WATCHWORD:
7 But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. 8 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” 12 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” 13 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” 15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. 1 Kings 17:7-16
Meditation:
Provisions for the Day – Part 2
Of course, the brook would dry up, no rain = no water. We have the obedient Elijah, following God’s command, first to hide himself and wait for the ravens to bring food. They did, but then the water supply failed. Is this beginning to sound like a bad-day in your household? First a power outage, then other things breakdown, right in the middle of a movie or an exciting game, and there go our creature-comforts, right when we need them most!
So, now Elijah is instructed to travel to another place to live, an evil place, the heartland of Baal worship, and there to demonstrate his power. Frying pan into the fire? From an angry king to living behind enemy lines! But, the prophet does what he is told.
So here we have the Elijah and a certain widow in serious trouble. God has instructed the woman to feed the prophet, but it seems that she is resistant. Maybe she thinks that she and her boy will die because God has spoken to her. This is Elijah’s God, not hers, she believes, and she is afraid. Just when she has decided to do as she was told, the prophet asks that the first cake be brought to him. He assures her that God will provide, and in the end, she believes.
What is the message of this passage? Yes, it is about trusting God, but it is also about service. One commentary on this scripture, puts it this way: “The impossible situation arises, and God is ready with instructions, testing obedience and creating faith. This reminds me of Jesus feeding over 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. It’s the same God here providing for Elijah, the widow and her son. Elijah asked the widow to make him bread first, which reflects the first fruits that belong to God, and sets up a situation where God responds and provides for all of them as long as needed.”
In an earlier Watchword, we were asked what thoughts go through our minds on Stewardship Sunday when the pledge card comes to us. It is a test of obedience and faith, our actions answer the question “Do you Trust God?” Do you worship Jehovah-Jireh, the God that provides? Of course! So be it.
Bulletin Board:
When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Closing Prayer:
Father God, Thou art the only true God and Thou art the only God men have ever been taught about, Who condescends to love His people as a father. Help us, O God, to be obedient children, but help us also to cast out of our hearts and minds all things that might hinder us in a whole and holy love for Thee. As Thou didst love the world, help us to love. As Thou didst give Thyself for us, help us to give ourselves for Thee. For Christ’s sake. Amen.
