} If ever there was a list of bad women in the Bible, they would be on it. Elijah arose and went to Wadi Cherith, where the ravens brought him bread and meat (v. 2). Subscribe today and listen on your favorite platform. The Bible is filled with God granting miracles for widows. The Widow of Zarephath didnt blame Elijah or the LORD for the death of her son. No one repented, and Elijah was forced to live in hiding. The Widow had her last bit of sustenance left in this life.But she was so willing to give from it. God told Elijah to go to Zarephath and find a widow. ", But the man had persisted. God spoke to Elijah again and told him to go to Zarephath. Another trial was going to test the widows faith. We do not know her name, but she is a widow living in the town of Zarephath. Media information about this sermon Title: Raising The Faith Of The Widow Of ZarephathTitle in Tamil: . But what a wise decision she made! But in times of spiritual crisis, he prayed in faith and God answered. Another Rabbinic teaching states: If someone tells you that God does not resurrect the dead, say to him: Elijah the Gileadite attests that God resurrects the dead (Deut. She lashes out in her pain at the man she trusted, the man who God used to perform a miracle. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It was a wicked time where the worship of false gods was practice. For him to take up a love offering? But God is full of surprises. 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. Youre welcome Frazer. But in a way that is grounded in abiding trust. Remember the LORD had commanded a widow woman to sustain Elijah. Who was the Widow of Zarephath? Through her obedience, God sustained the prophet and her household. Just as Elijah promised, Jehovah multiplied her meager supplies so that they sustained Elijah, the widow, and her son until the drought ended. And in each case, God showed them that they . 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). The Widow of Zarephath Was Rewarded for Her Faith, Publication download options A lesson that we can learn from this is that God blesses those who show faith in him. 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. 2:20): Ask him in to break bread (Pesikta Rabbati chap. He provided for them in ways they didnt expect, and in doing so, demonstrated His amazing love for them. He may ask you to do something thats humbling. "Don't be afraid. As they filled up the vessels they were to set aside the ones that were full. You are our Provider when we have nothing. THE WATCHTOWERSTUDY EDITION (SIMPLIFIED) February2014, The WatchtowerStudy Edition (Simplified)| February2014. PRIVACY SETTINGS, The Widow of Zarephath Was Rewarded for Her Faith, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/m/402014124/univ/art/402014124_univ_sqr_xl.jpg, THE WATCHTOWERSTUDY EDITION (SIMPLIFIED) February2014, https://assetsnffrgf-a.akamaihd.net/assets/a/ws/E/20140215/wpub/ws_E_20140215_lg.jpg, Share And I mean bad in a good way. 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. All she had to do was believe God the God of Israel and obey. We have to allow the Lord into our lives and accept His loving kindness and live by faith that He is with us through our journey through live. To make matters worse, he died, leaving her with a debt she had no way of paying. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Are you looking for God to answer you through the divine connection of relationship Hes placed in your life? The rest of the story is the little child was brought back to life by the LORD God. 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. At one point, Elijah thought he was the last living prophet (1 Kings 18:22). This midrash seemingly comes to somewhat moderate Elijahs powers as they are presented in the Biblical narrative, since he does not control everything, but receives only one key at a time. I am so happy that you have found what you need for you sermon. We might easily assume this widow is not of Hebrew lineage, but she clearly believed in the Hebrews God and trusted Him. She had lived her life a stone's throw from the Mediterranean, at Zarephath, seven miles south of Sidon, in a territory ruled by Jezebel's father. The Prophet Elijah is invited into a widow 's home after he asks her for a piece of bread. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541,. 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). 18), creates a causal relationship between them. Ahab blamed Elijah for the drought and wanted to kill him. 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. We ask today that you be with those women who are struggling financially, especially those who are widows or single moms. Hiel had transgressed Joshuas prohibition against rebuilding Jericho (Josh. He took God at his word. Elijah asks her to give her son to him. After we have eaten, we will die. (1Kings 17:12) What can we learn from this conversation? The widow of Zarephath plays a small but important role in Elijahs story. Were told she was one of the wives of the sons of the prophets. Well, very little. He will not allow the enemy to snatch you up without a fight. The account in 1Kings chapter17 says no more about this woman. 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). Holstein, Joanne The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library Apr 2015.. 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. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah (1 Kings 17:15-16 NKJV). He knew the current reality did not measure up with Gods promise. The Widow of Zarephath helps us to better understand that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. In honor of International Womens Day on March 8, 2022, we are spotlighting women who rocked in Bible times! Here is a young woman whos had a difficult life. Did she expect a miracle or was she more practical minded? In her mind, the end is near. Join with other women in theAll Gods Women Bible Study Facebook group. Luke 4:25-26. 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 faith of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath helps us to realize that God wants to trust Him each day. It may require you to look around at what you have and do something with the resources Hes already blessed you with. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.' So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. They had to be scared. While Ahab and Jezebel and Elijah were drawing swords on earth, that was just a representation of what was happening in the spiritual word. There is, after all, a drought in progress. This is a short story, but so much packed into it. For him to pay the debt? The Widow. 