1 Kings 17:1-24
Elijah was in Israel but the Kings of Israel are worshipping Baal. Elijah is sent to declare that there will be no rain until The Lord declares it!
1 Kings 16:29-33
Ahab is married to Jezebel from Sidon who worships Baal
God tells Elijah to hide by Cherith Brook. He is fed by ravens, as God commanded
Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide. Ravens were considered unclean by the Jews and were forbidden to touch or eat them - Leviticus 11. God uses them to bring Elijah food.
Charles Spurgeon: “Elijah had enough, but it did not always come to him in the nicest way: for I do not imagine that the ravens knew how to get bread and meat always cut into the nicest shape! Perhaps they snatched a rough bit of meat here, and perhaps a crust of bread there, and it came in all sorts of ugly pieces, but there it was – it was enough! Whatever God provides be grateful for, for if too proud to take from the ravens mouth, it will be well for thee to go without, until hunger consume thy pride. God promises his people enough, but not always more than enough, and even that may not come to us in a way we should choose!”
v9 The brook dries up and Elijah is moved on by God
The woman worships Baal. God uses who he wants for our good.
Elijah asks for water and bread. The woman has enough to make a last meal for her and her son and then they are going to die. Elijah asks that she FIRST bake a loaf for him and then feed herself as God will provide oil and flour for the future! Elijah is asking her to believe in a God she doesn’t know and have faith that what he says will actually happen.
Proverbs 3:5-6
We often lean on our own understanding and, when we can’t work it out, get exhausted and say “If only I could understand what God is doing everything would be ok!” NO. Faith does not work like that. You have to step out not understanding and find that God is with you!
John Otberg: “If you don’t step out of the boat you will never walk on the water”
Amazing miracle of provision. One meal of faith leads to many meals of provision. Give to God first in faith and he will supply the rest. This is not just about our finances but about our time, our passions, our lifestyle and our choices as well.
Rick Warren
“You may think you can’t afford to tithe, but you can’t afford not to! The time you can’t afford to tithe is when you need God’s help the most. If you want God’s blessing on your finances, you need to put him first in your finances”
Every miracle begins with an act of obedience.
Things get worse for the woman. Her son falls ill and dies. She thinks it’s her fault because of her sin. The God of grace has favour on her.
Matthew 17:24-27
Jesus paid his temple tax by asking Peter to catch a fish. The tax is in its mouth. God showing he is in control of the whole earth and all that live within it! God has unlimited resources. Are you going to trust him with your situation, finances and provision?
God owns all the doughnuts - J John
Be encouraged. God owns everything, he owns the ravens, he owns the fish, he owns widows in heathen nations. They can all provide food for his chosen people. He has unlimited resources!
Psalm 37:18-19
Practical points
1.Let God do the unexpected in your life. Do not try and work it all out. Come to him first not last!
2.Have faith in an unchanging God. The same God that Elijah trusted is your God, your friend.
3.I remember his works of old says David in the Psalms. This is why we have the bible, it’s our manual for life! Use it!
4.Be encouraged by those around you in group and in Church. Get them to pray for your situation and ask for spiritual wisdom and discernment.
5.Pray and trust in God who has everything under his control.
