by Laurisa Thurner
Continued from Page 1
Notes:
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The New Testament gives us other scripture references to see how widows should be treated and to show that the Lord did provide for this widow’s well being.
 1 Timothy 5:3-5 and 9-10
"Honor widows that are widows indeed but if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day…"
The following verses set forth three prerequisites for a widow to qualify for church aid:
- She must be desolate, having no family to care for her
- She must possess certain spiritual qualities
- She must be a certain age (60 or over)
KJV study note2: v.5 A widow deserving of church aid is desolate (has not family to care for her); trusteth in God (lives the Christian life faithfully); continueth in supplications (constantly prays for her support and for the church’s ministry).
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Elijah: Prophet to the Gentiles in the Northern kingdom of Israel. [For purposes of this study] In verses 1-7 of this chapter, Elijah predicts "...there shall not be dew nor rain these years,..." The next verses 8-16 speak of the encounter with the widow; verses 17-24 are the encounter of Elijah raising her son from the dead (v. 22).
V.1-6: The Lord provides for Elijah miraculously by providing food to him by ravens. This is in itself is a contrast to the birds nature and enhances the display of the Lord’s power and the way He provides. For this bird does not care for their young but deserts them.
Matthew Henry commentary3 of verses: 8-16
The widow of Zarephath is not one of the rich or great men of the city of Sidon, but just a poor widow woman, in want, and desolate is both able and willing to sustain him.
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v.8-11: Is Elijah is being obedient to the Lord by asking the Widow of Zarephath for a drink and a morsel of bread. The journey of Elijah continues in these verses and the Lord provides for his physical need of food, this time through the Widow of Zarephath (v.9)
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