1st Kings 17 LIGHT IN DARKNESS Even when the political and religious life of a nation is increasingly more sinful, the true spiritual life of God's people is there when they act and live by faith. The kings of Israel were getting eviler in their leadership with each succeeding king. There were no priests of God, only the false priests of Baal who were leading the people into pagan darkness. But mixed among the population were those who were almost overlooked, and it seemed like they didn't even know there were so many. There was among them Elijah who thought he was alone. It was very appropriate that his name means "Jehovah is God" because that was the essence of his message to Israel.
Elijah was the first of a long line of prophets who for three hundred years were sent to rescue the people of Israel and Judah from the moral and spiritual decline, and darkness into which they had fallen. Idolatry associated with Baal worship is similar to the hold humanism and materialism has on people in our day. The piety, righteousness and faithfulness associated with those who seek to live for God, sets them apart from most of the population.
When the crisis times come brought on by the departure of people from the fundamental standards of moral conduct and obedience to the basic laws of humanity, those who are committed to obeying the Lord will stand out and have to speak up. Elijah vigorously opposed in word and deed the worship of Baal and those who engaged in that worship. He began with going right to the top - to Ahab the king. His message was the same as the Lord gave Moses: national apostasy will be followed by nationwide drought [De.11:17; 28:4]. It was not only divine judgment from God, but was also a demonstration of the powerlessness of Baal, the god of fertility.
Elijah was not to stay around and "rub salt into the wounds," but was to absent himself from the evil that was going on and leave the consequences of sin in the hands of the Lord. Too often people try to step in and determine that punishment for sin has gone on long enough, rather than wait for evidence of real repentance and the change repentance brings. By Elijah being absent, the judgment of God was intensified and confirmed to the people of Israel.
When we walk with the Lord in fellowship with Him, and are faithful to the work He has given us to do for Him, we can expect God to do for us whatever is needed in His own time and way. Who ever heard of birds, that live on flesh and whatever they can find, to deliver both meat and bread to a man twice a day, without eating it. The miracle of the supply of food never diminishing was a miracle of creation. The Creator was again creating that which was needed by the power of His word.
The same authority that sent Elijah to bring the message of judgment to the king and the nation, told Elijah to separate himself from that place and those people. The absence of the prophet confirmed and intensified the judgment. God does not only respond to evil with words, but also with actions. When evil persists and repentance does not happen, then we withdraw in order to leave people isolated from God and His blessings, and let the Lord deal with the matter in His own time and way. That happened in the church at Corinth when the Lord had to deal with sin in the assembly Himself apart from human action. "For this cause, many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."
It was a miracle that in a nation that was responsible to provide for the prophets, the Lord provided the food Elijah needed by the actions of ravens (unclean birds) that normally would have devoured food of any kind. The source of food is not mentioned, but mysteriously, twice a day the ravens appeared with the needed food. To eat meat twice a day was usually the fare of kings and wealthy people. Elijah had food from the table of the Lord God.
God has ways of providing the help we need from sources which we least expect. His provisions go way beyond our expectations and preconceived ideas of the solutions to problems. In hopeless situations and bitter trials, God is there to do that which He knows is right and for our ultimate blessing. He may use that which we consider unclean, or a person we would never expect, to do His will on our behalf.
The "word of the Lord" that sent Elijah to Cherith, later sent him to Zarephath in Sidon where Jezebel had come from. That was right where the religion of Baal was being promoted and from where it had come to Israel. Even in that dark place, God had a widow who believed "the Lord thy God liveth." We would be surprised if we knew those who fear the Lord in the most unexpected places. Elijah acted by faith in the "word of the Lord." Now this widow acted in faith in the "word of the Lord" through Elijah. There is no template we follow when we live by faith. Our faith is in a living Person, not a process. Faith is the step we take between a promise and assurance. Obedience is the first action of a solution when we act by faith.
"The barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord..." Every meal the widow made was an act of faith. The barrel didn't fill up, it just didn't empty, nor did the jar of oil. They just didn't go empty even though she was "scraping the bottom of the barrel" each time she prepared a meal. God allowed their faith to flourish every time they ate. The troubles were not over, but the Lord was with them every day through the difficult times of famine. The basic provision was there and was provided for those three people only. They were not given enough to feed other people. Sin has its consequences and they have to be faced by an evil nation and evil leadership. However, in the worst of circumstances, the Lord is there to go through the trial with those who trust Him.
Even in the lives of those who live by faith, tragedies may happen. When our faith is tested to the utmost, we need to totally depend on the Lord as each trial comes. One act of faith is not living by faith. But even as we go through difficulties that increase in intensity, God gives us the opportunity to act in faith that increases in proportion to the need we perceive. When being given the basics, we need in an unusual way, or needing to act in faith when we do the same thing over and over again, or when tragedy comes - it is faith in our God that takes us through every situation victoriously. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." 1Kings 17:16. “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.” LIVING BY FAITH IN A DARK DAY.
The nation had turned away from God – there was absence of rain. The fields were barren, the brooks were dry, the people were in pain. But among them all though not standing out, were those who did believe – And to the Word of the Lord they did respond and His blessings they received.
The blessings of God may to others seem small – just some simple food. He knows what is best for us – could give a banquet if He would; But what is best is what is appropriate to meet the present need – Some flesh to eat, some bread to strengthen our souls this way to feed.
Even though there seems to be departure on every hand – And the darkness of unfaithfulness sweeps across the land – There are those here and there, whose lives are very simple, But God knows where each one is and cares for all His people.
When saints, though unknown, in some place meet, they have this in common; Their heavenly Father in whose name they greet is the One who there has brought them. They share their faith and the food they eat; they realize they’re one In faith and hope, in charity – and they belong in the same home.
A widow woman, a young child, a prophet – there’s a common bond. One has a need, the other meets it, they share what they have found. Their faith is strengthened, their joy increased and their lives are intertwined. And all rejoice in the grace of God and the fellowship they find.
“Father of all grace and goodness: the life of other believers when shared with mine is a cause of great contentment and blessing. Bless Thine inheritance I pray, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”