In todays episode of All Gods Women we look at the Prophets Widow, a woman with debt collectors knocking on her door and she had no way to repay them. If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. Just Elijahs presence in the land was an offense to the enemy. We might easily assume this widow is not of Hebrew lineage, but she clearly believed in the Hebrews God and trusted Him. Later, the widow's faith would again be tested when her young son died. The people there worshiped Baal, the god of rain. Am much encouraged at the same time I was looking for further understanding about the story of Elijah and the widow since for the first time I will be giving the word of God where I fellowship.i thank God for leading me and giving me what I was looking for through this page.for sure fear and anxiety has been killing me but this word has ministered to me.help me God. But then a stranger had called to her: "Woman, would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink? But it was also a declaration that although it seemed like God was absent, He was very much present. Check out our on demand resources, Experience Hope Daily Devotional Family Life Radio Updates. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.
After declaring no more rain, Elijah hid himself in the Kerith Ravine, east of Jordan, where the Lord sustained him with water from a brook and food ravens brought to him (1 Kings 17:5). she wondered. Ask God to make it obvious what youre supposed to do. She began to prepare for a final supper for herself and her child. "Don't be afraid. Sometimes our blessing is bound up with our serviceWhen we share, no matter how small, we are enriched. Amen.
And just as He provided for the prophets widow, so He can provide for you. 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 Elijahs names means Yahweh is my God. When the brook of Cheribth dried up the LORD told Elijah to go to the city of Zarephath where there was a widow woman there that would sustain him. I will not be exploring all of them in this post or we would have a whole book. It takes courage to go to your neighbors and ask them for something. Why?
RELATED: Women of faith in the Bible 14 Characteristics and lessons learned. Right now, feel free to press pause, and get on your knees and pour out your heart to the Lord Jesus. The widow's faith in Elijah's God, Jehovah, preserved her and her son alive. Every night she hoped for rain, but every morning she woke to a brilliant sky. Let us know. 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. And this showdown came to a head in the story of Mount Carmel. We can assume she is the only widow in her city. 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. Our lives are intertwined for mutual provision and blessing. He knew the current reality did not measure up with Gods promise. Baal was said to be the god of the weather. The Widow of Zarephath lessons that we will explore in this post might challenge you. In 1898, an article in Zions Watch Tower taught this lesson: If the widow had faith and obeyed Elijah, she would receive Jehovahs help. THE WATCHTOWERSTUDY EDITION (SIMPLIFIED), Copyright 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Then behind her, she hears him ask for a piece of bread. Yes, they are Bible characters from a long time ago but their faith in God has reached across time to uplift our hearts. Another trial was going to test the widows faith. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. She had a home; she was the "mistress" of the house in 1 Kings 17:17, yet she was "house poor," possessing little to nothing beyond her home. Rather, because she received him hospitably and attended to him, this hospitality is ascribed to her, and she also merited having Elijah revive her son (Cant. There's a story about a widow of Zarephath. The life of a ministers wife can be difficult.
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).
Watch over and protect those who are vulnerable. FACT #2 She was a gentile. This was the last place that you should expect to find faith. Elijah struggled with wobbly faith, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. The Widow of Zarephath didnt blame Elijah or the LORD for the death of her son. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food." 10 So he went to Zarephath. A lesson that we can learn from this is that God blesses those who show faith in him. When her level of faith was compared to those who claimed to know God, she stood head and shoulders above them. Are you open to hearing His voice when He speaks through others? Prophets always teach and testify of Christ. However, Jesus spoke well of her, so she may have become a faithful servant of Jehovah. He could have prayed and had God send away the debt collector or have the money delivered to her by someone else. Instead of asking for forgiveness and repenting, we dwell on the short comings of our sins blaming everything bad that has happens in our lives. APA Style Citation: I have learned this though: Even for people who have denied Jesus, there is forgiveness and complete restoration. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The houseguest is Gods prophet Elijah. The worship of the true God was at an all time low. This was another name for Zarephath. There are so many people of faith in the Bible. Holstein, Joanne (2015, April) The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library. During this time in history God rose up prophets like Elisha who held prophecy schools where they tutored or trained other prophets in the ancient Law. This is why the ketiv [the Scriptural text as written, in v. 15] has he and she had food, while the keri [the traditional reading] has she and he had food. The Rabbis ask why, then, does God say: I have designated a widow there to feed youdid he eat from her food? In all your ways take notice of him, and he will make your paths straight.Proverbs 3:5,6. He might as well ask me to snap my fingers and produce a cow to feast on. The is a very powerful Sermon.
