Tragedy Strikes the Widow of Zarephath (I Kings 17:17-24)

Last week we told the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. In the story, the widow experienced a miracle of provision that provided an endless supply of flour and oil during a period of drought and no rain. Her miracle came through her faith and obedience to the prophet Elijah’s word.

During this time of drought, the widow, her son, and Elijah had plenty of bread to keep them alive until rain would come upon the land. But, something tragic happened. The widow’s son became ill and died. The widow, a non-Jew, assumed that it was a punishment for her sins and blamed Elijah and His God. She says to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God?  Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?”

How many times has God been good to us and then something goes wrong and we instantly become guilty and think He’s reminding us of our sins? Life happens, both good and bad. However, knowing that we have a loving God who loves us so much, we have to remind ourselves that He will work things out for our good. We may not understand it at the time. We just need to pray, find the scriptures that address the issue and believe that He will take care of us.

God took care of Elijah by providing him safety in a land outside of Israel, a place to stay at the widow’s house, and a never-ending food supply for the household.  Even though Elijah was a man of God, he experienced the tragedy as well. He told the widow to give him her son and he took him to the upper room where he lodged. He laid the boy on his bed and cried out to God and said, “O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?” Elijah, like the mother, was just as human in his response. He was asking God if He brought this tragedy. Then Elijah did something strange. He stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to God and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” God heard him and answered his prayer. The soul of the child came back to him and he was alive once again.

Elijah brings the boy down from his room and gives him to his mother and says, “See, your son lives!” Then the mother responds, “Now I know you are a man of God and the Word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.” We go through trials and challenges in life, and this story reminds us of God’s faithfulness. His Word, which we have in the Bible, is the truth. When you are faced with a personal challenge or tragedy, remember that God loves you and His promises in the Word are for you. As we face our challenges, go through the emotional ups and downs, we can hold onto the promise in Romans 8:28 which says,  “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ( John 17:17; Romans 8:28; John 3:16)

Read the rest at https://litwithprayer.substack.com/p/elijah-and-the-widow-of-zarephath?utm_source=url