Monday 10 March 2008

Background

Elijah (the "man of God" from today's story) springs to ourattention out of nowhere. He declares that a great famine wouldfall upon the people of Israel and last until he, by his "word",announces its end (1Kings 17:1).

He was sent, by the "word of the Lord" (1 Kings 17:9), tostay with the widow at Zarephath. During his stay there, her storeof oil and meal did not run out, but suddenly her son became illand "there was no breath in him" (verse 17). Elijah stretchedhimself out over the child and prayed that "life come into himagain". When the boy was revived the widow acknowledged Elijah asGod's prophet.

However, this story does more than reveal the genuineness ofElijah's prophetic vocation. It expanded the understanding of thecharacter of God for the people of the Old Testament. God was knownto reward righteousness and punish sin, but here, God is loving andcompassionate towards God's own people.

In Elijah, who has become God's man - who speaks God's 'word' -there is the possibility that new life will be breathed into thenation of Israel.

To Ponder

Is there anyone you know who you could say is'God's man or woman'? Just pause, remember and give thanks for themtoday.

Elijah cried out to God, trusting that he wouldbe heard. Who or what situation are you able to cry out to God atthis very moment?

This story suggests that God wants to breathe newlife into an individual (or a nation). What might be the result ofthat happening today?