What can we learn about obedience from the widow's response in 1 Kings 17:13? Opening Passage 1 Kings 17:13: “Do not be afraid,” Elijah said to her. “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake from it and bring it out to me; afterward make some for yourself and your son.” The Widow’s Moment of Choice • Facing starvation and a final meal, she hears a prophet’s unexpected command. • She must decide whether to safeguard her last handful of flour or surrender it to God’s servant. • Her response reveals that true obedience is not theoretical—it is tested when resources are scarce and fear is loud. Marks of Genuine Obedience 1. Immediate action – She “went and did as Elijah had told her” (1 Kings 17:15). – No delay, excuses, or debate. 2. Priority to God’s word – “But first make me a small cake.” – She rearranges her limited supply around divine instruction, echoing Matthew 6:33. 3. Faith over fear – Elijah begins with “Do not be afraid.” She obeys—and fear loses its power (cf. Isaiah 41:10). 4. Wholehearted surrender – Her last, best portion is offered, paralleling the boy’s loaves in John 6 and the Macedonians who “first gave themselves to the Lord” (2 Corinthians 8:5). 5. Practical expression of belief – James 2:17: “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” – Her hands prove her heart. Blessings Tied to Her Obedience • Ongoing provision: “The jar of flour was not exhausted and the jug of oil did not run dry” (1 Kings 17:16). • Sustained life for her household during a national drought—abundant grace flowing from a single step of obedience. • A faith legacy: Jesus later highlights her story (Luke 4:25-26), honoring her as an example for generations. Living Out This Obedience Today • Trust God’s directives even when they challenge earthly logic (Proverbs 3:5-6). • Give to the Lord first—time, talent, treasure—and watch Him supply (Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38). • Replace fear-based “what if” questions with faith-filled “God said” convictions (Hebrews 11:1). • Obey promptly; delayed obedience often becomes disobedience. • Remember that every act of obedience, however small, invites God’s sustaining presence (John 14:15, 23). The widow’s simple, courageous “yes” teaches that obedience is faith in motion—choosing God’s word over visible scarcity and opening the door for miraculous provision. |
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