was the widow of zarephath an israelitewas the widow of zarephath an israelite

Robert Koehl, Sarepta III: the Imported Bronze & Iron Age, University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania, 1985. 40, pp. Animating this story is the painful contradiction between Gods word of promise and a death sentence. J. Richard Middletons book,A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology, is an excellent contribution to the enterprise. Through reading several verses in this sermon we were able to see that Jesus Christ was promising his followers that He would give them what they needed, but not always what they wanted. Pillar worship is traceable from an 8th-century shrine of Tanit-Ashtart, and a seal with the city's name made the identification secure. The raising of the son of the widow of Zarephath is a miracle of the prophet Elijah recorded in the Hebrew Bible, 1 Kings 17, taking place in the Phoenician city of Zarephath. ELIJAH FINDS A WIDOW WHO HAS FAITH Jehovah had determined that there would be a long drought in the realm of Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. We can never experience Gods blessings if we just feel worried or put our focus only on our current difficult situation. Most of the objects by which Phoenician culture is characterised are those that have been recovered scattered among Phoenician colonies and trading posts; such carefully excavated colonial sites are in Spain, Sicily, Sardinia and Tunisia. (Luke 4:25,26) Her story teaches us that God blesses those doing good to his servants. The message to the Jews in Nazareth is that, in the coming eschatological crisis, they will have no grounds for complacency. www.StudyShelf.com By their being Elijah-types, lives are blessed. The widow who had to act on faith and obey a prophet or a prophet who had to ask a poor starving widow to give him her last meal? English Standard Version and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. After taking up Ruth 1:1-18 in the Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, the lectionary now skips to 3:1-5 and 4:13-17. After hearing about the widows preparations for death, Elijah gives the widow the same word of promise God gave to Hagar: Fear not (1 Kings 17:13; cf. 1. The prophet assumes provision, when the widows words speak only of desolation. Nevertheless, with few other options, Elijah complies, only to find out that the widow is not a viable option for survival after all. The barrel of flour was not filled to the top after she gave to Elijah- she had flour, but just enough. Like Hagar and her son, this widow and her son were not forgotten by the God of Israel, who notices the loss of even one sparrow (Matthew 10:29-31). Sarepta (near modern Sarafand, Lebanon) was a Phoenician city on the Mediterranean coast between Sidon and Tyre, also known biblically as Zarephath. The Widow of Zarephath - Then the word of the LORD came to him, "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. The Doctrine and Covenants & Church History, 2021 Spring: Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel, 1 Kings 18: Blaming others for our problems, 2 Corinthians 8-13 Ep 220 Quotes and Notes, Ep 209 | Acts 1-5, Come Follow Me 2023 (July 3-9), 2 Corinthians 1-7 Ep 219 Quotes and Notes, Ep 208 | Matthew 28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20-21, Come Follow Me 2023 (June 26-July 2). How could she do so, since she herself was so poor? she didnt have the priviledges that Paul talked about in Romans 9:4-5..the people of Israel, chosen to be adopted to sonship,God revealed his glory to them, He made covenants with them and gave them his law, He gave them the privilege of worshiping him and receiving his wonderful promises,Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as his human nature is concerned. Whether it is the attraction they have toward one another, or simply as one boy put it in class, talking to girls is so tough! Youth want to be able to communicate with one another in an effective manner. Due to Ahabs wickedness (1 Kings 16:33 1 Kings 17:1) the Lord sent a famine throughout the land of Israel. Have you come to remind me of my guilt and to put my son to death? (1Ki. The prophet goes on to speak as if the promise of God was already fulfilled: Do not be afraid but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son (1 Kings 17:13). 17Now Elijah(A) the Tishbite, from Tishbe[a] in Gilead,(B) said to Ahab, As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain(C) in the next few years except at my word., 2Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 3Leave here, turn eastward and hide(D) in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. This has relevance in the lives of teenagers as we discussed what it is that teenagers crave- what they so desperately need in their lives. Thank you for your thoughts on this great story. Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath. This serves as a reminder that God values . As was his custom, Elijah knelt down and bowed his head in prayer. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah: 9 "Get up and go to Zarephath of Sidon, and stay there. 7Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. At Zarephath the prophet was shown hospitality by a poor widow, whose flour and oil were miraculously sustained during a great famine and whose son Elijah, in Gods power, subsequently raised from death. +82-31-738-5999 Fax. In 17:8-16, God commands Elijah to go to Zarephath, where a widow (who replaces the ravens) is commanded to feed him. This miraculous provision constitutes an interim measure until the day the drought and the resulting famine breaks the day on which God will send rain once more. She has only enough to feed herself and her son one last meal and so she states, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die (1 Kings 17:12). Low self-esteem. If my students can learn this study skill it will surely bless their own private learning outside of the classroom for years to come. The prophet Elijah arrived with an ominous message from God. God sent Elijah to this city, within the very heart of the country ruled by the kings of Baal, to be nourished by a widow who was not an Israelite. He complains that people never take a home town prophet seriously, and then goes on to relate two pertinent Old Testamentincidents: But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. While most of us will not find ourselves preaching to drought-afflicted persons, we will be preaching to people who live in various ways under a death sentence. As the woman was going to get some water, Elijah called to her and said. Could you please help me understand the practical consequences? Do not be afraid. But desperate times call for desperate measures and Elijah survives. She lived in Zarephath, a town that belonged to, or was apparently dependent upon, the Phoenician city of Sidon. In reply to I am not sure what you mean by John Shepard. Then a worried look was cast on her face, because her food was running out as a result of the long drought. Gods counsel is the best; anybody that take heed to it will never go astray. 17:10,11) Giving the stranger a drink did not trouble the widow, but giving him bread was a problem. To those uninitiated in spiritual things this would be considered an unreasonable request. I like this storys multiple approach angles and the ability to practice separating a principle from the detail used to explain it within its context. Introduction Last time we looked at 1 st King 17:2-7. A Phoenician town belonging to or apparently dependent upon Sidon in Elijahs day. So many have a difficult time managing their time- whether it comes down to homework, sports, church assignments and familial duties, they are very much like adults in this regard. Could I not wash in them and be clean? (2 Kgs. The New Historicism and the narrative-historical method. Knochs assumptions in some areas). servant, but as far as the story goers, he serves only to highlight Israels lack of faith: I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith (Luke7:9). At Zarephath the prophet was shown hospitality by a poor widow, whose flour and oil were miraculously sustained during a great famine and whose son Elijah, in God's power, subsequently raised from death. Is it not typically widows who were in need of provision? The widows faith was about to undergo another test. Moreover, a powerful theme that emerges from this story is the belief that our hospitality to the stranger may not only help the other, but actually be responsible for our own survival. If we exercise the faith we will get the blessing; if we do not, we will lose it.. Or are you looking at the text from some otherposition? In other words, the word of truth WRONGLY divided (2 Tim. You must be joking, some might have said. Dealing with the opposite gender. And yet, he cares for the poor and the oppressed people of God and helps them. Yes, Israels God may occasionally have sent a prophet to bless a foreigner, but Jesus makes no attempt to develop the principle systematically. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Please, he said, bring me a little water in a cup so that I may drink. When she went to get him some water, Elijah added: Please, bring me a piece of bread. (1Ki. The verses before that tell us that Ahab was Israels king and he had married Jezebel. At that time, there was a widow who lived in Zarephath. This woman was not an Israelite but rather lived in the region of the Sidonians on the coast of modern day Lebanon. Although the poor widow of Zarephath lived among idolaters, she exercised faith. The widow realized this as she continued in faith and through her friendship with Elijah (see 1 Kings 17:17-24). A widow will provide for you." Zarephath! Designed using Unos Premium. