What providence may not do . . .

1 Kings 17; Psalm 103; Ezekiel 47; Colossians 4

 Early in the story of Elijah, he predicts a drought. As soon as that happens, God tells him what to do that will protect him from the evil Ahab who rules in Israel:

Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. And after a while the brook dried up because there was no rain in the land. (1 Kings 17:1–7)

God also protected His prophet from the drought. “Then the word of the Lord came to him, ‘Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.’” (1 Kings 17:8–9)

This woman had only enough food for one more meal but “Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’ ” (1 Kings 17:13–14)

The gracious providence of God happened just as He promised and they ate for many days. However, the son of this widow became ill and died. Understandably, the woman was upset. She even blamed Elijah. He responded by taking the boy to the child’s bed and pleading with God about the matter.

Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, “O Lord my God, let this child’s life come into him again.” And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. (1 Kings 17:21–22)

Then the prophet took the boy and delivered him to his mother. “See, your son lives.” At that, she said to Elijah:

“Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.” (1 Kings 17:24)

This story illustrates an important truth. While the NT says that the goodness of God may lead people to repentance, His miraculous providence may not be convincing. This woman saw her food supply stretched beyond all imagination yet it was not until she witnessed a resurrection that she realized Elijah was a man of God and the words he spoke were true.

I see this often. A person is alive and well, making a good living, and blessed in many ways, but instead of seeing the hand of God and being thankful, he curses and swears about everything. The providence of God has no effect on that person. However, those who realize that Jesus died and rose again experience a transformation. The resurrection of this Son changes their understanding of God and His people and the Word of God is realized as truth!

APPLY: The NT says, “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) Even though the above OT story is subtle, it encourages me. I should tell others what God says to me concerning them. As I do this, my God will guide me into safe places and take care of my needs. However, it shows that experiencing the care of God for everyday life and even for the tough parts of life may not turn other people toward Him. At that, I should not be upset. Instead, I need to point them to Jesus and tell them that God raises the dead, first His own Son and then all who put their faith in Him. We can have assurance that the love of God goes far beyond the daily needs of this life —He promises life eternal.

Now I would remind you . . . I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures . . . (1 Corinthians 15:1–4)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)