USGN Article  - July 2004
Terry & Barbi Franklin
Written by Barbi Franklin

The Widow Without A Name

You know, I am continually amazed at God’s ways of doing things!  They are so different from the way I would do them.  He always seems to pick the weakest vessels to do His heavenly work!  It gives me great comfort, because many times I feel incapable or at the end of my strength and abilities.

As a woman, I’ve studied many women’s lives in the Bible.  I’d like to think I’m like Deborah or Priscilla.  But lately, the Lord has shown me that He still works through me even when I act more like the widow of Zarephath in I Kings chapter 17.

Elijah was told by God that this woman would supply him with food and drink.  This nameless widow had somehow received a command from the Lord and wasn’t surprised when the prophet showed up.  But as she went to fetch the provisions, she wasn’t subtle about her plight.  In fact, it’s pretty obvious she was wallowing in a great deal of self-pity.

It’s funny, I pout sometimes, don’t you?  Like a wounded animal we can sit and lick our wounds.  But interestingly enough, this widow didn’t flinch at obeying God’s command.  Sure enough, she must have had enough faith that she actually fed the prophet her last meal.  And, low and behold, God rewarded her with a miracle.  He multiplied her oil and flour day after day for not only herself and her son, but Elijah, too!

The clincher was: God wasn’t done testing this woman’s faith.  You would think he’d let up a little.  The poor woman had gone through enough.  But no, God allowed her son to get sick and die.  Though she had sacrificed for God and was giving out of her neediness to sustain the life of a “man of God” in hiding, God allowed yet another trauma.  And yes, she felt every feeling you and I would feel… betrayal, injustice, fear, guilt.

She tried to find a reason… was it past sin she was paying for (her mind was being taunted by the enemy)?  She tried to accuse the prophet and even God himself for bringing this tragedy on her.  But again, she saw the power of God as Elijah prayed and raised her son back to life.

I believe that God was pleased with this nameless widow.  HE knew her name, and HE knew of her deep-seeded faith.  Though she had apparently failed greatly in her past, God’s heart was moved enough to honor her with the presence of the great prophet Elijah.

God is so moved by our obedience because it reveals true faith.  And without faith we can’t please God.  In fact, we are SAVED by grace through our faith.  This was the gospel revealed in the beginning to Abraham… that faith was credited to him as righteousness.  It wasn’t Abraham’s good works that engaged God’s heart and blessings.  We live by FAITH not by sight!

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