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." 10 So Elijah got up and went to Zarephath. 3. Israel is stubborn and goes its own way. It has been vacant for decades, having had the following incumbents: A Heavy Neolithic archaeological site of the Qaraoun culture that pre-dated Sarepta by several thousand years was discovered at Sarafand by Hajji Khalaf. 5. 17-24). This is where the widow resided a place that was full of idolatry and rebellion and yet it was just the place where God was going to pour out His grace and extend His love to this Gentile woman. Luke 4:26says there were many widows inIsrael at the time but Elijah was sent to none of them. I have directed a widow(H) there to supply you with food. 10So he went to Zarephath. is also an extremely useful referencesite. It appears in the Greek form Sarepta in Luke 4:26 (the King James Version), and is said to be in the land of Sidon. Many students made the connection between the woman and the commandment to pay tithing. Moreover, this help extends into the next pericope (verses 17-24), for when the widows son dies, it is Elijah whom the widow has helped all along who becomes the instrument by means of which God gives life to her son. That is until the wadi, which had been providing Elijah with much needed water, ran dry. It is possible that this woman is a widow due to the famine in the land. Actually, she divulges something of her inner despair saying that she is finding firewood in order to prepare a meal for her and her son that she suspect will be their last (verse 12). View all posts by robinsmit author. Course he isnt safe. Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 4:25-26 A city on the coast of the great sea (the Mediterranean) in the region of Phoenicia. The account in 1Kings chapter17 says no more about this woman. As surely as Jehovah your God is living, she replied, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the large jar and a little oil in the small jar. WATV is an abbreviation for Witness of Ahnsahnghong TeleVision.. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, in keeping with the word of God spoken by Elijah. A Phoenician town 'belonging to' or apparently dependent upon Sidon in Elijah's day. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there () gathering sticks. Instead God chose a widow in Zaraphath a foreigner outside of Israels borders. In the prior account, for instance, Elijah is commanded, hide yourself by the Wadi Cherith (1 Kings 17:3) east of the Jordan. zar'-e-fath (tsarephath; Sarepta): The Sidonian town in which Elijah was entertained by a widow after he left the brook Cherith ( 1 Kings 17:9 ). How are we like Elijah? Would you please bring me a little water?. Once condemned to hunger, death, and suffering, the widow is given a new word that nullifies her original death sentence. Moreover, since the stories involve a poor woman and a powerful man, Jesus has effectively abolished all distinctions of ethnicity, gender and status. Swearing an oath, she confronts the prophet directly with the hard facts of her situation: As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die. The widow sharply contradicts what Elijah knows by a promise: I have commanded a widow there to feed you (1 Kings 17:9). Appreciate your posting about Mr. Middletons book. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you." 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. We saw that there was not going to be any rain for 3 years so God told Elijah to go to the brook Cherith. Why God sent Elijah to this widow and not some one else we will never know. In order to make each one into an applicable statement of principle one only needs then to substitute their name and perhaps some personal appetite or some piece of prophetic counsel into each statement. (Acts 24:15) Surely these are excellent reasons for remembering the widow of Zarephath. Here is a widow with a son who was not one of the children of Israel 1 Kings 17:10. ( 1Ki 17:8-24; Lu 4:25, 26) It later marked an . In fact, she is so short on food that she is preparing for her own death (1 Kings 17:12). ), and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad, will possess the cities of the south.