1 Kings 17

1Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lor, Trg 12:4 the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next 1 Kgs 22:14 uke 4: few years until I give the word!” Jas 5:17 2Then the LORD said to Elijah, 3“Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for Ihave commanded them to bring you food.” 50 Elijah did as the LORD told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. 7But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.

The Widow at Zarephath

88Then the LORD said to Elijah, 9“Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” 10So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” "As she was going to get it, he called to her, 11Bring me a bite of bread, too.” 12But she said, “I swear by the LORD your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And Ihave only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” 13But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you've said, but make alittle bread for me first. Then use what's left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 14For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the LORD sends rain and the crops grow again!” 15So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her son continued to eat for many days. 16There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the LORD had promised through Elijah. 17Some time later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died.

18Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you comehere to point out my sins and kill my son?”17:1 Elijah was the first in a long line of important prophets Godsent to Israel and Judah. Israel, the northern kingdom, had no faith-ful kings throughout its history. Each king was wicked, actuallyleading the people in worshiping pagan gods. Few priests were leftfrom the tribe of Levi (most had gone to Judah), and the priestsappointed by Israel’s kings were corrupt and ineffective. Withno king or priests to bring God’s word to the people, God calledprophets to try to rescue Israel from its moral and spiritual decline.For the next 300 years these men and women would play vital rolesELIJAH HIDESFROM AHABElijah prophesieda drought andthen hid from KingAhab by the KerithBrook, where hewas fed by ravens.When the brookdried up, God senthim to Zarephathin Phoenicia, wherea widow and herson fed him andgave him lodging.in both nations, encouraging the people and leaders to turn backto God.17:1. Those who worshiped Baal believed he was the god whobrought the rains and bountiful harvests. So when Elijah walkedinto the presence of this Baal-worshiping king and told him therewould be no rain for several years, Ahab was shocked. Ahab hadbuilt a strong military defense, but it would be no help againstdrought. He had many priests of Baal, but they could not bring rain.Elijah bravely confronted the man who led his people into evil, andhe told of a power far greater than any pagan god—the LORD Godof Israel. When rebellion and heresy were at an all-time high inIsrael, God responded not only with words but with action.47:10ff In a nation that was required by law to care for,its proph-ets, it is ironic that God turned to ravens (unclean birds) and awidow (a foreigner from Jezebel’s home territory) to care for Elijah.God has help where we least expect it. He provides for us in waysthat go beyond our narrow definitions or expectations. No matterhow bitter our trials or how seemingly hopeless our situation, weshould look for God’s caring touch. We may find his providence insome strange places!47:13-16 When the widow of Zarephath met Elijah, she thoughtshe was preparing her last meal. But a simple act of faith produceda miracle. She trusted Elijah and gave all she had to eat to him.Faith is the step between promise and assurance. Miracles seem soout of reach for our feeble faith. But every miracle, large or small,begins with an act of obedience. We may not see the solution untilwe take the first step of faith.

19But 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. 20Then 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?” 21And 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.” 22The LORD heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! 23Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “ Your son is alive!” 24Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the LORD truly speaks through you.”