Elijah - I Kings 17:8-24 (2)

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 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. 

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.

“Ahab is the seventh king of Israel since Asa came to the throne of Judah.”  TNBC

“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

Shrines and temples arose to false gods - altars to Yahweh were destroyed.

“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.    WBC

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.

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.’”  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.”

“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).

Zarephath = "refinery" - outside of Israel; home turf of Jezebel; long journey of 100 milesl

“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

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.”

‭‭I Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭8‬-‭16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 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.”

Note:  this journey required a great amount of trust on Elijah’s part.

‭‭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

1. It was God’s command.

“Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,”

2. It was an unusual command.

“And, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there.”

“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.

“. . . 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.

B. The Command Obeyed. 

“So he arose and went to Zarephath.

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.

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!

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.”

Note: the widow dropped what she was doing to serve another.

Note:  Elijah needed the widow and the widow needed Elijah. We need others.

C. The prophet’s promise.

Note: Her sacrifice was not from a surplus.

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

The meal.

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.

Note:  the boy and the few loaves and fish.

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

“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

A.  The widow’s son dies. vs. 17

“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. vs. 18

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?”

Her reaction towards herself.

to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?”

C.  The prophet’s reaction to the widow. vs. 19a

And he said to her, “Give me your son.”

Note:  He did not act negatively toward her.

D.  The prophet’s compassion. vs. 19b

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. vv. 20-21

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. vv. 22-23

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: Judgment on the worship of Mot the god of death.

Note: The widow of Nain’s son; the raising of Jairus’ daughter; the raising off Lazarus.

G.  The widow’s response. vs. 24

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