Influential Women of the Bible: The Widow of Zarephath

Influential Women of the Bible: The Widow of Zarephath
The story of The Widow of Zarephath is found in 1 Kings 17:8-16.
Have you ever heard someone say, a closed mouth doesn’t get fed? It is a phrase meant to express the opinion that if one is not assertive about making his or her concerns known, their concerns will remain unresolved. But what is to come of those who are in need, but lack the voice to signal help? Who is to care for them?
The Bible tells how God himself has a special love and care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. He describes Himself as “a father to the fatherless, [and] a defender of widows” (Psalms 68:5). “The LORD watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked” (Psalm 146:9). In the Old Testament, He commanded the Israelites to treat widows and foreigners with compassion and to provide for them. In the New Testament, pure and faultless religion is evidenced by the care of orphans and widows in distress (James 1:27).
The Widow of Zarephath was a widow and a single mother of a young son. She wasn’t a Jew. She wasn’t a daughter of the Covenant; she was a Phoenician woman who lived during a time of great famine. But it was to her that God sent His prophet, Elijah, to be sustained during the famine. She only had a handful of flour and a little oil in a jar, which she was planning to serve as a last meal for her and her son. But God had other plans for her life! God planned to miraculously provide daily provision for the widow, her son, and Elijah throughout the remainder of the famine. God spoke through Elijah and said, “Don’t be afraid! Make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” (1 Kings 17:13-14 NLT). And God provided exactly as He spoke through Elijah.
Even if you feel you don’t have a voice among men, know that your voice is heard in the ears of God. He sees and knows every one of your cares and needs. He will never ignore you. He will never fail you. He only asks us to trust Him. God is still a miraculous provider, granting what we need sometimes in the most unexpected ways!

(From the series, “Influential Women of the Bible” by Pastor Steven R. Williams, Sr.)