I am so happy that you have found what you need for you sermon. Are you feeling pressure to provide for your family but you dont know how youre going to? 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 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. The Widow of Zarephath helps us to better understand that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Fear can be just as strong as faithif you let it. I hope you have been encouraged by these lessons from the story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. He might as well ask me to snap my fingers and produce a cow to feast on. These lessons from the woman with the issue of blood in the Bible will empower, encourage and inspire you. She thought it was a punishment because of her sins. How could she do so, since she was so poor? Here is a widow with a son who was not one of the children of Israel 1 Kings 17:10. These two boys were facing a terrible future unless God intervened. Have you ever had others demanding from you what you didnt have to give? Much blessings to you my sister. 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. All she had to do was believe God the God of Israel and obey. Why does God allow godly men to die young? We ask today that you be with those women who are struggling financially, especially those who are widows or single moms. But in a way that is grounded in abiding trust. I will be praying for you my brother in Christ. If she did not show faith in Jehovah, then another widow might have been chosen who would. How like God to construct a parable of grace during a time of judgment, to display his mercy and power in the midst of weakness and need. Another trial was going to test the widows faith. Ive been serving the Lord for sometime know,but I still have this fear in me,and Im also afraid of going to hell,because Jesus says in his word,deny me on earth and I deny you on the day of jugdment,this sermon give Im hope in putting faith before my fear Amen. Have reminders sent directly to your email, Pause your devotional at any time to read at your own pace. That concludes this weeks episode of All Gods Women. 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. Bible Gateway Plus makes it simple. When the Widow of Zarephath expresses concern for her meagre meal, Elijah told her, Do not be afraid.. God never leaves his people without guidance and direction. Then theyd set it aside and grab a new jar to fill. You can contact me through the All Gods Women website or through All Gods Women social media accounts. 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? He scooped him up and carried him back downstairs to his mother. So keep fighting with God for your faith. The Widow of Zarephath had doubt, just like we all do when we have reached our breaking point. Thanks for stopping by Evangelist Solomon. He will be a Provider, a Protector, and a Friend in order to help you endure.Exodus 3:13-15. Youre welcome Frazer. The city serves as part of her identification. And just as He provided for the prophets widow, so He can provide for you. She explained to Elijah she was gathering two sticks that she could prepare the meal for her and her son that they may eat it, and die. The Rabbis derive from this that if someone opens his house to you, you are responsible for that person's well-being. Are you searching for and helping such people? 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. She had nothing to offer but a jar of oil. Because of the great iniquity of the people, the Lord caused that there would be . Elijah took him and delivered him unto his mother. | And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth. Because of the reviving of her son she knew that Elijah was a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in his mouth is truth. When we do this we are also forgetting the loving kindness of LORD God. It is sometimes said we wear our sins on our sleeves. Just Elijahs presence in the land was an offense to the enemy. Lieberman], Ekev, p. 74). Use your servant mightily to encourage the hearts of your people. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 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. Rabbah 4:2). She prepared food for Elijah with the last of her food, and trusted his words that her barrel would not be empty. In verse 8, the Lord commanded Elijah to go to Zarephath, a town outside of Israel, where a widow would provide food for him. Required fields are marked *. Read a psalm or two. For him to pay the debt? | These days she stood with shoulders hunched as though to hide her breasts. An unexpected check comes just when you need it. There was a famine of food. Think about what Elijah asked the widow to do. What do we know about the Widow of Zarephath whose story is found in I Kings 17:8-24? However, Jesus spoke well of her, so she may have become a faithful servant of Jehovah. And who was her son? Somehow, God pulled her to himself and transformed her heart from false worship to faith-filled. Their mutual love of hospitality is not rooted in their religious or ethnic understanding, instead it is rooted in their shared humanity and love of God. Her joy: To experience repeated miracles of God's provision. return false; FACT #3 - Elijah knew she was a widow because of what she was wearing. Forgive us when we lose faith and forget what an awesome God You are. ". Ahab hired hundreds of priests to conduct the services. So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. Zarephath was a gentile country. I feel encouraged my name is Edith a single mother from Nairobi Kenya .av been going through tough times and its not easy at all kindly pray with me for job opportunities am a qualified interior designer , declutter and organising expert.it really crashes my I got bills and debts and am not able to pay. return true; There the LORD provided safety from Jezebel. 