The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 393

tion? A poor widow, so poor that she has no servant and no fuel in her house ! A widow with her son, both at the point of death I A stranger, and a stranger of Zidon too-the land of Baal-and the land of the wicked Jezebel I Note: Goel'~ ways are not as our ways. He brings unlikely things to pa.Eis. How little clo we know what may be the thoughts of His heart concerning us I 2. But how is she to accomplish this J (1) Unbelief might murmur at such a requisition. It might charge God foolishly as a tyrant requiring brick where he had not supplied straw. Those who shrink from Church work becanse of fancied incompetence fall into this error, neglecting to trust God. (2) It is enough that God has commanded. His commands a.re promises. (See Exod. iii. 10-12; Judg. vi. 14.) See how the meal and oil a.re multiplied in the hands of the widow. The more difficult (humanly considered) the undertaking, the more gloriously will the excellency of the power of God appear. (See 2 Cor. xii. 9.) Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God. II. THE REASONS OF THE COMMAND, 1. Elijah neeMd succowr. (1) The brook is dried up. Now is the time to test the prophet's faith. But he is a man of prayer, so is familiar with God. Those who best know God have most confidence in Him. Let us be much in prayer. (2) Then "the word of the Lord came." Man ·s extremity is God's opportunity. In no strait let us despair of help while we keep a single heart. God knows all things. He can do whatever He will. 2. The woman neeMd succowr. (1) She too had come to extremity-to the last handful of meal. What a touching spectacle is that widow at the gate of Zarephath gathering a few sticks to prepare the last meal for herself e.nd her son I (2) Had she not prayed? No doubt; and most sincerely. She was evidently a believer in the God of Israel. Jehovah was not unknown in the land of that Hiram who " was ever a lover of David," and so materially aided Solomon in building the temple (1 Kings v.) (8) But then she was not an Israelite to whom "were the promises.'' So in addressing Elijah her words are, "As the Lord thy God liveth.'' She believes in the " living God," but cannot presume to call Hi 111 her God. (See Rom. ix. 4.) What 1ight had a poor stranger of Zidon to look for any special consideration from the Lord? (4) "He giveth grace unto the humble.'' He that reads the heart saw that she would believe if only she had a promise to authorize her faith. He accordingly ge.ve her the opportunity which she seized e.nd im- proved. (See Acts x. 1-6.) Let us act up to our light, and Goel will guide us into all the truth. 3. But were there no widows in Israel J (1) Upon the best authority we know that there were " mo.ny," and as needy as this Zidonian. In the severity of such a fa.mine deaths from starvation were no re.re occurrence. (2) But the se.me authority informs us that there were none so worthy as this widow of Sarepte. (Levit. iv. 24-26). No widow in Israel would have received the prophet as this widow received him. The moral is that if we would ho.ve specio.1 favour of God we must have special faith to receive it. Let us ever be in that attitude of whole-hearted consecration to God which will make us eligible for any service he may be pleased to promote us to. To be permitted to do anything for God is an unspeakable honour.-J. A. M. Vers. 10-16.-The Barrel of Meal. In the East the people kept their corn in earthen jars to protect it from insects which swarm in the heat of the sun. Wbat in our translation is called a " barrel" (i::,) was one of these vessels. The store in this case was run low; there was but a "handful" left; yet this was so multiplieLl by the power of God that three persons found at least in it suffioient provision for two and a half yeo.rs. Let us inquire- !. How ITS CONDITION BECAME KNOWN. 1. Eli/ah came to Zarephath in qncst of the widow. (1) Such were hie instructions (vers. 8, 9). But was there only one widow in this city of" smelting furnaces" (comp. eh. vii. 14), this hive of inclnstry, this centre of population ? How, then, is he to discover the right one? (2) God knows her, and that is enough for the prophet. The Word of the Lorcl who came to him at Se.maria and at Cherith will now guiLle him. (See Isa. xlii. lG.) (8) Let ns follow the light we have 11.ncl Goel will give us more. So was Abrnham's 1 KINGS, 2D 402 THE FinST DOOR OF RINGS. Jr)ll, XVII. 1--24,