Topical Bible: Miracles: Catalogue of Raises the Widow's Son

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The raising of the widow's son is a profound miracle recorded in the Bible, demonstrating God's power over life and death and His compassion for the grieving. This miracle is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting the continuity of God's miraculous works through His prophets and His Son, Jesus Christ.

1. Elijah Raises the Widow's Son (1 Kings 17:17-24)

The first account of a widow's son being raised from the dead is found in the ministry of the prophet Elijah. During a time of severe drought, Elijah was staying with a widow in Zarephath. The widow's son fell ill and died, leading her to question Elijah about the presence of sin and the cause of her son's death. Elijah responded with faith and compassion. He took the boy to the upper room where he was staying, laid him on his own bed, and cried out to the LORD:

"O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on this widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?" (1 Kings 17:20).

Elijah stretched himself upon the child three times and prayed earnestly for the boy's life to return. The LORD heard Elijah's plea, and the life of the child returned to him, and he revived. Elijah then presented the living child to his mother, affirming the power of God and the truth of His word through the prophet:

"See, your son is alive," Elijah declared (1 Kings 17:23).

2. Elisha Raises the Shunammite's Son (2 Kings 4:18-37)

The prophet Elisha, Elijah's successor, also performed a similar miracle. A Shunammite woman, who had shown great hospitality to Elisha, was blessed with a son as a reward for her kindness. However, the child later died unexpectedly. The woman sought Elisha, who returned with her to her home. Elisha entered the room where the child lay, prayed to the LORD, and then performed a series of actions similar to those of Elijah:

"He went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD" (2 Kings 4:33).

Elisha lay upon the child, and the flesh of the child became warm. After further prayer and action, the child sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Elisha then called the Shunammite woman to take her son, alive and well, affirming God's power and faithfulness.

3. Jesus Raises the Widow's Son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17)

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ performed a miracle that echoed the works of Elijah and Elisha, further establishing His divine authority. As Jesus approached the town of Nain, He encountered a funeral procession for the only son of a widow. Moved with compassion, Jesus spoke to the grieving mother:

"Do not weep" (Luke 7:13).

He then touched the bier and commanded the young man to arise:

"Young man, I say to you, get up!" (Luke 7:14).

The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. This miracle not only demonstrated Jesus' power over death but also His deep compassion for those in sorrow. The people who witnessed this event were filled with awe and glorified God, recognizing Jesus as a great prophet and acknowledging that God had visited His people.

These accounts of raising the widow's son illustrate the consistent theme of God's power to restore life and His compassion for the vulnerable and grieving. Through His prophets and ultimately through His Son, God reveals His sovereignty over life and death, offering hope and demonstrating His love for humanity.

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1 Kings 17:17-24
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.
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