Lessons from the Obedient Widow
W. Hoyt, D. D. 1 Kings 17:9 Arise, get you to Zarephath, which belongs to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain you. I. THE PERSONALNESS OF THE DIVINE PROVIDENCE. It is always toward a Providential personalness that the Bible reads, e.g. Joseph in his dungeon; Daniel in Babylon; Saul in the house of Judas in the street called Straight — how beautiful that is, God knew the street and number of the praying Saul who became Paul; Elijah at Cherith; this widow at Zeraphath. In hard times get vision of this fact and lean your heart against the solid truth of the personalness of Providence. II. WHAT SEEM TO BE OFTEN OUR WORST TRIALS, ARE REALLY OUR BEST BLESSINGS. What could seem worse to this widow than the advent of Elijah demanding that she make him the little cake? But what seemed worst embosomed what was best — the unwasting meal, the unfailing oil. Do not let us be overmuch scared at black trials; they may hold the best benignancies. III. HOW SMALL SOEVER OUR RESOURCES, WE CAN STILL DO SOMETHING FOR GOD. IV. THE VALUE OF SHARING. "This woman gave one meal to the prophet and God sustained her for two years." It is as we give we get. This is specially true in religious experience. If we seek to impart the blessedness of our own faith we infallibly get increase of faith." V. GOD FIRST. Elijah, representing God, commanded, Make me a little cake first. Ah, that first I Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." (W. Hoyt, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. WEB: "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you."