Topical Bible: God: Feeding Elijah and the Widow

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The account of God feeding Elijah and the widow is a profound narrative found in 1 Kings 17:8-24. This account highlights God's providence, faithfulness, and the miraculous provision for His people during times of dire need. It serves as a testament to God's power and His care for those who trust in Him.

Context and Background

The account takes place during the reign of King Ahab in Israel, a time marked by widespread idolatry and apostasy. Elijah, a prophet of the Lord, had declared a severe drought over the land as a judgment against the worship of Baal (1 Kings 17:1). As the drought persisted, God directed Elijah to the brook Cherith, where he was sustained by ravens bringing him bread and meat (1 Kings 17:2-6). When the brook dried up, God instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath, a town in Sidon, where He had commanded a widow to provide for him.

The Encounter with the Widow

Upon arriving at the gates of Zarephath, Elijah encountered the widow gathering sticks. He asked her for a little water and a piece of bread. The widow, however, was in a desperate situation, as she had only a handful of flour and a little oil left, which she intended to prepare as a last meal for herself and her son before they succumbed to starvation (1 Kings 17:10-12).

Elijah responded with a message of hope and faith, saying, "Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth'" (1 Kings 17:13-14).

The Miracle of Provision

In obedience to Elijah's word, the widow acted in faith and prepared a meal for him. True to God's promise, the jar of flour and the jug of oil did not run out, providing sustenance for Elijah, the widow, and her household throughout the duration of the drought (1 Kings 17:15-16). This miraculous provision underscores God's ability to provide abundantly even in the most challenging circumstances.

The Raising of the Widow's Son

The narrative further reveals God's compassion and power through the subsequent event of the widow's son falling ill and dying. In her distress, the widow questioned Elijah, but he took the child to the upper room where he was staying and cried out to the Lord. Elijah stretched himself over the child three times and prayed, "O LORD my God, let this boy’s life return to him!" (1 Kings 17:21). The Lord heard Elijah's plea, and the boy's life returned to him, demonstrating God's authority over life and death (1 Kings 17:22-23).

Theological Significance

This account illustrates several key theological themes. Firstly, it highlights God's sovereignty and His ability to provide for His people in miraculous ways. The account also emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience, as seen in the widow's response to Elijah's request. Furthermore, it reveals God's compassion and willingness to intervene in the lives of individuals, regardless of their social status or nationality, as the widow was a Gentile from Sidon.

The narrative of God feeding Elijah and the widow serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness and His provision for those who place their trust in Him, even amidst adversity and uncertainty.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 17:1
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
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1 Kings 19:1-8
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and with how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
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Library

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... Further, the commissions met Elijah's despondency in another way ... alone, 'faithful
among the faithless.' God has more ... Let us beware of feeding either our self ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm

Christ's Connection with the Creator Shown from Several Incidents ...
... The Feeding of the Multitude. ... was not raised up for the purpose of announcing another
god after His ... For in like manner, during the famine in Elijah's time, the ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxi christs connection with the.htm

Christ Teaching Liberality
... man, who was wasting his bread, or only feeding the fishes ... She takes it to the man
of God, who eats it ... We are not told how long it was after Elijah went to the ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching liberality.htm

On the Formation of the Character of Believers, and on Giving of ...
... The sea raging with waves, and feeding a flock of ten ... a virgin alone; do Thou now,
O Lord God, accept the ... in Gibeon and in Jerusalem: [3511] of Elijah in Mount ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on the formation of.htm

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
... THE FEEDING OF THE FOUR THOUSAND - TO DALMANUTHA - THE SIGN ... A DISCIPLE FOR THE KINGDOM
OF GOD, AND HOW ... RABBINIC TRADITIONS ABOUT ELIJAH, THE FORERUNNER OF THE ...
//christianbookshelf.org/edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/

The Five Books Against Marcion
... Was Acknowledged by Certain Demons as Christ the Son of God, Was the ... The Feeding
of the Multitude ... Two Such Eminent Servants of the Creator as Moses and Elijah. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/the five books against marcion/

Answers to Prayer
... directly the interposition of God, as feeding Elijah by the ... Mrs. X"", bears unfailing
testimony to God's hearing and ... half-past six;" and the widow went in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

Rom. xii. 4, 5
... Yet none showed hospitality to Elijah. ... punishment are they to suffer, who besides
not feeding, even insult? ... Which God grant that we may all attain unto by the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxi rom xii 4.htm

A Chime of Gospel Bells.
... Moses, Elijah, the Apostles all have drunk from it; and they are ... There was the Lord
of Glory feeding His disciples ... and I will give you rest." Thank God, He does ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter viii a chime of.htm

Christ Teaching by Miracles
... take the miracles that were done by Moses, by Elijah and Elisha ... which he had been
teaching the people and feeding them by ... But the hand of God was in this delay. ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching by miracles.htm