Sometimes things do not go right in life. Elijah and the family have been living together off miracles before something goes wrong. The son has died and the woman believes her past sins have brought this about.

Elijah shows kindness. See Colossians 3:12-13. It is kindness that is prophetic. Is kindness evidence that you are a Christian? Are you looking for a better class of sinner to talk to about Jesus? It can be kindness that can get through the hardest heart. Elijah’s kindness coupled with God’s power has made a difference in the woman’s life. Kindness is:

1 – Blessing those who have little or nothing to give us

Widows were notorious for their poverty in the ancient world. The widow of Zarephath was used by Jesus as an illustration of God’s right to choose a people to Himself. See Luke 4:24-26. Elijah perhaps thought that God would lead him to an unusual rich widow, but God led him to a poor Gentile widow. She does not appear to have been at all aware that she was to feed a prophet. She went out that morning to gather sticks, not to meet a guest. She was thinking about feeding her son and herself upon the last cake; certainly she had no idea of sustaining a man of God out of that all but empty barrel of meal.

2 – Those God has joined us up with in fellowship

The relationship between the two needed some kindness. There will always be those who irritate us. Sheep are not always that clever. Don’t forget you are one. We need to be realistic about fellowship.

3 – You refuse to be easily offended

At the death of her son, the widow indirectly blamed Elijah. She more directly blamed herself and her unnamed sin. Whatever her sin was, the guilty memory of it was always close to her. The woman is saying we have nothing in common. Are you easily offended? You would think some people were born that way. We behave like hedgehogs! We are prickly and keep others at a distance.

4 – Giving the gift of listening

Elijah listens to the woman. Do we listen to others? Is the contribution of others as important as your contribution? Elijah heals the boy and is not smug about it. Kindness is the other miracle in the story. Has kindness become a casualty in your life? May God help us to be kind when we it is impossible to be kind and produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit that is a miracle from God.

Categories: 1 Kings