But she did have oil. How many people who live in your territory are like the widow of Zarephath? The prophet immediately responded to the king: As the Lord lives, the God of Israel [] there will be no dew or rain except at my bidding (I Kings 17:1). The story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephtah can be found in the following Bible verses: 5 Faith lessons from the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible, Lessons from the life of Sarah in the Bible (characteristics and marriage lessons), Characteristics of Ruth in the Bible (and lessons from the story of Ruth and Boaz), Rizpah in the Bible Characteristics and lessons learned, Faith in Bible stories: 30+ inspirational examples and stories from Scripture, Daughters of Zelophehad Lessons for life, faith and prayer. In 1898, an article in Zions Watch Tower taught this lesson: If the widow had faith and obeyed Elijah, she would receive Jehovahs help. This a very short Widow of Zarephath lesson about the power of fear versus the power of faith.. He might as well ask me to snap my fingers and produce a cow to feast on. Use your servant mightily to encourage the hearts of your people. Now I am gathering a few pieces of wood, and I will go in and make something for me and my son. First, she seemed to be unaware of this command. No matter how little, we have something we can use to bless someone. THE WATCHTOWERSTUDY EDITION (SIMPLIFIED) February2014, Audio download options Elijah tells her not to be afraid, but instead to Go home and do as you have said. This was a humbling activity. Ahab blamed Elijah for the drought and wanted to kill him. Although the poor widow of Zarephath lived in an area where many people worshipped idols, she showed faith in Jehovah. Ahab hired hundreds of priests to conduct the services. The widow of Zarephath plays a small but important role in Elijah's story. When Elijah arrived at Zarephath, he saw a poor widow collecting pieces of wood. When we suffer trials, we need to look for Jehovahs guidance in the Scriptures and in our publications. FACT #3 - Elijah knew she was a widow because of what she was wearing. 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. If you are going through a rough patch, you will find encouragement. Ahab and Jezebel worshipped Baal. Have you ever had others demanding from you what you didnt have to give? 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. Read about other women who rocked in the Bible: Deboraha Faithful Focus on What You Can Do, Want more? Get out your Bible. (Luke 4:25-26). The LORD God had commanded this widow woman to sustain someone she did not know during a time of great drought and starvation. It is not because of our righteousness or any of our good works that we were saved by Him. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me and then make something for yourself and your son. All she had to do was believe God the God of Israel and obey. Now that you, who are righteous, have come to me, God weighs my actions in comparison with yours, and so you have recalled my sins, and [consequently] my son died (Pesikta Rabbati chap. 31 December 1999. She had always loved the sea, but now its watery abundance seemed only to mock her, reminding her of all she lacked. There were so many possibilities to this story. It is hard to separate her from Hagar and her husband. Its easy to not deny Him when we are in love with Jesus. Daily provision for food for three years. The Rabbis also learned from this episode that giving food to someone else is a great virtue that results in the resurrection of the dead before its time: because the widow from Zarephath gave food to Elijah, she merited the reviving of her son (Cant. I look forward to hearing from you! Now how long would those last? And in each case, God showed them that they werent alone and that He cared for them. But God is full of surprises. What could the widows husband have done differently? The widows faith in Elijahs God, Jehovah, kept her and her son alive. She lashes out in her pain at the man she trusted, the man who God used to perform a miracle. 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. The prophet had to take out a loan in order to provide for his family. And He needs to know youre listening. Each widow faced difficulties far beyond anything they could handle on their own. Shes all alone and desperately trying to protect her children. Then we should follow Jehovahs direction, no matter how difficult it may be to accept. 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. These two boys were facing a terrible future unless God intervened. Open job opportunities for her that will pay for her bills and help pay off her debts. Did she expect a miracle or was she more practical minded? Upon seeing her son, the widow said to Elijah, Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth (1 Kings 17:24 NKJV). Copyright 2022| Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians |, The Psychological Condition of Depression. Elijah also had a moment of doubt. Were told she was one of the wives of the sons of the prophets. The fact that God resurrects the dead was already shown by Elijah, Elisha and Ezekiel (Lev. Elijah was told to dwell by the brook Cheribth. But anyone who is willing to open their hearts, God is ready to walk in. (Psalm 37:25), And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Soon after, her son dies, and Elijah pleads to God for the power to resurrect him. 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. Then sit back and listen to what He has to say. Think about what Elijah asked the widow to do. Lord God, these are difficult times for so many. Why? She was faithful and obedient to the commands of the LORD. You give freely to those in need. What an amazing lesson they witnessed to see how God cared for them and provided for them. Plead your case. It takes courage to go to your neighbors and ask them for something. Lieberman], Ekev, p. 74). He doesn't pat them on the back and say he's sorry life is so tough. This was the case with the faith of the Widow of Zarephath. 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. And who was her son? 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 "Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. Just as Elijah promised, Jehovah multiplied her meager supplies so that they sustained Elijah, the widow, and her son until the drought ended. God did not abandon that poor widow. The widow of Zarephath plays a small but important role in Elijahs story. Elijah took him and delivered him unto his mother. The Widow of Zarephaths story begins while she is at the gate gathering a few sticks so she can go home and prepare the last little bit of food for herself and her son. God heard Elijah and the boy lived once again. But first make me a small round loaf of bread with what is there, and bring it out to me. The Widow of Zarephath had doubt, just like we all do when we have reached our breaking point. 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. And when she completed the task, she again went to him for the next step. How were the widows sons involved in the miracle? 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. No matter how small or insignificant, we have something to give to someone else to help them. Beg for His mercy and provision. Just a short time earlier, she had gently held his lifeless body in her arms. Elijah was a fugitive but God used this widow to give him a place where he could be at rest and have some comfort as he waited for Gods promise to be fulfilled. 