The widow of Zarephath
1 Kings 17.1-24
I've loved this story about Elijah ever since first hearing my mother tell it when I was a small boy - "The cruse of oil unfailing." God blesses simple things such as hospitality.
The main point is God's provision; but there are other considerations within the context of this little children's Sunday School story.
Do you know that "Kerith" means a cutting place? The muddy stream had 'cut' a ravine down into the desert floor east of the Jordan River in the wastelands.
Do you know that ravens were considered "unclean" because they were scavengers - and a man of God wasn't supposed to touch anything dead. Where do you suppose that twice daily meat came from?
Do you know where Zarephath was located? In Sidon, very near the king's palace.
Do you know who was the daughter of the King of Sidon? Jezebel, wife of Ahab, king of Israel.
Do you know who was searching all the nations for Elijah, to have him killed? Ahab.
Do you know why Ahab wanted Elijah dead? Elijah had said it wouldn't rain again in Israel until he said it would rain...and there was now a terrible drought.
Do you know why Elijah had prophesied such dire consequences for Israel? Because Ahab was more wicked than any king before him, and his wife was even worse!
It is apparent from this story that God was as concerned with a little, insignificant widow in a 'heathen' country knowing that He is God, as He was with making the king of Israel know the same.
It has been said that the best place to hide someone or something is in plain sight. I would also say that God is able to protect you from evil even though it seems all hell has broken loose around you.
God is able to keep you, protect you, provide for all your needs, and at the same time reveal Himself as God to those around you. You need not wear a badge proclaiming yourself as "John Elijah Doe: man of God extraordinaire." Those around will know it because of the goodness of God shown through the goodness of the man.
That's what Jesus meant when he said in what we call the Sermon on the Mount, "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5.16)
This story is also a great lesson on how we should live our life calmly and with purpose even though there are folks ever so closely around who aren't happy with our existence.
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37.5)