Elijah - I Kings 17:8-24
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Elijah at Zarephath
Elijah at Zarephath
Review:
Note: History of Israel’s monarchy. Saul, David and Solomon. Approx. 120 years.
Divided Kingdom - Northern tribes: 19 kings (all wicked) over 200 years, until 722 B.C. and Assyrian captivity.
Southern tribes: 17 kings over 300 years. Eight kings who followed the Lord. Nine wicked kings, until 586 B.C Babylonian captivity. Swindoll
“The southern kingdom was later revived when men such as Nehemiah, Ezra, and Zerubbabel returned from exile. They moved back into the land of their forefathers, rebuilt the temple, and restored the worship of the one true God.” Swindoll
The northern tribes (usually called Israel) lasted a little over 200 years. Nineteen evil rulers.
The southern tribes (usually called Judah - Judah and Benjamin - lasted about 300 years. Eight good rulers. Nine evil rulers.
The Timeline of the Kings of Israel and Judah Prior to and During Elijah’s Ministry
United Kingdom
King Saul 1051-1011 B.C.
King David 1011-971 B.C.
King Solomon 971 to 931 B.C.
Divided Kingdom
Northern Kings Southern Kings
Jeroboam 931-910 B.C. Rehoboam 931-913 B.C.
Nadab 910-909 B.C. Abijam (Abijah) 913-911 B.C.
Baasha 909-886 B.C. Asa 911-870 B.C.
Elah 886-885 B.C.
Zimri 885 B.C.
Omri 885-874 B.C.
Ahab 874-853 B.C. Jehosaphat 873-848 B.C.
Ahaziah 853-852 B.C.
Joram 852-841 B.C. Jehoram 853-841 B.C.
Ahaziah 841 B.C.
Fifty-eight years had passed since the kingdom had been rent in two following the death of Solomon. During that brief period no less than seven kings had reigned over the ten tribes, and all of them without exception were wicked men. Pink
“And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will turn back to the house of David. If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their Lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.” And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Then this thing became a sin, for the people went as far as Dan to be before one. He also made temples on high places and appointed priests from among all the people, who were not of the Levites. And Jeroboam appointed a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month like the feast that was in Judah, and he offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he made. And he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places that he had made. He went up to the altar that he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, in the month that he had devised from his own heart. And he instituted a feast for the people of Israel and went up to the altar to make offerings.”
1 Kings 12:26-33 ESV
Jeroboam - led the Northern Tribes into idolatry. Set up two golden calves. One in the extreme north in Dan. One in the south at Bethel. He feared that the Israelites in the north would eventually revolt against him when going to Jerusalem to worship. No doubt especially concerned about the command for all male Israelites going to Jerusalem to observe the three feasts required of them to observe there each year.
“After the death of Solomon, his kingdom split into two parts–the southern under Rehoboam his son; the northern under Jeroboam, who was desperately eager to keep his hold on his people; but he feared to lose it, if they continued to go, two or three times in the year, to the annual feasts at Jerusalem. He resolved, therefore, to set up the worship of Jehovah in his own territories; and erected two temples, one at Dan, in the extreme north, the other at Bethel, in the extreme south. And in each of these he placed a golden calf; that the God of Israel might be worshiped ‘under the form of a calf that eateth hay.’” Meyer
Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings Believe What God Has Said (17:1)
We live in a similar time, in which people worship a little bit of everything but not the living God exclusively—a little God, a little horoscope, a little TBN, a little pop psychology, a few conspiracy theories, aliens, zombies, New Ageism, naturalism, and more. They may want God at their death, but they live every day as functional naturalists or materialists. As a result of twisted theology, immorality is normalized in our day just like in the days of Elijah. He lived in a day like ours where people call evil “good” and good “evil.”
Note: 3 types of religions in Israel at this time (1) worship of Yahweh by means of golden calves (idolatry); (2) rampant paganism; (3) true worship of Yahweh.
