The story of the Widow of Sarepta It is one of the Biblical narratives that shows the way in which the Lord can work in his children through faith. Chapter 1 of Kings tells the story of when God sent the prophet Elijah to fetch supplies from the home of a poor woman who had almost nothing to eat.
Do you want to know what God did in this opportunity? Here we show you what was the way in which our creator worked in the case of the widow of Sarepta and the prophet Elijah, and the lessons that we can extract from this wonderful and representative story.
And the word of the Lord came to him, saying: “Get up, go to Sarepta, which belongs to Sidon, and live there: behold, I have commanded a widow to support you.” 1 Kings 17:8.
Things to take into account in the story of the Widow of Sarepta
There are several things to take into account from the representative story of the widow of , in which you can see a lot what the sovereignty of God means. Here we explain them to you:
1. Divine choice
“Many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when heaven was shut up three years and six months, when there was a great famine throughout the land; but Elijah was not sent to any of them, except to Sarepta, a city of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.
The choice bypassed all the poor widows of Israel who might have been expected, as belonging to God’s covenant people, to be provided for the first time in the day of famines, and turned on a heathen, a woman who he lived in a country that had been cursed by God, and had before been given over to the sword of Jacob’s seed.
He bypassed all the likely ones and selected her, who seemed to be beyond the edge of hope, mercifully commanding for her to be saved. Surely, brothers, we have here an instance of sovereignty. If grace must go to Sidon for its purpose,why you should select a widow?
He seemed the least likely person to respond to the design of the decree, namely, the prophet’s livelihood. Were there no princes in Sidon with secret supplies of food? Were there no merchants who had sailed on the salty sea and knew where to find the grain? Were there not learned men who by their conversation could brighten the lonely hours of the prophet?
But though they are great, or wise, or rich, God commands his chariot to drive away from the lofty towers of nobles to the lowly hut of the poorest in all the domains of Sidon, and a poor widowed woman becomes the object. of a special grace. This says that God wants to show that it is He who is going to do the work, not the money or the riches.
If I had sent him to a home of wealthy people, what purpose would that have had? What would have happened next with the prophet? God does nothing without a fixed purpose; God wanted to prove that with faith He can do great things in our lives. Do you still think it’s a coincidence that you came across this story?
Another important thing is that the choice is made in all cases by the supreme will of Jehovah, and is not ordered according to the will of man, nor the will of the flesh, nor blood, nor birth. He is not the one he wants, nor the one he runs for, but the one who rules all things according to his own pleasure, gives as he wills and withholds what he desires.
2. There was a blessing for the widow
Throughout the land, people felt the bitter pangs of hunger, but there was no need in their house, because bread and oil were abundant. This was not a luxury, but it was akin to bread and butter with us, as Easterners use oil as we use butter.
There was just enough food to satisfy, but not enough to satisfy picky eaters. The widow of Sarepta had enough; food and oil were present in her home, when there was famine in the land.
Beloved in Christ Jesus, how blessed are we who rejoice in our choice! What food we have! What bread and what oil! What supplies of rich goodies richer than the earth could produce, redeeming grace and love! The flesh of Jesus and his precious blood to be our food and drink!
3. The choice of this woman, although it brought her so much blessing, implied a service.
Could the widow of Zarephath be the woman who would provide food for the prophet? How could she do it herself, since she herself was so poor? Despite any doubts Elias may have had, he struck up a conversation with the woman. “Please,” she said, “bring me some water in a cup so she can drink.”
When he went to get him some water, the prophet added: “Please bring me a piece of bread.” Giving the stranger a drink didn’t bother the widow, but giving her bread was a problem. It must be greatly considered that she was a woman of faith and also, a person obedient to the Lord.
The widow of sarepta first had to obey God’s mandate that the prophet was letting her know; “Give the last meal she had left”, something very strong, right? However, she did not take her circumstances into account and obeyed what God was ordering her.
4. God knows everything, and works in the human heart
This is illustrated here, as we read, “I have ordained,” and yet we do not find the Lord saying a single word to this woman. No order had been given, and yet God said, “I have sent a widow woman to support you.”
