Read: 1 Kings 17:8-20:22
Yesterday, we read the introduction of Elijah who was a major prophet to Israel. His name means “my god is Jehovah” and that was what he proclaimed to Israel. Ahab and Jezebel were reigning and it was a very idolatrous evil time in history. He had told King Ahab that there would not be any dew or rain for the next few years until he proclaimed it. Then he had fled. King Ahab had looked for him everywhere because of the great drought and famine but God hid him.
Today we see that he landed in Zarephath which means “place of refining”. It was that for him and for the nation. There he was fed by a widow who was fixing her last meal. Because she fed Elijah first, her flour and oil refreshed itself every day. That is what I call daily provision.
While he was there he prayed this woman’s son back to life and stayed in this place of hiding until set time in the third year. Then God told Elijah to go meet with King Ahab.
I think it was funny that King Ahab missed the whole reason for the drought and blamed it on Elijah. Anytime things go wrong in a nation, people blame the Christians. How twisted. Elijah set Ahab straight and told him it was his fault because he worshipped Baal and caused all Israel to join. He told him to have all of the Baal worshippers meet him on Mt. Carmel for a show down. We all know how that ended but the sad part of it was when Elijah ran from the threats of Jezebel. He had been protected by God for these three years, seen the miracle on Mt. Carmel and called down the rain and yet he ran from Jezebel. No wonder God told him to anoint his successor.
When we are shown the mighty hand of God do the miraculous, our faith has to rise to a new level. Elijah saw all this and yet feared a woman. How tragic. To whom much is given, much is required. Elijah lost his position because of this but not before he was sent to anoint new kings for Aram and Israel.
Lord, help us to always remember what you have done in the past and launch from that level of faith.
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