She Went and Did

#5 2024 Top Ten Editors Note: Now through January 5 I am posting the Top Ten posts of 2024.

The circumstances are dire. She is almost out of food—about to prepare the last meal for her and her son. Then a man shows up and asks for some water and a piece of bread. She barely has enough for her and her son, and now he wants her to share?

In the midst of dire circumstances, in our time of desperate need, sometimes God shows up in unusual ways with strange requests. Such was the case of the widow in 1 Kings 17:1-16. Elijah, obeying God’s word, told her to get him a drink of water, then asked her, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand (17:11, NASB).”

There is a severe drought in the land, and the widow explained to him her circumstances: “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 (12).”

It’s interesting that she began her response “As the LORD your God lives.” It appears that this widow is a woman of faith in God. Her statement acknowledged to Elijah that she believed God is alive and active. God had told Elijah, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you (9).” The widow certainly demonstrated she is willing to follow God’s command.

She responded to Elijah’s request for water, but hesitated on his request for bread. The first thing Elijah told her in his response is, “Do not fear (13).” It is a statement often used by God to reassure His people about His plans for the future. Earlier he had told Abram, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great (Genesis 15:1).” God told the Israelites through Moses, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today (Exodus 14:13).” 

After Elijah told her, “Do not fear,” he asked her to make some bread for him, then some for her and her son. He added: “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 (14).’”

The widow does not hesitate any more. “So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days (15).” She “went and did.” In the middle of her dire need, she is obedient to the Word of the Lord given to her by Elijah. God provides for her through her obedience. 

Sometimes God brings us a Word from the Lord through His faithful believers. The word they bring us may not be the answer we expected, but God calls us to be obedient. He wants us to respond as the widow did by going and doing according to His word. In the case of the widow, he provided for her needs and Elijah’s with what little she had on hand.

© 2024, Chris G. Thelen

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.” – 1 Kings 17:24, NASB

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. – Luke 12:7, NASB

Answering the Call

This post is part of the “Answering the Call” series—an exploration of the moment of decision for so many people in the Bible. To read other posts in this series, click on the category “Answering the Call” At the end of this post.