God supplied the widow of Zarephath and Elijah with the miraculous provision of oil and flour during a drought. The next tragedy showed the widow misunderstanding God. 1 Kings 17:17 Some time later the woman’s Son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. 18 Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my Son?” [1]
The loss of a son was tragic. It was common to assume that misfortune was due to sin. Even the disciples believed this. John 9:1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” 3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. [2]
Jumping to Conclusions
Scripture doesn’t state what sin she was struggling with. Her immature faith allowed her to think that the son’s death was retribution for her sin. Somehow, Elijah’s prophetic presence in her house had drawn God’s attention to her. Perhaps if Elijah had not come, God would not have noticed her sin and allowed her son to live.
This is a common reaction among people still today. They don’t understand the character of God and blame Him and not the evil world for tragedy. Many have come to pastors and counselors with the question: What did I do to deserve this? This can be a difficult question to answer.
Elijah Interceded
Elijah didn’t fully understand why the son died but gave a model for prayer in times like this. 1 Kings 17: 19 But Elijah replied, “Give me your son.” And he took the child’s body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed. 20 Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?”
21 And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” 22 The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! 23 Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!” [3]
The Goodness of God
God demonstrated His goodness by resurrecting the son. This increased the widow’s faith in God and Elijah. 1 Kings 17: 24 Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.” [4]
In times of tragedy, God’s shoulders are strong enough for our complaints and misunderstandings. Jesus has paid the full price for our sins on the cross. God doesn’t require us to pay the price for our sins. However, there can be consequences for our foolish actions.
God can work to bring about increased faith as we look up to Him and away from our circumstances. Will the results of our catastrophes always have the same positive results as our story? Probably not. But we can be assured that God will walk through difficult times with us and increase our faith as we look to Him.
To learn more about misunderstanding God, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/elijah-and-the-widow
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.