Note: Ahab and Jezebel. (And their daughter Athaliah)
“Ahab is the seventh king of Israel since Asa came to the throne of Judah.” TNBC
“No previous monarch had such a penchant for perverseness as had Ahab. He was literally addicted to evil. Wickedness was a way of life for him. He and his atrocious, fierce queen Jezebel wallowed in lewdness.” Keller
“Ahab the insolent, despicable monarch had blatantly repudiated and rejected the Lord Jehovah, God of Israel. Without a qualm he had plunged headlong into the appalling rituals and sexual orgies of Baal and Ashteroth. These were pagan deities dedicated to licentiousness, sexual perversion, violence and unbridled greed.”
“Jezebel was the daughter of a King who was also a priest of Baal and who murdered his brother. It is interesting to note that the name Jezebel means ‘unmarried’ or ‘without cohabitation.’” McGee
“Jezebel, of course, had been reared amid the pagan rituals of Baal. Her father was Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians and priest of Ashteroth, in whose domain the worship of Baal was perpetually practiced.” Keller
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament 16:29-34: Succession of Ahab of Israel
Ethbaal of Sidon. Ethbaal was the king of the Sidonians from 887 to 856. He ruled over the entire region of Phoenicia and actually used Tyre as his capital city. Josephus, writing many centuries later, describes him as a priest of the goddess Astarte who had usurped the throne. Josephus is not always reliable on such matters, but he appears to be using some Greek sources that may be translations of Phoenician records. Ethbaal is given much credit in the development of Tyre as an island port and probably built the southern harbor with its accompanying breakwater. No mention of him has yet been found in contemporary records.
“”As she left her palace-home, Jezebel would be vehemently urged by the priests to do her utmost to introduce into Israel the hideous and cruel rites of her hereditary religion. Shrines and temples began to rise in all parts of the land in honor of these false deities; while the altars of Jehovah were ruthlessly broken down.” Meyer
“The term Baal, the Hebrew word for ‘Lord’ and ‘master,’ was employed more or less indiscriminately for a number of national gods. The Baal of Tyre, however, was Melkarth, the Tyrians’ chief god. Jezebel played the role of chief priestess of the Tyrian Baal. Melkarth was the kind of god that required the burning of innocent children as oblations upon his altar. One of the underlying reasons why Baal was worshiped was that he was believed to be lord of the land. To induce him to send rain upon the earth, fertility cult practices were engaged in and sacrifices were offered.” WBC
“And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.”
Revelation 11:3-6 NKJV
Review: Name of Elijah. Place where Elijah was from: “Tishbite, of Tishbe”. “Septuagint; Hebrew of the settlers - BLB. “Strangers”
Elijah’s Miracles
Causing rain to cease in Israel for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1). Being fed by ravens sent by the Lord (1 Kings 17:2-7). Multiplying a widow’s grain and oil (1 Kings 17:18-16). Raising that widow’s son from the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24).
Calling fire from heaven atop Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36-38). Causing it to rain again after three and a half years of drought (1 Kings 18:44-46). Fasting from food for 40 days while trekking to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).
Prophesies that Ahab’s sons would all be destroyed (1 Kings 21:22). Prophesying that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs (1 Kings 21:23). Prophesying that Ahaziah would die of his illness (2 Kings 1:4-17). Calling fire from heaven to destroy 51 soldiers (2 Kings 1:10).
Calling fire from heaven on another 51 soldiers (2 Kings 1:12). Parting of the Jordan River while accompanied by Elisha (2 Kings 2:8). Promising that Elisha would receive a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:10).
Being caught up to heaven with a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). Prophesying that Jehoram would die a horrible death (2 Chronicles 21:12-15). Appearing with Moses and Jesus (Matthew 17:3-13; Mark 9:4-13; Luke 9:30-33). - David Sanford
Review: the Northern Tribes and their demise.
The Southern tribes and their demise.
Review: the state religion under Jeraboam; the idolatry under Ahaz and Jezebel; the true religion of Elijah.
