1Kings:17

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* Verse 1-7 - God wonderfully suits men to the work he designs them for . The times were fit for an Elijah ; an Elijah was fit for them . The Spirit of the Lord knows how to fit men for the occasions . Elijah let Ahab know that God was displeased with the idolaters , and would chastise them by the want of rain , which it was not in the power of the gods they served to bestow . Elijah was commanded to hide himself . If Providence calls us to solitude and retirement , it becomes us to go : when we cannot be useful , we must be patient ; and when we cannot work for God , we must sit still quietly for him . The ravens were appointed to bring him meat , and did so . Let those who have but from hand to mouth , learn to live upon Providence , and trust it for the bread of the day , in the day . God could have sent angels to minister to him ; but he chose to show that he can serve his own purposes by the meanest creatures , as effectually as by the mightiest . Elijah seems to have continued thus above a year . The natural supply of water , which came by common providence , failed ; but the miraculous supply of food , made sure to him by promise , failed not . If the heavens fail , the earth fails of course ; such are all our creature-comforts : we lose them when we most need them , like brooks in summer . But there is a river which makes glad the city of God , that never runs dry , a well of water that springs up to eternal life . Lord , give us that living water ! * Verse 8-16 - Many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias , and some , it is likely , would have bidden him welcome to their houses ; yet he is sent to honour and bless with his presence a city of Sidon , a Gentile city , and so becomes the first prophet of the Gentiles . Jezebel was Elijah 's greatest enemy ; yet , to show her how powerless was her malice , God will find a hiding-place for him even in her own country . The person appointed to entertain Elijah is not one of the rich or great men of Sidon ; but a poor widow woman , in want , and desolate , is made both able and willing to sustain him . It is God 's way , and it is his glory , to make use of , and put honour upon , the weak and foolish things of the world . O woman , great was thy faith ; one has not found the like , no not in Israel . She took the prophet 's word , that she should not lose by it . Those who can venture upon the promise of God , will make no difficulty to expose and empty themselves in his service , by giving him his part first . Surely the increase of this widow 's faith , so as to enable her thus readily to deny herself , and to depend upon the Divine promise , was as great a miracle in the kingdom of grace , as the increase of her meal and oil in the kingdom of providence . Happy are all who can thus , against hope , believe and obey in hope . One poor meal 's meat this poor widow gave the prophet ; in recompence of it , she and her son did eat above two years , in a time of famine . To have food from God 's special favour , and in such good company as Elijah , made it more than doubly sweet . It is promised to those who trust in God , that they shall not be ashamed in evil time ; in days of famine they shall be satisfied . * Verse 17-24 - Neither faith nor obedience shut out afflictions and death . The child being dead , the mother spake to the prophet , rather to give vent to her sorrow , than in hope of relief . When God removes our comforts from us , he remembers our sins against us , perhaps the sins of our youth , though long since past . When God remembers our sins against us , he designs to teach us to remember them against ourselves , and to repent of them . Elijah 's prayer was doubtless directed by the Holy Spirit . The child revived . See the power of prayer , and the power of Him who hears prayer . Henry ' _1__18 **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary **** _

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