A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL P/9

 

                                   

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

               ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL 

                                       PART IX 

"I am a widow living in Zarephath in Sidon.... Earlier today I left my son at home and went to the town gate to collect some sticks.... I was going to prepare a final meal for him and for myself.... After that meal there would be no more food for us.... As I was gathering my sticks I was approached by a man... He is a Jew... He asked for some water.... I was happy to bring him some water.... However, he did not stop there... He asked for some bread.... I had to tell him that I cannot give him bread.... I have only a little flour and oil left for the last meal for my son and myself...He has just now spoken again.... He told me not to be afraid... And he told me to go and make a cake for him first.... What shall I do?... Shall I trust him and do exactly as he has said?.... Perhaps if I do what he has asked of me his God may do a miracle... I certainly do need a miracle for my son and myself."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the widow listens carefully to the words of Elijah....

 

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE, OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL

                                                                   PART IX

The prophet Elijah understands that the widow at the town gate of Zarephath in Sidon needs further encouragement to enable her to do as he has asked her as you can read in 1 Kings 17:14

"For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says, "The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the Lord gives rain on the land."

Elijah wants the widow to know that his God has good things in store for her and her son but it does mean that she needs to take action by baking him a cake. 

 

                                

                                                   

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL P/8

 

                                     

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

             ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL 

                                 PART VIII 

"I, Elijah, the prophet of God, heard the widow at the town gate of Zarephath in Sidon tell me that she and her son are about to die.... I now understand why my God has sent me to this widow... For He does not want her and her son to die.... He wants them to live... She may not know this God... But this God knows her... And He knows her son.... Moreover, He loves them... So He has a plan to save her life and her son's life... It will  mean, though, that she will need to follow my instructions very carefully... Hopefully, she will be willing to do so.... After all, what does she have to lose?".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn about the specific instructions Elijah gives to the widow at Zarephath....

 

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                                  ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL

                                                                   PART VIII 

The prophet Elijah knows that he needs to make sure the widow at the town gate at Zarephath in Sidon is not afraid to do what he has asked of her as you can read in I Kings 17:13

Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son."

Elijah looks at the face of the widow at the town gate in Zarephath in Sidon to see her expression after he has told her to make a cake for him first. 

 

       

 

    

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES:ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL P/7

 

                                   

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL 

                                      PART VII

"I, Elijah, the prophet of God, have just arrived at the town gate of Zarephath in Sidon.... I noticed a widow who was gathering sticks... Only poorer widows perform such tasks for themselves.... I hesitated to speak to her... But I realised I was hungry and thirsty.... And that was not too surprising.... For I have been walking all day... So I spoke to her asking her to give me what I was really in need of... I realised from her answer that she could only give me some water... And I learned that she has a son....That means she has already two people to take care of.... She made it clear as well that life is very hard for her....In fact, she sounded as if she could no longer see a future for herself and her son... She did not only sound hopeless... She looked hopeless." Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the widow in Zarephath is not able to provide Elijah with a piece of bread.... 

 

                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                          ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL

                                                               PART VII

The widow at the town gate of Zarephath in Sidon speaks up as soon as the prophet Elijah has asked her for some water and bread as you can read in 1 Kings 17:12

"As surely as the Lord your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread - only a handful of flour and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home to make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat - and die."

This widow seems to know that Elijah is a Jew whose God she does not know nor serve. And Elijah needs to understand that she has only enough flour for one final meal for her son and herself before they die of starvation.

                          

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL P/6

 A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

               ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL 

                                       PART VI 

"I, Elijah, the prophet of God, have arrived in Zarephath of Sidon... God told me that He has directed a widow there to take care of me... It is true, He did not give me her address.... Nor did He give me a description of her.... But I was sure that He would lead me to the widow of His choice.... I wondered if she was perhaps a more well-to-do widow... Having some extra resources would make sense now that she has to provide for me while the drought continues....When I arrived at the town gate of Zarephath I noticed someone who looked like a widow... But she did not look like a more well-to-do widow... Nevertheless, I decided to speak to her,,, She may not be the one I would have picked to take care of me... But I could not dismiss her... She may be God's choice.... I asked her for some water and bread.... For, surely, if she was the widow of God's choice then she should be able to give me these very basic items at least....Every widow in Israel, no matter how poor, will never refuse to give water and bread to those who have need of them.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn about Elijah's encounter with a widow in Zarephath....

 

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                            ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL

                                                                   PART VI

The prophet Elijah arrives at the town gate at Zarephath in Sidon. When there he notices a widow as you can read in 1 Kings 17:10-11

So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."

