Elijah and the Widow

Mon. 3/12/12: 1 Kings 17:1, 8-9                  Who would feed Elijah during drought?

And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”

Who would feed Elijah during drought? God decreed that a widow of faith would feed Elijah.

Tue. 3/13/12: 1 Kings 17:10 – 11                  What was Elijah’s unusual request?

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. 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.”

What was Elijah’s unusual request? Elijah asked the widow to give him water and bread in the drought!

Wed. 3/14/12: 1 Kings 17:12 (NKJV)                  What was the widow’s reply?

So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”

What was the widow’s reply? ‘Eat it and die’ was indicative of deep despair.

Thu. 3/15/12: 1 Kings 17:13 – 14                  Why did Elijah say ‘do not fear?’

And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’”

Why did Elijah say ‘do not fear?’ Elijah spoke God’s word that the food would last till drought’s end.

Fri. 3/16/12: 1 Kings 17:15 – 16                  What was the widow’s response?

So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 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.

What was the widow’s response? In faith the widow did what God said and survived the drought. Would we do the same?