So he made the request for food on faith, knowing that God would no doubt watch over his word and make it come to pass. The Widow of Zarephath is that perfect example of going hand in hand with Jesus I so often speak about. Please take away the fear and anxiety that the enemy is trying to use to intimidate your child. Indeed April. Am much encouraged at the same time I was looking for further understanding about the story of Elijah and the widow since for the first time I will be giving the word of God where I fellowship.i thank God for leading me and giving me what I was looking for through this page.for sure fear and anxiety has been killing me but this word has ministered to me.help me God. RECORDING DATE: July 3, 2020. 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. 2:20): Ask him in to break bread (Pesikta Rabbati chap. We are never alone, He hears our every prayers, He answers our prayers in ways we would never imagine. Elijah prayed and from heaven he was given the key of rain, so that it would descend only at his command. 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. Ahab and Jezebel were ruling the Kingdom of Israel in wickedness. The prophet had to take out a loan in order to provide for his family. And in each case, God showed them that they werent alone and that He cared for them. Lieberman], Ekev, p. 74). The Widow of Zarephath. And when she completed the task, she again went to him for the next step. She cannot believe what she is seeing. 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). She is a leading authority on historical development of Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults. Elisha asked her what she had in her house. That concludes this weeks episode of All Gods Women. Blessings to you as well. The people of Israel were struggling. Claim and trust Gods promises. There is much curiosity about what he was called but there is no record of his name in all of Scripture. Let us know. 16) and the drought (beginning of chap. Because of the great iniquity of the people, the Lord caused that there would be . 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. Elijah worshipped Jehovah. 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. Elijah, however, was committed only to save the lives of his hosts (Ex. The A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules).midrash explains why Elijah stopped the rains and how it happened that he was commanded to go to the home of the woman in Zarephath. Beg for His mercy and provision. 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. Lets keep in touch. While that is often a part of his plan, our eyes usually rest on ourselves, when in fact it has less to do with us and more to do with what He wants to do through our relationships with the people to whom He connects us. Thanks so much for sharing. Women Who Rocked the BibleStories of Those Who Shaped Their Culture and Still Inspire You Today. When the brook dried up, God sent Elijah to Zarephath with instruction to look to a widow to sustain him. Rizpah was a woman of a different kind. When we do this we are also forgetting the loving kindness of LORD God. The curse of the teacher is not fulfilled, but that of his disciple is? No matter how small or insignificant, we have something to give to someone else to help them. And He needs to know youre listening. (Psalm 37:25), And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Even her name is lost to the history. Ive stopped saying we should challenge God for big things.Actually, nothing challenges God. 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. The Rabbis derive from this that if someone opens his house to you, you are responsible for that persons well-being. The Rabbis relate that this son was Jonah son of Amittai, who was completely righteous, and would eventually enter the Garden of Eden while still alive (Midrash Tehilim 26:7). What a time in my Christian walk to learn this? I am blessed that you have been encouraged. It was in the middle of this drought that Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath become a part of each others lives. Chicago Style Citation: From where did the ravens bring meat? The Mystery of the Four Kingdoms; The Revelation of The Seven Trumpets; The Seven Church Ages Commentary; WMB Books. The faith of the Widow of Zeraphath is unusual that she is a point of reference for Jesus in the New Testament. The Widow of Zarephath is a picture of faith. Wrap your arms around her and remind her that shes not alone, that you see her and you love her very much. In all your ways take notice of him, and he will make your paths straight.Proverbs 3:5,6. The LORD had been preparing her to be an instrument in His hand. But then a stranger had called to her: "Woman, would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink? The houseguest is Gods prophet Elijah. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. The important thing is to go back to Him in remembrance of Him. If everything was dying, she should have had more access to firewood. We are totally dependent of the Lord in every aspect of our lives. The widow of Zarephath plays a small but important role in Elijahs story. Open job opportunities for her that will pay for her bills and help pay off her debts. They are sure. The Widow of Zarephath, the mother of the dying boy was afraid it was her fault because her sins were remembered and they were so bad that the LORD God slayed her son. You can follow me on social media, follow my blog, or contact me directly via email or my contact form. We meet the Prophets Widow in 2 Kings chapter 4. No one repented, and Elijah was forced to live in hiding. Can you imagine just a little attitude in her response to him? So they willingly gave. Jesus wants to love you into heaven way more than He wants you to experience hell. Remember the LORD had commanded a widow woman to sustain Elijah. But he had died before the drought, leaving her with a small son, a house, and little else. | Use your servant mightily to encourage the hearts of your people. Soon after, her son dies, and Elijah pleads to God for the power to resurrect him. Just Elijahs presence in the land was an offense to the enemy. So many wonderful points. They further state that when Elijah revived the widows son, he could have resurrected his dead relatives as well. Ask Him what youre supposed to do. 4). Then sit back and listen to what He has to say. 