“But she said, ‘As the Lord your God lives, I don’t have anything baked — only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die.'” (I Kings 17:12)
Have you ever felt like the widow of Zarephath? I know I sure have! This woman was facing a life-threatening ordeal. When Elijah came to Zarephath, this woman had already decided that the best thing that could happen to her and her son was for them to have their last meal and just die. Life seemed hopeless. Everywhere this woman looked, she only saw despair.
BUT — along came the prophet of God. Up until now, his life hadn’t been so hot either. Elijah had predicted the drought to King Ahab. God had sent him to the brook Cherith and the ravens had provided for him there. But eventually the brook dried up. There was no rain in the land and no water in the brook. But God was faithful to Elijah. He told him to go to Zarephath. In fact, God said to Elijah — “Get up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there. Look, I have commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there” (I Kings 17:9).
Now I don’t know what Elijah expected when he got to Zarephath, but if had been me, I can tell you I certainly wouldn’t have expected THIS woman. In my own imagination I wonder if Elijah said, “I wonder where the woman is who is going to take care of me. I’m sure it can’t be THIS poor old soul. She’s down to her last meal. She’s in worse shape than me!” Unfortunately, I tend to think that way. Thankfully — Elijah didn’t.
The more I think about it — the more I’m afraid I may have just sat down with the widow and her boy and had one BIG pity party before we all just expired. But not Elijah. He told the woman to bring him some water and to make him a cake from the flour. He also told her to fix a cake for herself and her son (v. 13).
I wonder what went through HER mind? “This is one crazy NUT! But what do I have to lose? It’s our last meal anyway.” Fortunately, God was in control (He always is) — and there was something about the prophet’s words that brought hope to her soul. In verse 14, Elijah said to her, “for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.'”
The widow did what Elijah told her to do and sure enough — God was faithful! God was true to His promise and He miraculously fed the widow, her son and His prophet! If you continue to read in I Kings, you discover this is not the only miracle the woman experienced. Later one, God raised her son from the dead!
In Luke 18:27, Jesus said, “What is impossible with me is possible with God.” The widow of Zarephath put her life and the life of her son in God’s hands and He gave them their lives back. All because the prophet Elijah was faithful in believing God and proclaiming His message. When Cherith dries up — God always has a widow in Zarephath waiting to show you that He is still in control.
I don’t know what God may require of me today. But I KNOW this — God is faithful. He always keeps His promises. He always cares for His own. Even when the flour and the oil is about gone — God has a way of miraculously providing just what I need — exactly when I need it. The Good News for today is this — HE WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU!
Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones said, “Faith is the refusal to panic.” I think that’s a good word for a Monday morning.
Have a great day.
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