the widow of zarephath showed hospitality to prophet

She had no idea that the stranger was Elijah, a prophet who had the gall to inform King Ahab that God was withholding rain to punish Israel's idolatry. You might be living from hand to mouth but recognize that it is Gods hands to your mouth. He already knows, but He wants to hear it from you. Lets keep in touch. While that is often a part of his plan, our eyes usually rest on ourselves, when in fact it has less to do with us and more to do with what He wants to do through our relationships with the people to whom He connects us. Elijah prayed that God give him the key of the resurrection of the dead, but he was told from Heaven: Three keys were not entrusted to an agent [i.e., an agent responsible for them], but remained with God, namely: the key of the woman giving birth, the key of rain and the key of the resurrection of the dead. Blessings to you as well. Gods purposes are so much higher and wider than what we imagine. Though she starved herself to feed her child, his distended belly accused her. Jewish Women's Archive. Elijah worshipped Jehovah. The Rabbis derive from this that if someone opens his house to you, you are responsible for that persons well-being. The story has three main characters: Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. Umma and her son were also food insecure. Another Rabbinic teaching states: If someone tells you that God does not resurrect the dead, say to him: Elijah the Gileadite attests that God resurrects the dead (Deut. Losing a spouse is hard enough, but now, while this woman is still dealing with the grief of her loved one, she discovers that he took out a loan and shes required to pay it off. There is, after all, a drought in progress. 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. What a comfort . Jehovah listened to Elijahs prayer and brought the child back to life. This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. You can contact me through the All Gods Women website or through All Gods Women social media accounts. The midrash thus draws a parallel between the death of the widows son, on the one hand, and the drought and the resulting famine on the other. And this showdown came to a head in the story of Mount Carmel. 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). Who has God sent into your life to help you? Make learning about the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17:7-24 fun with this no prep, printable activity sheet word-find and digital EASEL activity. We can learn a very important lesson from this. Elijah served as Gods spokesperson, the man who stood in front of King Ahab and prophesied the next years are going to see a total droughtnot a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise (1 Kings 17:1 MSG). God bless. Give back the key of rain, and take the key of the resurrection of the dead. Accordingly, after Elijah revived the widows son, the Biblical text states (I Kings 18:1): Go, appear before Ahab; then I will send rain, because he had to return the key of rain and stop the drought (BT Sanhedrin 113a). So many people are prevented from reaching their goals, accessing their blessings, and living an abundant life because of fear. What do you have? However, the contents of this blog post may not be modified, compiled, combined with other content, copied, recorded, synchronized, transmitted, translated, formatted, distributed, publicly displayed, publicly performed, reproduced, given away, used to create derivative works and otherwise used or exploited (including for-profit or commercial gain) without the creators expressed permission. 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. Jezebel had commanded all the prophets in the land to be killed. 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 Her life is saved. return true; It was ironic since generally, Israelites were not supposed to be mixing with the surrounding nations. From where did the ravens bring meat? For him to pay the debt? That emotional resurrection happened almost 3,000 years ago. Elijah carried the boys limp body to the roof chamber and cried out: OJehovah my God, are you also bringing harm to the widow with whom I am staying by putting her son to death? It deeply upset Elijah to think that Jehovahs name would be dishonored if this kind and hospitable woman was allowed to suffer even more. Join the women of prayer simulstudy Coming January 9, All Gods Women Bible Study Facebook group, Shunammite Woman: Cool, Calm, Collected Sharon Wilharm Christian Storyteller. Jesus makes the point that during a time of drought and famine, there were many widows in Israel who had need. And when she gave, something amazing happened. Well, very little. The Mystery of the Four Kingdoms; The Revelation of The Seven Trumpets; The Seven Church Ages Commentary; WMB Books. The widow's faith saved not only her son and herself but actually provided a refuge for Elijah, who may have wondered why God chose such flimsy protectiona destitute woman who lived in the territory of his worst enemy, Jezebel. She did what had to be done because she had faith in the LORD. It may require you to look around at what you have and do something with the resources Hes already blessed you with. I look forward to hearing from you! Once she had the jars, jugs, and pots collected she was to shut the door behind her and she and her sons would pour the oil they had into the vessels theyd gathered. The widow didnt have much. Now how long would those last? Our lives are intertwined for mutual provision and blessing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. APA Style Citation: The Widow of Zarephath had doubt, just like we all do when we have reached our breaking point. She turned on her heel and replied, "As surely as the Lord your God lives, I don't have any breadonly a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Learn how your comment data is processed. 