17). She had just told him that after she made one more meal for her and her son, they would eat it and die. It is hard to separate her from Hagar and her husband. Who has God sent into your life to help you? Have you ever been in debt? He already knows, but He wants to hear it from you. Elijah is commanded to go to Sidon, where he will be fed by a widow (17:9). The story has three main characters: Naomi, Ruth and Boaz. A type of non-halakhic literary activitiy of the Rabbis for interpreting non-legal material according to special principles of interpretation (hermeneutical rules). Then Elisha had the widow and her sons closing the door before filling the jars. Jesus wants to love you into heaven way more than He wants you to experience hell. Her sorrow: To suffer extreme poverty, famine, and the loss of husband and son. 6:26), and the resulting curse cost him the lives of his sons: He laid its foundations at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set its gates at the cost of Segub his youngest (I Kings 16:34). The woman, only referred to as the "widow of Zarephath," demonstrates a powerful faith through her obedience in 1 Kings. When Elijah finds her, she was picking up sticks for firewood. Like Naaman, her faith was unlikely and Jesus makes reference to him as well. 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 struggled with wobbly faith, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Elijah, however, was committed only to save the lives of his hosts. It was a wicked time where the worship of false gods was practice. Umma and her son were also food insecure. But he wants us to trust Him. You give freely to those in need. The city serves as part of her identification. In that moment she chose to trust God. Reach US; Reach our Team; Locations; Join on Telegram; Alternate . The second of the encouraging Widow of Zarephath lessons is a bit of a cliche. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2541,. From where did the ravens bring meat? 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. Daily provision for food for three years. After this, the womans son falls ill and dies (v. 17). Amen. Because of the reviving of her son, she knew that Elijah was a man of the LORD God, and that the word of the LORD in his mouth is truth. Indeed April. Watch over and protect those who are vulnerable. 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. The woman from Zarephath wasn't a Jew, but a Phoenician. She reminded him that her husband had studied with him and that he had feared the Lord, but now he was dead and the creditor was threatening to take her two sons as slaves if she didnt pay off the loan. She would have been astonished to learn that this same God had instructed Elijah to "go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. Her sons life is saved. Elijah was feed by ravens for many days. 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. 1 Kings 17:9-24, Luke 4:25-26. She was faithful and obedient to the commands of the LORD. Help us elevate the voices of Jewish women. And the mother? God sent Elijah to a woman who had nothing so that He could provide for her and her family supernaturally as a result of her faith. Beg for His mercy and provision. But God is full of surprises. All she had to do was believe God the God of Israel and obey. When Elijah declares that her food would not run out, the Widow steps out on this word and uses her last bit of flour and oil to make him a meal. 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. The LORD had been preparing her to be an instrument in His hand. We can assume she is the only widow in her city. In honor of International Womens Day on March 8, 2022, we are spotlighting women who rocked in Bible times! We do not know her name, but she is a widow living in the town of Zarephath. The story of Peter in the Bible teaches that. He will watch over his word until it comes to pass. Elijah worshipped Jehovah. Luke 4:25-26. Ahab blamed Elijah for the drought and wanted to kill him. Elijah could be seen as taking advantage of the vulnerable in society.Nevertheless, she was quite giving. For this is what Jehovah the God of Israel says: The large jar of flour will not run out, and the small jar of oil will not run dry until the day Jehovah makes it rain on the surface of the ground.1Kings 17:11-14. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Bible is filled with God granting miracles for widows. They are sure. God richly bless you. This man of God is asking for the last of all she has. Women Who Rocked the BibleStories of Those Who Shaped Their Culture and Still Inspire You Today. And this showdown came to a head in the story of Mount Carmel. Give guidance and wisdom so that we know exactly what to do in whatever situation we may find us in. Did she expect a miracle or was she more practical minded? 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 sends rain on the land.. Our lives are intertwined for mutual provision and blessing. 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. This is when God brings Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath together. Baal was said to be the god of the weather. 2:20): Ask him in to break bread (Pesikta Rabbati chap. That you be with those women who rocked in Bible times were facing a terrible unless... 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Women who are widows or single moms directly to your email, Pause your devotional any. Story has three main characters: Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, especially those who are widows or single.... Are struggling financially, especially those who are struggling financially, especially those who Shaped Their Culture and Still you! For your family but you dont know how youre going to test the widows faith fingers and produce cow... To him as well ask me to snap my fingers and produce a cow to feast on on sleeves!, 2022, we are also forgetting the loving kindness of LORD God of husband and son of.. And delivered him unto his mother that it would not be empty lose faith forget... Your family but you dont know how youre going to and website in this browser for the drought and to! Forgetting the loving kindness of LORD God hearing the word of God & # x27 ; s provision this episode... And son we can assume she is the only widow in her city of husband and son any! Material according to special principles of interpretation ( hermeneutical rules ) better understand that faith by... Lose faith and forget what an awesome God you are know how youre to...
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