zarephath woman in the bible

As the woman was going to get some water, Elijah called to her and said. Your email address will not be published. With Israel, even after they made it out of the wilderness and got to the promised land, they experienced the test again. Zarephath was a gentile country. We dont know much about Zarephath. Is it complaining or discord with others? "The place has been identified by some with Misrephoth-maim of Joshua 11:8 and 13:6, but the latter passage would indicate that Misrephoth-maim was at the limit of the territory of the Sidonians, which Zarephath was not in the days of Joshua.See MISREPHOTH-MAIM; SIDON.Originally Sidonian, the town passed to the Tyrians after the invasian of Shalmaneser IV, 722 B.C. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. Often, Satan keeps people from being used by God in their brokenness by making them feel ashamed about their scars and brokenness, and therefore they never share their story with others. Getting To Know The Widow Of Zarephath Look on a map of the Ancient Middle East in the back of your Bible or online to find the area of Tyre and Sidon. Luke 4:25-26 Background: 10 Century BC Ahab and Jezebel were ruling the Kingdom of Israel in wickedness. Luke 4:26 Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. (e) Baumgarten. I am a scripture loving, book writing, baby snuggling, garden growing, faith-centered disciple, wife, mother, daughter, and sister. Sometimes it is Gods will to remove the trial, but most times its his will for us to persevere through the trial. Obadiah 1:20, a Phoenician seaport on the Mediterranean between Tyre and Zidon, usually subject to Tyre. Obadiah 1:20 The captives of this army of the children of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, will possess even to Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, who are in Sepharad, will possess the cities of the Negev. Go and do as you planned. Because of the great iniquity of the people, the Lord caused that there would be no rain, this lasted for three and a half years. The Widow of Zarephath did what was illogical and lived. God, what have you done? This might be a normal response for someone who was expecting God to lead them into pleasant green pastures instead of a melting place. Therefore, in the fire, we must focus on our faith. Its hard for us to realize that Gods plan for our trial is bigger than us. The Spirit of God having prompted him to ask, and her to grant, some necessary succor, she received a prophet's reward (Mt 10:41, 42), and for the one meal afforded to him, God, by a miraculous increase of the little stock, afforded many to her. Yet, she was important enough to God that he commanded Elijah to go to her. 1 Kings 17:9. When Was Apostle Paul Warned by a Prophet. What is showing up during our trial? (smelting place), the residence of the prophet Elijah during the latter part of the drought. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 4:25-26 Her Story Her arms were spindly and rough, like the dry twigs she had gathered for kindling. God does as Elijah asks. The speaker commented on how some people might misconstrue Elijah's request and criticize him for asking for the widow's food when he knew it was all she had. "Sarefta"), places it on the public road, i.e. However, the speaker brought out a good point about how the Lord works: he asks hard stuff of usthen he blesses us when we obey. Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. Josephus (Ant., VIII, xiii, 2) says it was not "far from Sidon and Tyre, for it lay between them." Through God, Elijah promises that her flour and oil will last until it rains again. Book of Mormon. 1) Ruth Who was she? In comparing our faith to gold being purified by fire, we must remember that fiery trials come to refine our faith as wellto make it free from impurities and strengthen it. But, God also uses the heat of trials to make them moldable. When considering the cost versus benefit, we soon realized our new situation wasnt that great. Int. And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 9. In fact, Peter wrote a whole book about fiery trials in 1 Peter. Application Question: How can we learn the lesson of the scarred and broken minister? | GotQuestions.org, The Fruit of the Holy Spirit What is kindness? We must be ready to help those who likewise are skeptical about the faith. The first way is through spiritual disciplines, but the second way is through trials. Then Elijah was told to go to Zarephath, for a woman there had been told to feed him, and he went at once. My Thoughts: The city of Zarephath was a Phoenician city just north of the Israelite border. To reject the bodys help is to reject Gods grace. Have we been to the melting place to prepare for further ministry? The Syrophoenician woman assigned to the source in Luke 4:26 was a tenant of Zarephath in the Bible. Even Christ was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (Matt 4:1). 1 Kings 17:9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there. We must trust God, even when our circumstances dont make sense. God does not leave her alone, once again he hears her prayers and provides deliverance. I have issued a standing challenge for all my readers The Women in the Scripture Challenge are you super brave and daring enough to take the challenge? But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it. How old do you think she was? With the previous study, we called it Kerith Valley University (KVU), in line with how others have named the message; therefore, this one is called Zarephath Graduate School, where we get advanced training for ministry. From Elijah and the widow, we can discern two of them. This was Gentile territory and, specifically, the home of Ahab's queen Jezebel and Baal worship. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. James 1:2 says, My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials. James says when you encounter trials, not if. Trials will come, and we shouldnt be surprised by them. But after the stream dried up, God sent Elijah to a new training ground in Zarephath, where God would meet his needs and teach him lessons through a poor widow. Trials do the same for us. When he went through the city gate, there was a widow gathering wood. Right now I am gathering a couple of sticks for a fire. This is exactly what God teaches about the members of his bodythe church. In the Bible, Egypt is often a picture of evil and worldliness. Application Question: What stood out most in the reading and why? Which belongeth to Zidon To the jurisdiction of that city, which was inhabited by Gentiles. We know it was a village in the Sidonian territory where Queen Jezebel was from, and it was a place of Baal worship. This seems to be more than she can bear and she reaches her breaking point. But Elijah needed to learn both that he had a blessing for the widow and the widow had a blessing for him. This is a common step in the life of discipleship. What happens next must have further shocked Elijah: The woman who was supposed to provide for his needs during the famine said she didnt have enough for him. Did we experience a difficult church situation? Though she is willing to fetch him water, she has no bread to share. We prayed and prayed, and God finally opened the door for what looked like an ideal job. It was before Peter denied Christ that the Lord said to him, When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers (Lk 22:32). Paul said, The reason I am going through these hard times is for others. l. 5. c. 19. It comes from the same word group as tested by fire in verse 7.2 God uses trials to test whether our faith is real and to purify our faith from infirmities.3 This is the next stage of Elijahs development, and it is the stage that God sends all of us through to become people he can use greatly. Even when she thinks he has forsaken her and there is no hope. Application Question: How do we pass the test of bad first impressions? It was ironic since generally, Israelites were not supposed to be mixing with the surrounding nations. As mentioned before, those who have not learned this lesson probably rarely attend church and church activities or only come to receive and not to give. There was to be an equalitya mutual dependence upon one another. Nevertheless, it was there that God promised to meet his needs. ( Luke 4:26 ). For a season, they may even drop out of church or stop serving in a ministry. After she agreed, he also asked for a piece of bread (v. 11). 1 Kings 17:7-16 New International Version Elijah and the Widow at Zarephath 7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. The Lord told him, "Get up, go to Zarephath in Sidonian territory, and live there. After we have eaten that, we will die of starvation. Again, this must have shocked Elijah. Just like some of the Punjabi music Bhangra artists. smelting-shop, "a workshop for the refining and smelting of metals", a small Phoenician town, now Surafend, about a mile from the coast, almost midway on the road between Tyre and Sidon. This mother wasn't expecting God to save her. It tests the validity of our faith. Every day the widow went into her cabinet and experienced a miracle. Do we see God and the possibilities or the difficulty and impossibilities? They are often in the pew but rarely seek to serve and bless others. It was a trip that was WAY out of his way, but he went because he knew that God had prepared someone to provide for him, and more importantly that there was someone who needed him. In a trial, we typically become self-centeredeverything is about us. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias (Elijah), when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; How old do you see her son being? But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias (Elijah), when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias (Elijah) sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive. And Elijah learned that God often chooses to send his blessings through others. Walking with the Women Books When a metal is put into a fire, the fire brings out the impurities which weaken it. This is a common experience in the melting place. Climbing the wooded hills of Galilee, he started to go down the other side to the town of Zarephath, by the seashore, where he would be out of King Ahab's //anonymous/children of the old testament/elijah and the widows son.htm, Elijah Fed by Ravens. Therefore, strengthen your listless hands and your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed. How are you working to get rid of them? Book of Mormon, Study Guides ( 1 Kings 17:9,10) It was near to, or dependent on, Zidon. God, after Elijah the prophet declared that no rain would fall on Israel, sent him to the brook Cherith so that he could be fed and hid from King Ahab. Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible. When he got to the gate of the city, he saw a widow. 1 Kings 17:8-24; Luke 4:25, 26 Pray that God would unify the church and empower us to faithfully serve, encourage, and strengthen one another. 