Friday, October 25 – 1 Kings 17, 18 – Additional Reading: Prophets and Kings, Chapter 10, “The Voice of Stern Rebuke”

1. What promise does 1 Kings 17:6 remind you of? (Psalm 37:25)

2. To what extent do you believe the widow of Zarephath was tested, and what was the outcome of her decision? (1 Kings 17:13-14)

3. How does the widow’s son’s resurrection story connect you with a future promise? (1 Kings 17:21-22)

4. When predicting the drought, how sure was Elijah that God had spoken to him? (1 Kings 18:1)

Commentary and Reflection:

In 1 Kings 17, we meet Elijah, who boldly tells King Ahab: “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” At first glance, it may seem astonishing for a human to declare such authority over nature, especially concerning rainfall. However, this passage shows that Elijah was acting under divine direction. Elijah’s confidence was not in his power but in God’s instruction. This chapter underscores how God remains faithful in caring for His people, even under challenging circumstances.

Elijah, who was used to hearing God’s voice, obeyed immediately when told to hide by the Brook Cherith, where ravens provided him with bread and meat, and the brook supplied water. Yet, one day, the brook dried up. From this, we can draw an important lesson—nothing in this world lasts forever. We must cherish God’s provisions for as long as they last. One such impermanent blessing is family. We have them today, but over time, we lose them, leaving only treasured memories and life lessons behind.

God then instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath, saying: “Arise, go to Zarephath… I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” Elijah obeyed, meeting a widow who barely had enough to feed herself and her son. His presence, however, became a blessing, though it also tested her faith. Elijah asked her to feed him first, and the widow had to choose between “eating and dying” or “trusting and living.” She decided to trust God’s promise, and a miracle occurred.

In 1 Kings 17:13, God speaks through Elijah, saying: “Do not fear.” Even today, in the 21st century, God still watches over us, freeing us from fear. His promises endure for all generations, including ours.

Death brings sorrow, a feeling of abandonment, and deep pain. It is humanity’s greatest challenge, which is why the story of the widow’s son is bittersweet. It is bitter because of the boy’s death but sweet because of his miraculous resurrection through Elijah, pointing to the grand reunion promised at Christ’s Second Coming, when all faithful families will be reunited.

We had a Vacation Bible School as a pastor in Havana, Cuba. Among the happy children was Alinita, a seemingly healthy young girl. After the event, she went to school like the others. However, just two hours later, her father called to tell me that Alinita had suffered a heart attack and passed away. I rushed to the school, where she lay waiting for the ambulance. I knelt and prayed, asking God for a miracle, but it didn’t happen then. The miracle will occur when Jesus returns, and families will be made whole again.

In chapter 18, Elijah, again under God’s guidance, predicts the end of the drought: “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth” (1 Kings 18:1). Following this, Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, instructing them to prepare a sacrifice and call on their god to send fire. Despite their frantic cries, Baal remained silent. Elijah even mocked them, saying: “Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey; perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.” Yet, no fire came. However, the true God answered Elijah’s prayer, sending fire from heaven and consuming the sacrifice, proving the difference between pleading to a dead god and praying to the living Creator of the Universe.

Today, I invite you to fully trust in the same God that Elijah served, to listen for His voice, and to let His presence bless those around you.