Tuesday, August 7, 2012

A Widow?

"See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you." (1 Kings 17:8).

Widows were among the most vulnerable in Bible times. The many commands throughout the Old Testament (Ex. 22:21-24, Deut. 16:11, 14, Jer. 7:5-7) to provide for them shows just how often they could be taken advantage of. The loss of the man in a patriarchal society meant hardship. Their plight was often poverty. It was difficult for them to find employment and often they were left to beg. Sometimes their great hope was found in their son who could earn a trade and then support them.

Further optimism might be found through the kindness of others. Job was a man who had "caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy" (Job. 29:13). Harvesters were instructed to leave grapes, grain and olives for them to glean (Deut 24:19-21). Tithes were to be given to them every third year (Deut 14:27-29). The wicked were stopped from taking their garment as a pledge (Deut. 24:17).

Far too often, however, evil people oppressed widows (Isa. 1:23, 10:2, Ps. 94:6, Ezek. 22:7, Mal. 3:5). Even in Jesus’ day the scribes devoured widow’s houses and in exchange for it made long prayers (Mk. 12:40).

With God’s care for the stranger, fatherless, and the widow laid out so clearly in the law, Elijah may have been surprised, even embarrassed that God would tell him to seek provisions from a widow. God did not say "I have commanded you to take care of a widow" but " I have commanded a widow to provide for you." Further amazement may have been his when he heard that this was not an Israelite widow but one from a country steeped in idolatry. Her country did not obey the Lord’s precepts regarding the widow’s treatment and she may have been poorer because of that.

The Lord often uses those who have little to support his messengers. As a missionary evangelist some years ago I was often sobered to see the names of my supporters printed out on the donation sheet. While I know God also uses the wealthy to give, so often it was through those who didn’t have much that I paid my bills.

Elijah’s next benefactor would not be ravens but a Phoenician widow. With God’s word revealed to him, he left Cherith and began his journey to Zarepheth.