Review: practices of Baal worship and Asherah.
Note: The miracle at the brook Cherith.
“Although today no one can identify the location of that brook, we do know that it derived its name from the original verb Cha-rath, which means ‘to cut off, to cut down.’ The word is used both ways in the Old Testament: as in being cut off from others or from the blessings of a covenant; and also of being cut down, as one might cut down tall timber.” Swindoll
“The Brook Cherish was more than a ‘cutting place’ for Elijah, it was also a ‘communion place.’” Keller
Note: The brook may dry up at times; however, His love and care never will. Isa. 49:14-16
“But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.”
Isaiah 49:14-16 NKJV
“Indeed, I have inscribed [a picture of] you on the palms of My hands; Your city walls [Zion] are continually before Me.”
Isaiah 49:16 AMP
Elijah is Commanded to Go to Zarephath. 17:8-24
I. The Command. vs. 8-9
“Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.”
ZAREPHATH
zar'-e-fath (tsarephath; Sarepta): The Sidonian town in which Elijah was entertained by a widow after he left the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:9). Obadiah refers to it as a Canaanite (probably meaning Phoenicia) town (Obadiah 1:20). It appears in the Greek form Sarepta in Luke 4:26 (the King James Version), and is said to be in the land of Sidon. Josephus (Ant., VIII, xiii, 2) says it was not "far from Sidon and Tyre, for it lay between them." Eusebius, Onomasticon (s.v. "Sarefta"), places it on the public road, i.e. the road along the seashore. It can be no other than the modern Sarafend, about 13 miles North of Tyre, on the spur of the mountain which divides the plain of Tyre from that of Sidon.
The site of the ancient town is marked by the ruins on the shore to the South of the modern village, about 8 miles to the South of Sidon, which extend along the shore for a mile or more. They are in two distinct groups, one on a headland to the West of a fountain called Ain el-Qantara, which is not far from the shore. Here was the ancient harbor which still affords shelter for small craft. The other group of ruins is to the South, and consists of columns, sarcophagi and marble slabs, indicating a city of considerable importance. The modern village of Sarafend was built some time after the 12th century, since at the time of the Crusades the town was still on the shore.
It is conjectured that the Syrophoenician woman mentioned in Luke 4:26 was an inhabitant of Zarephath., and it is possible that our Lord visited the place in His journey to the region as narrated in Mark 7:24-31, for it is said that he "came through Sidon unto the sea of Galilee."
The place has been identified by some with Misrephoth-maim of Joshua 11:8 and 13:6, but the latter passage would indicate that Misrephoth-maim was at the limit of the territory of the Sidonians, which Zarephath was not in the days of Joshua.
See MISREPHOTH-MAIM; SIDON.
Originally Sidonian, the town passed to the Tyrians after the invasian of Shalmaneser IV, 722 B.C. It fell to Sennacherib 701 B.C. The Wely, or shrine bearing the name of el-Khudr, the saint in whom George is blended with Elijah, stands near the shore. Probably here the Crusaders erected a chapel on what they believed to be the site of the widow's house.
W. Ewing
ZAR'EPHATH, same as Sarepta of the N.T., a town of Phenicia on the seashore, 7 ms. s. of Sidon. Only ruius are found and no inhabitants, now called Surafend.
Strong's Greek
G4558: Sarepta
Sarepta, a city near Sidon
This account is also mentioned in the New Testament. Early in His ministry, Jesus was speaking in the synagogue of His hometown, Nazareth. He said, “In truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow” (Luke 4:25–26). Jesus’ point was that no prophet is accepted in his hometown. Just as Elijah found more faith outside of Israel than within it, Jesus found little faith in His boyhood home. As if to prove His point, the people of Nazareth grew enraged and attempted to throw Jesus off a cliff (Luke 4:29).
