Title: Elijah and the widow of Zarephath
Content 1. Words that begin
After praying earnestly three times to be healed of his chronic disease, it was the apostle Paul, not anyone else, who finally realized that his chronic disease was the grace of God that prevented pride. The Apostle Paul also prayed earnestly to God for health, which everyone considers a blessing, but in reality, that supplication was a prayer to pour out God's grace.
There are many people who want to be blessed, but not many people really know what a blessing is for them. There are many people who ask for grace from God, but not many people know what kind of grace they really need. Even if they know the blessings and graces they need, not many people know how to receive them. Also, there are not many people who can fully enjoy the grace and blessings they have received, even if they receive it. In that sense, the story of the prophet Elijah and the widow of Zarephath will be a good lesson for us.
2. God's Instructions to Elijah
In the midst of all kinds of idolatry and evil deeds from the people of Israel, as well as government officials who flattered and flattered the king, Elijah would speak the right words to King Ahab, the king of all idol worship. One day he declared directly, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, whom I serve, lives, without my word, there will be no rain or dew for many years." Then, as God instructed, he fled to the brook Cherith.
As God had promised, Elijah was hiding there through ravens, and when the brook dried up, he commanded Elijah to feed a widow in Zarephath, so he went to Zarephath and stayed there. These divine instructions are difficult to comprehend, and even more difficult to obey. Perhaps Elijah also said, "Why did the God of love instruct the poor widow to feed? If possible, it would be better if it were possible to instruct the rich to give it to them so that they could be treated with peace of mind." I might have thought of that. However, Elijah obeyed God's instructions.
3. Elijah Asks the Widow for Help
As Elijah came to the gate of Zarephath, he saw a widow picking up branches. So, he called the woman, stood up, and asked, "Bring some water from a bowl, and let me drink." In fact, it was a duty in the ancient East to water a thirsty man, but it was by no means an easy task for this woman. After struggling with it, there was no way I could stand it any longer, so after making food with the last handful of powder and a little bit of oil, I was determined to die with my son. It's such a miserable situation that even tears dry up... So, he was picking up branches to eat and die with his beloved son. Nevertheless, this woman went to get water to fulfill her duty to her neighbor.
But whether or not he knew the situation, Elijah called the woman again and asked, "Bring me a piece of bread." It is truly a wonderful request for a woman. "Hello, who do you bully? If you don't know what other people are doing, you just sit still. ...Looking at your clothes, you look like a servant of God..." “As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, but a handful of flour in a cask and a little oil in a jar. I will pick up a couple of tree branches and make food for myself and my son, and eat, and after that I will die. ."
If you hear that and do not withdraw your request, are you a person? Shouldn't he rather rob him of everything in his pocket? But, to my surprise, Elijah said something shameless. “Do not be afraid, first make a little loaf of it for me and bring it to me, and then make it for you and your son. God will not let the cask of flour and the jug of oil run out until the day it rains.” did."
Now, let's change our thinking a little. When you make a request that doesn't make any sense, both for recognition and common sense, isn't there a reason? And when an angel of God, who is not even an ordinary person, makes a forced request despite all kinds of insults and accusations, surely there must be some reason?
4. A tearful decision
The woman made a very tearful decision. "Hey, if you're going to die, it's the same as if you eat one piece and die or half eat and die. Also, what if you don't eat and die? If you're going to die, let's spend one's heart and die.
The woman not only made a decision, but believed and obeyed the word of the Lord's messenger. This widow was extremely poor, but she was a woman of wisdom and faith, who liked to do good.
In Philippians 4:18, the Apostle Paul said, "I have all things and have abundantly, and I have abundance because I have received what you have given me on the part of Epaphroditus, an acceptable fragrant sacrifice, pleasing to God." . In other words, serving God's messengers is a fragrant offering that is pleasing to God. If so, the woman has done a very meaningful good deed. Also, by serving Elijah in a very difficult and difficult situation, he offered a fragrant sacrifice that was pleasing to God.
5. Blessing of the widow who treated Elijah
The woman obeyed Elijah's command, and she and Elijah and her family ate for several days, but the bucket of flour did not run out, and the bottle of oil did not run out. After all, even though Elijah, his servant, is Elijah, God worked to bless the poorer widow's family. God sent His servant Elijah to the poorest widow, not because she had nowhere to feed, but to bless her with mercy, wisdom and faith. And the final test to grant grace and blessing to the widow was whether to treat the angel of God.
6. Conclusion
Please believe that our God does not drop grace and blessings from heaven, but gives grace and blessings through useful things that we have. Let go of regrets for things that are gone, and hold fast to what is left. No matter how the world changes, I sincerely hope that you will receive abundant grace and blessings by serving the Lord's messengers with mercy, wisdom and faith.