Elijah & the Widow II: The Restoration of Hope

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I Kings 17:17-24

WHAT STORIES OR CONCEPTS IN THE BIBLE GIVE YOU HOPE?

17 Now it came about after these things that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became sick; and his sickness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 18 So she said to Elijah, “What do I have to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my iniquity to remembrance and to put my son to death!” 19 He said to her, “Give me your son.” Then he took him from her bosom and carried him up to the upper room where he was living, and laid him on his own bed. 20 He called to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, have You also brought calamity to the widow with whom I am staying, by causing her son to die?” 21 Then he stretched himself upon the child three times, and called to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, I pray You, let this child’s life return to him.” 22 The LORD heard the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child returned to him and he revived. 23 Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house and gave him to his mother; and Elijah said, “See, your son is alive.” 24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”

BACKGROUND

Resurrection in General

Early Israelite religion did not have a theology of resurrection, though there were some references to resurrection in early Old Testament scriptures. In general, people did not think in terms of resurrection, but in God rewarding or punishing in this life. Yet, resurrection as a concept, for some, did exist. The first was Abraham. When taking his son, Isaac, to Mount Moriah to be sacrificed, he reasoned that though he slay Isaac, God would raise him from the dead. Hebrews 11:9 reveals this when it says of Abraham, “He considered that God is able to raise people even from the dead.”

Job also, during his suffering, reasoned that God would raise him from the dead. Job 19:26 says, “Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God.”

These were early ideas about resurrection in scripture. They were communicated to Israel long after these men lived. Abraham and Job had no scripture to learn from, so their ideas about resurrection were remarkable. But sometime later in scripture we see another idea of resurrection from Samuel’s mother Hannah. After giving birth to Samuel, Hannah sings a song of thanksgiving in which she says, “The LORD kills and makes alive; he brings down to Sheol and raises up” (I Samuel 2:6). Notice the order in her statement. Kills comes before makes alive. Sheol (or the grave) comes before raises up. This signifies these things happen in order, death before resurrection.

So, even with these three, Abraham, Job, and Hannah, we see that early ideas about resurrection were centered on hope. Resurrection is a theology of hope for the righteous.

Resurrection in the Old Testament

The Old Testament’s later passages build on this notion of hope in resurrection. One of the firsts is in our passage today. Resurrection was a sign to the widow that Elijah was a true prophet. The resurrection of her son gave her hope.

Elijah’s successor, Elisha, raised the Shunammite’s son from the dead (II Kings 4:18-37). It may be argued that she believed Elisha could raise her son, which is why she so diligently sought him out. She had hope.

The clearest example of a resurrection theology in the Old Testament comes from the book of Daniel, where a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked is mentioned. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).

Meaning and Types for Resurrection

Ultimately, all mentions of resurrection in the Old Testament are a type pointing to the true resurrection of Christ in the New Testament and our resurrection that will happen at a future time. The biggest difference being that Jesus’ resurrection and our resurrection are permanent. The resuscitations in the Old Testament were not permanent. Someone may be raised from the dead, but they would ultimately die again later. This was also true with Lazarus in the New Testament. But Jesus died and rose again, never to die again. And the same will be true with our resurrection. Someday, we will be given a new body, and we will be raised from the dead never to die again. “Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality” (I Corinthians 15:51-53).

Notice the use of the words imperishable and immortal. This signifies never dying again. Our resurrection will be permanent. This is truly a theology of hope.

SO FAR IN OUR STUDY ABOUT ELIJAH, EVERYTHING HAS BEEN ABOUT THE DROUGHT. SO WHY DO YOU THINK THERE IS A STORY HERE ABOUT A RESURRECTION? WHAT DO YOU THINK THESE THINGS HAVE IN COMMON?

But Why Here?

But why does resurrection appear in this passage following God’s punishment of Israel with a drought? What do these stories have to do with each other? They are so different.

It is because the Lord wants to give hope. Remember that at this time the Israelites believed in Baal, of whom it was said that when he rises from the dead, the rains come. Yet Elijah had already shown that Baal was a false deity by the fact that Baal could not make it rain again—but God could. Remember, also, that in the theology of Baal, Baal died and rose again every year. But he did not raise human beings from the dead. Only the true God can do that. And that’s the point of the story. Resurrection is the theology of hope. The author of the scripture here wants to give Israel hope that God will restore the rain and thus restore life. The resurrection is a picture of what God would do for Israel. He would restore the rain, but more importantly, he will, one day, restore a true spiritual life to the nation.

