Homilist 1 Kings 17:17-24 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore… The resurrection of the widow's son at Zarephath. I. MAN THE ORGAN OF THE MIRACULOUS. This is confessedly a miracle — an event altogether out of the ordinary course of nature. In this very chapter there are no less than three miracles wrought by Elijah. The heavens were sealed by him;-there was no rain or dew for three years; and there was a famine. The widow's meal and oil remained undiminished, after supplying the wants of the widow, her son, and himself: — and now her son is brought to life. Why does the Almighty thus employ man as the medium of His miraculous agency? 1. It serves to impress us with the infinite regard which God has for good men. 2. It serves to foreshadow the wonderful power which good men, when perfected in eternity, may possess. May it not be that the grandest of their miracles here are but symbols and types of their splendid achievements there? II. POVERTY THE HOME OF THE GREAT. Elijah's chamber was a small "loft" in that humble cottage. This should teach us — 1. Not to make secular position a test of moral character. This in every age man has been apt to do. Job's friends did this. 2. Not to make secular wealth an end of life. Our life "consisteth not in the abundance of things." 3. Not to shun men because they are poor. 4. Not to neglect the cultivation of spiritual excellence because of our poverty. Poverty is no excuse either for impiety or uselessness. Paul said, "Though poor, yet making many rich." III. EVIL THE OCCASION OF GOOD. This woman's trial was great in the death of her son. It would teach her — 1. How absolutely life is in the hands of God. It taught her that He can take it away and give it back at pleasure. "The Lord gave," etc. 2. How great the influence a truly good man has with heaven. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. |
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