Elijah, one of the most prominent prophets in the Old Testament, is often remembered for his boldness and miraculous acts. However, his life and ministry also provide profound insights into the themes of compassion and sympathy, as demonstrated through his interactions with others and his relationship with God.

Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath

One of the most striking examples of Elijah's compassion is found in his encounter with the widow of Zarephath. During a severe famine, God directed Elijah to go to Zarephath, where he met a widow gathering sticks. Despite her dire circumstances, Elijah asked her for water and a piece of bread. The widow explained her situation, saying, "As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug" (1 Kings 17:12). Elijah responded with compassion, assuring her that the Lord would provide: "Do not be afraid. Go and do as you have said. But first make me a small cake of bread from what you have, and bring it out to me. Afterward, make some for yourself and your son" (1 Kings 17:13). Elijah's faith and compassion led to a miraculous provision, as the flour and oil did not run out during the famine.

Raising the Widow's Son

Elijah's compassion is further demonstrated when the widow's son fell ill and died. The widow, in her grief, questioned Elijah, but he responded with empathy and action. Elijah took the boy to his upper room, 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 am staying, by causing her son to die?" (1 Kings 17:20). Elijah's heartfelt prayer and his physical act of stretching himself upon the child three times reflect his deep compassion and desire for the boy's life to be restored. The Lord heard Elijah's plea, and the boy's life returned to him, showcasing the power of compassionate intercession.

Elijah's Sympathy for Israel

Elijah's ministry was marked by his deep concern for the spiritual state of Israel. He confronted King Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, not out of a desire for personal glory, but out of sympathy for a nation led astray. Elijah's challenge to the people, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21), reveals his earnest desire for Israel to return to the true worship of God. His actions were driven by a compassionate heart that longed for the people to experience the blessings of faithfulness to the Lord.

Elijah's Own Need for Compassion

Despite his mighty acts, Elijah himself experienced moments of deep despair and need for divine compassion. After his victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled from Queen Jezebel's threats and found himself in the wilderness, overwhelmed and despondent. In his distress, he prayed, "I have had enough, LORD. Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers" (1 Kings 19:4). In response, God showed compassion to Elijah by providing him with food and rest, and later, by speaking to him in a gentle whisper, reaffirming his mission and presence (1 Kings 19:5-12). This divine compassion restored Elijah's strength and purpose, illustrating that even the mightiest of God's servants need His tender care.

Elijah's life and ministry exemplify the profound impact of compassion and sympathy, both in his interactions with others and in his own experiences of God's compassionate care. Through Elijah, we see a model of how God's servants are called to act with empathy and love, trusting in the Lord's provision and mercy.1 Kings 17:18,19
And she said to Elijah, What have I to do with you, O you man of God? are you come to me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ahab and Elijah
... 'Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?' Elijah was the ... and the very secret of its message
is the tenderest compassion, the most yearning sympathy, for every ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/ahab and elijah.htm

D. The Fourth Period. Ch. 9:1-50
... the dead; 8 and by some, that Elijah had appeared ... obvious than that of the measureless
compassion of Christ. With something of his sympathy we should look upon ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/d the fourth period ch.htm

Gold.
... His is a loving, tender hand, full of sympathy and compassion. ... Egypt, and he had
power to destroy men's lives; when the Spirit came upon Elijah, fire came ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/gold.htm

A Miracle Needing Effort
... was then living, probably near the place of Elijah's sacrifice. ... and, as it were,
the eager leap of his sympathy. ... of us all; so should be the compassion of each ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a miracle needing effort.htm

Introductory Note
... of ages has taught Christians to view with compassion rather than ... student's mind,
by a little more sympathy with the ... for all, that the figures of Elijah upon Mt ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/introductory note.htm

The Raising of the Young Man of Nain - the Meeting of Life and ...
... motive for this miracle, outside Christ's sympathy with intense ... characterised the
conduct of an Elijah, an Elisha ... from the first touch of compassion till when ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xx the raising of.htm

Praying Men at a Premium
... to be cared for, sympathized with and prayed for, because sympathy, pity, compassion
and care ... Moses and Elijah came to yield to Him not only the palm of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/vi praying men at a.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... I have often thought such teachers needed the rebuke of Elijah when he met the priests
of Baal. ... They feel so much sympathy and compassion that they cannot ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

The Name Above Every Name
... I think any one that reads with sympathy must feel ... of Lazarus, or the rapture of
Elijah" namely, a ... beauty of His character, the tenderness of His compassion. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the name above every name.htm

The Transfiguration.
... Let us, also, reverently, and with sympathy, accompany our ... in God's purposes; for
Moses and Elijah represent the ... an appeal there is here to His compassion! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dods/how to become like christ/the transfiguration.htm

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