Like the remarkable widow of Zarephath, the Holy Bible features numerous passages about women who played pivotal roles in God’s purposes. In this study of the widow of Zarephath, we will explore the inspiring story of faith and generosity of a woman who, amidst scarcity, fully trusted in divine provision. Her act of sharing the little she had with the prophet Elijah not only demonstrated her trust in God but also led to a miracle of provision that transformed not only her life but also that of her family.
This passage teaches us valuable lessons about trust, solidarity, and the importance of serving others, even in the face of adversity. Her story is a powerful reminder that faith and generosity can open doors to unimaginable blessings, revealing the greatness of God’s love and provision in our lives.
I don’t know how you came across this study or what your needs are, but God will reveal powerful lessons through this exploration of 1 Kings 17:12:
And she said, 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 have gathered 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, KJV).
1. God Blesses Not Only Your Life but Others’ Through Small Actions
In 1 Kings 17:7-16, the widow of Zarephath shared her scarce resources with Elijah, teaching us that it’s not the amount we have but the willingness to share with others that matters. The Bible provides several examples of people who, with few resources, blessed many lives:
- The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:7-16): During a severe drought, she shared her last meal with Elijah and was miraculously blessed with meal and oil that never ran out.
For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth (1 Kings 17:14, KJV).
- The Poor Widow (Mark 12:41-44): Jesus praised a poor widow who gave all she had as an offering in the temple, highlighting her sacrificial generosity.
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living (Mark 12:43-44, KJV).
- The Boy with the Loaves and Fishes (John 6:1-14): A young boy shared his five loaves and two fish, which Jesus multiplied to feed over five thousand people.
And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost (John 6:11-12, KJV).
God’s Word reveals that what seems small to us can have profound significance in someone else’s life. God works powerfully, transforming the little we have into much, blessing both the giver and the receiver. May we be inspired to spread love and solidarity wherever we go.
Context of 1 Kings 17:1-7
Elijah prophesied to Ahab that there would be no rain for three and a half years, challenging the people’s belief that Baal controlled the rain and harvests. Disturbed by their idolatry, Elijah declared the drought to show that true power belongs to God. The Lord sent him to the brook Cherith, where he was sustained by ravens and water from the brook. When the brook dried up, God directed him to Zarephath, a city outside Israel, where a widow was already prepared to provide for him.
Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee (1 Kings 17:9, KJV).
Elijah, trusting in divine guidance, set out for Zarephath, confident that God had already prepared the way.
The Meaning of Zarephath
Zarephath was a coastal Phoenician city, located 1,126.3 km south of Zidon, in modern-day Sarafand, Lebanon. Its name means “smelting furnace” or “to refine,” likely due to the metalworking activities in the region at the time. This divine choice reflects how God can refine and transform lives amidst adversity.
Why Did God Choose the Widow?
God chose the widow of Zarephath as an example of unwavering faith. Despite her extreme poverty, she trusted in divine providence, becoming a channel of blessings for Elijah and herself. Her story teaches us to hold fast to hope in times of scarcity, showing that true faith can overcome any challenge.
2. The Little We Have Will Be Multiplied by God
In 1 Kings 17:12, the widow describes her desperate situation: only a handful of meal, a little oil, and two sticks to prepare a final meal for herself and her son before facing death. Yet, her trust and generosity in responding to Elijah’s request led to a miracle: the meal and oil never ran out.
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah (1 Kings 17:15-16, KJV).
The widow’s faith changed her fate. She exchanged the certainty of death for God’s certainty, seeing the invisible through faith, as described in:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1, KJV).
The divine formula is clear: obedience + faith = miracles. The widow followed Elijah’s instructions, trusting in God, and was sustained through the drought. God desires to do great things in our lives, but we must believe His Word and act in faith.
A Call to Faith
The widow of Zarephath is an inspiring example of trust in God. Even with little, she shared her last meal, and God blessed her abundantly. Her story challenges us to trust in divine providence, even in the most difficult circumstances, and to be generous, knowing that God will meet our needs.
Check out our Bible study on Luke 18:35-43 – “A Blind Man Saw More Than the Crowd” – to discover more lessons on transformative faith.
May we share this message of faith with those who have not yet encountered God’s power. If this study has blessed your life, we ask for two things:
- Leave a comment: Share how this message touched your heart.
- Share on social media: Help other lives be impacted by God’s power.
