Advent 2019

15 So she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. 
1 Kings 17:15 

Today’s passage comes during the reign of King Ahab over Israel, where Elijah the prophet announces a great famine in the land. During this famine, Elijah is commanded by the Lord to go to the Phoenician city of Zarephath and to find a widow who would provide for him. When Elijah does find her, the story takes an unusual and depressing turn as we learn that the widow and her son were preparing their last meals. We see just how destructive this famine was, and we think Elijah to be a bit calloused when he instead tells her to use their remaining flour and oil to instead make him a small loaf to eat. How can Elijah be so rude and unconcerned with the desperate state that this family was in. And without much explanation or buildup, the story comes to an abrupt end. In two verses we quickly learn that she trusted in God’s Word delivered by Elijah and that God provided for them miraculously so that they never ran out of food.

Currently, we are in the church season known as Advent, arrival or coming. It began on Dec 1st and ends on Dec 24th. Advent is the church seasons in which Christians live in anticipation and preparation of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It culminates with the celebration of Jesus’ birth which is Christmas. In this season we are reminded of just how much darkness the world is in, a darkness we used to live in ourselves. Similar to the widow and her son, we were in very desperate conditions, without hope, and only expecting death because of our sins. But the widow trusted in the word of God and believed His promise when “the LORD God of Israel [said], ‘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” (1 Kings 17:14).

Advent reminds us that God had promised that he would send a Messiah to save the people and He did that when Christ became incarnate, took on flesh and dwelt among us. But like the widow who believed the Word of God, those who are living in darkness must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be saved. And that is why this is such a wonderful season for believers. We are reminded that our savior did indeed come and live a perfect life in obedience to the Father and willing gave of Himself by dying on a cross. He was our sacrifice and he is our salvation. In Easter, we remember that Jesus defeated sin and death by rising again from the dead and that later ascended into heaven and rules on the throne. And just as Advent reminds us that God kept His promise in sending the Messiah, we are reminded that there will be a second advent. We are reminded that Jesus will indeed return in glory and in power. And so, as we celebrate this season of Christ’s first coming, may we also not forget that Jesus is coming again and may our hearts cry out Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.

Grace and Peace,
Alex Galvez

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These articles follow the current Bible Reading plan for Overflow Ministries. If you would like to join the reading plan, simply download the plan here: Overflow Reading Plan

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