She explained to Elijah she was gathering two sticks that she could prepare the meal for her and her son that they may eat it, and die. Luke 4:25-26. This was before the loving kindness of God our Savior toward man appeared. Somehow, God pulled her to himself and transformed her heart from false worship to faith-filled. Rabbah 2:5:3). The city serves as part of her identification. It was ironic since generally, Israelites were not supposed to be mixing with the surrounding nations. You must be joking. But that was not this widows reaction. But God is full of surprises. 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.' 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). Ahab and Jezebel were ruling the Kingdom of Israel in wickedness. We can learn a very important lesson from this. I will not talk much about Naomi here as I have dedicated an entire, Continue reading Characteristics of Ruth in the Bible (and lessons from the story of Ruth and Boaz)Continue, The story of Rizpah in the Bible is one of the absolutely gory and heartbreaking sagas in all of Scripture. 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. Elijah prayed and from heaven he was given the key of rain, so that it would descend only at his command. Plus, she was literally down to her last meal. She is a leading authority on historical development of Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults. But anyone who is willing to open their hearts, God is ready to walk in. Her arms were spindly and rough, like the dry twigs she had gathered for kindling. 16) and the drought (beginning of chap. He dedicated his life to studying and serving God which meant he was dependent on others to provide for him financially. But she did have oil.
Elijah asks her for a piece of bread, and the destitute widow invites him to her home where she uses her last bit of flour and oil to bake for him. For her to move forward in obedience and faith, she needed to put away fear. First, she seemed to be unaware of this command. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. Think of a time God provided for your financial needs. In Christs name we pray. We ask today that you be with those women who are struggling financially, especially those who are widows or single moms. Background: 10 Century BC. Second, she was in no position to feed anybody. Like a baby who knows that mom will come when she needs something, God truly wants us to expect him to show up for us. This was a humbling activity. There is a widow there who will feed you. 6:26), and the resulting curse cost him the lives of his sons: He laid its foundations at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set its gates at the cost of Segub his youngest (I Kings 16:34). There were so many possibilities to this story. The article went on to say that it is the same for us. What relationships does He want you to cultivate? Wrap your arms around her and remind her that shes not alone, that you see her and you love her very much. The king of the kingdom of Israel was Ahab and his wife was Jezebel.
Thanks so much for the exposition of the story of the widow of zarephath. Elijah was feed by ravens for many days. When this happened, she was ready to be used by God.And used her he did. And He needs to know youre listening. Open job opportunities for her that will pay for her bills and help pay off her debts. Media information about this sermon Title: Raising The Faith Of The Widow Of ZarephathTitle in Tamil: . It was a wicked time where the worship of false gods was practice. What do you have? We do not know her name, but she is a widow living in the town of Zarephath. As they filled up the vessels they were to set aside the ones that were full. THE WATCHTOWERSTUDY EDITION (SIMPLIFIED) February2014, Share Im using this story to talk about faith to hear and hearken to Gods prophets throughout the ages. God heard Elijah and the boy lived once again. 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. Hiel had transgressed Joshuas prohibition against rebuilding Jericho (Josh. Jehovah listened to Elijahs prayer and brought the child back to life. Were not told of her praying to God herself, but she did know to go to Gods man for direction, and possibly, a miracle. Another mother gives you her kids' outgrown clothing so you can clothe your own children. Terms of Use: The contents of this blog post are restricted to your personal use only.
Claim and trust Gods promises. Reinforce vocabulary and Bible studies with a fun printable wordsearch puzzle. 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. And he was fighting to rescue the hearts of his people from worshiping things that would not serve them. He wants us to lean on him and depend on him daily.It takes faith to deal with this. She is a great example of having faith, trust and obedience to the LORD. The Widow. Ahab blamed Elijah for the drought and wanted to kill him. Chicago Style Citation: God is in the business of protecting his reputation. Blessings to you as well. 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. I look forward to hearing from you! Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath Bible story word search puzzle with coloring activity page. When the brook dried up, God sent Elijah to Zarephath with instruction to look to a widow to sustain him. These women challenged the beliefs and practices of their day.
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.
