The Widow of Zarephath: a story of God's miracles and providence

The widow of Zarephath was a woman who knew great sorrow. She would suffer the loss of her husband, live through extreme poverty and famine. She was a foreigner facing starvation when she showed extraordinary hospitality to a stranger. As a Phoenician woman, she didn’t know that she would be entrusted to care for one of Israel’s great prophets. She didn't know that the God of Israel would send his prophet to her. Why would she? Why would she think that God would see her and know her plight or even care? It is a story of God’s miracles and providence. The widow of Zarephath would experience the repeated miracles of God’s provisions. What is her story? Why was being a widow important to her story? What are God’s promises to provide for us? 

We are introduced to the widow in 1 Kings 17:8-24. She lived in Zarephath, a village close to the Mediterranean. She used to love the ocean but the massive ocean seemed to be mocking her down. Its watery abundance reminds her of all that she lacked. She lives a lonely life. There was no one to warm her at night. There was no one to work the fields and provide food for their table. Her husband had died as a result of the drought. She was left along with her young son. They were close to starvation. As she prepared their final meal with the last of the flour and oil she had, a strange man appeared at her door and asked for some food. She explains that they have no food, he tells her that the flour and oil will not end. She will have enough food. Skeptical, she makes the man food from the last of the flour and oil. Something amazing happens! Every time she used the flour and oil, it never ended just like the man said. It lasted day after day, month after month. Never failing until the rains came. 

In the ancient world, widows were often treated as second class citizens who were ignored and allowed to go hungry. A woman alone is dependent on her husband, sons or community for support. But God has a special love and care for widows. In Psalm 68:5, God is, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows” in his holy dwelling. He commands widows to be treated with compassion and to be provided for. When the Israelites were declared disobedient, the evidence was in their lack of concern for and even mistreatment of widows (Isaiah 1:23, Ezekiel 22:6-7, Malachi 3:5). However, anyone who provided for widows were noted as worthy. Job 29:13 says, “the man who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing.” Even in the New Testament, widows were treated with special care. In 1 Timothy 5:3-16, Paul urged the church to care for older widows. Today, there are numerous programs and plans that help provide for a widow’s financial needs. However, we need to take care to be aware of a widow’s emotional and spiritual needs. While their financial needs may have been met, they will still need friendship and companionship and perhaps with household chores and errands. 

Sometimes it may seem that God doesn’t know our needs or that he even cares. But he does. God doesn’t ignore the needs of those who do not have the resources for those needs. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Ever gotten a perfectly timed check in the mail? Is it just the right amount to pay off a past due bill or provide food for the week. Have you ever wondered how you’re going to clothe your growing children, only to be given boxes and boxes of hand-me-downs? God provides for all our needs and he will continue to provide. Sometimes it is easy to forget all the ways he has provided for us. Sometimes, when times are extremely, it is our faith that waivers. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Sometimes all we need is a little faith and God does the rest. 

The story of the widow of Zarephath is a story of God’s providence through miracles and faith. I feel the widow was unable to deny a hungry man, despite her and her son’s own hunger, that she decided to act on faith. Her act of faith opened the door for God’s miracles. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus says, “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.” There are numerous stories in the Bible of people with the smallest faith that results in the biggest miracles. The widow’s story is also a reminder that we cannot forget those who have lost their husbands. Even in today’s financial safeguards, widows are often forgotten. If you know a widow in your family, neighborhood, or church, check in, chat for a bit. It may be just what they need to brighten their day.