EXAMINATION

(V.17) Now it came about after these things that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became sick; and his sickness was so severe that there was no breath left in him.

Some scholars debate whether this language, “No breath left in him,” means that the boy was dead, just near death, or perhaps in a coma-like state. I come down on the side of the boy being dead because in verse 18 the widow says the boy is dead, and in verse 21 Elijah asks for the boy’s life to return to him. And saying there was no breath left in him implies the boy was not breathing. He was dead.

(V.18) So she said to Elijah, “What do I have to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my iniquity to remembrance and to put my son to death!”

DO BAD THINGS SOMETIMES HAPPEN TO US BECAUSE OF OUR SIN?

Some commentators think that by referring to Elijah as a “man of God,” the widow is acknowledging Elijah’s spiritual authority. But I don’t think that’s what’s going on. I think this is a cry of bitterness and anger. If you’re a man of God, why did my son die? Maybe a better way to say this in the modern vernacular is, “What have you done to me, man of God?” Notice the sarcasm and bitterness. She is speaking from deep pain and anguish, lashing out, looking for someone to blame.

The widow seems to have forgotten that Elijah saved the boy’s life, and her’s, from famine. In fact, when this happened, she was still receiving the miracle of the perpetual flour and oil that kept the three of them alive. Why she seems to blame Elijah is not clear. She is clearly desperate. She was desperate for food when she met Elijah, and now she is desperate for the life of her son.

Notice that she makes mention of her sin. When tragedy befalls someone, even a loved one, a person might wonder if they are to blame. Did I do something to cause this tragedy? This is not an unreasonable thought. Remember David. Years after his sin with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah the Hittite, David’s family fell into chaos with a dead baby, two sons murdered, and a raped daughter.

Remember also Joseph’s brothers, when facing Joseph, they recalled that their misfortunes were because of what they did to their brother years earlier. The widow might have had some sin in her life in mind, though we are not told what it is.

Whether the widow’s sin was a cause of the boy’s death is not stated. There are times when bad things just happen, and we don’t know why. So, it is most likely that she is simply speaking out of desperation for her son.

(V.19-20) He said to her, “Give me your son.” Then he took him from her bosom and carried him up to the upper room where he was living, and laid him on his own bed. He called to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, have You also brought calamity to the widow with whom I am staying, by causing her son to die?”

ELIJAH SEEMS TO BE QUESTIONING THE LORD’S MOTIVES OR ACTIONS. HAVE YOU EVER FELT THIS WAY, BEREFT OF HOPE?

Elijah’s speech seems to reflect that of the widow. Elijah may have been confused. They were living off of a miracle, yet the child was struck ill and died? Wasn’t the miracle enough? It seems that both Elijah and the widow have lost hope because of their confusion in the situation. The widow lost hope at the death of her son. Elijah, struck with confusion, seems to also have lost hope; so he questions the Lord.

Elijah was not the only one to think this way. The Israelites often complained to Moses by saying, “Have you brought us here to die?” (Exodus 14:11). Even Moses asked the Lord, “What shall I do to this people? A little more, and they will stone me” (Exodus 17:4). And, “Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people!’ But You Yourself have not let me know whom You will send with me’” (Exodus 33:12). Sometimes the situations we find ourselves in would seem to strip us of hope. But, not even death is beyond God’s ability to restore and provide hope.

(V.21) Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and called to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, I pray You, let this child’s life return to him.” 22 The LORD heard the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child returned to him, and he revived.

When Elijah asks for the boy’s life to return to him, the Hebrew word used for life is nephesh, which is usually translated as soul and sometimes as breath. It’s the same word used in Genesis 2:7 when God breathes into Adam the breath of life. Clearly, the boy was dead in that it seems to be that his soul was departed.

Why does Elijah lay himself on the boy three times? Some commentators think that it was in reference to the thrice holy nature of God. Others believe that he was trying to resuscitate him with his own warmth. Though I think that is doubtful. Why he stretched himself over the boy three times is unknown. However, it just might be that he was trying anything, anything at all to revive the boy because he was so desperate. What is important is that the scripture says the Lord heard him, and he restored the life of the boy. This is the first resurrection in scripture. Additionally, II Kings 4:34 records Elisha doing something similar in raising the Shunammite’s son from death.

