God of Miracles 1 Kings 17.7-16 “Provided through a destitute widow??”

Getting into the Text Did you know this isn’t the first-time people rushed to buy toilet paper- thinking there wasn’t going to be enough? Zachary Crockett describes "The Great Toilet Paper Scare of 1973," on his Priceonomics blog (2014).

For most Americans, 1973 was marred by shortages. After the stock market crashed and lost 45% of its value, there were shortages of oil, gasoline, electricity, and even onions. The U.S. spiraled into a period of economic stagnation and a "shortage psychology." Then, right in the midst of this economic turmoil, a toilet paper scare ignited a communal panic attack.

It all started with unsubstantiated rumors. In November of 1973, news agencies reported a tissue shortage in Japan. Then a U.S. Congressman issued a press release stating, "The U.S. may face a serious shortage of toilet paper within a few months … a toilet paper shortage is no laughing matter. It is a problem that will potentially touch every American."

The media ran wild and sensationalized the story. Then Johnny Carson, the host of the Tonight Show, joked in his monologue, "You know we've got all sorts of shortages these days. But have you heard the latest? I'm not kidding. I saw it in the papers. There's a shortage of toilet paper!" Millions of Americans swarmed grocery outlets and hoarded all the toilet paper they could get. People told their friends to bring their own toilet paper to baby showers. Merchandisers struggled to re-stock supplies. For four months, toilet paper was a rare commodity. It was bartered and traded, and a black market even emerged. Slowly, Americans realized that there had never been a shortage. It had been artificially created by gossip, rumors, and a cultural frenzy.

Is there going to be enough for me? No- Americans thought in 1973 and an anxious-filled “no” in answer to that question also fueled the panic buying of many people early on and still to some extent now during this COVID-19 pandemic- no, there isn’t going to be enough toilet paper or hand sanitizer- buy all you can now, even if it means others go without. Is there going to be enough? It isn’t a new question. It’s a fear- based question.

Elijah is dealing with a shortage of his own. The brook he drinks water from dries up. This is the result of the prophecy he announced to Ahab to prove Baal, the supposed storm and rain god is nothing but an idol- “there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” The resulting drought effects Elijah. This verifies that Elijah is a true prophet, but it also invites the question, “Will there be enough?”

Read 1 Kings 17.7-9

This might be more surprising and startling than the Lord’s promise to feed Elijah on the wings of dirty birds like ravens! Elijah is instructed to go to Zarephath in the region of Sidon- this is enemy territory! This is where Jezebel is from. This is where her father, King Ethbaal, reigns. Further, this will be a long journey. The map shows a possible route Elijah takes to get there.

In addition, while it might actually be a good hiding place for Elijah, since Ahab and Jezebel would not likely start there in their search for him, this is the heart of Baal country. Elijah is a fugitive on the run in a foreign land. Will he find anyone friendly to him there?

Yes, the word of the Lord insists, but who is almost laughable from a human point of view- a widow there will provide for him. Widows, orphans and foreigners are under the protection and watchful care of the Lord. Deuteronomy 10.17 says, “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” Israel is instructed to share this concern. Exodus 22.22 says, “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.” Deuteronomy 24.19 instructs, “When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands”. That’s just one of many examples (See also Deuteronomy 24.19-21; 27.19; Psalm 68.5; 146.9; Isaiah 1.17; Jeremiah 22.3; Luke 20.45-47).

The point being in Elijah’s situation- widows need to be provided for—how can a widow provide for him? Widows are among the marginalized and most disadvantaged and poorest people in biblical times. Widows without family to support them are destitute, reliant on gleanings of the fields. Think of Ruth and Naomi for example, so how in the world will this widow provide for Elijah? It would be like the Lord saying to us, “Go I have commanded a homeless person there to provide for you.”

Providers are usually those with means and resources. The word is used of Joseph’s provision for his father Jacob and his brothers and their family in a time of famine (Genesis 45.11; 47.12; 50.21). Joseph is second only to Pharaoh in the land (see also Barzillai in 2 Sam. 19.32). He is in a “position” to provide, but a widow in a foreign land is not. The same word for provide is also used in 17.4 of the way the ravens would supply food for Elijah, now Elijah must trust again that provision will be made- this time through maybe even an unlikelier source- a destitute widow in Baal country. But again, Elijah goes in obedience to the Lord’s command.

Read 1 Kings 17.10-12 The widow’s answer to Elijah’s requests reveal her situation is even more dire than first thought. She is not only a widow she has a son also dependent on her for food. She is unable to provide fully for either of them. In fact, she is collecting sticks to bake a last meal and then they will wait to starve to death. How will she provide for Elijah? This will be a miracle. She is at the end of her resources- a little flour and a little oil is all she has left. She doesn’t have any prospect of her circumstances changing. Think of her mindset that entire day- “Well this is it. One last meal is all we have enough for. Then, we will die.”

Then Elijah asks her for all she has left. This is a depiction of hopelessness and despair if there ever was one- bare cupboards, no husband, one last meal, only death in the future, a boy she can’t provide for and he apparently is not old enough yet to provide for her. She isn’t even thinking of a miracle provision. Baal can’t do such things. Baal can’t even make it rain, so there can be food. Baal is an idol.

Is there going to be enough? It isn’t a new question. It’s a fear- based question. Our answer to the question might in fact reveal the source or foundation of our security.

Hopelessness, despair and fear are certainly prominent these days, which would indicate another foundation than the Lord for many people. Our district superintendent shared a graphic with pastor a couple of weeks ago that illustrates this (see next page). The question being asked is, “Who do I want to be during COVID-19?” Three zones are pictured- the first is the fear zone and is characterized by the following statements- “I grab food, toilet paper and medications that I don’t need.” “I spread emotions related to fear and anger.” “I forward all messages I receive (without considering the source or its truthfulness).” “I get mad easily.”

