Elijah is commanded to go to Sidon, where he will be fed by a widow (17:9). It was in the middle of this drought that Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath become a part of each others lives. 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. I have a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a bottle; you found me scratching together just enough firewood to make a last meal for my son and me. You are our Provider when we have nothing. That emotional resurrection happened almost 3,000 years ago. You already have the key of rain, and you [also] want the key of the resurrection of the dead? Have an update or correction? No one repented, and Elijah was forced to live in hiding. The Widow of Zarephath didnt blame Elijah or the LORD for the death of her son. This misfortune turned out to be a miracle and not only did the widow of Zarephath receive the blessing that her supply of flour and oil would never run out but she gained the life of her son after he died. She left a legacy of faith that has lasted for generations. Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. In those days, widows, especially those without sons, were very vulnerable. Baals, the false gods, were erected all over the land of Israel and places of idol worship were on every corner. While in the widows house, Elijah performs the miracle of the jar of flour and the jug of oil, to which, according to the Rabbis, Prov. Reach US; Reach our Team; Locations; Join on Telegram; Alternate . This woman didnt know that the LORD is a loving LORD. Edith, just checking back to see how you are doing. The story has three main characters: Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. All she had to do was believe God the God of Israel and obey. And the mother? So keep fighting with God for your faith. Tears escaped her eyes, try as she might to blink them back. Elijah turns up and two things are obvious. For the rest of their lives, those boys would always remember that time when they were facing being sold into slavery but God interviewed by multiplying a pot of oil. The Rabbis derive from this that if someone opens his house to you, you are responsible for that person's well-being. Instead of cursing the stranger for his callousness, as we might expect, the woman did exactly as he had requested, feeding him the food she had reserved for herself and her son. APA Style Citation: The town of Zarephath was one hundred miles from the brook Cherith, where Elijah had been in hiding from King Ahab. God multiplied the flour and oil so that she did not have to worry about food. She lashes out in her pain at the man she trusted, the man who God used to perform a miracle. After we eat it, well die (1 Kings 17:12 MSG). This is a real and raw story about injustice, loss,, Continue reading Rizpah in the Bible Characteristics and lessons learnedContinue, Studying faith in Bible stories is one of my favorite ways to encourage my heart, especially in rough times. There were so many possibilities to this story. And in each case, God showed them that they werent alone and that He cared for them. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.". Im sorry I didnt respond sooner. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. Then we should follow Jehovahs direction, no matter how difficult it may be to accept. And in each case, God showed them that they . When Elijah arrived at Zarephath, he saw a poor widow collecting pieces of wood. Holstein, Joanne (2015) The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library (April), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541, (accessed). Each widow faced difficulties far beyond anything they could handle on their own. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. The Bible is filled with God granting miracles for widows. Your email address will not be published. Get out your Bible. They had to be scared. ", But the man had persisted. Rabbah [ed. Then sit back and listen to what He has to say. The Widow of Zarephath lessons that we will explore in this post might challenge you. Just enough for them to live on a daily basis. These mazzah cakes miraculously sufficed for the Israelites for thirty days, until the manna began to descend (Mekhilta de-Rabbi Ishmael, Masekhta de-Pisha, Bo 14). Soon after, her son dies, and Elijah pleads to God for the power to resurrect him. 16) and the drought (beginning of chap. The is a very powerful Sermon. Another mother gives you her kids' outgrown clothing so you can clothe your own children. Here we find reciprocal hospitality: a Phoenician widow (a non-Israelite) feeding a Jewish prophet who will eventually save her son. This widow was from Sidon. The widow of Zarephath had felt utterly alone, not knowing God had his eye on her. Not all those who lived in Zarephath were completely corrupt. I hope you have been encouraged by these lessons from the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. Then do it. 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. Each widow faced difficulties far beyond anything they could handle on their own. We meet the Prophets Widow in 2 Kings chapter 4. He provided for them in ways they didnt expect, and in doing so, demonstrated His amazing love for them. Facilitator: Amah Linda. It is common for us all to blame ourselves and our sins for things that happen to us. Ask Him what youre supposed to do. 17) and Gods command to stop the drought (beginning of chap. So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. It was according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which the LORD has shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. To help you get started in organizing your time, here are some sample Sunday School schedules for preschool through grade 6 for varying classroom lengths: If you have a 30-minute class, consider taking two weeks per lesson or following a schedule such as this: "Come on in" games: 5 minutes.. 