The Widow of Zarephath

Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.  Then the word of the LORD came to him:  “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”

~I Kings 17:7-9

Why is it suprising that God would send Elijah to a widow for food?

• The widow might not have enough to provide for another person other than herself

How has God provided for you in suprising ways?

• He has given me good friends to fall back on when I need them

So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?”  As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

  “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

~I Kings 17:10-12

The first words the widow speaks to the prophet Elijah are words of searing honesty: Here is what I have left and here is what I'm planning to do.  What is she telling Elijah with these words?

• She is trying to tell him, I have nothing for you, now be gone and leave me alone

In today's generally abundant society, it is perhaps more difficult than ever to admit that you do not have enough and that you need help.  When have you or someone you know had to be as honest as the widow about your needs?  What did you learn from being in this position?

• I would say prety recently.  A lot of the time when people ask me how I am doing or what I have been up to lately, I usually tell them that I'm looking for a job and am in desperate need of finding one. 
• I have learned that I must be patient with God and he will direct me in the right direction and give me that job that will be just right for me when the time is right.

Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. 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.  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.’”

  She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.  For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

~I Kings 17:13-16

Why do you think the widow went and did what Elijah asked her to do?  What did she have to lose?

• because she trusted that the word was from the Lord and therefore she knew she had nothing to lose

Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing.  She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”

~I Kings 17:17-18

Where was the widow placing blame for her son's death?  Her sin?  Elijah's presence?  God?

• I think she was moreso blaming God than Elijah

“Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed.  Then he cried out to the LORD, “LORD my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?”  Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the LORD, “LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!”

~I Kings 17:19-21

Now it is Elijah's turn to be completely honest.  Why do you think Elijah was so desperate for the woman's son to return to life?

• because he wanted the woman to keep believing in God

Have you ever been as desperate as Elijah?  What circumstances in your life caused your desperatoin?  What was God's answer?

• I believe I have been
• Fear that I would be a failure, but God has told me to be patient

The LORD heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.  Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, “Look, your son is alive!”

  Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.”

~I Kings 17:22-24

Now for a second time, the widow's son is saved by God through Elijah.  What is the widow's response when her son is returned to her?

• She is filled with joy and fully believes in God

Through the foreign woman God reveals his willingness to supply our needs if we will depend on him.  Have you ever doubted God's ability or willingness to give you what you need?

• No I have not.  I know that in time he will provide the right thing I need