In this week’s story, God was building Elijah’s faith to overcome in the next season. Elijah burst onto the scene in ancient Israel by announcing a drought to the king. 1Kings 17:1Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” [1] Ahab had introduced Baal worship into Israel. Baal was supposed to control the weather, but God would use the drought to disprove that.
Then, God hid Elijah to prevent harassment from the people during the drought. First, God sent Elijah to a hidden brook to be fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:2-6). When the brook ran dry, God sent him to a widow in the Gentile land of Sidon.
A Bold Promise & Trusting in Tragedy
The widow of Zarephath would have been the poorest of the poor. As a woman, she would have no way of making a living. The young son would not be able to work until he was older. So, they were probably doing the best they could to get by. The drought added to their troubles. Until Elijah came along, they had resigned themselves to death.
The widow was going to prepare their last meal when Elijah asked for part of it with the promise that her oil and flour would not run out. In the natural, this must have sounded preposterous. It was a big ask. But God did just as He had said. It must have been faith-building for both the widow and Elijah.
Things were going well until the son got sick and died. Neither the woman nor Elijah fully understood what was happening. Elijah prayed for the son to return to life, and God answered that prayer. This is the first instance of a dead person returning to life in Scripture. By this time, Elijah had a list of miracles God had done. Each one would have helped Elijah’s trust in God to grow. We can see that God was preparing Elijah for more.
God Uses One Season to Prepare for the Next
Elijah would need a catalog of miracles to help keep him focused on God. The Lord would use him to challenge 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah on Mt. Carmel. You can find this story in 1 Kings 18. One man against 850 is not good odds. Yet, God was on Elijah’s side and gave him the victory. God used Elijah to show that He was in control and that Baal had no power.
In our human minds, as we move from point A to point B in our faith journey, we think it should be a straight line. But often, God takes us on a circuitous path. It is His way of using one season to prepare us for the next. It may make sense in hindsight or only in eternity. God wastes nothing as He prepares us for the plans He has for us.
Perhaps you are in a season that feels like you are treading water and going nowhere. God may give you rest and allow you to draw closer to Him. Or, you may be in the midst of tragedy like the widow. God may use this time to cause you to look up and depend more on Him. He will be with you through the valleys so that you become stronger. Just as He was building Elijah’s faith to overcome, He can do the same for you.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/elijah-and-the-widow
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Ki 17:1). Tyndale House Publishers.