Nameless Bible Women Widow of Zarephath Widow of Zarephath 1988 Zondervan. A man named Amittai was the father of the prophet Jonah (Jonah 1:1). Abrahams lie led to Pharaoh taking Sarah to be his wife. Luke 4:24 - 26 And he (Jesus) said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. I am a scripture loving, book writing, baby snuggling, garden growing, faith-centered disciple, wife, mother, daughter, and sister. Since the Corinthians had resources, it was Gods will for them to help others who did not. We shouldnt be surprised when God leads us to difficulties. In the furnace, they learn to depend on others. After a while, her son dies. I have already told a widow who lives there to provide for you. So he got up and went to Zarephath. It is conjectured that the Syrophoenician woman mentioned in Luke 4:26 was an inhabitant of Zarephath., and it is possible that our Lord visited the place in His journey to the region as narrated in Mark 7:24-31, for it is said that he "came through Sidon unto the sea of Galilee.". During the trial, we must work on getting rid of anything displeasing to God. Read 1 Kings 17:7-16. Even Christ who was filled with the Holy Spirit after his baptism was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by Satan (Matt 4:1). Israel, like Abraham, failed the bad first impressions test. In the New Testament Zarephath appears under the Greek form of SAREPTA. Gods will is that his church would be interdependent. Of the old town considerable indications remain. Through Moses, God called Israel to follow him to a land flowing with milk and honey. Though she is willing to fetch him water, she has no bread to share. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias (Elijah), when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias (Elijah) sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. Not only did Elijah learn that God would use him to meet the needs of others, even in his brokenness, but also that God would use others to meet his needs. General Editor. (smelting place ), the residence of the prophet Elijah during the latter part of the drought. Because of the name of this city, there probably was an iron plant located in it where iron would be extracted from its ore and then refined by fire to separate the metal from the dross, so it could be used for weapons or other materials. Both of these responses come from not trusting God. But God chose her to be the source of a miracle for Elijah-and because our God seeks after hearts, he chose Elijah to be the source of a miracle for her. When Elijah presents the boy to the widow, she finally acknowledges Elijah as a man of God. Application Question: In what ways have you experienced the bad first impressions testwhere the place God led you wasnt what you expected in a negative sense? In the Bible, Egypt is often a picture of evil and worldliness. Hebrews 10:24-25 says: And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near. the road along the seashore. The opposing narrative asserted this was because Elijah was a fugitive (see Ahab and Obadiah for more details), but M will simply present him as a sojourner. The first way is through spiritual disciplines, but the second way is through trials. Because of the great iniquity of the people, the Lord caused that there would be no rain, this lasted for three and a half years. As mentioned before, those who have not learned this lesson probably rarely attend church and church activities or only come to receive and not to give. As he hands the living child back over to his mother she remembers her faith and the mercy of the Lord and cries Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth. Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. "The place has been identified by some with Misrephoth-maim of Joshua 11:8 and 13:6, but the latter passage would indicate that Misrephoth-maim was at the limit of the territory of the Sidonians, which Zarephath was not in the days of Joshua.See MISREPHOTH-MAIM; SIDON.Originally Sidonian, the town passed to the Tyrians after the invasian of Shalmaneser IV, 722 B.C. Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in e-book, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook. God allowed Paul to have a demon in the flesh and would not take it away, so God could manifest his powerful grace in his life (2 Cor 12:7-9). In 1 Peter 4:12, Peter said: Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. We shouldnt be surprised because it is a normal thing for God to send Christians into the fire. It was after both of these trials that God exalted Joseph to leadership in Egypt and enabled him to save multitudes. Likewise, the place of cutting and melting were essential training places for Elijah. Later Elijah, when the widow's son died, performed the Bible's first resurrection miracle by raising him from the dead (1Kings 17:17 - 24)! After we have eaten that, we will die of starvation., Now, no doubt, when Elijah heard God say, Go to Zarephath!, he probably wasnt excited. He said: For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. In verse 8, the Lord commanded Elijah to go to Zarephath, a town outside of Israel, where a widow would provide food for him. SAREPTA. In this study, we will learn lessons from the furnace. Giving thanks takes our focus off the trial and refocuses it on God and his purposes in the trial. Zarephath was one of the cities within the region known as Phoenicia. