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. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. Used with permission. John 1:14 reassures us: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Once again in 1Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.. What do we know about the Widow of Zarephath whose story is found in I Kings 17:8-24? All she had to do was believe God the God of Israel and obey. The Widow of Zarephath is that perfect example of going hand in hand with Jesus I so often speak about. Zarephath rest inside the region of Sidon, the native country of Queen Jezebel, the woman who married the wicked King Ahab . The Widow of Zarephath helps us to better understand that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. 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. Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath Bible story word search puzzle with coloring activity page. 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. Their mutual love of hospitality is not rooted in their religious or ethnic understanding, instead it is rooted in their shared humanity and love of God. Blessings to you as well. Elijah was feed by ravens for many days. 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. The is a very powerful Sermon. Yet for some reason she believed Elijah and acted accordingly, giving him everything she had. 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. Joanne Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and Author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. It was ironic since generally, Israelites were not supposed to be mixing with the surrounding nations. So many people are prevented from reaching their goals, accessing their blessings, and living an abundant life because of fear. Just a short time earlier, she had gently held his lifeless body in her arms. And when she completed the task, she again went to him for the next step. 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. Second, she was in no position to feed anybody. Lets keep in touch. 17). 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. The first of the Widow of Zarephath lessons is that spiritual warfare goes up a notch in times of crisis. 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. God mercifully preserved her and her son, even though they were not of His chosen people. She was a widow living in Zarephath, a city in Zidon about where Lebanon is today. We can learn a very important lesson from this. As a woman who endured extreme difficulties, her story reveals God's power to provide what we need the mosta commodity of the heart called faith. The Widow of Zarephath had doubt, just like we all do when we have reached our breaking point. The resurrection of her son was an event in her life that truly strengthened her faith. They may have little or no knowledge of Jehovah and need help to accept true worship. Features thousands of biographic and thematic essays on Jewish women around the world. Today she had scraped the last bit of flour from the barrel and poured the last drop of oil from the jug. But God is full of surprises. This womans husband was one of those students. Why? All He wants us to do is to love him back. 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. We know a lot about the Widow of Zarephath even though we do not now her name. Their clothing set them apart so they could receive help from their community. The prophet had to take out a loan in order to provide for his family. Elijah took the boy and laid him upon his own bed and cried unto the LORD. Shes all alone and desperately trying to protect her children. For this is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: The large jar of flour will not run out, and the small jar of oil will not run dry until the day Jehovah makes it rain on the surface of the ground.1Kings 17:11-14. Right now, feel free to press pause, and get on your knees and pour out your heart to the Lord Jesus. Although the poor widow of Zarephath lived in an area where many people worshipped idols, she showed faith in Jehovah. All she had to do was believe God the God of Israel and obey. God provides for him through a raven. The important thing is to go back to Him in remembrance of Him. The Bible is filled with God granting miracles for widows. So keep fighting with God for your faith. God did not abandon that poor widow. Have an update or correction? 2:20): Ask him in to break bread (Pesikta Rabbati chap. These two boys were facing a terrible future unless God intervened. Concubine of a Levite: Midrash and Aggadah, Daughters of Zelophehad: Midrash and Aggadah, The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women, Copyright 19982023, Jewish Women's Archive. } What about you? If only her husband were alive to squeeze a harvest from the fields. Bible Gateway Plus makes it simple. This man of God is asking for the last of all she has. No one repented, and Elijah was forced to live in hiding. So glad you were encouraged. Hers is a story of the pain of loss and grief. She did not refer to Jehovah as my God. She lived in Zarephath, a town that belonged to the Phoenician city of Sidon. The people there worshiped Baal, the god of rain. Completely. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat itand die. This exposition, based on the juxtaposition of the resurrection of the widows son (end of chap. 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. Jehovah listened to Elijahs prayer and brought the child back to life. When we suffer trials, we need to look for Jehovahs guidance in the Scriptures and in our publications. Just as you saw the prophets widow through difficult times, may you work in a miraculous to take care of Edith. It was at a moment of weakness that she doubted. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food." 10 So he went to Zarephath. When Elijah sees the woman God told him to meet, he asks her for a cup of water. Ahab and Jezebel were ruling the Kingdom of Israel in wickedness. return true; Church Gallery; WMB Gallery; FAQ; Contact. He wants us to lean on him and depend on him daily.It takes faith to deal with this. The fact that God resurrects the dead was already shown by Elijah, Elisha and Ezekiel (Lev. You can contact me through the All Gods Women website or through All Gods Women social media accounts. 