1 Kings 17:8-12
Verse 8 starts out with “then the word of the LORD came to him (Elijah)” and verse 10 starts with “so he (Elijah) arose and went.” As we go through the life of Elijah we will see this as a running theme—GOD spoke and Elijah did according to what GOD spoke. Elijah was not a great prophet/man in and of himself, but only through obeying the instruction of the LORD. This is something that all of us can grow in and apply to our lives. GOD speaks and we adhere to HIS instruction.
Once again we see GOD’s provision and sovereignty. Yes, the brook dried up but GOD is not dried up and HE takes care of what is HIS. The GOD who commanded the ravens to provide for Elijah has now commanded a widow in the town of Zarephath to provide for Elijah. You would think that the widow would be right there waiting to provide for Elijah. You would think that she would have gladly responded with a “yes” to Elijah’s request for a morsel of bread.
It is important for us to recognize GOD’s foreknowledge in considering HIS sovereignty. I’m sure that this woman was not the only widow in the area, but GOD knew that this widow would adhere to the word of the LORD and provide for Elijah. Or, maybe GOD opened up her heart to heed the things spoken by Elijah as GOD did with Lydia in Acts 16. However so, I think this example expands our view on GOD’s sovereignty and how it plays out in the lives of HIS creation. Maybe GOD commanded you to care for someone and you didn’t even recognize it?
As the narrative continues, Elijah asks the widow for water and a morsel of bread (I love this portion of Scripture). The widow goes on and on about how little she has and how she was going to prepare that little bit for her and her son’s last meal (remember, Elijah pronounced a drought, and with drought comes famine).
The widow is distraught and her words are those of a person with absolutely no hope. Her circumstances snatched all of her hope away. I wonder how often this happens to us. How often do we allow our circumstances to take away our hope and joy? How often do we focus on ourselves, the little that we have, and “the much” that we don’t have. How often do we focus on those things and lose all hope?
This is not to chastise the widow because I must admit that when I focus on myself, well, no hope is the only option. Man has no hope when man’s hope is man—period.
Grace and peace.