The widow of Sarepta does not seem to have been aware that she had to feed a prophet. However, the Lord, who never lies, spoke a solemn truth when he said: “I have sent a widow there.” When Elías arrived at the indicated place, that woman was indeed there.
God prepares the hearts of men to receive the word; long before the actual living message arrives as an instruction to them. Beloved, there is no doubt a moment when he begins to operate on the heart of the saved, but even from childhood, the grace of God begins to prepare the heart for salvation.
5. God keeps us when we are in his purposes
Here is a prophet to be sustained. He cannot be hiding anywhere in Israel, because the king is persecuting this type of people; he must go to another country.
Who will support him? Jezebel belongs to Sidon, so if Elijah is known to be in Sidon, he will be captured. But a widow who lives right on the border is prepared by God to keep the prophet.
None of us would have thought of such a thing, but it was so; God unexpectedly finds the right woman doing the job the right way, whose darkness and poverty contributed to the safety of the prophet.
6. God works through faith and obedience
Although the poor widow of Sarepta lived among idolaters, she exercised faith. Jehovah sent Elijah to her for the woman’s sake. From this, we can extract a vital lesson.
Not all of the inhabitants of Baal-worshipping Sareth were utterly corrupt. By sending Elijah to this widow, Jehovah demonstrated that he takes note of well-meaning people who are not yet serving him.
As Elijah promised, Jehovah multiplied their meager supplies to sustain Elijah, the widow, and their son until the drought ended.
In fact, “the large jar of flour did not run dry, and the small jar of oil did not run dry, according to the word of Jehovah which he had spoken through Elijah” (1 King. 17:16; 18:1).
The widow of Sarepta had acted differently, the loaf of bread she made from her meager supply of flour and oil may well have been her last meal.
When you face a test of integrity and exercise faith, Jehovah will help you. He will be a provider, a protector, and a friend to help you through your trial.
When we face specific trials, we need to seek divine guidance from the Scriptures and from our Bible-based publications.
So we must act in harmony with Jehovah’s leading, no matter how difficult it is to accept. Pay attention to God in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. Prov 3:5, 6.
Have you come to put my son to death?
The widow’s faith was about to undergo another test. Had the woman remembered a sin that troubled her conscience? Did she think that her son’s death was divine retribution and that Elijah was the messenger of God’s death? The Bible doesn’t tell us, but one point is clear: the widow did not accuse God of any injustice.
Elijah he must have been shocked by the death of the widow’s son and by his idea that the very presence of the prophet was responsible for his heartbreaking grief. After carrying the limp body of the boy to the ceiling chamber, Elijah shouted:
“Oh Jehovah my God, are you also causing harm to the widow I am staying with by killing her son?”.
The prophet could not bear the thought that God’s name would be blamed on him if he allowed this kind and hospitable woman to suffer more. Then Elias prayed:
“Oh Jehovah my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” 1 kings. 17:20-21.
“Look, your son is alive”
Jehovah was listening. The widow of Zarephath had provided the prophet with her and exercised faith. Apparently, God allowed the boy’s illness to run its course, knowing that a resurrectionthe first recorded in the Scriptures, and which would give hope to future generations.
When Elijah pleaded with him, Jehovah restored the boy to life. Imagine the delight of the widow when Elijah said, “Look, your son is alive!” The widow told Elijah:
“Now I know that you really are a man of God and that the word of Jehovah in your mouth is true.” 1 Kings 17:22-24.
The account in 1 Kings chapter 17 says no more about this woman. In view of Jesus’ positive reference to her, however, she could have lived out her days as a faithful servant of Jehovah, as proof that God provides for the faithful, even in dire circumstances. This account also gives evidence of Jehovah’s desire and ability to raise the dead.
The story of the widow of Sarepta leaves us with numerous teachings, but there is one aspect that is highly highlighted, and that is faith. Faith made the difference in all the cases that are expressed in this wonderful story; Elijah’s faith that the widow who would support him would be there, the woman’s faith that God had some purpose, the prophet’s faith that God would raise the boy.
Another no less important aspect that we should note is obedience. And it is not about obedience only in good times, but also in difficulties. This woman gave what she thought was her last supply just because God had commanded it and she was blessed for it.