This is what Zachary Crockett describes as a "shortage psychology.” Others have called it the “scarcity mindset”. It is easy to see how this leads to despair, violence and hopelessness.

The one other statement listed in the fear zone- “I complain frequently” brought to mind another biblical example. In Numbers 11, the people complain about not having meat to eat-they yearn for their well-rounded diet in Egypt. In his own complaint to the Lord about this, Moses struggles with the same question we have been asking, “Is there enough?” When the Lord says He will provide meat for the people, Moses asks, “The people number six hundred thousand on foot; and you say, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month’! Are there enough flocks and herds to slaughter for them? Are there enough fish in the sea to catch for them?” The implied answer is no.

Is Moses right? Are the panic shoppers right? This brings up another aspect of this that we must grapple with- the fact is that many do in fact go hungry and starve to death today. This widow and her son are on the verge of death, but her situation isn’t an exception or regulated to that day.

Approximately 793 million people are starving around the world, according to the U.N…Of the 793 million, more than 100 million suffer from severe malnutrition and risk starving to death.

It should make us think about what we are supposed to be doing with all our abundance.

Many of us throw away more food in a day than the widow and many others have left to live on. We waste so much of what could have been shared in some way. The Lord provides through His Church is these ways. Perhaps we have learned to rely on and love our abundance (idol), instead of being willing to share with those without. Perhaps we have thought we have earned this abundance to be hoarded for ourselves. We would be wrong on both accounts. The Psalmist warns, “If riches increase (stimulus check), don’t put your trust in them.” The writer of Hebrews says, “Share what you have.”

That’s part of what makes this account in 1 Kings 17 so startling- the destitute widow is the one being asked to share out of her poverty…..but with a promise.

Read 1 Kings 17.13-16

“Don’t be afraid.” This announces that her circumstances can change. This announces that there is a future with hope for her. This announces an inbreaking of a new reality. This is a life-giving announcement. This is actually perfect timing Elijah assures her, but this is a promise of provision from the little she already has. She must be willing to use it as Elijah directs- make some bread for him first and then for she and her son. But what will be left if she does that?

Her lack is met with the Lord’s promise and the promise isn’t just for that day, but until the drought ends; until the Lord who is God sends rain (and not Baal). This is a word of hope also- The Lord will send rain. Crops and harvest will be replenished. The drought and famine will eventually end! This also announces that the Lord is God over all the earth, even in Baal country; even in enemy territory! The Lord’s sovereign reign isn’t limited by boundary lines. The Lord can provide anywhere, for anyone and through the most unlikely people- even a destitute widow! If she will trust the Lord’s promise, “The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry.”

The poorest people are often the most generous, but she also genuinely seems to believe the Lord’s promise. Elijah isn’t giving her trite advice or superficial comfort. This miracle is promised hope and she embraces the promise of life and future for she and her son and makes the bread for Elijah first.

Is there going to be enough? The Lord’s response to Moses in Numbers 11 is a good one to insert here- “Is the Lord’s power limited?” And the implied answer is “no!” And just as the Lord said, “The jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry.” She went from one more meal’s worth of food to food for every day! That’s a miracle provision!

Don’t be afraid is a word for us as well- that is a word to any way we are living in the fear zone concerning COVID-19 or in any other way. Don’t be afraid- that addresses our shortage psychology and scarcity mindset. Don’t be afraid- you’re not alone to carry the burden. You have a circle of support in the Body of Christ. “Don’t be afraid” aren’t floating words said by whoever- this is the Lord’s pronouncement through Elijah. Don’t be afraid- this assurance comes with a promise.

The Lord does not send Elijah to a rich man or a ruler with every resource at his fingertips, but to this widow- one of the most marginalized, destitute people in that society to provide through. Why? This isn’t meant as a slight against widows, but to emphasize that it is the Lord who is doing the multiplying and providing- that’s the promise that accompany- “Don’t be afraid” here. Elijah isn’t asked to depend on ravens and a widow ultimately- he is asked to depend on God who could miraculously provide through even dirty birds and a destitute widow.

Let’s acknowledge the Lord is our Provider and Sustainer then! Psalm 23.1 says, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” It’s a statement of such trust. That’s what Jesus teaches us to do in the Lord’s Prayer- to trust the Father- “Give us this day our daily bread.” Trust and obey- there is no other way to be happy in Jesus!

The Lord also invites us to trust Him, as he did of the widow, to give first to the Lord’s purposes. The Lord is supposed to come first in our giving. He doesn’t get what we might have leftover. He gets the first fruits in our tithes and offerings. Even if what we give is meager in comparison to others, the Lord can make it grow for Kingdom use and He does bless such obedience. That applies beyond tithes and offerings. Little is much when God is in it.

The Lord also invites us to trust Him and rightly use all that He has given us overall. It is of note that this miracle demonstrates the Lord’s care for widows and the fatherless. It invites us to think of others in need and I’m so grateful to see God at work through you in this way-

Child Sponsorship- Continue to pray for Vera, Antal and Codruta Community Garden- We are planting this Saturday- Lord willing! This helps many in the community- not only with

food, but with prayer. The response for Jackie whose daughter was murdered last week and for her family- Thank you to everyone who

provided a meal, food or money for them this week. The care you have shown for one another has greatly encouraged me.

David Li prayed in one of the prayer meeting before the stay at home order something like, “What the world needs more than food is love. The world needs love.” All of these above examples really express the love of Christ and that He is enough! That’s the best answer to our question, “Is there going to be enough?” His grace is enough. I don’t say that tritely, but believe with all my heart and have experienced concerning every need- Christ is enough!

Response His Grace Is Sufficient for Me (enclosed)

Benediction Numbers 6.24-26