Hey there, friends! Today, let’s take a little trip back to the Old Testament, to a story that’s as heartwarming as it is miraculous.
We’re talking about the time Elijah, one of God’s prophets, visited a place called Zarephath and met a widow who had a pretty incredible encounter with God’s provision.
This story is found in 1 Kings 17:17-24.
Here’s the scene: There’s been a severe drought in the land, and water is scarce.
God tells Elijah to go to Zarephath because He has commanded a widow there to feed him. Elijah, being the obedient prophet he is, heads straight to Zarephath.
As he arrives at the town gate, he sees this widow gathering sticks. Elijah, feeling a bit peckish, asks her for a little water and a piece of bread.
Now, this widow is in a tough spot. She’s got just a handful of flour and a little oil left, and she’s planning to make a final meal for herself and her son before they run out of food completely.
But Elijah tells her not to worry. He says, “First, make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have, and bring it to me. Then make something for yourself and your son.
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.’”
Talk about faith, right? The widow trusts Elijah’s words and goes ahead and makes him some bread.
And guess what? The flour and oil miraculously keep replenishing! Every time she goes to make a meal, there’s always enough. God provided for them in the most amazing way.
But the story doesn’t end there. Sometime later, the widow’s son becomes very ill and dies. The widow, heartbroken, confronts Elijah, questioning why this has happened.
Elijah takes the boy, carries him to the upper room where he was staying, and prays fervently to God. He stretches himself out on the boy three times and cries out to the Lord, asking Him to let the boy’s life return to him.
The Lord hears Elijah’s prayer, and the boy’s life returns to him!
Elijah brings the boy back downstairs to his mother, and she’s overjoyed. She now knows without a doubt that Elijah is a man of God and that the word of the Lord from his mouth is the truth.
This story reminds us of a few key things.
- First, it highlights God’s incredible provision even in the direst circumstances.
- Second, it shows the power of faith and obedience—both Elijah’s and the widow’s.
- Lastly, it demonstrates the power of prayer and God’s compassion in responding to our deepest needs.
So, the next time you’re feeling like you’re down to your last bit of flour and oil, remember the widow of Zarephath and how God came through for her in the most miraculous way.
Keep the faith, trust in His provision, and know that He’s got you covered.
Continue reading about the other resurrection stories in the Bible:
