Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: GENEROUS (10/14/21)
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TITLE: The Widow Woman of Zarepath | Previous Challenge Entry
By Shanta Richard
10/19/21 -
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(I Kings .17:9 -16). This is a well-known portion of scripture that has inspired many sermons and books. Nothing much is mentioned about the widow woman, not even her name.
However, while preaching in a synagogue, Jesus Christ refers to her. (Luke. 4:25&26). It was while reading these verses that I became intrigued by this nameless widow woman of Zarephath. Who was she and what made her so special that Jehovah God, choose her above all other widows in Israel? Evidently she is a heathen for while talking to Elijah she mentions, ' the Lord, your God' (I Kings 17:12), meaning that He is not her God. Therefore, I believe this heathen woman has an exceptional quality that pleases Jehovah God. I decided that I have to find out. I want to emulate her and I want to please my God so that He can use me too. I, therefore,reread the story focusing on the widow woman.
At the beginning of the story Israel is suffering under a terrible famine. There is no rain, the crops are scorched and water is scarce. In this desperate situation I find a hopeless, helpless woman, at the end of her resources. She is picking up sticks to light a fire to cook a last meal for her and her son. Her miserable thoughts are interrupted by someone calling her. She looks up to find a traveler-worn, dirty, dusty man asking for some water. He was asking for water in a famine ridden land which had not seen rain for so long!
But, yes, she did have a little of that precious liquid, that was worth more than silver or gold. The woman knew that it was not worth anything when you are facing death. Might as well share it with him , she thought. As she turned to go, the man called again for a piece of bread. She stops and faces the man, and tells him that she has no bread, only some flour and oil to make enough bread for her and her son, for a last meal before they die of hunger.
"That's OK. Just give me a portion of that bread and my God will supply all our need till the famine is over" the man said. No God can rain bread forum heaven, she thinks. Ofcource, she had heard of manna from heaven, but that was not during a famine. She looks at the hungry man before her and the mother in her fills her heart with compassion and pity. She goes home bakes a loaf of bread and shares her last meal with him and her son.
That spirit of compassion, that overflow of generosity , not when the hand is full, but when it is almost empty, is what Jehovah God saw in her. He knew He could trust her. Under the same circumstances, will I be faithful with the little I have? Could I be as generous as her? One day when I meet my Savior, will I hear Him say, " Well done my good and faithful servant ?"
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