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To Zarephath
Although our story begins with God’s command to the great prophet Elijah to go to Zarephath, we must remember what led to this command. The kingdom of Israel had fallen into idolatry. Baal worship had become the official state religion. God had dramatically “challenged” the storm god by declaring through his prophet Elijah that there would be no more dew or rain (1 Kings 17:1).
What irony is found in the idea that God tells a kingdom that was worshiping the storm god that there would be no rain? What does this tell us about God’s power in our world in contrast to every other power? See also Ps. 86:8, Jer. 10:6, Heb. 1:1–3, and Job 38.
Elijah had been hiding at the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:3) while the country of Israel withered under a devastating drought. The brook finally ran dry, and God commanded the prophet to leave and go to Zarephath (1 Kings 17:1–9).
God commands Elijah to leave Israel and go to a foreign land. Zarephath is located on the Mediterranean coast between Tyre and Sidon. It is within the territory of Phoenicia, which is where the terrible queen Jezebel comes from. One of the important Phoenician national deities is Baal, and Jezebel, as King Ahab’s queen, actively imported Baal worship to Israel from Phoenicia. In the ancient world, gods were normally thought of as belonging to a specific city or region. Zarephath, situated outside of Israel in a foreign country, is supposedly far removed from the Lord’s area of influence. The people of this heathen nation should also be far out of God’s reach. But no one is ever out of His reach. Right in the very center of Baal worship, God is going to make His presence and power known.
It’s important to note that God uses the prophet’s need to reach out to a woman in far-off Zarephath. As believers in Jesus, we do not have to project a perfect front to all those around us. We do not have to cover up our problems or pretend that we have no needs, because, as we all know, that’s just not true. As Christians, we still suffer, we still hurt, we still need at times the solace and help of others who, in fact, might not be of our faith or of any faith at all.
What’s wrong with the attitude which says that we show a lack of faith when we seek help from others? What are ways that we might, through our needs, reveal to others the goodness and character of God?
| SUNDAY | December 5 |
Although our story begins with God’s command to the great prophet Elijah to go to Zarephath, we must remember what led to this command. The kingdom of Israel had fallen into idolatry. Baal worship had become the official state religion. God had dramatically “challenged” the storm god by declaring through his prophet Elijah that there would be no more dew or rain (1 Kings 17:1).
What irony is found in the idea that God tells a kingdom that was worshiping the storm god that there would be no rain? What does this tell us about God’s power in our world in contrast to every other power? See also Ps. 86:8, Jer. 10:6, Heb. 1:1–3, and Job 38.
Elijah had been hiding at the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:3) while the country of Israel withered under a devastating drought. The brook finally ran dry, and God commanded the prophet to leave and go to Zarephath (1 Kings 17:1–9).
God commands Elijah to leave Israel and go to a foreign land. Zarephath is located on the Mediterranean coast between Tyre and Sidon. It is within the territory of Phoenicia, which is where the terrible queen Jezebel comes from. One of the important Phoenician national deities is Baal, and Jezebel, as King Ahab’s queen, actively imported Baal worship to Israel from Phoenicia. In the ancient world, gods were normally thought of as belonging to a specific city or region. Zarephath, situated outside of Israel in a foreign country, is supposedly far removed from the Lord’s area of influence. The people of this heathen nation should also be far out of God’s reach. But no one is ever out of His reach. Right in the very center of Baal worship, God is going to make His presence and power known.
It’s important to note that God uses the prophet’s need to reach out to a woman in far-off Zarephath. As believers in Jesus, we do not have to project a perfect front to all those around us. We do not have to cover up our problems or pretend that we have no needs, because, as we all know, that’s just not true. As Christians, we still suffer, we still hurt, we still need at times the solace and help of others who, in fact, might not be of our faith or of any faith at all.
What’s wrong with the attitude which says that we show a lack of faith when we seek help from others? What are ways that we might, through our needs, reveal to others the goodness and character of God?
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