If you had to state a theme for 1 Kings 17 it could be “Dare to Trust God” because the events recorded in this chapter are a great example of what the Lord tells us in Proverbs 3:5 (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding).
1 Kings 17 introduces us to the prophet Elijah. This begins a series of stories that revolve around him and his successor, Elisha. At the beginning of chapter 17 God instructs Elijah to cross the Jordan River, so as to be outside of King Ahab’s jurisdiction. During this time of severe drought, Elijah is sustained by the the Lord through Ravens, who bring him food twice a day, and a small brook that supplies him with fresh water (1 Kings 17:1-7).
Next, God sends Elijah to the town of Zarephath where he is instructed to go to the home of a widow that has been directed to supply him with food. Elijah assures the widow that the God of Israel will not let her food and oil run out, despite the severe drought (1 Kings 17:14). This word from the Lord proves to be true. 1 Kings 17:16 (NIV) For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.
The wheels almost come off the wagon in verse 17when the boy dies unexpectedly. What saves the day is God’s surprising willingness to respond to human protest and do something that up until that time was unprecedented.
This Sunday we will look at 1 Kings 17, specifically 1 Kings 17:17-24 which records the first instance of someone being raised from the dead. This of course foreshadows what Christ will do for all who die “in Him”.