Friday 10 June 2016

Psalm: Psalm101

Background

Today's passage takes place at Zarephath, justsouth Sidon, on the coast and outside King Ahab's influence. Elijahis told by God to go specifically to a widow and her son. Verse 12suggests that, although a Gentile (non-Jew), the widow was abeliever in the God of Israel. Why was Elijah sent?

On first reading, it might be tempting to thinkthat Elijah was extremely selfish. Taking the widow's last handfulof meal and scrapings of oil to make Elijah a little cake, at theexpense of feeding her son and herself, arouses many emotions.However, what then ensues demonstrates God's bountiful provision,and what God can do when people act obediently in faith. From thatmoment until the end of the drought, mother and son never gohungry, because both the jar of meal and jug of oil never run out.Interestingly, Jesus 'controversially' refers to the miracle inLuke's Gospel (Luke 4:26).

Note the contrast between this Gentile woman'sfaith and the descendants of the people of Israel. These rebellioustribes are disrespecting the name and commandments of the God wholed them to this land in the first place. Elijah's main task is tospeak to these tribes of Israel, notably at this point to those inthe northern lands under the leadership of King Ahab. Theircontinuing rebellion against God cannot go unchallenged. ForElijah, how affirming and supportive it must have been to havefound this outsider, in the midst of suffering, to be 'keeping thefaith' alive.

As mentioned above, the reference by Jesus to thisstory in Luke 4:26 is controversial. It comes after hehas read from Isaiah 61:1-2 in the synagogue in Nazareth,very early in his ministry. Jesus deliberately gives two examplesof prophets Elijah and Elisha who, when faced with disbeliefamongst their own people, were able to do wonderful things amongstoutsiders. God had 'chosen' the Israelites as the originalinstruments of God's own word, but that universal message of savinglove and redemption includes all people.

To Ponder

• If no-one can be outside the love of God, how does thisinfluence who you include in your prayers?

• Who might you 'include' today in different groups, when youwould prefer to keep them on the outside?

• Does today's Bible reading have anything to teach aboutwelcoming strangers either personally or as a country? If so, whatmight that be? And how do you react to it?