1 Kings 17:17–24

It is difficult—almost impossible—to read of Elijah in 1 Kings 17 without feeling sorry for that great man. Although he was a prophet and he was dedicated without reservation to the Lord, Elijah underwent a period of extreme suffering and privation which, from a human perspective, seems terribly unfair. “His holy, obedient life should have been rewarded,” we may feel. But God had other plans—the cross must precede the crown—pruning must precede the bearing of fruit. So Elijah went to Cherith and then to Zarephath, where his training intensified. In this passage, Elijah faced the most difficult test of all: the death of the widow’s son. God used that event as a “final examination” before elevating Elijah and placing him back into the flow of public activity.

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