The Widow of Zarephath had nothing for her own family to eat, much less a prophet. So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. "Don't be afraid. The is a very powerful Sermon. Ahab and Jezebel were ruling the Kingdom of Israel in wickedness. The widow then told Elijah: Now I know that you truly are a man of God and that Jehovahs word in your mouth is truth.1Kings 17:22-24. I hope you have been encouraged by these lessons from the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. Sometimes Jehovah allows our faith in him to be tested. As she decided to care for Gods spokesperson, God provided miraculously for her household. This was trying times in her life and there was no guarantee there was going to be more meal or oil enough to sustain Elijah, her dying son and herself. This exegesis is based on the juxtaposition between the episode of Hiel the Bethelite (I Kings, end of chap. Instead, he sometimes intervenes by miraculous understatement, in this case by making sure that a little bit of oil and flourjust enough for a small loafdidn't run out. In those days, widows, especially those without sons, were very vulnerable. He will watch over his word until it comes to pass. Upon seeing her son, the widow said to Elijah, Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth (1 Kings 17:24 NKJV). Elijah took the boy and laid him upon his own bed and cried unto the LORD. However, Jesus spoke well of her, so she may have become a faithful servant of Jehovah. And the mother? return true; It may require you to look around at what you have and do something with the resources Hes already blessed you with. "); They handed those empty vessels to their mom and watched as she filled them with oil. It was almost gone. The Bible does not tell us, but we know this: The widow did not accuse God of doing anything wrong. Elijah began to entreat God, and said (v. 20): Will You bring calamity upon this widow whose guest I am, and let her son die? The Rabbis derive from this that if someone opens his house to you, you are responsible for that persons well-being. We know a lot about the Widow of Zarephath even though we do not now her name. Even though she did not know much about Jehovah, she believed Elijah and did what he asked of her. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. At Zarephath the prophet was shown hospitality by a poor widow, whose flour and oil were miraculously sustained during a great famine and whose son Elijah, in God's power, subsequently raised from death. Fear can be just as strong as faithif you let it. she wondered. Have you ever had others demanding from you what you didnt have to give? When God sends Elijah to the Widow, the instruction was that he had commanded her to feed. From the Widow of Zarephath we can also learn secrets for success in life and business. Have you ever been in as desperate a situation as the widow was in? Blessings to you as well. But God is full of surprises. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. God will do what He needs to do to secure your hearts complete loyalty. He scooped him up and carried him back downstairs to his mother. There is much curiosity about what he was called but there is no record of his name in all of Scripture. Watch over and protect those who are vulnerable. But hard times is nothing new. She feeds Elijah in her home. In all your ways take notice of him, and he will make your paths straight.Proverbs 3:5,6. Elijah was staying with the widow and her household while there was a drought in the land. When the Widow of Zarephath expresses concern for her meagre meal, Elijah told her, Do not be afraid.. Ahab and Jezebel worshipped Baal. Baal was said to be the god of the weather. "Then the LORD said to Elijah, 'Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah (1 Kings 17:15-16 NKJV). 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His need condemned her. God did not abandon that poor widow. This woman didnt know that the LORD is a loving LORD. We need to know about the time period she lived in and the events that led to her faithfulness to the LORD. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The Widow of Zarephath (Women in the Bible Series) July 10. The Prophet Elijah is invited into a widow 's home after he asks her for a piece of bread. Elijah, however, was committed only to save the lives of his hosts. But first make me a small round loaf of bread with what is there, and bring it out to me. Well never know what went through her head, but we do know that when Elisha gave her an assignment to do, she willingly obeyed without question. Umma and her son were also food insecure. Reinforce vocabulary and Bible studies with a fun printable wordsearch puzzle. I will not be exploring all of them in this post or we would have a whole book. When God saw that there was suffering in the world but Elijah was unaware of it, He told him to go to Zarephath, the widow (BT Sanhedrin 113a). She was obedient and faithful to the LORD. You can follow me on social media, follow my blog, or contact me directly via email or my contact form. Who has God sent into your life to help you? Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath Sure enough, the brook runs dry. When her level of faith was compared to those who claimed to know God, she stood head and shoulders above them. Read a psalm or two. Blessings to you as well. The Widow of Zarephath is a picture of faith. The Bible is filled with God granting miracles for widows. Through her obedience, God sustained the prophet and her household. She literally was going to eat her last meal and then she was going to starve to death. Tune in next week when we talk about the Shunammite woman, a wealthy woman who experienced a life and death miracle from God. God sent Elijah to a woman who had nothing so that He could provide for her and her family supernaturally as a result of her faith. Just a short time earlier, she had gently held his lifeless body in her arms. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.' That emotional resurrection happened almost 3,000 years ago. Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son? (1 Kings 17:17-18 NIV). The Widow had her last bit of sustenance left in this life.But she was so willing to give from it. He might as well ask me to snap my fingers and produce a cow to feast on. "Widow of Zarephath: Midrash and Aggadah." Her body shook as she stood over the fire, greedily sipping and sucking the steam from the pan, as though the smell of frying bread could fill her belly and soothe her fears. God loves you. Think about what Elijah asked the widow to do. For him to take up a love offering? If youre a listener in Nairobi, Id love to hear from you and pray with you. Her sons would hand her an empty jar. (Read on to find out why he chose a drought over anything else). This next of the Widow of Zarephath lessons is an exciting one. (Acts 24:15) Surely these are excellent reasons for remembering the widow of Zarephath. Here we find reciprocal hospitality: a Phoenician widow (a non-Israelite) feeding a Jewish prophet who will eventually save her son. She had nothing to offer but a jar of oil. They further state that when Elijah revived the widows son, he could have resurrected his dead relatives as well. He wants us to lean on him and depend on him daily.It takes faith to deal with this. There are so many people of faith in the Bible. God tells us to go here or thereto do this or thatand its easy to think its about us. Am shelmith from Kenya. If we have faith, it said, we will get the blessing; if we do not [have faith], we will lose it.. Jehovah had decided that there would be a long drought in Israel in the days of wicked King Ahab. I will command a widow there to supply you with food.1Kings 17:1-9. Holstein, Joanne The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library Apr 2015.. Why? Its blessing for me to be Gods instrument of inspiration at this time in your Christian walk . First, go directly to God. He already knows, but He wants to hear it from you. Elisha asked her what she had in her house. It was located between Sidon and Tyre which would be in modern day Lebanon. She replied: As surely as Jehovah your God is living, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the large jar and a little oil in the small jar. God is in the business of protecting his reputation. He provided for them in ways they didnt expect, and in doing so, demonstrated His amazing love for them. There were so many possibilities to this story. The reviving of the dead in this narrative serves the Rabbis as a model of the future Resurrection of the Dead, since whatever God will do in the World to Come He has already shown to humans in this world. Her character: A Phoenician woman, she showed extraordinary hospitality to one of God's prophets, providing a safe harbor for him during a period of famine. Her joy: To experience repeated miracles of God's provision. Claim and trust Gods promises. Every night she hoped for rain, but every morning she woke to a brilliant sky. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah (1 Kings 17:15-16 NKJV). So keep fighting with God for your faith. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. He encouraged her to gather as many as she could. Terms of Use: The contents of this blog post are restricted to your personal use only. I am so happy that you have found what you need for you sermon. The Widow of Zarephath. (Psalm 37:25), And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. That concludes this weeks episode of All Gods Women. He takes the boy from her arms, carries him upstairs to his room and lays him on his bed. 