Monday: Family Reunion
The introduction of Baal worship into Israel by Jezebel, the Sidonian wife of King Ahab, hastened the nation’s downward moral slide. The teachings of God that uplifted marriage, family, and sexuality were overshadowed by such practices as incest, prostitution, and other sexual perversions. Into this arena of conflict over worship stepped Elijah, whose very name, “Jehovah is my God”, rebuked Baal.
What experience of Elijah associated him with overturning heathen beliefs and bringing new life to families? 1 Kings 16:29-17:24; compare Luke 4:25-26.
The widow of Zarephath
Elijah was a marked man after announcing the curse of drought upon the land. God sheltered him in an unlikely place—at a poor widow’s dwelling in Zarephath of Sidon, near Jezebel’s hometown. Elijah greeted the widow with a grim test, to use her last bits of kindling, oil, and flour to feed him and to trust God for her future. Her faith became legendary. Jesus Himself would later commend her (Luke 4:26). As her oil and meal stretched out over many days, the woman came to understand more about Jehovah. Then, tragically, her only son fell sick and died. In expressing her grief to Elijah, she reflected the familiar religion around her, the perverted beliefs that now engulfed Israel, in which one’s sin could require child sacrifice (1 Kings 17:18; compare Jer. 19:5, Micah 6:7).
What effect did the reunion with her son have upon the Phoenician widow’s spiritual experience? 1 Kings 17:24. What can we learn from her comments?
The mother’s response reveals the effect of the Elijah message. Faith in God and His Word arises in the heart as, by His power, life is restored and the family is reunited. Many today may give assent as doctrines are preached, but are lukewarm in their spiritual experience. However, when the truths of God’s Word are experienced personally and revival and restoration occur in home relationships, conviction comes ever so much more powerfully upon the heart.
| What are some family reunions that you are still waiting for? What promises of God are you clinging to that give you hope of that reunion? |
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The authors missed out the episode of Elijah's story that I think gives us a real message of hope. No doubt you will recall that Elijah had a moment of triumph on Mount Carmel, when he demonstrated the power of God over Baal. His triumph was short-lived however because Jezebel, on hearing of the result and the loss of her priests promised that she would make mince-meat of Elijah. Elijah did a quick disappearing act into the desert and was lost for about 6 weeks in despair, fearing for his life and lamenting that his work had not been successful.
And at that point, God gave a demonstration that was more powerful than self-igniting sacrifices that consumed rocks. After a powerful demonstration of wind, earthquake and fire, God spoke with a quiet voice from within. Among other things God said:
That message, delivered with a quiet inner voice was the encouragement that Elijah needed. In a sense, it was a reunion with God and a reconnection with the faithful family of God in Israel.
Perhaps there is a lesson for us too when we claim that we have the Elijah message for the end-time and feel discouraged that we are ineffective.
Thank you. The comments helped me understand more.
I appreciate that insight Maurice.
Hi Brother Marcus,
Like you, I went further and read the rest of the story. There was another miraculous event that happens during this time that Elijah had a one-on-one conversation with God; being a bird watcher and lover, I'm sure you will appreciate God's additional of birds into the story.
"You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”...6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17:4-6".
Can you imagine, while on one of your bird watching adventures, that one of the birds comes and bring you a handful of berries to eat for breakfast? That really happen to Elijah, and not for just one day; the raven feed him breakfast and supper until the brook dried up. Wow!!
Be blessed today everyone!
Iam wondering why the widow who was left with a single meal to eat and die ,,took the blessing for granted after the flour and oil multiplied for a quite number of days,,Maybe family reunion is more heartfelt than anything else, The widow was ready to die with his son after eating their last meal,but could not accept to be left alone by his only son for he was already a widow living in agony due to the loss of his husband,,,The more reason she was convicted when the son was re-united to her
Like us, the widow had lived her life with family traditions, and other religions, mingled with a little bit of knowledge of the true God.
The Bible doesn't say whether she was a Jewish woman or not, it just says that she was a widow who lived in Zarephath, which as the Sabbath School author tells us, is a small town near Sidon, the hometown of Jezebel. She had probably grew up hearing the words of the Jewish prophets (there were still a lot of prophets in the land), as she witnessed the barbaric religious rituals of the citizens of Sidon (rituals that the people of Israel were adapting).
Doubt settles in the mind of anyone when you grow up in a religion that mixes the Truths of God's word with a little error, as many of us have done as well (I grew up in another religion until I was 19 years old). The widow had enough knowledge of God to recognize Elijah as a "man of God", and to make the decision to obey him in the first miracle of the flour and the oil. But because of her mixed religious heritage, she did not have total faith in God. After God brought her son back to life, through Elijah, that is when she trusted God fully, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”
What is it going to take for us to stop Doubting, and totally put our trust in God? Be blessed!