"Making Good Investments" (1 Kings 17)

Introduction

God is moving. God is working to bring about His Kingdom on earth; and God chooses us to be His channels. We can sit back, or we can get involved! We have chosen to be involved. This requires investing deeply in what God is wanting to do within our local community (which often includes moving through some of the boundaries that appear from time to time). This means an outward and onward journey … filled with faith … into the world.

The purpose of the church is both straightforward and profound: it is to fulfil God’s great commission of making disciples from all nations, baptising them, and teaching them how to follow Jesus in daily life. This is the essence of ‘Kingdom living’. The ‘Kingdom of God’ is not just something we talk about or hope for, but something we actually embody … flesh out … together!

Today we’ll look at how this played out in one inspiring narrative from the Old Testament (dated around 875-850 BC). God has always been about fulfilling his covenant with Abraham to form a people of God from all nations on earth. Here in 1 Kings 17, we see all the elements of kingdom living and community engagement: availability, listening, going, God’s provision, connection, confidence, ministry and good outcomes.

Biblical Text

Elijah, as he had pointed out to King Ahab of Israel, was totally committed to Yahweh, the true God, not the pagan gods often sought by kings and commoners alike. And Elijah was listening for God’s voice (verse 8) – he was expecting God to guide his steps – Elijah was alert to this, and therefore was able to be wholly responsive when God spoke. Elijah was also able to follow God’s leading … out of his comfort zone … into unknown territory … to a Gentile woman – in fact, right into the centre of Baal worship (where Elijah’s God was heavily opposed) … and to people who were considered Israel’s enemies.

We might think, in his immediate obedience, that Elijah was just an exceptional person. But we know that Elijah was just a normal human, naturally concerned for his own life, one who needed his space and rest, and one that even had the propensity to get depressed at times. But Elijah just found a way to be God’s person when it counted. He was rightly motivated; for even over in Sidon, there were people who God loved, who may be responsive to an outpouring of God’s grace … if they could just experience this. As such, Elijah had many divine appointments, making good investments in people.

We should note that … as God called Elijah to ‘go’, as he calls all of us, his disciples, to ‘go’, he also prepared the one Elijah was being sent to. God had spoken to this widow in Zarephath in such a way that she would somehow offer Elijah hospitality and an opening for ministry. There would be an open door! God was moving … ahead of Elijah! Elijah may have wondered how ever he would be received, but God assured him that it would be okay. And Elijah simply trusted that God would provide. It would be okay – but NOT necessarily straightforward or easy.

At verse 10 in the story, Elijah must have had some internal conviction that this woman at the town gate, was the one of whom God had spoken. But, how do you make contact or open communication with someone you don’t know? Maybe just ask for a glass of water! And then say, by the way, you’re a bit hungry!! We might go about this differently (in our culture), but the point is … that Elijah summoned all his faith and courage, and was able to begin a conversation with the person God had sent him to.

It seems that the current drought meant that this widow thought she had little to offer. There was a willingness, but a seeming lack of resources. This woman felt led to give hospitality, but hardly had enough for herself and her son. So much so, that she felt this may actually be their last meal (v 12). Elijah needed to find a way of encouraging her, and certainly had in mind what God had said about this widow being able to feed him. So boldly, Elijah suggested that she go ahead and make the meal from the ingredients available, and feed him first … implying that there would be ample as well for her son and herself!

Here we might detect the sort of activity of God that was fully evident when Jesus broke up some meagre supplies of bread and fish and fed five thousand or more! Elijah witnessed to the source of his hope (in verse 14): “For thus says the Lord … the jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail …”. This sounds like the packet of Tim-tams that never runs out (but keeps refilling). Seriously, there was something about the way Elijah acted and spoke that changed this widow’s view of things entirely; for we then read (v 15) that, “She went and did as Elijah said”.

What was it about Elijah … that was so impressive to this woman? Was it the confidence that he had in what God was doing? I think so, yes! And when Elijah had said, “For thus said the Lord the God of Israel” (back in v 14), I think we are meant to read this as an invitation to trust the God that had been personally significant to Elijah and to his people. Elijah was identifying to this woman, in his own way, and relevant to this particular situation – that the God he knew, was the one true God, in whom anyone, anyone at all, could put their faith (and be blessed).

This widow had an encounter with real sincere faith that day. She was somehow impressed by Elijah, followed what he said; and rather than dying tomorrow for lack of food, “she … and her household ate for many days” (v 15b). Something had changed! Everyone around us has questions in their minds to be answered. God provides the answers – but usually through human channels … connecting through points of human (and spiritual) need.

As we read on, we are reminded that nothing works out perfectly for long in a fallen world. We live amongst tragedy and strife. We will do what we can to defeat injustice and oppression, but until Jesus ultimately reigns, we will face all sorts of challenges. As Rhett reminded us last week, it’s how we face these challenges that will count for much. And we have been given all the resources from the Holy Trinity of God through which to conquer any demons. We read that this widow’s son became gravely ill to the point of death (verse 17) – we are probably meant to conclude that the son is already dead.

Having encountered God through Elijah, and the possibility of faith, and seen some of the blessings that were brought to the plate, this woman was now understandably confused and incensed (refer verse 18). She was yet to understand the concept of growing faith through the ups and downs of life. But more than that, she felt that Elijah had only presented her with his God … to make her aware of her sin and unworthiness, and that this would cost her … as her punishment … her son’s life. Not true … lovely lady … not true! Elijah would come to show that this wasn’t the case at all!