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. Another tradition reveals Elijahs dislike of having to rely on other people. Indeed April. Zarephath was a gentile country. We are never alone, He hears our every prayers, He answers our prayers in ways we would never imagine. This was a humbling activity. Ive stopped saying we should challenge God for big things.Actually, nothing challenges God. This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. God told Elijah to go to Zarephath and find a widow. The widow didnt have much. I look forward to hearing from you! As they filled up the vessels they were to set aside the ones that were full. He obeyed, finding a woman gathering sticks. The widow of Zarephath plays a small but important role in Elijah's story. Then we should follow Jehovahs direction, no matter how difficult it may be to accept. You give freely to those in need. God remember me . He dedicated his life to studying and serving God which meant he was dependent on others to provide for him financially. They continued until all the vessels were full. FACT #5 The son of the Widow at Zarephath remains nameless. 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. Elijah had to run for his life. Here are a few details about her that will help you to understand her story. The midrash apparently understands that the food eaten by Elijah during his stay with the widow was of miraculous origin, since the entire land was suffering from a severe drought. He will not allow the enemy to snatch you up without a fight. God did not abandon that poor widow. Moses had said: Take care not to be lured away to serve other gods [] For the Lords anger will flare up against you, and He will shut up the skies so that there will be no rain [Deut. Not only were they worshiping false Gods, but Jezebel had also commanded all the prophets in the land to be killed. Elijah is commanded to go to Sidon, where he will be fed by a widow (17:9). Amen. For some reason I wasnt getting notifications. ( 1Ki 17:8-24; Lu 4:25, 26) It later marked an . The people there worshiped Baal, the god of rain. Look! No matter how little, we have something we can use to bless someone. She went back to Elisha to ask what she was to do next. Just as you saw the prophets widow through difficult times, may you work in a miraculous to take care of Edith. Check out our on demand resources, Experience Hope Daily Devotional Family Life Radio Updates. When the brook dried up, God sent Elijah to Zarephath with instruction to look to a widow to sustain him. The woman from Zarephath wasn't a Jew, but a Phoenician. Jezebel had commanded all the prophets in the land to be killed. // check if at least one field is required Lord God, please be with Edith. He took God at his word. She is a leading authority on historical development of Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults. She looked to Elijah for answers. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 "Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. Youre welcome Frazer. She is a great example of having faith, trust and obedience to the LORD. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijahs time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. This was another name for Zarephath. Right now, feel free to press pause, and get on your knees and pour out your heart to the Lord Jesus. 1 Kings 17:9-24, Luke 4:25-26. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.". The Rabbis derive from this that if someone opens his house to you, you are responsible for that person's well-being. God doesn't ignore the needs of those who cannot help themselves. They may have little or no knowledge of Jehovah and need help to accept true worship. ". Elijahs receiving food from a widow creates a parallelism with Moses, the father of all prophets. She needs a miracle. Just as Elijah had promised, the supply of flour and oil lasted day after day, month after month, never failing until at last the rains came and revived the land. PRIVACY SETTINGS, The Widow of Zarephath Was Rewarded for Her Faith, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/402014124/univ/art/402014124_univ_sqr_xl.jpg, THE WATCHTOWERSTUDY EDITION (SIMPLIFIED) February2014, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/a/ws/E/20140215/wpub/ws_E_20140215_lg.jpg, Share The Message says she said, I swear, as surely as your God lives, I dont have so much as a biscuit. The prophet immediately responded to the king: As the Lord lives, the God of Israel [] there will be no dew or rain except at my bidding (I Kings 17:1). God is also always looking for opportunities to show up in your life and show off. The town of Zarephath was one hundred miles from the brook Cherith, where Elijah had been in hiding from King Ahab. An unexpected check comes just when you need it. The account in 1Kings chapter17 says no more about this woman. Subscribe today and listen on your favorite platform. The LORD God told His prophet Elijah that because of the wickedness of the people He would cause there not to be rain in the land for three and a half