Unending Supply
1 Kings 17:8-16
The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail. v. 16
Elijah prophesied a drought in the land of Israel. When his prophesy came true, he became persona non grata in the kingdom of Ahab. Elijah escaped and hid in a cave near some water. When the water gave out, he was forced to return to civilization in Zarephath. There he met a widow who was about to prepare a last meal for her son and herself. They had lost all hope.
Elijah asks this hopeless widow to also feed him. He promises that God is good and will provide if she will be generous with the little that she has. She does as he asks. Subsequently her flour and oil don’t run out until the drought and famine ends.
Two miracles occur here. The simplest may be the unending supply of flour and oil. The more complex may indeed be the trust the widow puts in the stranger, Elijah. She trusts him enough to honor his need.
Through whom does God speak today? Who are the prophets asking that we respond to God’s promises and to the human need for food? Can we still the voice that pleads scarcity and believe God will provide enough? In the shadow of the cross, can we bring the light of the resurrection of God’s unending goodness?
PRAY: God of all creation, even some of our neighbors go hungry. Bless those who administer food programs like Food Stamps, WIC, food pantries, free school breakfasts and lunches and sacks of food for families with children. May we find joy in caring for each other. Amen.
FAST: Skip one meal today in solidarity with those who are hungry.
ACT: Set aside canned meat for a local food pantry
OR set aside $1 to give to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal.
...the least of these... 