Yet, so many people still think that God is out to punish them. Why is that so?! Do we sometimes present a gospel of negativity, rather than a Gospel of hope?! Do we sometimes see more of the bad in people, rather than seeing how God wants to bring forward their value and potential? Yes, the destructive nature of sin needs to be dealt with, but only in the context of a developing relationship with a gracious, merciful and loving God? Faith comes before repentance. And a presentation of a positive gospel of hope is required to elicit faith. That’s why in the “parable of the weeds” (Matt 13:24-30), Jesus says to leave the weeds alone just in case you pluck out a plant by mistake! Jesus didn’t judge the lost, he only condemned the religious hypocrites!!

With Elijah, in verse 20, we ask the question: had Elijah come to this woman on God’s behalf, only to oppress and shame her, and cause the death of her child? No! Definitely not!! Do we want to see people get their just and finish in hell? Surely not! Do we want to judge them into a total rejection of the gospel? No! We want them to receive the love of God, and the serving ministry of Jesus in their lives, and be restored by the Holy Spirit into a fruitful human being. That’s what we’re after! To prove this to be the case, to prove God’s loving and gracious intent … Elijah brought this woman’s son back to full life!!

God is always bringing about opportunities for human interaction … so that there can be conversation, encouragement, expressions of hope through the Gospel message, relationship building and changed outcomes. Two weeks ago, I quoted from Ed Stetzer: “God has made relationships his chosen delivery system for the gospel of hope”. This is what we plainly see in the case of Elijah and this widow from Zarephath. And we remind ourselves that Elijah was called to ‘go’ … no matter the difficulty of the times and the strangeness of the culture.

We are simply to make ourselves continually available to God and others, and then watch the kingdom of God take visible shape … as a result of the offering of our time, touch and testimony. Ed Stetzer again writes: “Once we understand the unmatched value of kingdom living, we’ll want to pursue it with everything we’ve got. Instead of following the pattern of pivoting away from the lost, poor, hurting and needy – insulating ourselves from other people’s struggles, we’ll go where people need us the most”. This involves investing deeply into our neighbourhoods. What better use of our time is there?!

There are many great causes that we can get involved in with the general community; e.g. football/netball club, local Mindat project, local Christmas carol events, nurturing children. We can work together with others through shared values of human dignity, justice, peace, creativity, health and well-being. And we will no doubt have the opportunity of sharing our particular perspective on why these issues are important to us, and Who drives our thinking on such matters (and perhaps be able to happily explore the commonalities and differences in our world-views). We can be sponsors, partners, supporters and co-workers … to great effect.

As I mentioned earlier, Elijah portrayed great confidence in God. We should also portray a confidence in God’s faithful presence with us, how God’s Spirit is transforming our lives, how Jesus is our ‘yard-stick’! This may mean that others come to recognise God’s equivalent availability to them. This does not mean that people will get everything they want, or necessarily have their immediate problem fixed. It DOES mean that God will travel with them, bring some sense to their experience of life, offer (often with friendly assistance) some ways forward – bringing peace, healing and change into various aspects of life, and ultimately a whole new life orientation.

However, being confident in Who we believe in … does NOT mean being arrogant, or superior or prideful or a ‘know-it-all’. In fact, it means just the opposite – to be vulnerable, open, humble and gentle – being ready for relationships of mutual encouragement … this is where true confidence and faith leads. And true character has nothing to prove – it speaks with both conviction and gentleness. We don’t ‘go’ to defend God nor prove ourselves right; we ‘go’ purely on a rescue mission – not to conquer, but to see souls re-connected with God! Imagine a church filled with lots of people … newly investigating the Gospel of hope!

When certain negative perceptions of God are raised, we should have the tools, especially in our personal story, to cast any troubling events in a different light. We know that God is good, because of what we have personally experienced. Did God cause the near death of the widow’s son? Of course not! This was likely to have been because of malnutrition caused by the drought – within a society where there was an unequal distribution of food. Hardly God’s fault … who created a perfect garden, and simply asked us to look after it properly and be good stewards.

Also, some people who have been terribly let down or abused by those they trusted, have allotted blame on God. But surely God did NOT cause this offense. God would actually be weeping with the sufferer. Often what people blame God for, were solely (and regrettably so) the fault of sinful people. Many of us know people and family members who have walked away from church, often blaming God, or generally holding resentment toward God’s people, for what has happened to them. I think that the best approach to them – is to offer a fresh view of faith and a new entry point to the Gospel, based on good things that are happening now (rather than trying to rehash what didn’t ultimately work well for them in previous days).

Conclusion

We should reflect on how the story in 1 Kings 17 concluded. Elijah had connected well with the widowed lady (given the culture and the context). Elijah had been confident in his calling to go, and in the nature of the message he wanted to bring. He had wanted to show that God was available to turn this woman’s life situation around; and when further trouble came, and doubt may have set in, Elijah was able to demonstrate the extraordinary life-giving capacity of God.

That this was thoroughly effective and faith-building for the widow of Zarephath, is seen in her words in verse 24: “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth”. This is how truth becomes established … through confident community relationship-building. We would like to hear more of such responses, as we witness to the truth of the Gospel!

We may not be able to literally multiply the bread and the fish, or bring the dead back to life, but the message of scripture is … that we can make very good investments in the lives of others, such that they come to faith, experience the love of God in their lives on a daily basis, and grow in discipleship. What better use of our time is there?! We do NOT invest this way because we are under obligation, making this an onerous task; but much more so because of the way God is loving us, making this our heartfelt response to a lost world.