9 images found in 1 Kings 17. It is not unusual that during times of great stress we forget all the blessings we have received from the LORD. He obeyed, finding a woman gathering sticks. Instead, challenge yourself to get to that place where your faith triumphs over your fear. And this showdown came to a head in the story of Mount Carmel. Most important she learned that the word of the LORD is the truth. (Luke 4:25,26) Her story teaches us that God blesses those doing good to his servants. I have learned this though: Even for people who have denied Jesus, there is forgiveness and complete restoration. The Rabbis also learned from this episode that giving food to someone else is a great virtue that results in the resurrection of the dead before its time: because the widow from Zarephath gave food to Elijah, she merited the reviving of her son (Cant. alert("Please select at least one list. Jezebel had commanded all the prophets in the land to be killed. We have to allow the Lord into our lives and accept His loving kindness and live by faith that He is with us through our journey through live. How were the widows sons involved in the miracle? The first of the Widow of Zarephath lessons is that spiritual warfare goes up a notch in times of crisis. The important thing is to go back to Him in remembrance of Him. The Rabbis expound that the cake that the widow made for Elijah was similar to mazzah (unleavened bread) and to the mazzah cakes eaten by the Israelites when they departed from Egypt. The Widow of Zarephath is that perfect example of going hand in hand with Jesus I so often speak about. She was a widow living in Zarephath, a city in Zidon about where Lebanon is today. He doesn't pat them on the back and say he's sorry life is so tough. Did she think that her sons death was punishment from God and that Elijah was Gods messenger of death? As we read more about her, we will learn some very important lessons. Copyright 2022| Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians |, The Psychological Condition of Depression. She is well-known as a counselor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. Elijahs names means Yahweh is my God. var checkboxFields = jQuery(this).find('[name^="GROUPINGS"]'); Daily provision for food for three years. Jesus wants to love you into heaven way more than He wants you to experience hell. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. Our lives are intertwined for mutual provision and blessing. She went back to Elisha to ask what she was to do next. Second, she was in no position to feed anybody. If only her husband were alive to squeeze a harvest from the fields. I am blessed that you have been encouraged. Those who worshipped Baal believed he was the god who brought rains and bountiful harvestso the words Elijah spoke for God were profanity against Jezebels god. TEXT: 1 Kings 17; Luke 4:25-26 WOMAN: The Widow of Zarapeth. The account in 1Kings chapter17 says no more about this woman. What an amazing lesson they witnessed to see how God cared for them and provided for them. 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. He will watch over his word until it comes to pass. While Ahab and Jezebel and Elijah were drawing swords on earth, that was just a representation of what was happening in the spiritual word. 2). They may have little or no knowledge of Jehovah and need help to accept true worship. Even her name is lost to the history. STOP delaying to get to know the Bible better! It will likely take faith on your part. How special that Elisha involved the sons in the gathering and filling. But she showed faith, trusted in Jehovah, and fed Elijah first. We learned she did not have but a handful of meal in her barrel, and a little oil in the curse she did not have a cake for Elijah. There is a widow there who will feed you. She feeds Elijah in her home. Our God is still a miraculous provider, granting what we need sometimes in the most unexpected ways. And he called to her and said, 'Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.' And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, 'Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.' It was located between Sidon and Tyre which would be in modern day Lebanon. The LORD God had commanded this widow woman to sustain someone she did not know during a time of great drought and starvation. Elijah lived with her for 2 years and God provided enough for each day.God did not provide a whole barrel full at once. God is in the business of protecting his reputation. After that, every time she dipped her hand into the flour, every time she poured oil from the jug, the widow saw another miracle unfold, another sign of favor, additional evidence of God's provision. The people there worshiped Baal, the god of rain. Even if we ourselves are struggling, reaching out can save you both. Just as Elijah promised, Jehovah added to her supply of food so that there was enough to feed Elijah, her, and her son until the drought ended. This womans husband was one of those students. Although they may be surrounded by members of false religion, they may want something better. But God is still providing for Elijah for now God sends Elijah to the care of a widow. God uses something or someone to change your husband's heart just when you thought he didn't love you anymore. But in this post, we focus in on Sarahs characteristics and what we can learn from, Continue reading Lessons from the life of Sarah in the Bible (characteristics and marriage lessons)Continue, The characteristics of Ruth in the Bible makes for an exciting study! FACT #3 - Elijah knew she was a widow because of what she was wearing. 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 sends rain on the land.. For those who are being threatened by others and are feeling helpless, be their Defense. You give freely to those in need. Elijah and Ahab had met when they came to console Hiel the Bethelite, who was in mourning. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. I look forward to hearing from you! If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. Know the Bible better people there worshiped Baal, the Psychological Condition of Depression witnessed! Again he prayed, and in each case, God showed them that they werent alone and Elijah! Reach us ; reach our Team ; Locations ; Join on Telegram ; Alternate 's just. ), https: //guidedbiblestudies.com/? p=2541, ( accessed ) lived with her 2! Try as she might to blink them back you [ also ] want the of. Provided enough for each day.God did not provide a whole barrel full at once a widow! 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