For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:14-16 (ESV)
I am so excited! This week we are setting the stage for one of the most incredible, God-glorifying miracles in all of history. At the center of this pivotal time in Jewish history is a man named Elijah. Elijah spoke to God and listened to God’s responses. He heard what God was asking him to do and then went and did it.
Ahab is ruling over Israel and is married to Jezebel. These are two of the most wicked rulers of all time. There had been many evil kings ruling over God’s people, but in 1 Kings 16:33, the bible records,
“Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.”
Elijah is in Israel and God tells him to declare a drought in the land. So Elijah says it won’t rain until he says it will again. And all the rain stops. The creeks and brooks begin to dry up. First step in the chain of miracles.
Elijah has been living by a brook with God’s supernatural provision for him coming by ravens bringing him food. Second step in this miraculous sequence.
But, as the drought really settles in, the brook Elijah is dependent on also dries up. Elijah again listens for God’s voice. God speaks.
“Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 1 Kings 17:9 (ESV)
So, Elijah continues in his pattern obedience and heads to Zarephath. When he gets to the city gate, there is indeed a widow there.
And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 1 Kings 17:10b-11 (ESV)
First of all, I’d like to insert that when he basically orders her to bring him a drink, she immediately starts to go and do it. I probably would not have responded so well if a strange man that I’d never met came up to be and requested a drink. What?!? (I’m sure I would be thinking, “Get your own dang drink.” Just being real here.)
Second, he goes a step further and tells her to bring him bread in her hand. Weird. Just weird. Even weirder when we learn her situation.
And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 1 Kings 17:12 (ESV)
This single mother has nothing. She is destitute. Her full expectation is that she and her son are about to die of starvation. If I was Elijah, I might begin to doubt what God had told me. But Elijah knows his word from the Lord and trusts God’s voice.
And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” 1 Kings 17:13-14 (ESV)
And she does it! Then she sees the miraculous provision of God for not only Elijah but also for her and her whole household.
And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15-16 (ESV)
Third miracle in this amazing story! (And there are more astonishing miracles coming up, but we’ll save those for the next blog post.) What strikes me as I read this passage is that there is a definite pattern of listen and obey.
Elijah repeatedly listens to God and obeys His voice. When there is an obstacle or difficulty to the spoken word of God, Elijah doesn’t start doubting and pleading with God for a new word. He trusts that what God told him will come to pass, even if it takes a miracle. He expects God to come through for him.
The widow listens to Elijah and obeys. She goes to get the water. She hears when he tells her a miracle will happens to provide for them and doesn’t write him off as crazy. She simply does what he says.
And God rewards them both. The blessing of their miracle spills over and saves the life of her son as well.
There have been times in my life where I was lacking. I wondered where the finances, strength, energy, ability, knowledge, or provision for what I needed was going to come from. Those times come for all of us. In that moment, am I going to doubt the hand of God on my life or am I going to listen and obey that still, small voice?
Am I looking at my empty jar or focusing on the One who can fill it?
If Elijah had not listened when God said, “Go to Zarephath” or if he had doubted when the widow didn’t have enough food to feed him, the widow and her son would have died. But because of his obedience, he saved their lives, increased their faith in the one true God, and displayed the provision of God the community around them.
I may never know the consequences of my obedience or disobedience, but their are consequences. Each of our lives is entwined in the lives of those God has put in our circle of influence. I hope that I am listening, obeying, and bringing blessings and life instead of destruction.
I have been reading The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, and I am loving this classic in the Christian literature. In my reading today, I came across this quote:
“Let him think of God as much as he can. He should accustom himself, little by little, to this small but holy exercise. Nobody else will even be aware of it, and nothing is easier than to repeat often in the day these little internal adorations.”
This is communion with God. Getting to the point where I keep an open line of communication with God, speaking to Him and listening for His voice, is a major goal of mine in increasing my spiritual health.
I am also trying to improve my physical health by drinking more water. It is my goal to drink at least 64 ounces of water daily. I made myself a little grid in my calendar with 8 tiny squares and every time I drink 8 oz, I am coloring them in.
Action Step: As I am sipping water consistently throughout the day, I am going to think a thought of God, thank Him inwardly, or offer up a concern to Him. If you are trying to drink more water, feel free to do the same. Maybe you want to think of God everytime you pick up your phone, or head to the restroom, or log in to your computer. It doesn’t matter what it is as long as it is something you do often during the day. There will be times we forget, but over time, the habit begins to build up where we are constantly aware of the presence of a miracle-working God in our lives and are training our hearts to hear His voice and do His will.
Dear God, help me hear Your voice and do Your will. Strengthen my faith that even when there are difficulties and obstacles to what You have declared, I will stand with firm conviction that You do not lie. It may take a miracle, but I know You are the God of miracles and nothing is impossible with You. Thank You for all You have done and are doing on my behalf. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Mason jar image in bible art journaling from clipartsgram.com