My Observations

Elijah is told to instantly move. He was to “go” and “dwell.”

He’s told to go. Then he goes.

God “commanded” a widow to provide, but she knew nothing of the command.

The widow thinks her son died because of her sin.

Elijah asks if God brought tragedy. He hadn’t questioned going or being provided for by a widow with nothing.

God hears Elijah’s prayer. It says, “then,” as if after he stretches out on the boy three times and cries out.

Questions:

How did the word of the Lord “come” to him?

“Now by this” she knows that Elijah speaks the true word of God. Now? What about with the oil?

Words/phrases noticed:

Indeed, first, eat it and die, thus says the Lord, give me your son – (then Elijah brings him to his mother), three times, cried out, upper room, revived

 

Interpretation – What’s my understanding from the observations?

Observations section:

Elijah knows the word of the Lord. He doesn’t question it. He knew God. I think he knew God hadn’t brought the tragedy and that’s why he questions. Elijah trusts their relationship that even without the word he could ask for life.

God commanded that the widow provide, but He didn’t need her cooperation. She didn’t need to hear and obey like Elijah. God could just say the word and it would be. It was.

The widow’s understanding of blessing and curse was that God must be punishing her for her sin.

God hears when Elijah calls out. ? – Why stretch out? Was he trying to make something happen? Doesn’t seem like he heard from the Lord then, as if God instructed that.

Questions:

Seems like she must have already known he was a true man of God. “Now” was maybe an affirmation of what she already knew, or maybe an affirmation after her faith being crashed after her son dies.

I’m guess the prophet is just hearing the Lord in their minds. There’s no mention of anyone hearing a voice or thunder or something like that as it does other times when God’s voice is heard by someone. We don’t seem them responded like someone showed up or there being some event when the word comes.

Words/Phrases section:

Elijah tells her to first make him bread. Seems like an act of faith, but not much since she was sure she was going to die.

“Indeed” God said there would be a widow. There was.

A servant of God just needed to cry out and life was revived in the upper room.

 

Applications

Do you trust God and your relationship with the Lord that you would obey and go where you believe God was leading? Do you know He’s big enough and wise enough to get you where He wants you or to speak in such a way that you can hear and understand? Do you trust His ability to lead those around you as well?

Do you ever think you are being punished for your sin? Can you believe that your sins are removed from God’s sight and justice was paid in your case so that you have no debt to pay and are found not guilty – therefore, punishment would be unjust? (And God is always just.)

God hears His servants when they cry out to Him. Do you think you need to work to get His attention or to earn an answer in some way?

Can you rely on past experiences with God or do you keep asking for more signs and experiences to prove Him to you?

Do you believe if God says it, it will be?

Cry out for life! Revival starts with you.

Other topics to explore: Punishment/discipline-training