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The Widow at Zarephath
The Verse
I Kings 17:14 The Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘That jar of flour will never become empty. The jug will always have oil in it. This will continue until the day the Lord sends rain to the land.’” (ICB Version)
The Story
There was a widow of Zarephath gathering sticks by the gate of the city. A stranger appeared at the gate. At first glance, he looked like a bear. But then he called to her from beneath his long, tangled beard. “Could you please bring me a cup of water?”
The widow stooped against the wind whipping dust and walked toward the well to draw water. Again, the stranger called, “Please bring me a piece of bread, too.”
She approached him with the cup of water. Removing her veil, she spoke into the howling wind, “As surely as the Lord your God lives, I tell you the truth. I have no bread. I have only a handful of flour in a jar. And I have only a little olive oil in a jug. I came here to gather some wood. I will take it home and cook our last meal. My son and I will eat it and then die from hunger.”
But the stranger replied, “I am the Lord’s prophet Elijah. Do not fear. First, make a small piece of bread for me. Then make bread for yourself and your son. The Lord, the God of Israel, says, ‘That jar of flour will never become empty. The jug will always have oil in it. This will continue until the day the Lord sends rain to the land.’”
The widow thought about the bare olive branches and the dry riverbed as far as her eyes could see. Then she went home and did as Elijah asked. The storehouses of heaven opened. It was a miracle!
Elijah lodged in the upper room of the widow’s home for many months. God continued to provide for Elijah, the widow, and her son.
One day, the widow’s son became sick, and he died.
The widow lamented to Elijah, “You are a man of God. What have you done to me? Did you come here to remind me of my sin? Did you come here to kill my son?”
So, Elijah took her son to the upper room. He stretched himself over the child three times, and he cried, “Oh Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.”
The Lord heard Elijah. And the boy’s soul returned to him. Elijah took the boy to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!”
Another miracle! Now the widow knew Elijah was a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in Elijah’s mouth was the truth.
The widow was obedient to the God of Israel. Because of her obedience, she witnessed two of Elijah's miracles granted by God.
Did you know obedience is an act of worship? Be obedient even when you’re afraid of the unknown, because God’s plans for you are good!
How can you learn obedience to God? Start by obeying your parents. God promises it may be well with you and you may live a long life on the earth.
*I Kings 17: 8-24