.... nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth (1 Kings 17:14). The Lord had sent Elijah to the widow of Zarephath,to escape the wrath of King Ahab of Israel after he (Elijah) had prophesied that “ there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except at my word” (17:1). The brook to which God had originally sent Elijah to hide had dried up because there had been no rain. And we learn that the drought had extended to Sidon to which Zarephath belonged. Elijah had asked for a morel of bread, and the widow had told him she had only had a little four and oil and she was about the make a last meal with it for herself and her son.
Elijah's responds “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son” (17:13). Elijah's then prophecies the title verse, and she “did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry (verses 15, 16). Heidi Baker tells the story that on more than one occasion, the Lord had multiplied food. The first occasion was in Mozambique, when the government had closed the orphanage she and her husband were running. She had taken the many children with her, and they had no food. Some friends had provided a meal, but just enough for Heidi and her immediate family. Heidi however, had shared it with them all, and it had been enough. The friend in telling the story over and over, brought the pot, “this very pot,” as a prop for the story!
What are we to learn from this story? I see two things. In explaining that a prophet is not without honour except in his own country, Jesus uses this story to tell that there were many widows in Israel but Elijah was sent to none of them (Luke 23-26). We are told in the New Testament, that we are to seek eagerly, the gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1), and not to despise prophesying (1 Thessalonians 5:20 ). Yet in only a very small portion of the church is it accepted and practiced, we despise it by neglecting it and are the poorer for it, for it is intended to build us up, edify, comfort and strengthen us (1 Corinthians 14:3). We learn a second thing by noting that the instructions to the widow were to give food to Elijah first. What if she had refused? So what I am saying is the we need to respond to the prophetic word by stepping out in faith, whatever that looks like.
Father, Your Word tells us that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10). What this tells me, is that when we hear a testimony, the testimony itself is prophesying that You want to do it again. After all You are the same yesterday, today and forever. Help us to be bold Lord, and to step out in faith in circumstances of dire need, believing You are prompting us to bring heaven to earth (Matthew 6:10). What You have done once Lord, You will do again. And we give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen
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