Previously, we left Elijah taking a cue from God that it was time to move on: the brook had dried up signaling the ‘end of days’ of Elijah’s stay. There are three aspects of our relationship with God with which many struggle. The first has to do with God’s guidance: “Does God guide?” Yes, Elijah was divinely led, but at a step at a time (Psalm 37:23). The second matter has to do with God’s discipline. Why do troubles and trials come to the believer? According to our text and Hebrews 12:3-11, to build our faith and glorify God. The third matter has to do with God’s provision. According to Genesis 22:14: “The Lord will provide” as not only Elijah but those connected to Elijah…those supporting God’s ministry through him…found out.
1 Kings 17:13: “And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear””
We do not know how long she had been a widow, but we are told she had one son. Probably she had been well provided for, but now she was suffering as a result of the drought. We are told that:
She had come to the end of her resources. Vv. 10 and 12 tell us she was about to take her last meal with her son. Have you come to the end of your resources? Has your money, health, friends, patience, etc., all gone? Take comfort from this story and from Psalm 84:11-12.
She was a believer, and yet in distress. V. 12 indicates this. God knew all about her extremity, as v. 9 assures us, but He was working out His purpose for her as well as for Elijah. He was causing Romans 8:28 to be true of her, and also Psalm 138:8. If you are experiencing trouble it does not mean that the Lord has forgotten you.
She had lost hope. V. 12 tells us that she thought she was preparing her last meal before she and her son died! Why did she lose hope? Because her eyes were upon the barrel and the little cruse of oil instead of upon the Lord. If we pin our faith to anything other than God and His provision, we shall certainly lose hope and our faith will falter, but if we put our faith in God He will never fail us (Isaiah 41:10).
Any man of smaller faith would have faltered and failed when the brook dried up, but not Elijah! His faith was evident in that:
He had faith to take God at His word (vv. 8-10). Elijah lived on the word of the Lord, as we should (Matthew 4:4; compare to 1 Kings 17:8, 14, 16). When our actions are regulated by the Word of God and our lives are lived in the center of His will, we have nothing whatsoever to fear. Elijah’s faith was very strong, as was Abraham’s (Romans 4:17-21).
He had faith to make an unusual request (v. 13). How strange that he should say to this poverty-stricken widow, “But first make a small cake of bread for me!” What does this mean? It means that he was standing before her as God’s representative and that he was telling her to put God first. This principle is clearly brought out in Matthew 6:31-34 (particularly note v. 33). When we are prepared to give God the first place we may be quite sure that our provision is guaranteed.
He had faith to declare God’s faithfulness. V. 14 tells us this. Appearances were all against him, but Elijah had the word of the Lord upon which to rest and faith is simply taking God at His word. Thus, he was able to tell this woman that because God had said He would provide, He would provide. Notice the lovely word to her in v. 13 – “Don’t be afraid…!” The Lord says that to us over and over again – “Christian, don’t be afraid!”
From vv. 15-16 we see that as the woman obeyed the Lord the supply was given. Are you concerned about the matter of supply? Have you a pressing financial need and you wonder where the supply is coming from? Perhaps the Lord is leading you to set up home and you are wondering how you are going to provide (?)… or you are wondering how you will be able to make ends meet when you can no longer work? See what an old man said in Psalm 37:25: “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” and remember that God’s supplies never fail where there is faith (Matthew 6:32; Philippians 4:19). Concerning this gracious supply that the Lord made for Elijah and the woman, notice:
Remember Isaiah 25:1: “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.”
