She had nothing to offer but a jar of oil. Thank you so much J. 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. The Widow of Zarephaths story doesnt end there. The reviving of the dead in this narrative serves the Rabbis as a model of the future Resurrection of the Dead, since whatever God will do in the World to Come He has already shown to humans in this world. This request was a huge test of faith. This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. If only her husband were alive to squeeze a harvest from the fields. At Zarephath the prophet was shown hospitality by a poor widow, whose flour and oil were miraculously sustained during a great famine and whose son Elijah, in God's power, subsequently raised from death. Her planwithout Gods miraculous intervention, which she must have hoped forshe and her son will starve to death. Are you searching for and helping such people? Read the story of the prophets widow in 2 Kings 4. I will command a widow there to supply you with food.1Kings 17:1-9. But it was also a declaration that although it seemed like God was absent, He was very much present. This man of God is asking for the last of all she has. There the LORD provided safety from Jezebel. } Ahab and Jezebel were ruling the Kingdom of Israel in wickedness. Second, she was in no position to feed anybody. Even though she did not know much about Jehovah, she believed Elijah and did what he asked of her. Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son? (1 Kings 17:17-18 NIV). If ever there was a list of bad women in the Bible, they would be on it. This widow was from Sidon. Check out our on demand resources, Experience Hope Daily Devotional Family Life Radio Updates. She needs a miracle. 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 LORD had been preparing her to be an instrument in His hand. 7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 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. God sends him to stay by a brook first. Go in and do as you said. God doesn't ignore the needs of those who cannot help themselves. For some reason I wasnt getting notifications. It is not because of our righteousness or any of our good works that we were saved by Him. Used with permission. Facilitator: Amah Linda. The Widow of Zarephath helps us to better understand that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. God is in the business of protecting his reputation. She is introduced to us by saying she was gathering sticks when Elijah called her to fetch him a little water and a morsel of bread. Completely. We can assume she is the only widow in her city. Elijah, however, was committed only to save the lives of his hosts (Ex. I hope you have been encouraged by these lessons from the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. Umma and her son were also food insecure. 1 Kings 17:9-24, Luke 4:25-26. Who was the Widow of Zarephath? 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. Chances are, their neighbors were struggling as well, so they likely didnt have money or food to spare. The story of a widow, who remained unnamed in the Bible, was important enough to have her faith and obedience recorded in the Bible. You already have the key of rain, and you [also] want the key of the resurrection of the dead? There is much curiosity about what he was called but there is no record of his name in all of Scripture. When we suffer trials, we need to look for Jehovahs guidance in the Scriptures and in our publications. God tells us to go here or thereto do this or thatand its easy to think its about us. THE WATCHTOWERSTUDY EDITION (SIMPLIFIED), Copyright 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. Once she had the jars, jugs, and pots collected she was to shut the door behind her and she and her sons would pour the oil they had into the vessels theyd gathered. Gods purposes are so much higher and wider than what we imagine. They are sure. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food." 10 So he went to Zarephath. Holstein, Joanne The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library Apr 2015.. Just as you saw the prophets widow through difficult times, may you work in a miraculous to take care of Edith. I am blessed that you have been encouraged. She did not refer to Jehovah as my God. She lived in Zarephath, a town that belonged to the Phoenician city of Sidon. 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. Shes angry. A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules). Well, very little. But she would also be the first woman to witness God's power to raise the dead, which he did in response to Elijah's repeated prayers on behalf of her child. Most important she learned that the word of the LORD is the truth. Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath. 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. When this happened, she was ready to be used by God.And used her he did. Episode 86: Fat Torah with Minna Bromberg. If you want to continue learning from the Widow of Zarephath story, I encourage you to check out someother Bible studies. Elisha could have just given her the money she needed. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. Later, the widow's faith would again be tested when her young son died. 1 Kings 17: 10-16: "So he arose and went to Zarephath. WMB English Version; WMB Tamil Version; Gallery. For those who are being threatened by others and are feeling helpless, be their Defense. Blessings. 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. So Elijah, the prophet of God, declared a three year drought over the land of Israel. And in each case, God showed them that they werent alone and that He cared for them. Thanks so much for the exposition of the story of the widow of zarephath. 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. We meet the Prophets Widow in 2 Kings chapter 4. God told Elijah to go to Zarephath and find a widow. Jesus makes the point that during a time of drought and famine, there were many widows in Israel who had need. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541,. Use your servant mightily to encourage the hearts of your people. He will be a Provider, a Protector, and a Friend in order to help you endure.Exodus 3:13-15. 