Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

[Guest]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb]

Do not lose sight of the fact that she did so after she grabbed a hold of the promise as recorded in verse 14. Where there was no promise, what would be the point of her faith? [/qb][/QUOTE]

Awwww but wasn't she from a pagan nation?

[Diplomat]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by Compry:

Awwww but wasn't she from a pagan nation?

True, but what would be the relevance there relative to what she was instructed to do? Seems to me that she knew about the Lord God of Israel, and that He keeps His word. Something most believers still struggle with.

I am quite liking this... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Dailybread]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by CEW:
A couple of questions to ponder:

1) How does this widow remind us of our short-comings as it relates to trust in God?

We believe God until something goes wrong, after that we get upset and say if we had done this or done that all would be well.

2) Did anyone take note of the fact that despite the promise of God, this widow had to act, i.e do her part?

Yea, this eliminates the idea of wait on God, wait on God. We show our faith through our works.

3) Did anyone take note of the fact that she was asked to give all she had?

I saw that but I also take note that she had to be reminded of the promise of God. At times we are reluctant in doing what God says until we are reminded. It's not that we don't believe but I think it's due to being a bit insecure.

[Guest]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb]

Originally posted by Compry:

Awwww but wasn't she from a pagan nation?

True, but what would be the relevance there relative to what she was instructed to do? Seems to me that she knew about the Lord God of Israel, and that He keeps His word. Something most believers still struggle with.

I am quite liking this... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [/qb]

I still think it goes back to Elijah. God used a poor unbeliever to test Elijah's faith.

[Diplomat]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by Dailybread:

3) Did anyone take note of the fact that she was asked to give all she had?

I saw that but I also take note that she had to be reminded of the promise of God. At times we are reluctant in doing what God says until we are reminded. It's not that we don't believe but I think it's due to being a bit insecure.

Agreed with the understanding that today's believer have the Word of God as a constant reminder. I think you do make an interesting point though. Could it be that the insecurity you alluded to is because we have not grabbed a hold of the promises of God and make them ours? If we compare God speaking to the widow as our hearing the Word, then it tells me that hearing the Word is not enough to produce positive action. I really think that it was after she made it real to her situation, that she acted.

[Diplomat]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by Compry:

I still think it goes back to Elijah. God used a poor unbeliever to test Elijah's faith.

How then do you explain the unbeliever being on the receiving end of both miracles? And, if it was a test of Elijah's faith, would he not have been told to go to the city to any widow? After all, the only test he faced was whether or not he would have gone to Zarephath and there is no doubt in my mind he did not even second-guess God on that.

I just think that for whatever reason, God had a couple of miracles in store for this woman who knew of Him, but needed to know Him.

[Dailybread]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb]

Originally posted by Dailybread:

3) Did anyone take note of the fact that she was asked to give all she had?

I saw that but I also take note that she had to be reminded of the promise of God. At times we are reluctant in doing what God says until we are reminded. It's not that we don't believe but I think it's due to being a bit insecure.

Agreed with the understanding that today's believer have the Word of God as a constant reminder. I think you do make an interesting point though. Could it be that the insecurity you alluded to is because we have not grabbed a hold of the promises of God and make them ours? If we compare God speaking to the widow as our hearing the Word, then it tells me that hearing the Word is not enough to produce positive action. I really think that it was after she made it real to her situation, that she acted. [/qb]

Isn't it funny how we at times wait until we are in a 'crisis' to personalize God's word? Nontheless if we do not personalize it, it is of no effect to our lives.

[Guest]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by CEW:
[qb] I just think that for whatever reason, God had a couple of miracles in store for this woman who knew of Him, but needed to know Him. [/qb]

Explain, please.

[Diplomat]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by Compry:

Originally posted by CEW:
I just think that for whatever reason, God had a couple of miracles in store for this woman who knew of Him, but needed to know Him.

Explain, please.

Check out her language: "She said, "I swear, as surely as your GOD lives..." (verse 12), so she knew of Him. In verse 24: "The woman said to Elijah, "I see it all now--you are a holy man. When you speak, GOD speaks...". It was no longer your God, just God. I love it [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] .

[Dailybread]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by CEW:

In verse 24: "The woman said to Elijah, "I see it all now--you are a holy man. When you speak, GOD speaks...". It was no longer your God, just God. I love it [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

CEW, we are also like that. When things seem to be falling apart we say. Why me God? God where are you? When all is going well He's all of a sudden a good God, a God who never leaves us nor forsake us. A On time God. Ironic isn't it?

[Diplomat]

Re: Women Of The Bible (WOTB) - The Widow of Zarephath

Originally posted by Dailybread:
[qb]

Originally posted by CEW:

In verse 24: "The woman said to Elijah, "I see it all now--you are a holy man. When you speak, GOD speaks...". It was no longer your God, just God. I love it [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

CEW, we are also like that. When things seem to be falling apart we say. Why me God? God where are you? When all is going well He's all of a sudden a good God, a God who never leaves us nor forsake us. A On time God. Ironic isn't it? [/qb]

True enough, though it does reflect a lack of faith. When things are going well, faith does not seem much of an issue so we do not spend the time to develop it for the times when things are not going well, which is when we need it. Now that I am thinking about it, it reminds me of my son's bike. Last summer, the tires were always pumped - because he needed to ride it. In the garage it went for the winter, but come late Spring, the tires were flat. Why? We did not pay much attention to it when he did not need to use it. The hardest time to work on faith is when things are going well. Problem is, that is when we need to. Very good observation.