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. There was a famine of food. God remember me . The Widow of Zarephath helps us to better understand that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. The Widow of Zarephath is an example of faith. The Widow of Zarephath. Why does God allow godly men to die young? Women of Prayer is a 10-Week Bible study about getting to know the character of God through the stories of Bible women who prayed. God did not abandon that poor widow. FACT #4 She was extremely poor. It was located between Sidon and Tyre which would be in modern day Lebanon. Provide for her and her children. Was she looking for a handout? Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. Please take away the fear and anxiety that the enemy is trying to use to intimidate your child. She went back to Elisha to ask what she was to do next. The Widow of Zarephath had nothing for her own family to eat, much less a prophet. The Rabbis relate that this son was Jonah son of Amittai, who was completely righteous, and would eventually enter the Garden of Eden while still alive (Midrash Tehilim 26:7). 11:1617]. God spoke to Elijah again and told him to go to Zarephath. Most important she learned that the word of the LORD is the truth. This exposition, based on the juxtaposition of the resurrection of the widows son (end of chap. Amen. 10:22 refers: It is the blessing of the Lord that enriches. A single spoonful of ground flour that the woman had and the little oil in the jug sufficed, they were not exhausted, and the blessing reigned from within her home (Tanhuma, Ki Tisa 29). 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. Elijah worshipped Jehovah. They saw first hand how the oil from one jar filled enough jars to not only pay off their fathers debt, but for the family to live off of. Have an update or correction? Shelmith, oh how you have blessed my heart today by sharing your testimony :D. Praise the living God for sure! For some reason I wasnt getting notifications. 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. Holstein, Joanne (2015) The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library (April), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541, (accessed). Her joy: To experience repeated miracles of God's provision. Not all those who lived in Zarephath were completely corrupt. Elijah lived with her for 2 years and God provided enough for each day.God did not provide a whole barrel full at once. Look! Yet for some reason she believed Elijah and acted accordingly, giving him everything she had. I hope you have been encouraged by these lessons from the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. I have learned this though: Even for people who have denied Jesus, there is forgiveness and complete restoration. Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. The woman from Zarephath wasn't a Jew, but a Phoenician. She did not refer to Jehovah as my God. She lived in Zarephath, a town that belonged to the Phoenician city of Sidon. In today's episode of All God's Women we look at the Prophet's Widow, a woman with debt collectors knocking on her door and she had no way to repay them. As she decided to care for Gods spokesperson, God provided miraculously for her household. The midrash apparently understands that the food eaten by Elijah during his stay with the widow was of miraculous origin, since the entire land was suffering from a severe drought. There is hardly a person who cannot relate to struggling with something for a long, Continue reading 5 Faith lessons from the woman with the issue of blood in the BibleContinue, The lessons from the life of Sarah in the Bible are all so interesting because her story is filled so much drama. Much blessings to you my sister. If ever there was a list of bad women in the Bible, they would be on it. (Read on to find out why he chose a drought over anything else). The Bible is filled with God granting miracles for widows. 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. Elijah asks her to give her son to him. The LORD knew her, knew all about her situation, and the condition of her heart. He told her to sell the oil, pay back the debt, and she and her sons could live off of whatever remained. The Prophet Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath illustrates the biblical story of the encounter between prophet Elijah and a widow and her son gathering sticks when he arrives at the town of Zarephath. 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. 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. 4). ". 16) and the drought (beginning of chap. This is when God brings Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath together. 1 Kings 17: 10-16: "So he arose and went to Zarephath. Subscribe today and listen on your favorite platform. You can follow me on social media, follow my blog, or contact me directly via email or my contact form. The Widow of Zarephath is a picture of faith. 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. It is common for us all to blame ourselves and our sins for things that happen to us. Elijah and Ahab had met when they came to console Hiel the Bethelite, who was in mourning. This woman didnt know that the LORD is a loving LORD and would not be punished her by taking her son. Thanks so much for the exposition of the story of the widow of zarephath. The Message says she said, I swear, as surely as your God lives, I dont have so much as a biscuit. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541,. Oh Desmond, I hear you and I definitely understand the fear. She looked to Elijah for answers. He sent Elijah to the widow to help both her and the prophet. Then he died, leaving his helpless widow owing money and having no way to pay off the debt. They teach so, Continue reading Daughters of Zelophehad Lessons for life, faith and prayerContinue, Thank you very much and may God bless you. If only her husband were alive to squeeze a harvest from the fields. Check out our on demand resources, Experience Hope Daily Devotional Family Life Radio Updates. (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. (Luke 4:25,26) Her story teaches us that God blesses those doing good to his servants. You can imagine what some people might have said: Give away our last meal? 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. Elisha told her to go to all of her neighbors and borrow empty vessels from them. 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. Did you know that All Gods Women can be heard around the world? And here, I erect idols on every ridge in the land, and the rains fall so copiously that it is impossible to walk to those ridges. Zarephath rest inside the region of Sidon, the native country of Queen Jezebel, the woman who married the wicked King Ahab and required her god, Baal to be worshipped instead of God Almighty (1 King 21:25-26). Remember, she was looking at the possibility of dying a bit earlier if she gave away her very last meal. 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. They had to be scared. We ask today that you be with those women who are struggling financially, especially those who are widows or single moms. 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