3 Grudem, W. A. They realize they need other believers and that other believers need them. A man named Amittai was the father of the prophet Jonah (Jonah 1:1). He also served as a U.S. Navy Reserve chaplain until his retirement in 2022. This infuriates them, and they try to kill him, but Jesus walks through the mob and leaves (Luke 4:24-26). Often in ways that we never imagined. The other group of ruins is to the South, and consists of columns, sarcophagi and marble slabs, indicating a city of considerable importance. As Israel went into extreme drought, God tucked Elijah safely away from the murderous Ahab. Application Question: What has been your process of growth in the area of interdependence upon the body of Christboth in being served and serving others? In Hebrew, the name Ruth meant "uncertain" (Siegfried Horn, The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary 1979, 957-58). the road along the seashore. He had been preparing her to be an instrument in His hand; She and her son were dying of starvation and when Elijah found her they had nothing left to eat but a handful of meal in a barrel and a little oil in cruse; When Elijah asked her, she brought him water and food, even though she knew that she and her son would have nothing to eat; She prepared food for Elijah with the last of her food, and trusted his words that her barrel would not be empty; The barrel and cruse did not fail and she and her house ate for many days; Elijah lived in the widows household throughout the famine; After the famine is over her son got sick and died but was brought back to life by Elijah. Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. Luke 4:26 Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. Whether we recognize it or not God sends us manna from heaven each day we are alive. 17:1-9. God does not leave us alone. With that said, interdependence is not a license to be bad stewards of Gods resources. (2 /o/obadiah.htm - 32k, Sticks (25 Occurrences) 1 Kings 17:10 So he arose and went to Zarephath; and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks: and he called to her /s/sticks.htm - 14k, Luke 4:26Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. Both of these responses come from not trusting God. This is a lesson Gods disciples learn when they go to the fiery place as well. Zarephath was in the opposite direction from where he was. In verse 8, the Lord commanded Elijah to go to Zarephath, a town outside of Israel, where a widow would provide food for him. The widow of Nain - Luke 7:11-17 Jesus raises a widow's son. She used the name Yahweh which was Israels covenant name for God. It is represented by the modern village of Sura-fend . Therefore, it was enemy territory. 7 Short but Mighty Lessons from the Book of James, When it Comes to Miracles, God Does it His Way. Paul learned that when he was weak, he was often more effective at ministering to others, as Gods power rested upon him. God comforts me so I can comfort others. Elijah tells her not to worry, to go home and prepare this meal for her and her sonbut to first make a small loaf of bread for him. What are common responses to the test of bad first impressions? For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you. So he arose and went to Zarephath. Perhaps she was a widow because her husband had already passed away during the famine from starvation; Maybe she was gathering sticks at the gate of the city because she was too weak from starvation to go much further. Not only were they worshiping false Gods, but Jezebel had also commanded all the prophets in the land to be killed. Then Im going home to make one final meal for my son and myself. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Do we really trust God, even when things arent as we thought they would be? When Elijah reaches the town gates, he see a widow and asks her for water and bread. Acts - Revelations We also saw this test with Israel. Eusebius, Onomasticon (s.v. He obeyed, finding a woman gathering sticks. Mercy is kindness in excess of what may be expected. After Peter returned from his failure, he would be even more effective in his ministry. When Elijah arrived at Zarephath, he saw a poor widow collecting pieces of wood. But some were given the names of their village. So he got up and went to Zarephath. 17, pp. Sadly, many Christians often miss Gods grace for lack of depending on others. Jezebel was from this same area, so in sending Elijah to Zarephath God was sending Elijah into Jezebels territory. Pray that God would help us trust him when encountering unexpected trials and that he would enable us to be faithful and thankful. The woman learned it was truly a blessing to give because God often gives back and there is joy in it. When Elijah asked the widow for food, in verse 12, she replied. Greek (19 Occurrences). The fire would cleanse the metal from infirmities that made it weak, but also the fire melted the iron so it would be moldable. We must realize God is preparing us for a greater ministry through trials, so we dont quit or become further injured by them. Here Elijah sojourned with a poor widow during the "great famine," when the "heaven was shut up three years and six months" ( Luke 4:26 ; 1Kings 17:10 ). Of the old town considerable indications remain. After we have eaten that, we will die of starvation. Elijah said to her, Dont be afraid. Maybe Abraham thought, God, I left my homeland for this! This test was not only important for the widow but also for Elijah. She exclaims to Elijah What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? south-southwest of Sidon. New Living Translation Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. Probably here the Crusaders erected a chapel on what they believed to be the site of the widow's house.W. Obadiah refers to it as a Canaanite (probably meaning Phoenicia) town (Obadiah 1:20). | GotQuestions.org, What is the significance of the city of Sidon in the Bible? He was Elijah the prophet, who came to Zarepath as God told him to. The opposing narrative asserted this was because Elijah was a fugitive (see Ahab and Obadiah for more details), but M will simply present him as a sojourner. And God's providing for his prophet, first, by an unclean bird, and then by a Gentile, whom the Jews esteemed unclean, was a presage of the calling of the Gentiles, and . God molds the men and women he greatly uses through trials. Maybe, he initially thought to himself, God, I thought you were going to meet my needs? How could she do so, since she herself was so poor? Have we learned the blessing of interdependence? With that said, Elijah also learned that he could be a blessing to others, even though he had lack himself. He is in control. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her . How is this woman similar to you and experiences you have had in your life? What is our response in an unexpected trial? Behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain you. Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than goldgold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing awayand will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. He first sent Joseph to be a slave in Potiphars household, then God sent him to prison. To me it is just cool to watch His plan unfold. Do we understand that God sends us through trials so that we can teach somebody else and help them go through similar situations? Certainly, there may be many practical things we need to take care of in the midst of a trialfamily, finances, health, etc.but we must realize the main thing is our faith. I think it is great evidence of her faith that the Lord would give her the one trial she would not think she could bear and then He blessed her for that faith. Zarephath is 8.5 miles south of Sidon, and 14 miles north of Tyre. What questions or applications did you take from the reading? Right now I am gathering a couple of sticks for a fire. However, when we started, we found out it wasnt so ideal. Her doubts did not disqualify her from the miracles that the Lord wrought on her behalf, He simply regarded her heart as more than enough. Her body shook as she stood over the fire, greedily sipping and sucking the steam from the pan, as though the smell of frying bread could fill her belly and soothe her fears. Failing the test commonly leads to intensifying, extending, or repeating it. What pain are you experiencing now, or have experienced in the past, that you expect God to use in ministering to others? It was the same miracle that Elijah experienced in the valley, as birds brought him just enough for his daily bread. Grab Your Free Devotional Here Although she was Gentile, God knew (his heart was turned towards her) the Zarephath widow and he wanted to show mercy towards her. Often times God asks us to go to the very end of our limits, the bottom of our barrel, calling upon all our resources before he provides deliverance. (a) Ut supra. (c) Rauwolff's Travels, par. (1988). When Abraham stepped out of Gods will, he entered a worse situation where he felt he had to lie to protect himself from being killed. Elijah willingly shared his need, even though he was asking help from a poor widow which would have been shameful. Is it a desire to return to some sin by rebelling against God? He says. 1 Peter: an introduction and commentary (Vol. He spoke on Joseph Smiths time in Liberty Jail. It fell to Sennacherib 701 BC. Like with Elijah, he takes them from the cutting place to the melting place, from Kerith Valley University to Zarephath Graduate Schoolto get advanced training. For example, God said to Abraham in Genesis 12, Leave your fathers house and your family and go to land I will show you. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". All rights reserved. It was located between Sidon and Tyre which would be in modern day Lebanon. Often, the young believer only sees the trial and the potential negative effects that might result from itcausing fear, anxiety, and possibly anger at God or others. Every day within the jar, there would be just enough for her, her son, and the prophet to eat. She receives revelation from the Lord and is faithful and obedient. At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality, as it is written: The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.. We must be ready to help those struggling with experiencing joy or even wanting to live. Peters Passion: Peter writes about biblical Christianity toconfront status quo religionand make a faith that matters. But to make it worse, God said to Elijah, I have already told a widow who lives there to provide for you.. Gods ultimate purpose is to make us into the image of his Son (Rom 8:28-29), and trials are a necessary part of that preparation. Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth //maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a prophets strange providers.htm, Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube his 'young man,' as the original has it, whom Rabbinical tradition identified with the miraculously resuscitated son of the widow of Zarephath, and supposed to //maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm, The Prophecy of Obadiah. Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. In the valley, disciples learn solitude and dependence on God. The site of the ancient town is marked by the ruins on the shore to the South of the modern village, about 8 miles to the South of Sidon, which extend along the shore for a mile or more. Elijah: A Man of Heroism and Humility (Great Lives From Gods Word 5: Profiles in Character from Charles R. Swindoll) (Kindle Location 532). This is an amazing and wonderful interpretation on this beautiful bible chronicle. Instead of trusting God and persevering through the trial, they run away from him. She is pushed to the end of her rope, doubts, and becomes stronger. I have already told a widow who lives there to provide for you.". She gave ALL she had and put her trust in the Lord. It is represented by the modern village of Sura-fend . We should expect them. We wanted a new job because the place we previously worked stopped being a place of joy and instead became a place of frustration. When he went through the city gate, there was a widow gathering wood. Gods power moved greatly through his many hardships. Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. Not sure why these ladies names were not given. During a famine in Israel, the prophet Elijah resided here, with a widow whose cruse of oil and barrel of flour were supplied and whose child was restored to life by miracle. Arise, get thee to Zarephath A city between Tyre and Sidon, called Sarepta by St. Luke 4:26, and others. the road along the seashore. He hears our prayers, and he answers them. Big Question: What lessons can we learn from Zarephath Graduate School? Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary - Zarephath, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Zarephath, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It can be no other than the modern Sarafend, about 13 miles North of Tyre, on the spur of the mountain which divides the plain of Tyre from that of Sidon.The site of the ancient town is marked by the ruins on the shore to the South of the modern village, about 8 miles to the South of Sidon, which extend along the shore for a mile or more. We can receive personal revelation from the Lord. How many untold stories are there of the Lord's spokesman blessing the life of the individual?Thanks for your post.Below is the website address to Elder Lynn G. Robbin's talk: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=f318118dd536c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=11a18fbe352fe010VgnVCM100000176f620a____&hideNav=1It's worth reading to see the great perspective he has on it and to learn another way how the Lord works. God sent Elijah to this city, within the very heart of the country ruled by the kings of Baal, to be nourished by a widow who was not an Israelite. If one lands his dream job or gets into his choice university and thinks it will be smooth sailing, he or she will be shocked. //lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvii elijah the great.htm, A visit to his Home. But Elijah saw the possibilities and therefore was hopeful. The opposing narrative asserts that the woman at Zarephath was Elijah's wife. Again 1 Peter 4:12 says, Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. Peter said, Dont be astonished or think something strange is happening! If one gets married and thinks everything is going to be pure joy, most likely he or she is in a for a big surprise. The widows offering - Mark 12:41-44. The Wely, or shrine bearing the name of el-Khudr, the saint in whom George is blended with Elijah, stands near the shore. They realize they cant make it on their own. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. The writer warns us to strengthen our hands and feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but be healed (v. 12). These are often times when God can move through us the most. The testing and needs of the Prophet became a means of ministry to . We live by faith. Again, this was probably met with shock and disbelief. He met Elijah on his return from Zarephath, and bore to Ahab the news of Elijah's reappearance (1 Kings 18:3-16). Blessings, Donna. When the brook dried up God sent him to the widow of Zarephath, a city of Zidon, from whose scanty store he was supported for the space of two years. If you feed me first, then God will provide your needs. The woman saw her meager circumstances and impossibilities, but Elijah saw God and the possibilities. They are in two distinct groups, one on a headland to the West of a fountain called Ain el-Qantara, which is not far from the shore. He was sent instead to a foreignera widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Elijah met the woman Faith rewarded with a miracle The second miracle Jesus commended the widow's faith The widow of Zarephath lived in a coastal town in Phoenicia, 9 mi. God allowed Paul to have a demon in the flesh and would not take it away, so God could manifest his powerful grace in his life (2 Cor 12:7-9). New International Version (NIV) Bible Book List Font Size Lockyer's All the Women of the Bible - Widow of Zarephath Resources Lockyer's All the Women of the Bible Chapter 3. 1915. He said: For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. Are we sick, tired, or weary? After asking God to remove his thorn in the flesh, in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul said: But he said to me, My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Or are we still independent, lone-ranger Christians? When we are obedient he works miracles through us. Often, our scars from past injuries are lessons that we are meant to use in teaching somebody else. As pledged, her supplies last, providing food for the three of them every day. Though she is willing to fetch him water, she has no bread to share. /z/zarephath.htm - 11k. This is a great story ) I have been sustained by it. See, Elijah told the woman who was about to eat her last meal and die that if she provided for his needs, her jar of flour would never be used up until it rained on the land.

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