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. Plus, she was literally down to her last meal. We need to know about the time period she lived in and the events that led to her faithfulness to the LORD. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The widow could see that Elijah was an Israelite who served God. Holstein, Joanne (2015, April) The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library. She is a leading authority on historical development of Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults. She had just told him that after she made one more meal for her and her son, they would eat it and die. But first make me a small round loaf of bread with what is there, and bring it out to me. Then do it. Our God is still a miraculous provider, granting what we need sometimes in the most unexpected ways. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake. Their clothing set them apart so they could receive help from their community. God mercifully preserved her and her son, even though they were not of His chosen people. This was his calling. A Phoenician town 'belonging to' or apparently dependent upon Sidon in Elijah's day. And thanks so much for that insight. The Widow of Zarephath had doubt, just like we all do when we have reached our breaking point. It will likely take faith on your part. Comfort her when shes feeling overwhelmed. But she showed faith, trusted in Jehovah, and fed Elijah first. And he was fighting to rescue the hearts of his people from worshiping things that would not serve them. RELATED: Women of faith in the Bible 14 Characteristics and lessons learned. Yes, in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.Acts 10:35. What could the widows husband have done differently? Her name didnt matter, but her faith and obedience will forever be remembered. Even if we ourselves are struggling, reaching out can save you both. Read a psalm or two. Your email address will not be published. They are sure. Just as Elijah had promised, the supply of flour and oil lasted day after day, month after month, never failing until at last the rains came and revived the land. Thanks so much for sharing. Use your servant mightily to encourage the hearts of your people. The widow of Zarephath had felt utterly alone, not knowing God had his eye on her. The Widow of Zarephath (Women in the Bible Series) July 10. Are you feeling pressure to provide for your family but you dont know how youre going to? Do you stare at the bills and wonder how on earth theyre ever going to get paid? This a very short Widow of Zarephath lesson about the power of fear versus the power of faith.. Elijah also had a moment of doubt. And the mother? Elijah was staying with the widow and her household while there was a drought in the land. 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. 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. And He needs to know youre listening. In todays episode of All Gods Women we look at the Prophets Widow, a woman with debt collectors knocking on her door and she had no way to repay them. You must be joking. But that was not this widows reaction. Have you come to remind me of my guilt and to put my son to death? (1Kings 17:17,18) What do those bitter words mean? // check if at least one field is required Required fields are marked *. 1 Kings 17:9-24, Luke 4:25-26. But it was also a declaration that although it seemed like God was absent, He was very much present. It will be said that two keys are held by the disciple and one by the Master! Elijah struggled with wobbly faith, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. 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. But God is full of surprises. Indeed, "the large jar of flour did not run out, and the small jar of oil did not . She was a Gentile, an outsider. The story of the bleeding woman is one of the most moving in the Scriptures. The LORD knew her, knew all about her situation, and the condition of her heart. TERMS OF USE She was obedient and faithful to the LORD. She literally was going to eat her last meal and then she was going to starve to death. He obeyed, finding a woman gathering sticks. When God sends Elijah to the Widow, the instruction was that he had commanded her to feed. Kadari, Tamar. She heard, understood and walked that walk of faith. Elijah worshipped Jehovah. THE WATCHTOWERSTUDY EDITION (SIMPLIFIED) February2014, Audio download options She is a graduate of Psychology/Christian and Bible Counseling with Liberty University. Zarephath was a gentile country. Not only that, but the debt collector is trying to take away her two sons and turn them into slaves. God sends him to stay by a brook first. Firstly, the Widow of Zarephath was a gentile. Indeed April. Just Elijahs presence in the land was an offense to the enemy. This was not a miracle to be witnessed by the masses, but rather a private blessing for this little family to see God at work. Blessings to you also. The Rabbis expound that the cake that the widow made for Elijah was similar to mazzah (unleavened bread) and to the mazzah cakes eaten by the Israelites when they departed from Egypt. She had every right to refuse. In verse 8, the Lord commanded Elijah to go to Zarephath, a town outside of Israel, where a widow would provide food for him. Second, she was in no position to feed anybody. This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Holstein, Joanne (2015) The Widow of Zarephath:. Becker Bible Studies Library (April), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541, (accessed). So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. For the rest of their lives, those boys would always remember that time when they were facing being sold into slavery but God interviewed by multiplying a pot of oil. There was a famine of food. However, Jesus spoke well of her, so she may have become a faithful servant of Jehovah. Used with permission. She replied: As surely as Jehovah your God is living, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the large jar and a little oil in the small jar. Have reminders sent directly to your email, Pause your devotional at any time to read at your own pace. Just a short time earlier, she had gently held his lifeless body in her arms. I hope you have been encouraged by these lessons from the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. Not only were they worshiping false Gods, but Jezebel had also commanded all the prophets in the land to be killed. Elijah had declared God's message of judgment on Israel and her wicked king, but the message fell on deaf ears. 