provide for him. The Widow of Zarephath 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. This famine would effect all of the people of Israel read more, Scripture: Characters.017 Please take away the fear and anxiety that the enemy is trying to use to intimidate your child. NIV, Story of Jesus: Experience the Life of Jesus as One Seamless Story, NIV, Thinline Bible/Journal Pack, Large Print, Leathersoft, Turquoise, Comfort Print, NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NIV, Lucado Encouraging Word Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV, Verse Mapping Bible, Comfort Print: Find Connections in Scripture Using a Unique 5-Step Process. But she did it. God first sent Elijah to a stream where God had ravens make a daily bread delivery. The true faith in Jesus Christ stands the test and wins victory. 1 Kings 17:21-22 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, "O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again". FACT #2 - She was a gentile. This widow had no bread. As she went to get it, Elijah called after her: 'Please, bring me a piece of bread.' But the widow said: 'I don't have any bread to give you. | Next Daily provision for food for three years. The raising of the son of the widow of Zarephath is a miracle of the prophet Elijah recorded in the Hebrew Bible, 1 Kings 17, taking place in the Phoenician city of Zarephath . The Route To Revival At a time when it was not safe for the prophet to publicly show his face in Israel, God hid Elijah in the heart of enemy territory. Background 1 Kings 17 is the chapter in which Elijah is first mentioned by name in the Bible. My old church sang a song based on the story called Bottom of the Barrel. Copyright 2023, Lisa Appelo. Read More, 7 Devotions to Living Free with Pocket Prayers, Your copy of 7 Devotions to Living Free will be coming your way in a few moments. When her growing boy was hungry, there was enough. But he wants more for you. "She and her house ate for many days" (verse 15b). I am so happy you have been encouraged by this post on the Widow of Zarephath. You have come to me to bring my sin and remembrance and to cause the death of my son!". So, like the widow that Jesus commended, she gave all that she had to the man ofGod. We have a similar test of faith in that our lives are "hidden with Christ in God" Christ is in the upper room so to speak, and we wait for him quietly to do his work and then come down. By doing so we help ourselves and could even save ourselves.Maybe your times of crisis can be lifted if you reach out to help someone. When directed to go live by a brook, "he did what the LORD had told him" ( 1 Kings 17:5 ), and then sent to Zarephath, "he . 2. Ruth 3:1-4:17, Denomination: My prayers go ahead of you. [Tweet When God sent Elijah to the widow, Elijah was seeking sustenance. Lessons at Zarephath In the first and third episodes of 1 Kings 17, Elijah aids a widow and her son. Generosity Pays Vs. 8-10a. 5So Elijah did what the LORD had told him, and he went and lived by the Brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan. Our circumstances never tell the whole story. In her grief the widow blamed both Elijah and God. Though very little of his original text is in tact. Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. This message explores the lessons learned during his ministry to the widow and her son at Zarepath. Blessings to you also. Elijah was a fugitive but God used this widow to give him a place where he could be at rest and have some comfort as he waited for Gods promise to be fulfilled. Elijah struggled with wobbly faith, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Subscribe to my newsletter for a weekly dose of hope and encouragement right in your inbox. 1 Kings 17:8-22. 1 Kings 17:8-16 NKJV - Elijah and the Widow - BibleGateway.com Observing Gods interaction with Elijah and Elijahs spiritual journey in his day provides insight and principles for us in our day which is not unlike what Elijah faced. That is a lovelyattitude. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Victor H. Matthews suggests that the woman "uses sarcasm which is designed to shame the prophet for being the cause of her son's death." Even if we ourselves are struggling, reaching out can save you both. First, she seemed to be unaware of this command. God will provide for the Israelites and give them life; they must commit themselves to God. Read these verses and consider how they help us answer that question. I hope you are doing well now. 1 Kings 17:8-20 ESV;KJV - The Widow of Zarephath - Then the word Zarephath Widow Bible Study - A lesson in courage and surrender Then tragedy struck. Elijah and the Widow 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. 1 Kings 17:7-16, Denomination: The second of the encouraging Widow of Zarephath lessons is a bit of a cliche. Oh Desmond, I hear you and I definitely understand the fear. Our God is in command read more, Scripture: Look up 1st Kings 17:1-24 where we read about Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. 14for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain upon the face of the earth.. The widow of Zarephath | Bibleview We can really pray for and trust God for BIG things. Zarephath is preserved in the name of the modern village, Sarafand. I have directed a widow(B) there to supply you with food. 10So he went to Zarephath. Such a powerful reminder of another of Gods promises at the perfect time. This must have been a test of Elijahs faith. These Are the Days of Elijah (#2) 1 Kings 17:7-16 New International Version Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath 7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. The widow of Zarephath Hebrews 11:35 and 1 Kings 17:8-24. So, it is safe to say that From the widow of Zarephath, we can learn important lessons about stewardship. Baals, the false gods, were erected all over the land of Israel and places of idol worship were on every corner. . All He wants us to do is to love him back. And when she gave, something amazing happened. For through faith in Jesus, you are his dear child. This widow had no bread. She wasn't Jewish. Thank you for sharing. Before we get into the lessons from the Widow of Zarephath, let me summarize the story and create some context for you. 1 Kings 17:8-24 ESV - The Widow of Zarephath - Then the word - Bible The Widow of ZarephathObedience's Miracle - Family Life Radio If everything was dying, she should have had more access to firewood. Your grief is welcome here. New International Version (NIV). Although she was Gentile, God knew (his heart was turned towards her) the Zarephath widow and he wanted to show mercy towards her. What a time in my Christian walk to learn this? So he made the request for food on faith, knowing that God would no doubt watch over his word and make it come to pass. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. (verse 24). Now how long would those last? '", "She said to Elijah, 'Now I know that you are a man ofGod'", "She said to Elijah, 'Now I know that you are a man ofGod and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.'". If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. God sent Elijah to this city, within the very heart of the country ruled by the kings of Baal, to be nourished by a widow who was not an Israelite. And so the same God sent his prophet to her. After the third section, the widow become a follower of Elijah's God, illustrating the broader message that as the . prophet Elijah is described as concerned for the oppressed and the socially marginalized in the story of the widow of Zarephath. And this showdown came to a head in the story of Mount Carmel. May Gods blessings be all over you as you share with the ladies. When the brook dried up, God told Elijah to go to Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 3Leave here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan.b Sometimes Gods provision just seems to dry up. Why? Plus, she was literally down to her last meal. She was right not to blame God, but she was mistaken in blaming herself. south-southwest of Sidon. 1 and 2 Kings.In Womens Bible Commentary,edited by Carol A. Newsom and Sharon H. Ringe, 96109. 2Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. Tap the title above, next to the arrow, to go to thatlesson with a link back to thispage. She was able to feed her son, and to have Elijah as a guest in her upper room. Its blessing for me to be Gods instrument of inspiration at this time in your Christian walk . "She said, 'As the Lord lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in a bowl and a little oil in a jar. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 "Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. Amen. She was a single mom who found herself at the end of her supplies and the end of her ability to provide, reasoning her only choice was to make a last meal, eat it and die. But when even the stream dried up, God sent Elijah to a widow in the gentile village of Zarephath.