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THE WORD OF THE LORD I

Text: 1 Kings 17
4 August 2009

(I) THE WORD OF THE LORD I

1. Divine Instruction

a) Sending Elijah to Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8)

b) Clarity of the word given

i) To Zarephath (1 Kings 17:9a)

ii) Town of Sidon (1 Kings 17:9b)

iii) Widow commanded to feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:9c)

2. Human Obedience required

a) Compliance by Elijah (1 Kings 17:10a)

b) A widow was there (1 Kings 17:10c)

(II) ELIJAH IN ZAREPHATH

1. Zarephath is not in Israel

2. Israel’s plight

a) Elijah’s absence in Israel is significant

b) A severe drought had enveloped the nation of Israel

3. Striking up a relationship with the widow of Zarephath

a) Elijah found her picking up sticks (fuel)

b) He requested for a drink (1 Kings 17:10d)

c) He added another request for some bread (1 Kings 17:11)

4. The Widow’s reply

a) Candid confession of abject poverty

b) She was preparing her last meal for herself and her son (1 Kings 17:12)

(III) THE WORD OF THE LORD II

1. To the widow of Zarephath

2. Content of this word from the Lord

“Thus says the LORD God of Israel” 1 Kings 17:14a

a) The bin of flour shall not be used up (1 Kings 17:14b)

b) Nor shall the jar of oil run dry (1 Kings 17:14c)

3. Compliance of the widow

“So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah” 1 Kings 17:15a

4. Fulfilment of this Word

“And she and her and her household ate for many days.

The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry,

According to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah” 1 Kings 17:15b-16

(IV) A CRISIS

1. Death of the son of the widow (1 Kings 17:17)

2. Remonstration with Elijah

“What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?” 1 Kings 17:18

a) Frustration

b) Fear

(V) RESURRECTION OF THE WIDOW’S SON

1. Prayers of Elijah

a) First prayer (1 Kings 17:20)

i) Uncertainty

ii) A totally new experience

b) Second prayer (1 Kings 17:21)

i) Praying for the resurrection of the widow’s son

ii) Praying in tremendous faith

2. God’s answer

a) The Lord heard the prayer of Elijah (1 Kings 17:22a)

b) The widow’s son was brought back to life (1 Kings 17:22b)

c) He was brought back to his mother (1 Kings 17:23)

3. The Exclamation of the Widow of Zarephath

a) Now by this I know that you are a man of God (1 Kings 17:24a)

b) The word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth (1 Kings 17:24b)