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. For this is what the Lord God of Israel says, The jar of flour will not be empty and the jug of oil will not run out until the day the Lord makes it rain on the surface of the ground. She went and did as Elijah told her; there was always enough food for Elijah and for her and her family. Many of us have experienced the bad first impression test before. Or maybe we prayed for some other open doorto get into a good university, get an internship, get a new house, or even get married. Then Elijah was told to go to Zarephath, for a woman there had been told to feed him, and he went at once. In fact, Peter wrote a whole book about fiery trials in 1 Peter. ( 1 Kings 17:9,10) It was near to, or dependent on, Zidon. God didnt give her a bunch of jars so she could store up. Though she is willing to fetch him water, she has no bread to share. Instead of trusting God and persevering through the trial, they run away from him. 8-16. the word of the Lord came to himZarephath, Sarepta, now Surafend, whither he was directed to go, was far away on the western coast of Palestine, about nine miles south of Sidon, and within the dominions of Jezebel's impious father, where the famine also prevailed. "Sarefta"), places it on the public road, i.e. June 7, 2022 During a long drought and famine, God sends Elijah away from Israel to the city of Zarephath in Sidon where God directs a widow, a foreigner, to give Elijah food. In the furnace, they learn that being attached to the body and serving her is a necessity. This is exactly what God teaches about the members of his bodythe church. Luke 4:26 But Elijah was not sent to one of them, but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. Meeting, at his entrance into the town, the very woman who was appointed by divine providence to support him, his faith was severely tested by learning from her that her supplies were exhausted and that she was preparing her last meal for herself and son. What sinful tendencies often show up in your life when encountering an unexpected trial? We also saw this test with Israel. [Read through the Bible with us this year. She used the name Yahweh which was Israels covenant name for God. 1 Charles R. Swindoll. Peter's Writing: Check out Peter's booksandblog postswhere he confronts status quo Christianity to make a faith that matters. prophet Elijah is described as concerned for the oppressed and the socially marginalized in the story of the widow of Zarephath. 17, p. 69). After a while, the stream dried up because there had been no rain in the land. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food." 10 So he went to Zarephath. Some people feel like they need to be perfect before ministering to others. God does as Elijah asks. Zarephath rest inside the region of Sidon, the native country of Queen Jezebel, the woman who married the wicked King Ahab and required her god, Baal to be worshipped instead of God Almighty (1 King 21:25-26). (Antiqu. In it, he learned that his previous trial came so he could better help others. One group of foundations is on a headland called Ain el-Kanatarah ; but the chief remains are south of this, and extend for a mile or more, with many fragments of columns, slabs and other architectural features. They realize they cant make it on their own. Related Topics: Character Study, Christian Life, Greg Brown has served twenty years in pastoral ministry, including twelve in his current position as a chaplain and professor at Handong Global University and the teaching pastor at Handong International Congregation. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 9. It is important to know that she did not know who Elijah was, and she did not know that there would be more meal and oil left over after she had fed him. 1 Kings 17:10 chapter context similar meaning copy save. It tests the validity of our faith. When a metal is put into a fire, the fire brings out the impurities which weaken it. After these trainings, Elijah will confront the prophets of Baal, call for fire to come down from heaven, bring a revival in Israel, and call for rain to return. The place was afterwards called by the Greeks Sarepta, Luke 4:26, and is now known as Sarafend, a large village on the hills adjoining the seacoast. south-southwest of Sidon. God sent Elijah to this city, within the very heart of the country ruled by the kings of Baal, to be nourished by a widow who was not an Israelite. We wanted a new job because the place we previously worked stopped being a place of joy and instead became a place of frustration. The other group of ruins is to the South, and consists of columns, sarcophagi and marble slabs, indicating a city of considerable importance. Elijah essentially tells the woman: If you obey God by providing for me, he will miraculously provide for you and your child every day. And thats exactly what happened. We live by faith. 1Kings 17:1, 8 - 10And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. We know it was a village in the Sidonian territory where Queen Jezebel was from, and it was a place of Baal worship. When God allows suffering to happen in a local church or the church in a nation, this often bonds them together, breaking denominational and doctrinal differences. 