By Mary Fairchild
1581 Bunting Clover Leaf Map; Israel in the center.
1KINGS 17:2-6: GOD ALLOWS “SPIRITUAL DROUGHTS,” OR SERIOUS PROBLEMS, TO COME INTO OUR LIVES BECAUSE HE LOVES AND CARES FOR US.
Ask God for direction in the midst of problems (Prov. 3:5,6). Then be content with God’s provisions. GOD WILL PROVIDE FOR OUR NEEDS IN HIS OWN UNIQUE WAY, THOUGH IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE ACCORDING TO OUR PERSONAL TASTES. Elijah was content to be fed by ravens, which are unclean birds of prey. Ravens are considered unclean because they feed on insects and dead carcasses, and they are known for neglecting their young.
As a prophet of God, Elijah prayed for a national tragedy—the drought. He knew that the drying up of Israel’s land would eventually get the attention of Israel and would ultimately be a blessing. Elijah also knew that God would take care of him personally during the drought. TODAY, CHRISTIANS OFTEN FIND IT HARD TO BE CONTENT. We live in a materially minded world and we are influenced by those around us and the high pressure techniques of commercial advertising; the lust of the eye in never satisfied with what we have. Elijah dwelt by the brook Cherith for approximately two years. He was alone and content with the ravens feeding him. His diet was very sufficient and he was content with God’s provision.
1 KINGS 17:7-24: Widows were always the poorest of the land; in a time of famine, widows would be among the first to suffer. Yet God sent His prophet to a widow woman in the town of Zarephath (which still exists today near Sidon, Lebanon). Zarephath was the actual hometown of Jezebel. God hid Elijah in Jezebel’s hometown, and she didn’t even know it. It would have been the least likely place to search for Elijah. As Elijah made the dangerous trip from Cherith to Zarephath, Ahab searched the land of Israel for him diligently. Yet when God gives orders, safety is always sure. THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IS IN THE WILL OF GOD; THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE IS OUTSIDE THE WILL OF GOD. God’s timing is always perfect. When Elijah arrived in Zarephath, the widow was there gathering sticks with her little boy. She gave the prophet a cup of water in the name of a prophet and thus did not lose her reward (Matt. 10:40-42). Elijah had boldness in his requests. HIS BOLDNESS WAS DUE TO HIS KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WORD. He sounded quite demanding, even selfish, but his requests were motivated by faith, not by selfishness. He believed the Word of God, and if God had commanded the widow woman to feed him, then she would not die of starvation; God would feed her also. If she would “first” provide for God’s servant, then God would meet her needs. This principle is clearly repeated several times in Scripture. If we don’t put God first, He does not promise to supply our needs. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). God’s miraculous provision would be only enough for each day’s needs. This is so that our needs keep us humble and dependent on Him daily. We may like to have money in the bank for future use, but God may keep us living hand to mouth—His way is always best. Because the widow believed the prophet and obeyed his word, she and her son lived. Each day she saw God provide miraculously, and thus her faith grew. In time, she may have become accustomed to God’s provision, and perhaps she began to take it for granted. Then suddenly calamity struck her son.
“…my sin to remembrance….” The widow shows a sign of a “touchy spot” in her conscience, and her sense of guilt caused her to relate the tragedy to her sin. She would not get her son back until she was willing to give him up. She was holding back from God the one she loved the most. When the test came, she said, “No, I can’t let go of him; I could not give him up to God.” Within three or four years her son left and gave her up for his new wife and practically cut off all family ties with his mother. This was a great grief to the mother’s heart. She lost what she held the dearest. GOD HAS A LAW IN THE UNIVERSE: WHAT YOU WANT TO KEEP, YOU MUST FIRST GIVE TO GOD. It is true in our own lives today. Christ said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it” (Luke 9:24). Be open to God’s “change in provisions.” God may give new directions. When the brook dried up, the widow became the new sustainer that God used in Elijah’s life. Recognize your daily needs and depend on God to meet them. Remember, SELF-SUFFICIENCY ROBS US OF GOD’S SUPPLY OF OUR NEEDS. “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
Be sensitive to the needs of others. If we put God (His servants and His work) first, then God takes it upon Himself to be responsible to see that our needs are met. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33).
WORKS CITED
- Revelation and Church History
- Church Age
- Old Testament Study
- KING JAMES BIBLE
- MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY
- A Beka Book High School Bible Series “United Kingdom: Kings of Israel A;” 1995 Pensacola Christian College; www.abeka.com