The account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath offers many insights. First, God often uses unlikely people and sources to accomplish His purposes. Second, God’s mercy extends to all people, both Jews and Gentiles, and the Sidonian widow was blessed for her faith (see Acts 10:34–35). Third, God requires faith (Hebrews 11:6). The widow’s miracle only came after she prepared a meal for Elijah—an act of sincere faith on her part. - Got questions .org
Zarephath = "refinery"
a city on the coast south of Sidon and the residence of Elijah during the last part of the drought; modern 'Sura-fend'. BLB
N973 (perh. "workshop for melting and re- fining metals," Gdmetabütte), with i parag. 79P78, [Zarephath], pr. n. of a town of the Phœnicians
situated between. Tyre and Sidon, 1 Ki. 17:9, 10 ;
Obad. 20; Gr. Láperra, Lu. 4:26; now called digs. BLB
“‘Zarephath’ means a smelting-furnace. It lay outside the Land of Canaan. Many things might have made it distasteful to the prophet. It belonged to the land from which Jezebel had brought her impious tribe. It was impossible to reach it save by a weary journey of 100 miles. And then to be sustained by a widow woman belonging to a heathen people!” Meyer
“Interestingly, in noun form it means ‘crucible.’ The place may have gotten its name because there was a smelting plant of some kind located there; we don’t know for sure.” Swindoll
“Now he was to travel north and west across the full breadth of this sun-bleached land. His next stopping spot would be Zarephath, a small village on the outskirts of Zion, a seaside town on the Mediterranean coast.” Keller
“That meant a long walk across open and unprotected land where Elijah was a wanted man. King Ahaz was looking everywhere for Elijah. The king had, if you will, put out a contract on the prophet of God. So, immediately, Elijah had to trust the Lord all the way from Cherith to Zarephath.” Swindoll
“The Sidonians were foreigners to the people of Israel. They were a seafaring race descended from the ancient and fierce Phoenicians who for centuries dominated the seaways of this inland ocean.” Keller
“It is also to be carefully noted that Zarephath was “in Zidon”: that is to say, it was in the territory of the Gentiles, outside the land of Palestine. But what is yet more remarkable is the fact that “Zidon” was the very place from which Jezebel, the wicked corrupter of Israel, had come (1Ki 16: 31)!” Pink
Note: Two miracles take place here: (1) the miracle of the flour and oil; (2) the miracle of the widow’s son being raised from the dead.
A. The Command Given.
“Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ” So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.”
I Kings 17:8-16 NKJV
“Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.”
1 Kings 17:8-16 ESV
Note: God leads the believer one step at a time. The illustration of Moab - Jer. 48:1 - “Moab hath been at ease from his youth; and he hath settled on his lees; and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel; neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed.”
“Grape juice, when first expressed is impure and thick; it is left in vessels for a time till fermentation has done its work, and a thick sediment, called lees, has been precipitated to the bottom. When this is done, the liquid is carefully drawn off into another vessel. So that all the precipitated sentiment is left behind. This emptying process is repeated again and again till the offensive odor that came from the ‘must’ has passed away and the liquid has become clear and beautiful.” Myer
This wine-making imagery is vivid. In the production of sweet wine, the juice was left in a wineskin until the sediment or dregs settled onto the bottom. Then it was poured into another skin until more dregs were separated. This process continued until the dregs were all removed and a pure, sweet wine obtained. Moab was not taken from suffering to suffering so that her bitter dregs would be removed through the purging of pain. Thus the nation was settled into the thickness and bitterness of its own sin. Judgment from God was coming to smash them. MacArthur
Note: Luke 4:24-26
“Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.”
Note: this journey required a great amount of trust on Elijah’s part.
Luke 4:24-26 NKJV
Note: Elijah was going into enemy territory - Cp. Matt. 16:18
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:18 NKJV
Note: Swindoll likens Cherith like Marine boot camp and Zarephath like Marine advanced training.
The Instruction Given to the Prophet. vv. 8-10a
“Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath.”
1. It was God’s instruction.
“Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,”
2. It was an unusual instruction.
“And, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there.”
