So the word of the Lord came to him: 9 Arise, go to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow there to feed you. 10 He arose and went to Zarephath. When he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called out to her, “Please bring me a small cupful of water to drink.” 11 She left to get it, and he called out after her, “Please bring along a crust of bread.” 12 She said, “As the Lord, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting a few sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Afterwards you can prepare something for yourself and your son. 14 For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.” 15 She left and did as Elijah had said. She had enough to eat for a long time—he and she and her household. 16 The jar of flour did not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord spoken through Elijah.
After proclaiming a drought, God directed Elijah to Zarephath, a Gentile town in the territory of Sidon, the homeland of Queen Jezebel. God chooses a widow, considered one of the weak and marginalized, to fulfill His purpose (cf. 1 Cor. 1:27–28). This event anticipates God’s inclusion of the Gentiles in salvation history, as highlighted by Jesus in Luke 4:25–26, affirming His sovereignty and universal care. This encounter foreshadows God’s plan to include Gentiles in salvation and demonstrates His care transcending national and religious boundaries, highlighting that salvation is ultimately universal (cf. Acts 10:34–35).
Elijah goes immediately as God instructed. In meeting the widow at the entrance to the city, he requests a small cupful of water and a crust of bread, indicating the severity of the drought and the scarcity of basic necessities like bread and water. Hospitality, a virtue emphasized in Scripture (cf. Gen. 18:1–8; Heb. 13:2), is evident as the widow responds by fetching water. However, at Elijah’s request for bread, the widow explains that she and her son are destitute and have nothing left but a little flour and oil. When that is gone they will die.
Based on God’s promise in verse 9, Elijah told her, 'Do not be afraid,' words of encouragement often used in Scripture during times of crisis (cf. Is. 41:10; Mt. 14:27). Elijah instructed her to fulfill his request first and then attend to herself and her son, inviting her to an act of faith. Trusting in God’s promise, the God of Israel would miraculously sustain them with an unending supply of flour and oil, showcasing His role as the ultimate provider (cf. Ex. 16:4–35; Mt. 6:31–33).
The widow’s faith and obedience lead to the fulfillment of God’s promise, demonstrating the principle that trust in God often precedes the manifestation of His blessings (cf. Prov. 3:5–6).
Almighty God, strengthen our faith to trust in Your promises, even in times of scarcity and trial. Help us to obey Your call with courage and generosity, knowing that You are our ultimate provider. May we always rely on Your sustaining grace and share Your blessings with others. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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