AGAIN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME

Image result for GOOGLE CLIP ART OF FURNACE      The Brook Cherith has dried up, and Elijah awaits a new directive.  God again speaks and Elijah is commissioned to go to Zarephath.  In the Hebrew, Zarephath means smelting furnace.  A smelting furnace smelts metals.  I do not know if Elijah knew his geography or not, but where he is directed to go is the same area that Queen Jezebel is from.  Zarephath is also a Gentile town and the main worship in the area is to Baal.  To make matters more complex, he is going to a widow who is "commanded to provide for Elijah".  Elijah's response, "So he arose and went to Zarephath..." 

As he enters the city gate, he sees a widow gathering meager scrapes of wood.  Not sure how he knows she is a widow, but he does take notice of her activity.  He asks her for a drink and asks also for a piece of her bread.  Her response, "As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die." Can't you hear Elijah's thought? "Oh me, hiding in Jezebel's hometown area, Baal worshipers, Gentiles, a widow, and a poverty-stricken one at that, and she is going to provide for me?"  Regardless of what thoughts are crashing in Elijah's head, he speaks, "Do not fear;..." Then the further words, "For thus says the Lord God of Israel, 'The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain on the face of the earth."  1 Kings 17:14

I have followed Elijah from Samaria, Ahab's home area to Brook Cherith to hide, and now to Zarephath, the home area of Jezebel.  The Sacred Record does not record any objections, arguments, opinions, or advice from Elijah to God. He is obedient and seems very secure in this venture.  I confess, it is Most challenging, at least for this finite one, me, to be obedient in the "faith walk" that becomes a "fire walk"!  So far, Elijah's "fire walk" has only gotten worse and more complicated from outward appearance, yet he speaks encouragement and peace.  Elijah probably remains here about two years and unbeknownst to the widow, Elijah will be a blessing to her.  A phrase from the old hymn comes to mind, "Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6  I love heroes who are models for me to walk even when I think it is rough-going!  Ever learning! In process! #IHAVETHREESONS

 

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