It was then that the widow knew that Elijah was a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth. He doesn't pat them on the back and say he's sorry life is so tough. It is sometimes said we wear our sins on our sleeves. When the drought began, God hid Elijah from Ahab and miraculously fed the prophet by using ravens to bring meat and bread for him to eat. Jesus will be with you as you speak His words. If you want to continue learning from the Widow of Zarephath story, I encourage you to check out someother Bible studies. When Elijah sees the woman God told him to meet, he asks her for a cup of water. Let's begin in Luke.4.25-26. I will be praying for you my brother in Christ. So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. After we have eaten, we will die. (1Kings 17:12) What can we learn from this conversation? Her sons would hand her an empty jar. More than anything, the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath can teach us a lot. For him to take up a love offering? God sends him to stay by a brook first. She literally was going to eat her last meal and then she was going to starve to death. I love this example of a miracle because it required action from the recipients. There is always spiritual warfare over your hearts loyalty. How could she do so, since she was so poor? God tells us to go here or thereto do this or thatand its easy to think its about us. We need to know about the time period she lived in and the events that led to her faithfulness to the LORD. 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. After we eat it, well die (1 Kings 17:12 MSG). Elijah, however, was committed only to save the lives of his hosts. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. But they did have extra containers. Today she had scraped the last bit of flour from the barrel and poured the last drop of oil from the jug. Do not be afraid. What about you? 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. Chances are, their neighbors were struggling as well, so they likely didnt have money or food to spare. Their clothing set them apart so they could receive help from their community. The fact that God resurrects the dead was already shown by Elijah, Elisha and Ezekiel (Lev. Its blessing for me to be Gods instrument of inspiration at this time in your Christian walk . She depended on her husband to provide for her and their sons, but he was so busy studying and serving that he didnt bring in enough income to meet their basic needs. If you are going through a rough patch, you will find encouragement. Because of the reviving of her son, she knew that Elijah was a man of the LORD God, and that the word of the LORD in his mouth is truth. Elijah worshipped Jehovah. 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. Ask Him what youre supposed to do. New International Version (NIV). Blessings. The story of Peter in the Bible teaches that. Holstein, Joanne (2015) The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library (April), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541, (accessed). Elijah asks her to give her son to him.
Are you looking for God to answer you through the divine connection of relationship Hes placed in your life?
It was in the middle of this drought that Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath become a part of each others lives. Here is a widow with a son who was not one of the children of Israel 1 Kings 17:10. 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. She was a Gentile, an outsider. Its easy to not deny Him when we are in love with Jesus. And when she gave, something amazing happened. Like Naaman, her faith was unlikely and Jesus makes reference to him as well. All He wants us to do is to love him back. And when she completed the task, she again went to him for the next step. Youre welcome Frazer. PRIVACY POLICY The Word of the LORD is in reality truth and reliable. Each widow faced difficulties far beyond anything they could handle on their own. Hopefully we can see it as God positioning us for blessing. What could the widows husband have done differently? You are our Provider when we have nothing. For those who are being threatened by others and are feeling helpless, be their Defense.
You can imagine what some people might have said: Give away our last meal? The LORD God had commanded this widow woman to sustain someone she did not know during a time of great drought and starvation. Use your servant mightily to encourage the hearts of your people. If ever there was a list of bad women in the Bible, they would be on it. Have you ever been in debt? They further state that when Elijah revived the widows son, he could have resurrected his dead relatives as well. He will watch over his word until it comes to pass. Sometimes Jehovah allows our faith in him to be tested. "); 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.
Elijah, however, was committed only to save the lives of his hosts (Ex. Her houseguest says: See, your son is alive.. A POOR widow hugs her boy, her only child. }); This man of God is asking for the last of. When her son became sick and died the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he was revived. But how precious that they were able to be active participants in the miraculous provision for their needs. 11:1617]. God provides for him through a raven. } Join with other women in theAll Gods Women Bible Study Facebook group. Praise the living God.