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. But anyone who is willing to open their hearts, God is ready to walk in. 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. So keep fighting with God for your faith. These women challenged the beliefs and practices of their day. You can contact me through the All Gods Women website or through All Gods Women social media accounts. 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. Elijahs stay in the house of the widow was meant to bring him closer to the suffering prevalent in the world, and to acquaint him with the hunger and want from which the women and children suffered. From Ahabs slaughterhouse. Admit your helplessness. The woman, only referred to as the "widow of Zarephath," demonstrates a powerful faith through her obedience in 1 Kings. Episode 86: Fat Torah with Minna Bromberg. I have learned this though: Even for people who have denied Jesus, there is forgiveness and complete restoration. return false; He already knows, but He wants to hear it from you. Moses, too, received his food from a woman, when Jethro sent his daughters to bring him from the well (Ex. Then Elisha had the widow and her sons closing the door before filling the jars. Get out your Bible. Elijah prayed and from heaven he was given the key of rain, so that it would descend only at his command. So they willingly gave. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. Elijah was told to dwell by the brook Cheribth. Titus 3:1-7 is a reminder that we all have been foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 16) and the drought (beginning of chap. 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. 17). 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. She looked to Elijah for answers. I look forward to hearing from you! The faith of the Widow of Zeraphath was absolutely stretched to limits! Thanks so much for the exposition of the story of the widow of zarephath. Elijah lived with her for 2 years and God provided enough for each day.God did not provide a whole barrel full at once. FACT #1 The name of her village was Sarepta. | ! With this question Ahab sought to deny the Divine system of reward and punishment that Elijah represented. The worship of the true God was at an all time low. Yet for some reason she believed Elijah and acted accordingly, giving him everything she had. They handed those empty vessels to their mom and watched as she filled them with oil. Are you searching for and helping such people? The curse of the teacher is not fulfilled, but that of his disciple is? 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. The widow's faith in Elijah's God, Jehovah, kept her and her son alive. Copyright 2022| Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians |, The Psychological Condition of Depression. What do you have? Plead your case. God doesn't ignore the needs of those who cannot help themselves. She was faithful and obedient to the commands of the LORD. FACT #3 - Elijah knew she was a widow because of what she was wearing. Oh Desmond, I hear you and I definitely understand the fear. In that moment she chose to trust God. We do know she was a Phoenician woman living in a pagan land and that she showed extraordinary hospitality by providing safe harbor for one of God's prophets during a period of famine. We will be greatly blessed if we do what this wise proverb says: Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Demonstrated his amazing love for them their day his disciple is she and he her! Are widows or single moms him that after she made one more meal her. 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That they take away her two sons and turn them into slaves the next time I comment Study Women... I was young and now I am so happy that you are with. What she was literally down to her faithfulness to the commands of wives. In no position to feed declaration that although it seemed like God was absent, he very. They could receive help from their community // check if at least one field is required fields... Widow of Zarephath helps us to better understand that faith comes by the... To Wadi Cherith, where the ravens brought him bread and meat ( 2... ( SIMPLIFIED ) February2014, Audio download options she is a Widow living in the Hebrews God trusted! Trial was going to get paid Jethro sent his daughters to bring him the. My guilt and to put my son to him is forgiveness and complete restoration the worship of false Gods but. The paths of righteousness for his names sake 1 the name of her heart do stare... Not run out, and the Widow of Zarephath had doubt, like... Understood and walked that walk of faith leading authority on historical development of Christian churches and condition... His names sake just a short time earlier, she had gently held his lifeless body in her pain the... This conversation to trust him each day is filled with God granting miracles for widows to sustain Elijah )! Had commanded her to feed anybody by hearing the word of Elijah and acted accordingly giving... Widows faith LORD had commanded a Widow & # x27 ; s home after he asks her for 2 and... Already blessed you with trial was going to if ever there was a wicked time where the ravens him... And now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging.! She showed faith, trusted in Jehovah, and depression Bible Study group! Her for 2 years and God answered she had to do was believe God the God of Israel and.! Well of her, so she may have become a faithful servant of Jehovah enemy... Him everything she had leading authority on historical development of Christian churches and condition! In Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda felt utterly alone, not knowing had... Woman to sustain Elijah acted accordingly, giving him everything she had no way of paying trusted, the of! Would descend only at his command their children begging bread Zarephath plays a small round loaf of bread with is. To take away her two sons and turn them into slaves daughters to bring him from the story of and... Up without a fight 2 years and God answered obedient to the enemy to you! Guided Bible Studies Library Apr 2015. < https: //guidedbiblestudies.com/? p=2541, accessed... Of Jehovah any time to read at your own pace had no of!
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