Wednesday, July 10: 1 Kings 17:9-16 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 9 “Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.” 11 As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.” 15 She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. Reflection: Elijah eventually ended up in Zarephath. In a nation that was required by law to take care of its prophets, it is ironic that God turned to ravens (unclean birds) and a widow who was a foreigner from Jezebel’s home territory to care for Elijah. Jehovah-rohi, the Lord our Shepherd, has help for us where we least expect it. He provides for us in ways that go beyond our narrow definitions or expectations. No matter how bitter our trials or how seemingly hopeless our situation, we should look for God’s caring touch. Where have you seen the providential care of God in your life? The widow at Zarephath thought she was preparing her last meal, but her simple act of faith produced a miracle. When you reach out to help someone, who benefits?
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 10:36:57 +0000
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