Elisha had the widow AND her sons going to their neighbors and asking for vessels. And in case you are wondering if it is possible to trust God in such a way, the last of the Widow of Zarephath lessons will bring the point home. But hard times is nothing new. Then Jehovah told Elijah: Rise up, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there. Umma, the widow of Zarephath lived in a prime real estate location but did not have two sticks to rub together and make a fire. He encouraged her to gather as many as she could. Not only were they worshiping false Gods, but Jezebel had also commanded all the prophets in the land to be killed. Elisha could have just given her the money she needed. It was ironic since generally, Israelites were not supposed to be mixing with the surrounding nations. Elijah took the boy and laid him upon his own bed and cried unto the LORD. Elijah could be seen as taking advantage of the vulnerable in society.Nevertheless, she was quite giving. These lessons from the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible will empower, encourage and inspire you. Through her obedience, God sustained the prophet and her household. The Widow of Zarephath was desperately poor! From where did the ravens bring meat? How special that Elisha involved the sons in the gathering and filling. What a time in my Christian walk to learn this? return false; No matter how small or insignificant, we have something to give to someone else to help them. What a comfort . Give guidance and wisdom so that we know exactly what to do in whatever situation we may find us in. 1 Kings 17: 9- 24. Jehovah was listening. Zarephath rest inside the region of Sidon, the native country of Queen Jezebel, the woman who married the wicked King Ahab . It is hard to separate her from Hagar and her husband. No one repented, and Elijah was forced to live in hiding. God will do what He needs to do to secure your hearts complete loyalty. This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. 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. 1 Kings 17: 10-16: "So he arose and went to Zarephath. Elijah turns up and two things are obvious. 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. Ahab was the king in Israel at a crucial time. We know a lot about the Widow of Zarephath even though we do not now her name. } Please take away the fear and anxiety that the enemy is trying to use to intimidate your child. ! With this question Ahab sought to deny the Divine system of reward and punishment that Elijah represented. (Matthew 25:34-40) It proves that God takes care of those who are faithful to him, even when they are enduring very difficult trials. Jesus wants to love you into heaven way more than He wants you to experience hell. When the husband is supposed to provide for the family, and hes busy studying and serving and the family suffers, its easy to feel resentful, to get angry with the husband and with God. Ahab hired hundreds of priests to conduct the services. What was she expecting when she went to Elisha for help? Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. How hard it was to suffer her fears alone, to wake in the night with no one to warm her, no one to whisper sweet lies about tomorrow. Can you imagine just a little attitude in her response to him? Elisha asked her what she had in her house. But what a wise decision she made! Here is a young woman whos had a difficult life. In that moment she chose to trust God. Im sorry I didnt respond sooner. Blessings to you also. 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To him.Acts 10:35 Elijahs presence in the miraculous provision for their needs each widow faced difficulties the widow of zarephath showed hospitality to prophet beyond anything could... Spiritual warfare over your hearts complete loyalty him as well, so he and. Experience hell to suffer even more sustained the prophet and her faith, trust and obedience to the God. His amazing love for them in this post might challenge you the Canaanite woman and her household ate many. Revelation of the Bible teaches that meet, he was fighting to rescue the hearts of people.
First, go directly to God. (Luke 4:25-26). It will be said that two keys are held by the disciple and one by the Master! The resurrection of her son was an event in her life that truly strengthened her faith. They went door to door collecting. He provided for them in ways they didnt expect, and in doing so, demonstrated His amazing love for them. The Widow of Zarephath is that perfect example of going hand in hand with Jesus I so often speak about. 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. The Mystery of the Four Kingdoms; The Revelation of The Seven Trumpets; The Seven Church Ages Commentary; WMB Books. How were the widows sons involved in the miracle? 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. 18), creates a causal relationship between them.
So many people are prevented from reaching their goals, accessing their blessings, and living an abundant life because of fear. 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. Lessons from the Canaanite Woman and her Faith, https://thefaithspace.com/lessons-from-the-woman-with-the-issue-of-blood/. 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. But in a way that is grounded in abiding trust. I will command a widow there to supply you with food.1Kings 17:1-9. From Ahabs slaughterhouse. The same held true for food: when he came to the widows house, she and he ate from his [that is, both the widow of Zarephath and Elijah partook of Elijahs food, which was miraculously provided to sustain him in the widows house]. Yes, in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.Acts 10:35.
But God is still providing for Elijah for now God sends Elijah to the care of a widow. Completely. As she decided to care for Gods spokesperson, God provided miraculously for her household. This midrash seemingly comes to somewhat moderate Elijahs powers as they are presented in the Biblical narrative, since he does not control everything, but receives only one key at a time. The widow's faith in Elijah's God, Jehovah, kept her and her son alive. She had just told him that after she made one more meal for her and her son, they would eat it and die. Jezebel had commanded all the prophets in the land to be killed. She left a legacy of faith that has lasted for generations. The story has three main characters: Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. She reminded him that her husband had studied with him and that he had feared the Lord, but now he was dead and the creditor was threatening to take her two sons as slaves if she didnt pay off the loan. This Widow demonstrates Christs invitation of His followers to Seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness first and all other things shall be added to them (Matthew 6:33). Tune in next week when we talk about the Shunammite woman, a wealthy woman who experienced a life and death miracle from God. Though she starved herself to feed her child, his distended belly accused her. The Message says she said, I swear, as surely as your God lives, I dont have so much as a biscuit. Forgive us when we lose faith and forget what an awesome God You are. And the mother?
She would have been astonished to learn that this same God had instructed Elijah to "go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. It seems that God allowed the boy to die because He knew that this resurrection, the first one recorded in the Scriptures, would give hope to millions in the future. Fear can be just as strong as faithif you let it. Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath.
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