This was Jezebel’s home turf. Humanly speaking, the last place on earth where one would think the prophet should go.
3. It was a place already prepared for the prophet.
“See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.”
First the ravens, now a gentile widow would be used to sustain the prophet physically.
Perhaps the ravens and the widow are a glimpse of the future when nothing would be considered unclean. Example of Simon Peter - Acts 10
“. . . the ancient traditions relating to widows and orphans were severe and strictly observed. One did not impose upon a widow and her offspring. One did not in any way take unfair advantage of these unfortunate members of society. To do so was to incur the wrath of God and the stigma of society.” Keller
Note: It does not say Elijah would provide for the widow, but that the widow would provide for Elijah.
It was acted upon and obeyed.
“So he arose and went to Zarephath.
This is near Sidon. “Sidon: one of the chief cities of Phoenicia, located on the coast N of Galilee, in what today is called Lebanon.” TNBC
Zarephath was 8 or 9 miles south of Sidon. TNB
B. The Command Obeyed.
II. The First Miracle at Zaephath. vv. 10b-16
And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ” So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.”
I Kings 17:8-16 NKJV
Note: The drought and famine affected not only Israel, but other nations as well.
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament 17:1-18:15: Elijah and the Drought
Grain and oil were two of the major exports of the city of Zarephath. The fact that they were in short supply is an indication of how severe the drought was. They are also two of the most basic commodities for survival. As staple products they represent the major arena where fertility can be observed. The contest between Yahweh and Baal continues as Yahweh demonstrates that he is able to provide for “Baal’s people” in “Baal’s territory” just as easily as he is able to provide for his own people and just as easily as he is able to withhold from whomever he chooses.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 17:8–11
Widows were usually poor people; normally they ran out of food first in a famine. This famine had been created by the drought. Therefore going to a widow for food was a strange directive. God was again using an unusual source to feed His prophet.
A. The widow.
“And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks.
Note: This was the person who was to provide for him!
Meeting, at his entrance into the town, the very woman who was appointed by divine providence to support him, his faith was severely tested by learning from her that her supplies were exhausted and that she was preparing her last meal for herself and son
B. The widow’s condition.
And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”
“The request by Elijah that the widow take her last bit of meal and oil and give it to him for food is not an act of selfishness on Elijah’s part, but a test of the woman’s faith.” TNBC
Note: the widow dropped what she was doing to serve another.
Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings Trust God for Daily Bread (17:2–16)
We should also underline God’s saving grace to outsiders. When she says, “As the LORD your God lives,” this doesn’t seem to be her confession of faith yet. She calls God “your God” but not yet “my God” (Ryken, 1 Kings, 449). But here Elijah is an example of a messenger taking the good news to the nations (and later she believes—
Note: Elijah needed the widow and the widow needed Elijah. We need others.
C. The prophet’s promise.
“Few of us ever seem to discover that true sacrifice for another comes out of very survival, never out of surplus.” Keller
And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ” bin - a jar/jar - a jug ESV
Note: the faith of Elijah.
D. The miracle.
So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.”
Note: Miracle: Note: Miracles. Richard L. Purtill notes five characteristics of a miracle. “A miracle is an event (1) brought about by the power of God that is (2) a temporary (3) exception (4) to the ordinary course of nature (5) for the purpose of showing that God has acted in history.” (Purtill, DM, 72). McDowell
“That widow at the gates of Zarephath listened to Elijah with her mouth wide open, and, I’m convinced, she was never the same again. Elijah modeled for her the lesson he had already learned himself: the lesson of faithful obedience. God told him ‘go’ and he went. Now, Elijah tells the woman to practice the same kind of obedience. He tells her to ‘go’ and ‘do.’” Swindoll
“This is one of the special secrets to strength and serenity in human relationships. There is always someone else near at hand whose affliction and burdens are greater than our own. The instant we step out to help lift their load even a little our own becomes lighter and less onerous to bear. We actually gain strength and sense new serenity sweep into our souls as we share ourselves with others.” Keller
Note: preceded by promise and faith.
