File No. 72

I KINGS 17:8–24

ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH

Printable Version

(SBS Bk 3 Story No. 8)

Story Notes

Elijah had told King Ahab that, because of his wickedness, there would be no rain or dew until he said so. King Ahab had not listened to God and had made other gods to worship. God provided for Elijah at the brook Cherith until it dried up.

God's word then led Elijah to Phoenicia where he asked a widow to feed him. Jezebel's father controlled this territory and it was given over to Baal worship, the Canaanite god of rain. Here, God taught a bereft woman that Israel's God was alive and that Elijah was his servant. She obeyed the word of the Lord. Jesus spoke about this Gentile who had recognised God’s gracious provision (Luke 4:25–26).

Israel's story is left for a moment while we are told about the crisis of death and resurrection through which this family passed. Elijah prayed a fervent prayer and the widow’s son was raised from the dead. Was 'calamity' the final word of God? Would she have to have all her sins brought to mind? Elijah believed in God’s mercy for this woman and asked him to demonstrate that it was so. As Jesus noted, God was doing for this family what he would love to have done for all his people.

© Grant Thorpe 2000