The Way
The Widow's Jar of Flour at Zarephath
The last handful of flour
Story
The Lord sent Elijah to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, which Jezebel's father ruled. At the town gate a widow was gathering dry sticks. When Elijah asked for water and a piece of bread, the widow said, “All I have is a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am going to make one last meal for my son and me, and then we will die.”
Elijah said, “Don't be afraid. First make a small loaf for me and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. The jar of flour will not run out and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain.” The widow did as Elijah said. The jar never emptied, and the widow, Elijah and her household ate for many days.
Some time later the widow's son fell ill and stopped breathing. The widow cried out, “Man of God, did you come to remind me of my sin and to kill my son?” Elijah carried the boy up to the upper room, stretched himself out on him three times, and cried out to the Lord. The Lord heard Elijah's cry, and the boy breathed again. The widow said, “Now I know. The word of the Lord in your mouth is true.”
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and the Prophets
Don't be afraid. The jar of flour will not run out and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain.
Get up, go to Zarephath in the land of Sidon, and stay there. I have commanded a widow there to feed you.
Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is true.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 1 Kgs 17:8–24
Background
Zarephath was a village on the Mediterranean coast between Sidon and Tyre, in the land where Baal was worshiped and where Jezebel's father ruled. Jesus himself brought up this widow's story in the synagogue at Nazareth.
Pause and Reflect
Even when I don't have enough, can I share with someone?