31 December 1999. FACT #3 - Elijah knew she was a widow because of what she was wearing. Think about what Elijah asked the widow to do. Did the woman remember a past sin that bothered her conscience? Every night she hoped for rain, but every morning she woke to a brilliant sky. For those who are being threatened by others and are feeling helpless, be their Defense. The story of Peter in the Bible teaches that. The widow's faith in Elijah's God, Jehovah, preserved her and her son alive. Perhaps she had come to know him well in the time that had passed. In Christs name we pray. Did she think that her sons death was punishment from God and that Elijah was Gods messenger of death? We can really pray for and trust God for BIG things. Were not told of her praying to God herself, but she did know to go to Gods man for direction, and possibly, a miracle. This was the hometown of Jezeb el, wife of King Ahab. Ahab blamed Elijah for the drought and wanted to kill him. These lessons from the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible will empower, encourage and inspire you. And in each case, God showed them that they . The king of the kingdom of Israel was Ahab and his wife was Jezebel. Then Elisha had the widow and her sons closing the door before filling the jars. Elijah turns up and two things are obvious. } All she had to do was believe God the God of Israel and obey. Then you can make something afterward for you and your son. But anyone who is willing to open their hearts, God is ready to walk in. All He wants us to do is to love him back. This exposition, based on the juxtaposition of the resurrection of the widows son (end of chap. The Widow of Zarephath, the mother of the dying boy was afraid it was her fault because her sins were remembered and they were so bad that the LORD God slayed her son. How like God to construct a parable of grace during a time of judgment, to display his mercy and power in the midst of weakness and need. Background: 10 Century BC. Have an update or correction? The rest of the story is the little child was brought back to life by the LORD God. When God sends Elijah to the Widow, the instruction was that he had commanded her to feed. The woman from Zarephath wasn't a Jew, but a Phoenician. Here are a few details about her that will help you to understand her story. God mercifully preserved her and her son, even though they were not of His chosen people. They further state that when Elijah revived the widows son, he could have resurrected his dead relatives as well. The Widow. A Phoenician town 'belonging to' or apparently dependent upon Sidon in Elijah's day. After we have eaten, we will die. (1Kings 17:12) What can we learn from this conversation? Hers is a story of the pain of loss and grief. Holstein, Joanne (2015) The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library (April), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541, (accessed). Jezebel, King Ahabs wife, tried to kill all of Gods prophets. Yes, in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.Acts 10:35. He knew the current reality did not measure up with Gods promise. Just Elijahs presence in the land was an offense to the enemy. Here is a prayer for you Lord, I pray you will be with your servant Shelmith. When Elijah sees the woman God told him to meet, he asks her for a cup of water. 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. Sometimes Jehovah allows our faith in him to be tested. You can follow me on social media, follow my blog, or contact me directly via email or my contact form. 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.' The resurrection of her son was an event in her life that truly strengthened her faith. The widow could see that Elijah was an Israelite who served God. We will be greatly blessed if we do what this wise proverb says: Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Thanks for stopping by Evangelist Solomon. This request was a huge test of faith. 1 Kings 17: 9- 24. The Rabbis derive from this that if someone opens his house to you, you are responsible for that person's well-being. 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. How could she do so, since she was so poor? Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house (where Elijah was staying) became ill. Daily provision for food for three years. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. I love this example of a miracle because it required action from the recipients. We are never alone, He hears our every prayers, He answers our prayers in ways we would never imagine. 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