7 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE ZAREPHATH WIDOW

“Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” (James 5:17) During this period of three and half years of drought God spoke to Elijah saying, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you” (1 Kings 17:9) In the midst of difficulty God commanded His prophet to go into the dwelling of a widow, so that she could feed him. The widow represents believers of our day. God is dealing with us as He dealt with the Zarephath widow.

Here are Seven (7) things you should know about this widow,

[Scripture in focus 1 Kings 17:8-24. Bible translation NLT]

1. She lived in a village. (vss. 9) Sometimes God allows believers to remain in certain states so He can destroy our self-pride, self-love, self-confidence and every self-sin. 
2. She was hopeless. (vss. 12) Just as the widow wanted to eat her last food and die, some Christians today wish they had never been born again. Here is the good news: God is setting you up for a testimony, just hold on a little while. 
3. She was spoken to by God (vss. 9) yet she did not know it. God always speaks to His children yet His children are not able to discern His voice because of the troubles and worries of this life. The Scripture says, God said, “I have instructed or commanded a widow to feed you…” 
4. She had a sacrificial heart (vss. 15) God requires us to give sacrificially, even if we will be left with nothing. 
5. She believed in the promise of God (vss. 14, 15) God expects us to trust in His promise, no matter the turbulence we encounter. He does not want us to compromise and do wrong. 
6. She lived in suspicion (vss. 18). She quickly attributed the death of her son to Elijah’s presence and her past sin. Like this woman we quickly blame God for our woes and say, “God has brought this calamity to humble me just like He did to Job.” Do not be suspicious, for God is pure. He doesn't use calamities to humble His children. 
7. She did not fully believe in Elijah (vss. 24). Just like this women we have many doubts about men of God. God wants you to believe in His anointed except he/she has proven beyond every reasonable scriptural discerning doubt to be an anti-Christ. Men of God are God’s representatives, so to doubt them is to doubt God Himself.

BONUS: No matter your past or present, God has a beautiful plan for your future. You only need to align yourself to His purpose and your eyes shall see His faithfulness.

 

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By S. E. Entsua-Mensah. ©2014 Christ for Humanity Outreach 

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