[3] The medieval lexicographer, David ben Abraham Al-Alfs, identifies Zarephath with the city of arfend (Judeo-Arabic: ). I shared an experience I had when I was a teenager about a young man who had everything yet felt like he didnt have any friends. He is on their side. Most of the others have learned the hard way that life takes you places that most definitely were not part of your plan A, B, C or even D. And sometimes it happens that one finds oneself in the outskirts and even in the midst of a prolonged drought or famine. Then we should act in harmony with Jehovahs direction regardless of how difficult it may be to accept it. Sarepta as a Christian city was mentioned in the Itinerarium Burdigalense; the Onomasticon of Eusebius and in Jerome; by Theodosius and Pseudo-Antoninus who, in the 6th century call it a small town but very Christian. The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath exemplifies God's inclination to use ordinary individuals as vessels to accomplish extraordinary miracles. So these two prophetic narratives are the key to interpreting the Nazareth manifesto(267). In this discourse the Savior explains that through Him our needs will be supplied. The message that God provides in the most unlikely of places and by means of the most unlikely of people may help us to be receptive to Gods provision when (not if) it comes. We will indeed be blessed if we act in harmony with this wise proverb: Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. But through our widow-like obedience we have some amazing experiences and find how much the Lord does take care of us. 10:13-15). 3:5,6. Zarephath was a gentile country. Add to this the fact that we live in a culture that glamorizes beauty and sets unrealistic expectations for young people, and you have a serious problem. After Elijah announced the drought, God hid him from Ahab and miraculously fed the prophet with bread and meat brought to him by ravens. Some piebald flint blades were also found along with hammerstones in Nummulitic limestone that resemble finds from Aadloun II (Bezez Cave), which is located 1 kilometre (0.62mi) to the South. Elijah promises her that if she will feed him first, that her meal and oil will not run out (1 Kings 17:13-14). Take the example of Elijah. Next blog post well look at Jesus other example, Naaman the Syrian.. Robin Smit and her husband Steve divide their time between their farmhouse in Northern California and beach living in San Clemente, CA. The widow of Sidon "But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow." Luke 4:25-26 17:17,18) What do those bitter words mean? Berean Standard Bible Now the woman looks at her resurrected son and thrills to his smile. Instead, she acted in faith, trusted in Jehovah, and fed Elijah first. Yet, what did Elijah say? Dont you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Our hearts need to beat for our enemies the way Gods doeswith love, restoration, being ministers of reconciliation. In Luke chapter 4 Jesuswas giving them examples of the Gentiles that Elijah and Elisha had done miracles among and this widow woman in 1 King 17:8-16 is one of them. [16] He Is Sent to a Widow of Zarephath. Kings 17:8-24 sermon by Rev. A century later, according to Burchard of Mount Sion, it was in ruins and contained only seven or eight houses. There are greater works to be done and Elijah is commanded to go to Zarephath and be nourished by a widow. Jehovah had determined that there would be a long drought in the realm of Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. Look! Elijah must have been shocked by the death of the widows son and by her idea that the prophets very presence was responsible for her heartbreaking bereavement. This man is not just a Gentileeverything about him defines the opposition. But despite his circumstances, he is a compassionate friend to Israel and helps them when they cannot help themselves, as well as recognizing the authority of Jesus and what he has come to do and has implicit faith in him. Day 178: 1Kings17-19 #podcast #BibleinaYear . 5So he did what the Lord had told him. Psalm 2:8 says ask of Me and I will give you the nations as your inheritance. The point that Jesus explicitly makes is that there were many widows and lepers in Israel but they were overlooked. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. If this radical re-application of Isaiah's prophecy was such an important part of Jesus' programme, why is it confined to his home town of Nazareth? It has had the following incumbents of the fitting episcopal (lowest) rank: It was established as titular bishopric no later than the 15th century. All rights reserved. 17:16; 18:1) If that woman had acted differently, the loaf of bread that she made from her meager supply of flour and oil may well have been her last meal. The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom1992, The Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom2014, The Widow of Zarephath Was Rewarded for Her Faith. 4:2527). Through this service, the Lord will provide us with what we need. Why did Jesus instruct his disciples not to preach the kingdom of God to Gentiles and Samaritans? If this radical re-application of Isaiahs prophecy was such an important part of Jesus programme, why is it confined to his home town of Nazareth? After Elijah announced the drought, God hid him from Ahab and miraculously fed the prophet with bread and meat brought to him by ravens. Thus it is with us,at various steps in the journey of life the Lord brings us to the place where he tests our faith. CS Lewis gets this point across in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: Aslan is a lionthe Lion, the great Lion., Ooh! said Susan, Id thought he was a man. Gods blessing upon her family continued until the end of the famine. 