The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 398

likely to bring food twice daily, when a store might he.ve been conveyed with only one risk. The supernatural is always startling, but to those who reject materialism it is not incredible. If God notices a. sparrow fall, and if diseases obey Him, as soldiers obey their general (Matt. viii. 8-10), this feeding by the ravens might well be. God often uses strange instruments to effect His plll'poses. Give examples from Scripture and history. Even the plans and the deeds of the wicked are under His control. All things work His will. 2. It was revealed. " The word of the Lord came to him." It comes to us. Sometimes the inward impulse after prayer impels us to take God's way; and sometimes all other paths are closed, and of the one left open Providence says, "This is the way, walk in it.'' A:re we seeking to know God/a will about ourselves? A:re we concerned that our way should be His choice, and not our own ? "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." III. RESTFUL RETREAT. Describe the wild ravine of the Kelt, which Robinson and Stanley identify, with some probability, as the Cherith. The precipitous rocks, in places 600 feet high, the caverns in the limestone, in one of which the prophet hid, &c. Such a man needed quiet. He had it afforded to him again in Horeb. No great activity for God can be worthily sustained without much waiting on Him. In this retreat Elijah had two sorts of provision. 1. Daily bread. It is only that which ·we are taught to expect, and pray for. The daily reception of blessing teaches us our constant dependence. The manna fell every morning, and could not be hoarded for the future. Daily strength, too, is given for daily duties. 2. Quiet commu-nion. All nature would speak to Elijah of his God. The brook would whisper of the water of life; the birds would celebrate the care of God, &c. In the world aronnd him, in secret converse with his own heart, n.nd in earnest prayer to the God of Israel, before whom he stood, Elijah would get refreshment and strength for coming conflict and conquest. Refer to the invalid, to the aged, to the little children, as those to whom God gives a time of quiet, to prepare them for the future service. 1. Expect 0or£a deliverance whenever you are in the path of duty. 2. Be content that God should work in His own way. 8. Seek to have a spirit of contentment, and a heart that is "quiet from the fear of evil.''-A. R. Ver. 16.-The Widow's C'TUse. Describe this incident in the life of Elijah. Show some of the ADVANTAGES whiah arose from his visit to Zarephath; e.g., 1. It was a means of blessing to himself. He found a true worshipper of Jehovah even in the coasts of Tyre, where, under the rule of Jezebel's father, one was least to be expected. This would strengthen his faith, and it would keep alive his hope that his work in Israel would "not be in vain in the Lord." We may sometimes asaure ourselves of the vitality of Christianity by witnessing its effects among the heathen. A visit to the South Sea islands would prove a tonic to debilitated fo.ith. 2. It was a means of blessing to the widow. Not only was she kept alive in famine for the prophet's sake, but she received spiritual blessing. Christ refers to Elijah's visit as a sign of the care God had, even under the old dispensation, for the heathen peoples, where He left not Himself without witness. (Compare Luke iv. 26.) Show that as Elijah turned from Israel to Zidon, so the apostles turned to the Gentiles (Acts xviii. 6). Learn from the story the following general lessons :- I. THAT GOD PROVIDES FOR THE NECESSITIES OF His SERVANTS. In the famine lie hnd already made provision for Elijah at Cherith, and now that the supply there had failed, other resources were opened. Not always in our way, but in some way, He answers the prayer, " Give us this day our daily bread.'' He does not promise luxuries or wealth, but our " bread sho.11 be given to us, and our water shall be sure." We are not to be anxious about our future, but nre to remember that it is in the hands of God. It ie said of our food and raimont, that our "heavenly father knoweth that we have need of these things." Whon a child is at home he learns hie lessons, obeys the rules of his parents, &c., but ho has no care about the food he will want on the morrow. He never dreams but that it will be provilled. Such Bhould be our spirit, wl1e.tever may be our powers of productive work. We IIJ."@  408 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [CH, X\'II, 1-24,