Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath
During a devastating famine, Yahuah sent Elijah not to a wealthy patron but to a starving widow preparing her last meal — and her jar of flour never ran out.
The Story
Yahuah had sent a drought on Israel through Elijah's declaration: 'As Yahuah Elohim of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.' For three years, no rain fell.
First Yahuah sustained Elijah by a brook, where ravens brought him bread and meat. When the brook dried up, Yahuah sent him to Zarephath — a Gentile city in Sidon, the very territory of Jezebel's father. Yahuah's provision often comes from the most unexpected places.
Elijah found a widow gathering sticks. He asked for water and bread. She replied: 'As Yahuah your Elohim lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.'
She was preparing her last meal. Elijah said: 'Do not fear... make me a small cake from it first... For thus says Yahuah Elohim of Israel: The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day Yahuah sends rain on the earth.'
She obeyed — putting Yahuah's prophet before herself. And the flour was not used up, and the oil did not run dry, just as Yahuah had spoken through Elijah.
Later, her son died. Elijah stretched himself over the child three times and cried out to Yahuah, who heard his voice and restored the boy's life. The widow declared: 'Now by this I know that you are a man of Elohim, and that the word of Yahuah in your mouth is the truth.'
Key Figures
Lessons Learned
Yahuah's provision often comes through obedience in scarcity. When we give first to Yahuah — even from our last — He multiplies what remains. His supply never runs dry.
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Matthew 6:33
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