(V.22) The LORD heard the voice of Elijah, and the life of the child returned to him and he revived.

DO YOU SOMETIMES FEEL THAT THE LORD DOES NOT HEAR YOUR PRAYERS, THAT YOUR PRAYERS ARE BOUNCING OFF THE CEILING? HOW CAN WE KNOW THAT GOD ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS?

Here’s the thing to hold onto in this passage, “The Lord heard the voice of Elijah.” The Lord hears not just his prayers, but all of our prayers. And to say that God hears means that God answers.

This resuscitation is interesting because Baal, the storm god whom the widow’s people worshipped, was said to die in the winter and rise in the summer. The gods rise. People do not. By restoring the boy’s life, Yahweh is demonstrating his power over life and death—something Baal does not have.

(V.23) Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house and gave him to his mother; and Elijah said, “See, your son is alive.”

Good saves the widow’s son and restores her hope. Just as someday the drought will end, so too, someday death will end, as we see in the picture of this resurrection. And this is something we can say to God. “See, your Son is alive.” Jesus is alive. He gives us hope that not all is lost.

(V.24) Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”

WHAT CONVINCES YOU THAT THE WORD OF GOD THAT YOU READ IS TRUE?

WHAT CONVINCED THE WIDOW THAT ELIJAH’S WORD WAS TRUE?

Whereas the widow first spoke out of bitterness and anger, now she speaks repentantly. It’s almost a surprise. Elijah had done the impossible. He had raised the dead to life! You really are a man of God!

The widow becomes convinced that Yahweh is the true God, signifying that she believed in the word of his prophet.

In the Bible, miracles were attestations that the word of a prophet was true. Moses performed miracles to show his word was true. Samuel prophesied future events in the life of Saul to show God’s choice of him. Other prophets predicted future events to attest to their truthfulness. This is also true about Elijah, which the widow recognizes. Only a true prophet can raise the dead. No false God had that power.

The same is true, and much more so, with Jesus. Jesus claimed to be the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). This was a unique claim made by no prophet, but only by the Son of God. And then Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and he raised others from the dead as well. Only the true Son of God could have that power, to raise people from the dead at will.

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

• The widow’s faith had faltered upon the death of her son.

• The widow thought her sin might have brought about her son’s death, but she also blamed Elijah.

• Elijah’s heartfelt cry to God for the boy was answered, though he had his own questions.

• Upon the restoration of her son, the widow’s faith is strengthened and she believes God’s truth—her hope is restored.

• God is giving us a picture of hope, that someday the drought will end, that someday our sin will end and we will have a resurrection like Jesus.

INTERPRETATION

What is the author’s big idea? Though the situation may seem hopeless, God wants to give his people hope.

Although the widow lost hope in the middle of living through a miracle of the flower in the oil, still God restores hope. There was hopelessness because of the drought. No one knew when it was going to end. People’s lives were affected. And then on top of that, her son became sick and died. It would seem that she would have no hope. She lost her sustenance. She had lost her husband. And now she was losing her son. That would drive anyone of us into doubt, depression, and bitterness, as it did to her.

But, Elijah, though questioning, was faithful to God, and God restored the life of her son through his ministry. Thus restoring her hope. And God wants us to have hope as well. No matter what the situation may be in our personal lives or in our nation. God wants to give us the hope that comes through the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection is the key to understanding hope. Because without the resurrection, there is no hope. Remember Paul’s words in I Corinthians 15:16-19, “For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”

But, Jesus has been raised. We are not without hope. We have hope, even in the midst of facing our death, that God will reward us because of his faithfulness. We will be in his presence forever, and someday we will be in his presence in a new glorious body that he will give us that is just like the one Jesus has.

APPLICATION

When faced with what seems to be an insurmountable problem or situation, take the issues straight to God’s throne. He is the god who gives hope, he is the God who answers our prayers.

Even if you have doubts, even if you feel like you need to blame God, take those doubts and take that blame to God in prayer. He wants to hear all of our frustrations. And yet remember to hold onto Christ more than anything else; he is the god of hope.

When God answers, give him praise, and trust him, because he is the god of hope. As we get older, we know that the days ahead of us are fewer than those behind us. And therefore, we should hold onto the hope of the resurrection more than anything else. Because we will soon meet our maker, and we will soon see him face-to-face, and he will reward us.