Journeying to Zarephath (Part 1)

Daily Scripture Threshing for Sunday, March 7, 2021

Today’s Text: 1 Kings 17:8-24

Key Verse: 1 Kings 17:9 (NKJV) — “"Arise, go to Zarephath, which [belongs] to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.""

The reference Jesus made of this event in the life of Elijah in Luke 4:25-26 helps us see the secret behind the occasion. Jesus points us to the fact that there were many widows in Israel who had needs in the days of Elijah before the Lord decided to send His prophet out to the town of Zarephath which is in Sidon. Could it be that while God’s eyes runs through Israel to help a needy widow with a heart of genuine obedience He could not find one in Israel? Was there no one there that could serve His purpose? I believe this is a lesson to all Church people. We must watch out against playing religion. Being a church-man is good; but can God find the right spirit in us? Or would we cause Him to pass the grace barton on to our neighbor whose hearts are open and true.

A quick journey to Zarephath places this poor widow’s life before us because she teaches us that obedience must come first for anyone who desires God to do something extraordinary in/through him. Obedience is precursory to blessing. The first example of obedience is by Elijah. It was indeed a trial of faith for Israel’s prophet to be sent to a place belonging to the Zidonians, the very state of Jezebel’s origin. But during an unsafe moment, God always finds a refuge for His men. The second note of obedience is from the fact that the widow was commanded to support the prophet. While this was a trial of faith for a poor, dying needy widow; it was also another trial of the prophet's faith. The poor widow actually needed a nan sent by God to support her. But the same God that commanded the ravens commands anything and anyone.

Quote for the Day: “God hides His men in the territories of His foes. He sets His tables for them in the presence of their enemies.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: O Lord, hold my hand and walk me from my Cherith to Your Zarephath. Teach me Your pathway to providence, in Jesus name. Amen.

With all my love and prayers,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),

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