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. Now I am gathering a few pieces of wood, and I will go in and make something for me and my son. He will not allow the enemy to snatch you up without a fight. Jewish Women's Archive. But first make me a small round loaf of bread with what is there, and bring it out to me. She heard, understood and walked that walk of faith. 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). FACT #1 The name of her village was Sarepta. He dedicated his life to studying and serving God which meant he was dependent on others to provide for him financially. These women challenged the beliefs and practices of their day. Like Naaman, her faith was unlikely and Jesus makes reference to him as well. When Elijah sees the woman God told him to meet, he asks her for a cup of water. The husband may have been called by God, but the wife may feel shes just along for the ride with no say in the situation. God chose to take the life of the prophet Elijah and intertwine it with the life of the one widow. Have you ever been in as desperate a situation as the widow was in? Elijah orders the woman to prepare a small cake for him (v. 13). You are our Provider when we have nothing. Are you willing to be used by God to speak His truth into the lives of others as He leads you. We are never alone, He hears our every prayers, He answers our prayers in ways we would never imagine. 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. She is a leading authority on historical development of Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults. The first of the Widow of Zarephath lessons is that spiritual warfare goes up a notch in times of crisis. Are you open to hearing His voice when He speaks through others? We ask today that you be with those women who are struggling financially, especially those who are widows or single moms. Her sons would hand her an empty jar. The widow went to Elisha and pleaded her case. Hiel had transgressed Joshuas prohibition against rebuilding Jericho (Josh. 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). If there was ever a Hallmark-worthy story in the Bible, this is it. And for those of us who struggle in our faith, He always meets us where we are in our imperfect faith and helps us grow. RECORDING DATE: July 3, 2020. 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]. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 "Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. 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. These days she stood with shoulders hunched as though to hide her breasts. And the mother? An unexpected check comes just when you need it. return true; Were not told of her praying to God herself, but she did know to go to Gods man for direction, and possibly, a miracle. Tell Him your situation. 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. Hopefully we can see it as God positioning us for blessing. The story of Peter in the Bible teaches that. (Read on to find out why he chose a drought over anything else). As she decided to care for Gods spokesperson, God provided miraculously for her household. Like the woman with the issue of blood and Naaman, Elijah was no different. Rabbah 27:4). But God is still providing for Elijah for now God sends Elijah to the care of a widow. They continued until all the vessels were full. Lessons from the Canaanite Woman and her Faith, https://thefaithspace.com/lessons-from-the-woman-with-the-issue-of-blood/. Here we find reciprocal hospitality: a Phoenician widow (a non-Israelite) feeding a Jewish prophet who will eventually save her son. God provides for him through a raven. But hard times is nothing new. These two boys were facing a terrible future unless God intervened. Just as Elijah promised, Jehovah added to her supply of food so that there was enough to feed Elijah, her, and her son until the drought ended. God will do what He needs to do to secure your hearts complete loyalty. Rabbah 2:5:3). Indeed, "the large jar of flour did not run out, and the small jar of oil did not . She left a legacy of faith that has lasted for generations. Then behind her, she hears him ask for a piece of bread. In Christs name we pray. He might as well ask me to snap my fingers and produce a cow to feast on. He stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this childs soul come into him again. The LORD heard the cries of Elijah and revived the child. More than anything, the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath can teach us a lot. The Widow of Zarephath was desperately poor! Elijah took him and delivered him unto his mother. (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. 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. 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. Jehovah will help you if you trust in him when your integrity is tested. Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women. Elijah was feed by ravens for many days. When the Widow of Zarephath expresses concern for her meagre meal, Elijah told her, Do not be afraid.. He said: Please, bring me a little water in a cup so that I may drink. When she went to get him some water, Elijah added: Please, bring me a piece of bread. (1Kings 17:10,11) The widow was not worried about giving this stranger a drink, but giving him bread was a problem. This is a short story, but so much packed into it. Your email address will not be published. By sending Elijah to this widow, Jehovah showed that He notices sincere people who are not yet serving Him. We know this because she said: As surely as Jehovah your God is living. It seems that even though she knew some things about Israels God, she was not serving him. It may require you to look around at what you have and do something with the resources Hes already blessed you with. 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. Soon after, her son dies, and Elijah pleads to God for the power to resurrect him. It was located between Sidon and Tyre which would be in modern day Lebanon. Yes, in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.Acts 10:35. She thought it was a punishment because of her sins. Beg for His mercy and provision. The story has three main characters: Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. There it was the promise of a miracle. If she did not show faith in Jehovah, then another widow might have been chosen who would. Think about what Elijah asked the widow to do. Kadari, Tamar. Church Gallery; WMB Gallery; FAQ; Contact. How were the widows sons involved in the miracle? Rabbah [ed. 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