ELIJAH: THE BOTTOMLESS BARREL

The story of the widow at Zarephath reminds me of another story… the story of the Widow’s Offering. Though she had very little, she faithfully gave to the Lord. Jesus said of her, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had—all she had to live on” (Mark 12:43-44).

The Widow at Zarephath had almost nothing. She had only a dab of flour and a few drops of oil. Yet when Elijah challenged her to trust God’s faithfulness, she did! “Don’t be afraid … make me a small loaf from it and bring it out to me. Afterward, you may make some for yourself and your son, for this is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land’ ” (1 Kings 17:13-14).

After the hostess made a loaf of bread for Elijah, it was time to make some for herself and her son. She had scooped out all of the flour and drained the oil jar, but when she reached into the empty canister, it wasn’t quite empty. There was still enough for one more loaf. The same thing happened with the oil. The jar was empty, but when she tipped it up, enough drained out to make another loaf.

Every morning and evening, with every meal, there was always enough for one more serving. Her provisions were never depleted. Her resources were never exhausted. Miracle after miracle! “The woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry” (1 Kings 17:15-16).

Do we trust the Lord, even when the cupboards are empty?

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).