I wrote this expository sermon on 1 Kings 17:17–24 for a preaching class at Bob Jones University.
Introduction. We find in this passage the fourth miraculous working of God in the life of Elijah. At the beginning of the chapter Elijah prays and God stops the rain. Then Elijah lives by the brook of Cherith, miraculously supplied food by ravens. After the brook dries up, God sends him to Zarephath, to a widow who will provide for him, and there the Lord miraculously supplies the meal and the oil because of her obedience. God continually meets the needs of His servant. By this time about a year has passed—and now the widow’s son is dead. This passage deals with testing, which God brings into our lives for our good. In it we will see three things that show testing is the instrument of blessing: the reason for testing, the response to testing, and the result of testing.
I. The reason for testing is refining (v. 17). Where does testing come from (Isa. 45:7; Amos 3:6; Mic. 1:12; 2:3)? It is not without significance that this story took place in Zarephath, which literally means “the place of refining”—and that is exactly what took place there. God’s purpose in testing is to refine us and remove the dross from our lives. Just as the metallurgist heats the metal to remove the dross, so God sends us through the furnace of affliction to remove our impurities.
1. Testing refines our security. This woman, who had lost her husband not long before and had nearly died in the drought and famine, has now lost her only son—her only source of joy and companionship. God often sends us through testing right after a season of prosperity. What is it in your life that is more important to you than anything else? What gives you security—your family, your friends, your grades, your athletic ability, your looks? Be careful: God may take away your security so that you will have only Him to bring you security.
2. Testing refines our self-dependence. It had probably been at least a year since the miracle of the meal and the oil, and at first there was surely real thankfulness. But eventually the sense of the miraculous wore off, and she stopped recognizing that God was the one meeting her needs. God cannot abide people who live as though they do not need Him, so often He takes away what they depend on. We are quick to thank God for the supernatural—an answered prayer, a provision, a relative coming to Christ—but when it comes to our everyday needs we forget that the same God provides them. When did you last thank the Lord, and really mean it, for a place to sleep, clothes to wear, or your daily food? Never depend on yourself; give God the credit for the natural as well as the supernatural.
II. The response to testing is revealing (vv. 18–22a). How you respond when hard times come will reveal who or what you are really trusting in. Here we see two very different responses.
1. A wrong response (v. 18). The widow revealed her lack of faith. It is almost as if she blames Elijah for the death of her son. She could see the presence of God with Elijah, so she assumed this man of God was to blame, and she blamed him rather than praying to God. How do you respond when trials come? Do you point fingers and look for someone to blame? Do you respond in anger and bitterness? Testing does not always come as a result of sin—just look at Job. It comes to bring us to a deeper faith in God and dependence on Him.
2. A right response (vv. 19–22a). Elijah responded in compassion and faith. He had no doubt grown attached to the boy over the year, and he felt pity for the woman and sought to help her; he responded by going to God. Where do you go when trials come—to your friends, to yourself, or to God? Notice, too, that Elijah prayed both before and after his action; our acts of service must be empowered by prayer. And notice God’s answer: “And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah.” As James says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly” (James 5:16–17). We can have this same power in prayer, because Elijah was a man just like us.
III. The result of testing is rewarding (vv. 22b–24). God always uses testing as a means of building His people. This trial in Zarephath, the place of refinement, worked to the benefit of all involved.
1. Testing brings the reward of strengthened faith. God had already provided for Elijah in remarkable ways; now Elijah prays for something never before recorded in Scripture—that God would raise the dead. Through previous trials God had strengthened his faith, so that he believed God could do even this; and after God answered, his faith was strengthened all the more. God leads His children into trials so that they will pray, so that He can answer, so that their faith will grow and His power will be magnified.
2. Testing brings the reward of saving faith. From the text alone there is little reason to think this woman was yet a true follower of Jehovah; her response in verse 18 shows no sign of faith. But whatever her state before, it is clear that she gained a confident belief and assurance in God as a result of this testing—notice the change from verse 18 to verse 24. God often uses testing to bring people to Himself; many of us know someone who came to Christ through a trial he might otherwise never have faced.
Conclusion. The reason for testing is to refine us of our security and self-dependence; the response to testing reveals our hearts; and the result of testing is the strengthening of our faith. God uses testing to purge us and to bring us to a deeper dependence on Him; He takes away our crutches so that we must call out to Him. Testing truly is to our advantage, because it brings us closer to God. Let us, as James says, “count it all joy when [we] fall into divers temptations, knowing this, that the trying of [our] faith worketh patience.” Testing is the instrument of blessing.