ELIJAH: Part 2 - NCCG.ORG Ning Network Archive 2008-10

by Linda Edwards

The Cherith Brook was a lovely place. The trees provided
shade from the hot sun during the day and a cozy spot to rest at
night. With the ravens coming twice a day bringing bread and
meat, Elijah had all the provisions he needed. Yahweh was caring for
him and he was quite satisfied. Part of the reason he was so
comfortable with his outdoor home was because there had been no
rain.

Days turned into weeks...then months...then years. Elijah
noticed small changes taking place. The grass began turning
brown. The trees didn't have as many leaves. The animals were
smaller than normal. The water level in the brook was getting
lower and lower. In some places, he could see the muddy bottom,
and, in other spots, he was able to walk across on dry ground.

Then one day, it happened . . . .

Elijah awoke hungry and thirsty. He went to the brook for a
drink of water, but there was none. The brook was completely dry.
He waited for the raven to bring his daily food. Morning slipped
away into the afternoon, but the raven didn't come. Elijah waited
and waited. Surely the bird would bring his evening meal. Evening
came, and then nighttime, but the raven still didn't come. WHAT
was he to do? Had Yahweh FORGOTTEN about him?

Why, of course not! Yahweh was keeping the promise that He had
told Elijah to tell King Ahab. Which was: There would not be any
rain for a long time. Just when Elijah was beginning to wonder
what he should do, he heard a voice.

"Get up! Go to Zarephath. A widow woman will take care of
you there."

He realized it was the voice of Yahweh, so he listened very,
very carefully.

"Zarephath? My, what a strange name! But if that is where
Yahweh wants me to go, then that is where I must go," Elijah thought
to himself.

Off he went, walking down the dirty road. This journey was
so much different than his trip to the brook. It was so hot!
There was no water anywhere! He had nothing to drink and he was
getting so thirsty. Everywhere he looked there was nothing but
dry, dusty ground. He did see a few plants trying to grow, but,
without water, they were awfully thin and scraggly looking.

He was hot . . .

tired . . .

hungry . . .

and thirsty . .
.

but there was nothing he could do except to continue on. You can
imagine how excited Elijah was when he finally saw the town of
Zarephath just ahead! Anxiously he trudged along. How he was
looking forward to having a cool drink of water from the well! As
he got near the city gate, he looked around and saw a woman
gathering sticks.

"Please bring me a little water in a jar so that I can have
a drink," he said to the woman.

Right away she put down her sticks and started toward the
well to bring Elijah the water. She hadn't taken very many steps
when she heard him call out to her again. "Also, please bring me
some bread."

The lady was somewhat startled and turned to face Elijah. "I
don't have any bread," she said with a frown. "All I have is a
handful of flour in the bottom of the barrel and a tiny bit of
oil. I came out here to gather two sticks to build a fire in
order to bake a small pancake for my son and me. After that, I
guess we will just starve to death because there is no more
food."

Oh my! What is going to happen now? This was the same widow
woman whom Yahweh promised would feed Elijah. She didn't even have
enough foo$ to make one good meal for herself and her son. How
would she be able to take care of Elijah?

"Don't be afraid," Elijah said to the worried woman. "Go! Do
as you have said! Build the fire and make the pancake, but bring
it to me first. Let ME eat first. Then make something for
yourself and your son. The Lord Yahweh says that the barrel of flour
will never be empty, and the bottle of oil will always be full
until the day that the Lord sends rain."

Hesitantly, the woman took the flour out of the barrel. Then
she poured the last bit of oil out of the bottle. She mixed them
together and put the mixture in a small pan on the fire she had
built. When it was finished cooking, she put it on a plate. Then
she stopped to think a moment.

If I give this last little pancake to Elijah, what will my
son and I eat? Will the words Elijah spoke be true? Will Yahweh keep
the barrel full of flour and the bottle full of oil like Elijah
had said?

Then she remembered something. She had heard of this man
named Elijah. He was the one who had gone before King Ahab and
told them there would be no rain until he said so. At first,
people made fun of him and didn't believe him. Hmm . . . they ALL
believe him now! It hadn't rained for such a very long time, and
many people, including the king, blamed Elijah. The widow knew
that she had to give him the pancake.

After Elijah ate the little pancake, the woman went to the
barrel. She was almost afraid to look.

Slowly, she removed the lid . . . .

She peaked inside . . . .

What did she see?

There was
PLENTY of
flour.

She scooped up enough to make herself and her son a pancake.
She picked up the bottle of oil and found it full. She poured out
enough to mix with the flour. She poured the batter into her pan
and placed it on the fire to cook. They all had a delicious
pancake for dinner that day.

The widow and her son learned that Elijah was speaking the
truth. Not only was there enough flour and oil for pancakes that
day; there was enough flour and oil for pancakes

the next day . . .

and the next day . . .

and the next day. . . .

In fact, the barrel of flour didn't run out, and the bottle of
oil stayed full until the Lord sent rain just as Elijah had said.
What a wonderful Yahweh we have!

THINK!

When the ravens stopped giving food to Elijah, did it
mean that Yahweh didn't care about him?
What do you think would have happened if the widow had
selfishly kept the last pancake for herself and her
son?

BIBLE MEMORY VERSE

"But my Elohim shall supply all your need according to his
riches in glory by Messiah Yah'shua" (Philippians 4:19).

LET'S PRAY

****************************************************
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving and
caring for each one of us. Let us always remember
that even when bad things happen that we may not
understand, you are still watching over us and you
want to meet all of our needs. Help us to trust
you and learn to listen to your voice.
In Yah'shua's name. Amen.
****************************************************

CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?
1 Kings 17:7-16

JUST FOR FUN

WHO AM I?

Widow Elijah Cherith Ahab Raven Zarephath
Yahweh

__________ I am the name of the brook that dried up.

__________ I was fed every day by the birds.

__________ I am the one that kept the barrel and bottle
full.

__________ I am the name of the town.

__________ I am the person who made the pancakes.

__________ I am the one who was the King of Israel.

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