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. In this case, the widow appears to have been supportive of her husband. APA Style Citation: For those who are being threatened by others and are feeling helpless, be their Defense. Umma and her son were also food insecure. There is, after all, a drought in progress. This is why the ketiv [the Scriptural text as written, in v. 15] has he and she had food, while the keri [the traditional reading] has she and he had food. The Rabbis ask why, then, does God say: I have designated a widow there to feed youdid he eat from her food? Episode 86: Fat Torah with Minna Bromberg. But first make me a small round loaf of bread with what is there, and bring it out to me. 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. She was a Gentile, an outsider. God heard Elijah and the boy lived once again. And who was her son? They handed those empty vessels to their mom and watched as she filled them with oil. There it was the promise of a miracle. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541,. So inspiring and, encouraging and hope-giving. Elijah struggled with wobbly faith, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Ahab hired hundreds of priests to conduct the services. The midrash thus draws a parallel between the death of the widows son, on the one hand, and the drought and the resulting famine on the other. This is a short story, but so much packed into it. Are you willing to be used by God to speak His truth into the lives of others as He leads you. Her body shook as she stood over the fire, greedily sipping and sucking the steam from the pan, as though the smell of frying bread could fill her belly and soothe her fears. I will not be exploring all of them in this post or we would have a whole book. She thought it was a punishment because of her sins. 1 Kings 17: 9- 24. The first of the Widow of Zarephath lessons is that spiritual warfare goes up a notch in times of crisis. 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. You already have the key of rain, and you [also] want the key of the resurrection of the dead? Background: 10 Century BC. It is very likely that many Baal worshippers lived in Zarephath. You are our Provider when we have nothing. How were the widows sons involved in the miracle? Oh Desmond, I hear you and I definitely understand the fear. 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. What about you? 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. So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. Elijah arose and went to Wadi Cherith, where the ravens brought him bread and meat (v. 2). This devotional is drawn from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda. Elijah was staying with the widow and her household while there was a drought in the land. Jewish Women's Archive. Indeed, "the large jar of flour did not run out, and the small jar of oil did not . 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. I look forward to hearing from you! Although they may be surrounded by members of false religion, they may want something better. He knew the current reality did not measure up with Gods promise. And the mother? She depended on her husband to provide for her and their sons, but he was so busy studying and serving that he didnt bring in enough income to meet their basic needs. The Bible does not tell us, but we know this: The widow did not accuse God of doing anything wrong. She feeds Elijah in her home. What do we know about the Widow of Zarephath whose story is found in I Kings 17:8-24? 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 He doesn't pat them on the back and say he's sorry life is so tough. Jezebel, King Ahabs wife, tried to kill all of Gods prophets. The woman from Zarephath wasn't a Jew, but a Phoenician. Check out our on demand resources, Experience Hope Daily Devotional Family Life Radio Updates. From the Widow of Zarephath we can also learn secrets for success in life and business. 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. You must be joking. But that was not this widows reaction. Today she had scraped the last bit of flour from the barrel and poured the last drop of oil from the jug. We ask today that you be with those women who are struggling financially, especially those who are widows or single moms. Her arms were spindly and rough, like the dry twigs she had gathered for kindling. If you want to continue learning from the Widow of Zarephath story, I encourage you to check out someother Bible studies. 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. 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.. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. Luke 4:25-26. Are you open to hearing His voice when He speaks through others? 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. Elijah needed to trust that if God said provision would be made, then Gods promise would be fulfilled. He would even take oil-lamps and wicks with him when he went from place to place, so as not to trouble others. Let's begin in Luke.4.25-26. In verse 8, the Lord commanded Elijah to go to Zarephath, a town outside of Israel, where a widow would provide food for him. 10:22 refers: It is the blessing of the Lord that enriches. 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