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. Women Who Rocked the BibleStories of Those Who Shaped Their Culture and Still Inspire You Today. Then he died, leaving his helpless widow owing money and having no way to pay off the debt. She prepared food for Elijah with the last of her food, and trusted his words that her barrel would not be empty. We are totally dependent of the Lord in every aspect of our lives. 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). This a very short Widow of Zarephath lesson about the power of fear versus the power of faith.. This is when God brings Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath together. However, Jesus spoke well of her, so she may have become a faithful servant of Jehovah. This can be learned from Elijah, for whom God provided, as it is said (I Kings 17:9): I have designated a widow there to feed you (Tanhuma, Mikez 6). 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. Another mother gives you her kids' outgrown clothing so you can clothe your own children. ! With this question Ahab sought to deny the Divine system of reward and punishment that Elijah represented. We do not know her name, but she is a widow living in the town of Zarephath. 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. Elisha told her to go to all of her neighbors and borrow empty vessels from them. Rabbah 4:2). Ravens feed Elijah for many days, but when the brook dries up he is commanded to go to, There was also a growing desire for integration in Latin America, and several steps were taken in this direction. Ahab and Jezebel worshipped Baal. God tells us to go here or thereto do this or thatand its easy to think its about us. If you are a Bible study teacher, you are free to allow this content to influence the lessons you teach or the sermons you present. Most important she learned that the word of the LORD is the truth. He cried out to God and asked that the boys life return to Him. In fact, our biggest following is in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. So Elijah, the prophet of God, declared a three year drought over the land of Israel. Zarephath was a gentile country. RECORDING DATE: July 3, 2020. 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. Elijah served as Gods spokesperson, the man who stood in front of King Ahab and prophesied the next years are going to see a total droughtnot a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise (1 Kings 17:1 MSG). I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijahs time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. When the Widow of Zarephath expresses concern for her meagre meal, Elijah told her, Do not be afraid.. 4). We will get back to the context of Jesus . So many wonderful points. Blessings. Elijah was staying with the widow and her household while there was a drought in the land. Holstein, Joanne (2015) The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library (April), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541, (accessed). We can really pray for and trust God for BIG things. He will provide for our needs on a daily basis. Now how long would those last? 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. The second of the encouraging Widow of Zarephath lessons is a bit of a cliche. She is a great example of having faith, trust and obedience to the LORD. Here we find reciprocal hospitality: a Phoenician widow (a non-Israelite) feeding a Jewish prophet who will eventually save her son. It is sometimes said we wear our sins on our sleeves. Jesus makes the point that during a time of drought and famine, there were many widows in Israel who had need. I will command a widow there to supply you with food.1Kings 17:1-9. Covid has stolen so much from so many, destroying businesses, eliminating jobs, taking away hope for the future. 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. He may ask you to do something thats humbling. Perhaps she had come to know him well in the time that had passed. Are you looking for God to answer you through the divine connection of relationship Hes placed in your life? var checkboxFields = jQuery(this).find('[name^="GROUPINGS"]'); Elijah had declared God's message of judgment on Israel and her wicked king, but the message fell on deaf ears. Lessons from the Canaanite Woman and her Faith, https://thefaithspace.com/lessons-from-the-woman-with-the-issue-of-blood/. But first make me a small round loaf of bread with what is there, and bring it out to me. The Word of the LORD is in reality truth and reliable. Prophets always teach and testify of Christ. By doing so we help ourselves and could even save ourselves.Maybe your times of crisis can be lifted if you reach out to help someone. It may require you to look around at what you have and do something with the resources Hes already blessed you with. For her to move forward in obedience and faith, she needed to put away fear. Why did Elisha have them pouring the oil in the privacy of their home? And he called to her and said, 'Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.' And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, 'Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.' Much blessings to you my sister. 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). return false; Lord God, these are difficult times for so many. Do not be afraid. 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. Luke 4:25-26. Give back the key of rain, and take the key of the resurrection of the dead. Accordingly, after Elijah revived the widows son, the Biblical text states (I Kings 18:1): Go, appear before Ahab; then I will send rain, because he had to return the key of rain and stop the drought (BT Sanhedrin 113a). Ahab was the king in Israel at a crucial time. 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. In this post I will list just a few characters and stories of faith you can study to uplift your, Continue reading Faith in Bible stories: 30+ inspirational examples and stories from ScriptureContinue, The daughters of Zelophehad in the Bible were no ordinary women. So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. Jesus will be with you as you speak His words. Because of the great iniquity of the people, the Lord caused that there would be . Yes, "the large jar of flour did not run out, and the small jar of oil did not run dry . for(var i=0; i
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