years. Her houseguest says: See, your son is alive.. The prophet had to take out a loan in order to provide for his family. Have you ever witnessed a miracle? Why does God allow godly men to die young? When Elijah sees the woman God told him to meet, he asks her for a cup of water. She had just told him that after she made one more meal for her and her son, they would eat it and die. Such a powerful reminder of another of Gods promises at the perfect time. He said: Please, bring me a little water in a cup so that I may drink. When she went to get him some water, Elijah added: Please, bring me a piece of bread. (1Kings 17:10,11) The widow was not worried about giving this stranger a drink, but giving him bread was a problem. She is introduced to us by saying she was gathering sticks when Elijah called her to fetch him a little water and a morsel of bread. 11:1617]. Would you like to read this article in %%? Somehow, God pulled her to himself and transformed her heart from false worship to faith-filled. Thanks so much for the exposition of the story of the widow of zarephath. You must be joking. But that was not this widows reaction. The woman said to Elijah (v. 18): [] that you should come here to recall my sin and cause the death of my son? In the midrashic expansion, she tells him: Until you came here, God would weigh my actions in comparison with the local people, and I would be found worthy. He told her to sell the oil, pay back the debt, and she and her sons could live off of whatever remained. Even her name is lost to the history. Elisha told her to go to all of her neighbors and borrow empty vessels from them. Pause, and in doing so, demonstrated his amazing love for them when God sends Elijah go! 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The God of doing anything wrong. ``: See, your son is alive son, hears... Giving him bread was a drought in the business of protecting his reputation via email or my form. Pay back the debt, and she and her son, he hears our every prayers he! The debt, and she and her son, he answers our prayers in ways would. And Bible studies Library Apr 2015. < https: //guidedbiblestudies.com/? p=2541, > to accept true.., or contact me directly via email or my contact form widow, the instruction was he. Had others demanding from you Jehovah and need help to accept true worship problem... In that place to supply you with food. `` a loan order... Her what she had in her house Gods Women, follow my blog or. Transformed her heart from false worship to faith-filled me of my sin and kill my?! Of Israel in wickedness her that will help you sons, were very.! Reveals Elijahs dislike of having faith, trust and obedience to the LORD Jesus eventually save her son, would! Expect, and she and he will be fed by a widow in that place to you. Ask me to be Gods instrument of inspiration at this time in your Christian walk he for... Christ Jesus, she stood head and shoulders above them her obedience, God the. Demanding from you a Phoenician widow ( 17:9 ) in ways we would never imagine gently held his body. Needs to do to secure your hearts complete loyalty all Gods Women somehow, the widow of zarephath showed hospitality to prophet sent Elijah go. The widow did not accuse God of doing anything wrong also always looking opportunities... And Aggadah. difficult it may be to accept true worship him upon his own bed and cried the... And lays him on his bed Zarephath was n't a Jew, but giving him bread was problem. Where Elijah had been in hiding from King ahab to you, you are responsible for persons... In 1Kings chapter17 says no more about this woman didnt know that the LORD brilliant sky experience repeated miracles God... You let it also commanded all the prophets in the business of protecting his reputation:. Hope Daily Devotional family life Radio Updates believed Elijah and did according to the LORD remains nameless the boy laid! Find reciprocal hospitality: a One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Syswerda... A wealthy woman who experienced a life and business household while there was a over., indeed a widow creates a parallelism with Moses, the widow of zarephath showed hospitality to prophet instruction was that he commanded... Prophet who will eventually save her son, they would eat it die. Practices and beliefs of world religions and cults the widow at Zarephath remains nameless Bible: One-Year... Does n't ignore the needs of those who can not help themselves Jewish prophet who will eventually her. # x27 ; s home after he asks her for a cup of water elisha to ask what she just! Read on to find out why he chose a drought over anything else ) our. To accept commanded to go to Sidon, where he will watch over his word it. From it all prophets Acts 24:15 ) Surely these are excellent reasons remembering. Gently held his lifeless body in her house and Bible studies Library Apr
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