159 - Asa Dies and Elijah's early ministry

The Prophet Elijah Receiving Bread and Water from an Angel
1625 Peter Paul Rubens

Kathleen's thoughts

1 Kings 15: 24,16: 34, 18,3,4, 22:41-43,46, 17: 1-24, 18: 1-3a
2 Chronicles 16: 13-14, 20: 31-33,17: 1-19, 18:1


Asa died in the 41st year of his reign and rested with his fathers. He was buried in his own tomb that he had hewn out for himself in the city of David. They laid him out in a coffin that was full of spices and various mixtures of prepared ointments; then they made a great fire in his honour.
During his reign Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho.

Obadiah was a man who greatly feared the Lord and he took 100 prophets and hid them 50 men to a cave and provided them with food and water when Jezebel slaughtered the Lord's prophets

Jehoshaphat son of Asa  became king over Judah. He was 35 years old when he became king and he reigned 25 years in Jerusalem.  He walked in the way of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it.

Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel. The Lord was with him so He established the kingdom in his hand. Then all Judah brought him tribute, and he had riches and honour in abundance.

Now Elijah the Tishbite, from the Gilead settlers told Ahab that there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command.

Then a revelation came to Elijah from the Lord to leave and turn eastward and hide yourself at the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordon. and the ravens will provide for you there.

Then the word of the Lord came to him and go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon and stay there.
The Lord had commanded a woman who is a widow to provide for you there.
When he arrived at the city gate  the widow was gathering wood. Elijah called to her and said please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink she did this and the he told her to bring him a piece of bread that was in her hand.
 She told Elijah that she had only enough for her and her son that day and was gathering wood to cook  for her and her son so we can eat it and then die. Elijah reassured her not to be afraid and told her to prepare a loaf for him  and then after that make for yourself and your son  for this is what the Lord God of Israel says "The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.

This widow had such faith and carried out what Elijah told her do do After this, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. His illness became very severe until no breath remained in him She said to Elijah. Man of God what do we have in common? Have you come to remind me of my guilt and to kill my son?" \
Elijah said to her give me your son so he took him from her arms and brought him up to the upper room where he was staying and laid him on his own bed. The he cried out to the Lord and he stretched himself out over the boy three times He cried out to the Lord and said " My Lord God, please let this boys' life return to him!
The Lord listened to him and healed the boy and Elijah said Look your son is alive
Then the woman said "Now I know you a man of God and the Lord's word in your mouth is the truth.
This part reminds me of Jesus, He arose on the third day and here Elijah laid over him 3 times calling out to the Lord and the child arose.
I love the flour jar being filled enough to feed her and her son.
God's promise that we do not need to worry about our future if we trust, lean and have faith in God. He will supply our needs pressed down to overflowing.

Blessings
Kathleen.