The prophet Elijah notices that this widow is gathering sticks. This can only mean that she does not have a servant to do it for her. Nevertheless, he dares to ask her for some water and bread. 

 

     

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES:ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL P/5

 

                             

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL 

                                        PART V   

"I, Elijah, the prophet of God, have just gathered my few belongings... It is time for me to leave the brook... The Lord has told me to go to Zarephath in Sidon... He has told me as well that I am to be taken care of by a widow over there.... A widow!!.... I must say I cannot help but have a few questions about God's choice for me... First of all, I would like to know why I am being send to a place outside Israel since these nations do not serve the God we serve.... And I would like to know why He is sending me to a widow there.... We have many widows in Israel... So it does not make sense for God to send me far away to a widow.... Unless this widow in Zarephath is a little better off....Most if not all widows in Israel are poor... Therefore, God knows they are not able to take care of me...Especially, because the drought will continue for some time still...Anyway, I better be going so I can meet this widow at Zarephath of Sidon."... Please read the typed out attachment when God tells the prophet Elijah He has prepared a widow at Zarephath to take care of him....

 

               ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                          ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL 

                                                                  PART V          

God has told the prophet Elijah that he has to go to Zarephath in Sidon to be taken care of by a widow as you can read in 1 Kings 17:9

I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.

It seems God has very carefully selected a widow in Zarephath in Sidon to begin to take care of him. That must obviously mean she will be able to do so. 

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL P/4

 

                                 

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

               ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL 

                                   PART IV 

"I, Elijah, the prophet of God, have been quite content hiding at the brook that God assigned to me.... I have been well provided for until now... My last meal has still been provided for by my friends, the ravens.... But my water supply has pretty much run out for the brook has dried up... I wasn't quite sure what to do.. There was no rock to hit or even to speak to as in the time of Moses... And, anyway, God has not told me to do so.... I wondered if perhaps I should visit my home town Tishbe to see how everyone is...But then earlier today the Lord spoke to me....He told me to go to Zarephath of Sidon... I am to be taken care of by a widow there... I have just gathered my few belongings... And am about leave the brook.... I will miss seeing my friends, the ravens.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the prophet Elijah has been told to go to a place called Zarephath of Sidon....

 

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                        ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL

                                                                   PART IV 

The prophet Elijah is without water in the brook. Where he has been staying has finally completely dried up and God has not miraculously filled up the brook again. Instead, he has told Elijah to go to a place called Zarephath of Sidon. That is quite interesting for that place is outside Israel. We might think God will want to keep Elijah in Israel because the nations surrounding Israel are all pagan nations. But, apparently, God does not mind for his prophet to go places he may not necessarily be thinking of going as you can read in 1 Kings 17:8

Then the word of the Lord came to him, "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there." 

Elijah knows that he can no longer stay at the brook so he prepares to leave for Zarephath in Sidon.

 

             

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES: ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL P/3

 

                                   

A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                 ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL 

                                     PART III 

"I, Elijah, the prophet of God, am very grateful to my God.... My country is having a drought because of king Ahab's disobedience... I was the one who told him this was going to happen... The king blames me for the drought and has been trying to find me... But I am not responsible for the drought.... I was only the bearer of this bad news.... God knew that the king would be very angry with me..... So He made sure I went to a safe place where the king would not be able to find me.... Moreover, I have been able to drink water during this drought... Because God sent me to a brook.... It is true.... I have not been able to go back to my home in Tishbe where I am from..... But that is most probably better anyway since there may not be any water in Tishbe... I am getting quite concerned, though.... For it seems the brook I am staying at is drying up as well.... Will that mean I have to go somewhere else?... Or will God perform a miracle so I can continue to stay here?... I am getting quite used to being here.... Every evening I have a visit from some ravens who bring me my dinner... I am getting to know them... I have even given them names... They are, after all, my only companions over here... I am not complaining though... I think it is better to be here than at the palace...I am sure the atmosphere at the palace is very unpleasant.... The king is, no doubt, in a very bad mood each day... And I think everyone tries to avoid him, if at all possible.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that the brook where Elijah is staying at is beginning to try up...

 

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                             ONLY A LITTLE FLOUR AND OIL

                                                                   PART III 

The prophet Elijah is quite settled at the brook for his basic needs such as water and food are provided for. But, unfortunately, something happens to the brook as you can read in 1 Kings 17:7

Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.

What is Elijah to do now? Surely God will continue to take care of His prophet? After all, it is not his fault that there is a drought in the land. He has only been the one who has foretold the drought. but he is not the cause of it and should not really have to suffer the effects of the drought. It is true, so far God has taken care of him. But now the brook is drying up too and God has not done something miraculous to make the brook continue to provide water for Elijah.