223225, 1980, Charles Cutler Torrey, The Exiled God of Sarepta, Berytus, vol. Overcoming evil with love not judgement. 5. Despite her limited knowledge of Jehovah, she believed Elijah and did what he asked of her. In fact, during the reign of King Ahab, Baal worship even became prominent in Israel. The narrative-historical methodan outline, Some rough and ready rules for doing a narrative-historical reading of the New Testament. 8352 Views . Elijah brings a word of faith into a moment of deep fear and resignation. Ephesians 2:8-10for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;not of works, that no man should glory. A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed . The Widow at Zarephath Who Supplied Elijah With Food 1 Kings 17:8-16. New Living Translation Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. So Elijah begged: OJehovah my God, please, let this childs life come back into him.1Ki. It became a bishopric, which faded, and remains a double (Latin and Maronite) Catholic titular see. After covering that aspect of the narrative, we examined how like the widow, we give of ourselves to the Lord when we give our time and talents to Him. Who said anything about safe? (Matt. In Luke 4 the people expected God to judge their enemies to have vengeance on them. Consider carefully what Elijah asked the widow to do. Truth be told, sometimes we all feel that way. he was sent to this widow only.. a Gentile widow. The widow recognized Elijah as a God-fearing Israelite. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,"Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Elijah went there. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.. healing, deliverance, rescue, making wholeto ALL who believe (Romans 1:16). When she was gathering sticks around . Two Phoenician Inscriptions Carved in Ivory: Again the Ur Box and the Sarepta Plaque. Orientalia 59, no. The widow, a seemingly insignificant person in the grand scheme of society, was chosen by God to demonstrate His divine intervention and provision. It is vital that the students learn this skill so that they continue to learn when they are not with us. After we have eaten, we will die. (1Ki. This gracious gift of salvation comes in the form of sustenance daily bread. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, 9 "Arise, go to () Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. He clearly believes that Jesus can heal his (Jewish?) Gods blessings are so close within our reach! By sending Elijah to this widow, Jehovah showed that He takes note of well-intentioned individuals who are not yet serving Him. as Auxiliary Bishop of, Johann Anton Wallreuther (1731.03.05 1734.01.16) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Jean de Cairol de Madaillan (1760.01.28 1770.01.29) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Jean-Denis de Vienne (1775.12.18 death 1800) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Alois Jozef Krakowski von Kolowrat (1800.12.22 1815.03.15) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Johann Heinrich Milz (1825.12.19 death 1833.04.29) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Johann Stanislaus Kutowski (1836.02.01 death 1848.12.29) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Franz Xaver Zenner (1851.02.17 death 1861.10.29) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Nicholas Power (1865.04.30 death 1871.04.05) as, Jean-Franois Jamot (1874.02.03 1882.07.11) as only, Antonio Scotti (1882.09.25 1886.01.15) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Paulus Palsthy (1886.05.04 death 1899.09.24) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Filippo Genovese (Italian) (1900.12.17 death 1902.12.16), no actual prelature, Joseph Mller (1903.04.30 death 1921.03.21) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Edward Doorly (1923.04.05 1926.07.17) as Coadjutor Bishop of, Petar Dujam Munzani (1926.08.13 1933.03.16) as, Franois-Louis Auvity (1933.06.02 1937.08.14) as Auxiliary Bishop of, Francesco Canessa (1937.09.04 1948.01.14), Athanasios Cheriyan Polachirakal (1953.12.31 1955.01.27), William P. Anderson, Sarepta I: The late bronze and Iron Age strata of area II.Y: the University Museum of the University of Pennsylvania excavations at Sarafand, Lebanon (Publications de l'Universite libanaise), Dpartement des publications de l'Universite Libanaise, 1988. After a time, Elijah is sent by the Lord to a widow that lives north of the land of Israel near Sidon in Zarephath (F1 on the map: Greek = Sarepta- see Luke 4:26). A collection in the National Museum of Beirut marked "Jezzine ou Sarepta" consisted of around twelve neatly made discoid- and tortoise-cores in cherty flint of a cream colour with a tinge of red.