The meal.
The “meal” is certainly a divinely-selected figure of Christ, the “corn of wheat” that died (Joh 12: 24), being ground between the upper and nether millstones of divine judgment that He might be unto us the “Bread of life.” Pink
The meal offering - “It was an oblation of food composed of meal and oil, or of green ears of corn dried and oil. It does not speak to us of our Saviour as sacrificed for sinners on the cross, but is God’s wondrous picture of the perfection of His glorious Person.” Ironside
Always with the burnt offering.
Fine flour, oil, frankincense and salt. No leaven, no honey.
The priest’s were to feed on it
The oil.
It is equally clear that the “oil” is an emblem of the Holy Spirit in His anointing, enlightening and sustaining operations. It is a most blessed line of study to trace through the Scriptures the typical references of the “oil.” Pink
Note: It was a daily provision - example of the manna in the wilderness.
The meal continued undiminished, the supply unabated, and the meal pointed to Christ as the Nourisher of our souls. The provision which God has made for His people in the Lord Jesus remains the same throughout the centuries: we may come to Him again and again, and though we receive from Him “grace for grace,” yet His “fullness” (Joh 1: 16) continues the same “yesterday and today and forever.” Pink
“Neither did the cruse of oil fail” foreshadowed the grand truth that the Holy Spirit is with us to the very end of our pilgrimage (Eph 4: 30). Pink
Note: the boy and the few loaves and fish.
“Little is much when God is in it.” Keller
Note: the widow went and did as told.
“Confidence in God is contagious.” Swindoll
Note: God gives us what we need; not always what we want. The importance of contentment - Phil. 4:11-13
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV
Note: God uses empty vessels - the flour bin, the oil jar - the stone water jars at Cana of Galilee
Note: this is a direct assault on the false gods. Baal could not produce grain or oil. Only Yahweh could.
III. The Second Miracle at Zarephath. I Kings 17:17-24
“Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him. So she said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?” And he said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. Then he cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?” And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!” Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.””
I Kings 17:17-24 NKJV
“After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” And he said to her, “Give me your son.” And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. And he cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child’s life come into him again.” And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.””
1 Kings 17:17-24 ESV
“Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.”
Hebrews 11:35 NKJV
Note: Miracles.
A. The widow’s son dies.
“Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him.”
B. Her reaction towards the prophet.
So she said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?”
“The phrase is elliptic, and the meaning is, ‘what is there in common to us two - to me, a sinful woman, and thee, a man of God - that we should thus have come together to my harm? (cf. Judg. Xi. 12; 2 Ki. iii.13: see Trench, ‘on miracles,’ p. 104.” JFB
Her reaction towards herself.
to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?”
C. The prophet’s reaction to the widow.
And he said to her, “Give me your son.”
Note: He did not act negatively toward her.
D. The prophet’s compassion.
So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed.
Note: This would have been ceremonially speaking an unclean act.
E. The prophet’s prayer.
Then he cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?” And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.”
Note: His prayer: (1) marked by solitude; (2) marked by fervency; (3) marked by relationship; (4) marked by holy argument (example of Abraham); (5) marked by faith.
F. The miracle.
Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!”
Note: There is no example in Scripture of God previously raising the dead.
Note: The widow of Nain’s son; the raising of Jairus’ daughter; the raising off Lazarus.
Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings Rely on the God Who Raises the Dead (17:17–24)
Remember Baal wasn’t the only god worshiped. Mot, the god of death, was also recognized. Elijah isn’t only in Baal’s territory, but he’s also in Mot’s territory. Does Yahweh have to submit to Mot like Baal does? Of course not—God alone reigns over life and death! You can have a dynamic prayer life because our God is the true and living God.
G. The widow’s response.
Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.””
“The word of the Lord in your mouth is truth: better ‘the word of the Lord is really in your mouth (Moff).” TNBC
