1 Kings 17
-In this chapter we meet Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the
settlers of Gilead near the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan River. He is one
of the foremost prophets in all of Scripture and has much significance in not
only his own era, but in the eschaton (end times) and with Messianic times
(Malachi 4:5, Matthew 11:14, Mark 9:4, Luke 1:17). Elijah is the antagonist to
the evil king Ahab of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He pronounces the word of
the LORD concerning a withholding of rain, except by the prophet’s word (1
Kings 17:1). The LORD sends him away to his homeland to get nourishment by the
brook Cherith as ravens (a scavenger bird) provides bread and meat for him
there during the time of drought and famine (1 Kings 17:2-6).
-After a while, even this brook dried up as a source of
nourishment because there was no rain in the land. At this point the LORD sends
Elijah up north to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon (this is the area where
Jezebel is from) where God had commanded a widow woman to provide for the
prophet. In an amazing and miraculous story, the LORD provides for the prophet,
the widow, and her only son. God grants sustenance with the multiplying of oil
and flour for the duration of the famine and He raises the son back from a near
death experience where there was no breath left in him. This leads the widow to
proclaim how she now knew that Elijah was “a man of God and that the word of
the LORD” was in his mouth as truth (1 Kings 17:7-24).
-*Application* Here we see the miraculous provision of the
LORD in desperate times for His people who are abiding in Him by faith. Elijah
follows the will and direction of the LORD by His voice. It leads him to unique
places and he experiences exceptional things that lead to signs and wonders. We
are just as capable of having these amazing things happen in our own lives (James
5:17). Our nature is just like Elijah’s with the capacity for faith and complete
dependence on the LORD in times of need. He will give us power in a wicked and perverse
generation to do His will and accomplish His purposes. Are you ready to see miracles,
signs, and wonders in your own life like Elijah for the glory of the LORD?
Verse to Memorize: 1
Kings 17:15-16
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