The Widow of Zarephath: Part II

"Some time later the woman's son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. Then she said to Elijah, "O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?"

But 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 out on his bed. 

Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, "Oh Lord, My God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?"

And 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." The Lord heard Elijah's prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he was revived! Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. "Look!" he said. "Your son is alive!"

Then the woman told Elijah, "Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you."

1 Kings 17:17-24

I made some interesting discoveries as I read though the footnotes in my bible about this passage, and the one I posted yesterday. Zarephath was part of Jezebel's homeland, and also associated with Baal worship, which makes it even more remarkable that God used this gentile woman, who probably didn't even believe in the Lord. She also seems to think that her sins have caused her son's death, but as I continued to study my footnotes, John 9:1-3 was referenced: 

"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.

"Rabbi", his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own

sins or his parents' sins?"

"It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so

that the power of God could be seen in him."

How often do I think that my "suffering" is because of something I must have done wrong? And

how many times do I see God's work as a result of my suffering?

I am also struck by God's amazing works in this woman's life. He not only fed her, but he gave

her son LIFE. It confirmed her faith that Elijah was God's prophet.

It makes me feel so whiney and ungrateful. The Lord certainly provides for me, but so many

times I find myself saying, "Lord, why is this happening to ME!" I feel like God must be up in

heaven rolling his eyes, and shaking his head, saying "Oh, Kelly, you have so little faith! Haven't

I always provided in the past? Why wouldn't I provide for you now."

"What is the price of two sparrows- one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to

the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.

So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."

Matthew 10:29-31

I wonder if God chose that woman to feed Elijah because he knew her son would die. He knew 

what she needed before SHE knew what she needed, and sent it to her.

I hope this wasn't to confusing, but I was so excited as I read, that my thoughts may have come

out jumbled, but my main thought is: How great is God??

Be Blessed!