1 Kings 17:9. Bibliography Information Orr, James, M.A., D.D. Originally Sidonian, the town passed to the Tyrians after the invasian of Shalmaneser IV, 722 BC. They both had to have faith that the Lord would bless them, and He did.Also, this story makes me wonder how many other stories like this one happen all the time with prophets; especially the current one Pres. It fell to Sennacherib 701 BC. The Widow of Zarephath did what was illogical and lived. Luke 4:24 - 26And he (Jesus) said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country. From Elijah and the widow, we can discern two of them. The Wely, or shrine bearing the name of el-Khudr, the saint in whom George is blended with Elijah, stands near the shore. 2.) When directed to go live by a brook, "he did what the LORD had told him" ( 1 Kings 17:5 ), and then sent to Zarephath, "he . And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her . They realize they need other believers and that other believers need them. Matthew - John He called out to her, Please give me a cup of water, so I can take a drink. As she went to get it, he called out to her, Please bring me a piece of bread. She said, As certainly as the Lord your God lives, I have no food, except for a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. It is a keypin in my personal faith and my ability to gain resilience, courage and solace in adversity. Maybe, they went to church, but they werent really part of the body. Obadiah refers to it as a Canaanite (probably meaning Phoenicia) town (Obadiah 1:20). In a trial, we typically become self-centeredeverything is about us. Its also happening to us for the sake of others. All rights reserved. FACT #1 - The name of her village was Sarepta. When we have learned this lesson, we will joyfully serve others and allow others to serve us as well. He ea More, The Bible Teachers Guide, Elijah: Becoming A Person God Can Use Greatly. When Elijah asked the widow for food, in verse 12, she replied. Obadiah 1:20, a Phoenician seaport on the Mediterranean between Tyre and Zidon, usually subject to Tyre. "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". Your email address will not be published. The widow's acceptance of Elijah was used by Jesus in his message to those in his hometown of Nazareth. l. 5. c. 19. It might have even made us regret pursuing the door or possibly made us angry at God and doubt his love. [1] Elijah asked the widow for some water and bread, and although she was destitute because of the draught that had plagued the land for more than three years, she used her last bit of flour . I have issued a standing challenge for all my readers The Women in the Scripture Challenge are you super brave and daring enough to take the challenge? The bible has many stories about widows: The widows oil of Zarephath - 1 kings 17:1-24. | GotQuestions.org, The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is kindness? Nevertheless, it was there that God promised to meet his needs. In fact, she plans to use her last remaining provisions to make a final meal for her and her son, before they die of starvation. Zarephath (4 Occurrences). Did we experience a lot of pain and discord in our family? We must be ready to minister to disillusioned Christians. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS NIV), Zarephath: Elijah Performs Two Miracles In, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 4558. There he learned lessons like solitude and dependencyseeking the Lord and trusting him for provisions. Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 4:25-26 Her Story Her arms were spindly and rough, like the dry twigs she had gathered for kindling. Right now I am gathering a couple of sticks for a fire. The valley, with its shadows, typically causes fear for sheep, but God protects and guides his sheep with his rod and staff. 31 Days of Women from Scripture Volume 2 Day 12 God's Plan Day Twelve: Lessons from the Widow of Zarephath 1Kings.17.8-24; Lk.4.25-26 There is a theme throughout scripture that I just love - God has a plan. What Is Biblical Discipline, and How Can We Grow This Virtue? Often, Satan keeps people from being used by God in their brokenness by making them feel ashamed about their scars and brokenness, and therefore they never share their story with others. the road along the seashore. Peter's Newsletter: Peter's weekly newsletteroffers encouragement and updates on his latest news. She has faith to walk into the the unknown. What are common responses to the test of bad first impressions? Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Do we have financial lack? If Elijah and the widow walked alone, they would have been in lack and would have missed much of Gods grace. The Lord told him, "Get up, go to Zarephath in Sidonian territory, and live there. Greek (19 Occurrences). Through the trial, God wants to build our faith and Satan wants to destroy it. Here was the ancient harbor which still affords shelter for small craft. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you." 1 Kings 17:10 So he arose and went to Zarephath; and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks: and he called to her, and said, "Please get me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink." The word proven is used of testing or refining metal. And at the same time, when we have needs, others will commonly be the answer to our prayers. How do we know that Elijah was a true prophet of God? Do we see God and the possibilities or the difficulty and impossibilities? 7 Beautiful Ways We Can Reflect on God During a Commute, Surround Yourself with the Right Team to Weather Lifes Storms.
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