[14]. Why, of all people, was a Sidonite chosen? James B. Pritchard, SAREPTA. For a start, it's not much to go on. The Lord moves Elijah onward from hiding out from King Ahab, the most wicked king Israel ever had (1Ki 16:30). It is, moreover, ironic that the widow herself is considered a foreigner from an Israelite point of view. The widow then told Elijah: Now I know that you truly are a man of God and that Jehovahs word in your mouth is truth.1Ki. 101-114, Judson Press, 1972. For a start, its not much to go on. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land,and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.Luke 4:25-26, Yesterday my blog post was on Luke 4:16-30Jesus is our Jubilee. In Luke 4:24-26, Jesus uses the example of the widow of Zarephath to make the point that a prophet is not accepted in the prophets hometown. Go home and do as you have said. The opportunity to receive Gods blessings is given to those who always obey Gods will with faith. Today on #MeditatingtheWord: Elijah's prophecy of drought, the widow of Zarephath, Elijah and the prophets of Baal, the drought ends, Elijah flees from Jezebel, Elijah meets God at Mount Horeb, and Elisha becomes a disciple of Elijah. He said to her, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink," and, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand" (verses 11-12). The coming near of the kingdom of God will mean judgment for those towns of Israel (such as Chorazin and Capernaum) that do not receive the messengers (10:10-15). Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. This is a common lot of youth, and it is important for them to know that they are not alone. 83, no. Monachus Borchardus, Descriptio Terrae sanctae, et regionum finitarum, vol. 17:11-14. 5:12). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Elijahs ministry in this story is to bring a word from the outside that silences and finally nullifies the death sentence resting over the head of the widow and her son. The widow had provided for his prophet and had exercised faith. Beyond the walls of our reality, with the eyes of faith, let us look at the blessings God has prepared for us. We saw the video entitled Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath on the Old Testament resource DVD package (disc 2). south-southwest of Sidon. God tells Elijah to go toZarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there because He has commanded a widow there to supply him with food. In the absence of food, the only logical conclusion is that death will soon follow. He was Elijah the prophet, who came to Zarepath as God told him to. She added faith to her acknowledgement. 17:20,21. Is hequite safe? In view of Jesus positive reference to her, however, she may have lived out her days as a faithful servant of Jehovah. A lesson that we can learn from this is that God blesses those who exercise faith. Amadasi Guzzo, Maria Giulia. so angry with someone or tired of their treatment of us that we cry out like David slay the wicked Lord! or like the disciples Lord, do you want us tocall fire downfrom heaven to destroy them?. [18] That usage is retained in daily use in contemporary Israel. Some responses the students gave in class were insightful. What a total, thoroughgoing embarrassment this would be to the oppressive power structure of the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees. In this desolate place, God provides for Elijah by sending ravens to bring food unlikely agents of Gods provision as ravens were considered scavengers and the meat they would have brought would be considered unclean. When He begins talking to them in verses 23-27, He was addressing their neglect of being a people of The Blessing.Gen 12:3 I have blessed you to be a blessing to ALL families of the earth. by Frank Frick In Brief Ninth century B.C.E. Jehovah then told Elijah: Rise up, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there. The Widow of Zarephath. Designated Area I, it was excavated in 1969-70. It was a place of isolation and he was taken right out of the picture. she had a distinctly ignoble one. The Bible does not tell us, but one point is clear: The widow did not accuse God of any unrighteousness. See, says her houseguest, your son is alive.. What they wanted was free bread (John 6:26), what they needed was to have their spiritual needs met, to be filled by the Saviors goodness (John 6:53-56). We tend to like Scriptures like the one in Romans 12:19 that says Vengeance is mine says the Lord, I will repay. Why didnt Jesus just come out and say it: God is going to punish you with violent, Notes on J. Richard Middletons The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1. When he arrived at the city gate, there was a widow gathering sticks.