In chapter 17 of 1 Kings, we see a principle that is often true with God: first comes obedience, and then provision. 

Through the book, we can follow along with the amazing life of Elijah, the prophet of the Lord. Elijah lived approximately 900 years before the birth of Christ in the nation of Israel. At this time in history, Israel reached an all time low as the majority of the people were found to be worshiping false gods, including Baal. 

It seems as though one of our biggest worries can be provision of different kinds. Yet, there are so many promises in His word that the Lord, our Jehovah Jireh, will provide.

During this time, God raised up a powerful messenger, Elijah. There are many amazing occurrences that are recorded in the Bible about Elijah including raising a boy from the dead (1 Kings 17), calling down fire on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), and meeting God at Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19). If you have not read about the amazing life of this God-fearing man who served amidst great evil, I encourage you to grab your Bible, find a quiet place, and dig in today. 

In this article, I want to focus on a principle that God uses twice in Elijah’s life in the chapter of 1 Kings 17. This principle is that God first calls us to obedience, and then after we have obeyed, He provides greatly for our need. 

We begin in chapter 17 when in verse 1, Elijah was speaking to wicked King Ahab, who the Bible reports was “more evil than any king who had come before him (I Kings 16:30, NKJV).” And Elijah, with a boldness that came from the Lord, had the audacity to remind King Ahab that the Lord lives. Ahab, who worshiped a non-living god, Baal, did not want to hear this. And then Elijah reported to Ahab, angering him further, that there would be no rain on the nation of Israel until Elijah told the rain to come.

Because Ahab was so enraged, the Lord told Elijah to “get away from here!” (I Kings 17:3 NKJV). The Lord told Elijah to go and hide at a certain brook where the ravens would bring him food. What?! Ravens, those intimidating black birds were going to provide food for Elijah?

I want you to stop and notice here that Elijah obeyed! He was told where to go and what to do. It was a test of faith to believe that God would provide in the most unique way. All Elijah had was the promise of God but he chose to obey God and God preserved the life of His prophet in a secret place. Here we see the principle that I want us to really focus on today; obedience, then provision. God brought Elijah breakfast and dinner every day from the beaks of birds! What must that experience have been like? The Lord provided. 

And then the story continued, and we learn, just as God said, there was no rain in the land and the brook from which Elijah was drinking from dried up (I Kings 17:7). It was time for Elijah to keep moving. Then the word of the Lord came to him and told him to go to Zarephath. He also told Elijah that He had commanded a widow there to provide for him. 

So again, Elijah obeyed, and as we read in chapter 17, he found the widow of whom God was speaking and he asked her for a drink and a morsel of bread. She replied to him that because of the drought, she was nearly out of flour and oil, so she would not be able to bring Elijah any bread. 

And in verse 13-14, there is another call to obedience. We read “And Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days (I Kings 17:13-14, NKJV).”

Notice that God’s word says the widow “did according to the word of Elijah.” She obeyed the Lord through listening to His servant. And what happened next? You know the answer: obedience, then provision. The Lord provided miraculously for her and her son! Amazing.

Twice in this chapter we read that first the Lord asked for obedience and then He faithfully, abundantly, and miraculously provided for Elijah, the widow, and her son. 

It seems as though one of our biggest worries can be provision of different kinds. Yet, there are so many promises in His word that the Lord, our Jehovah Jireh, will provide. Is He calling you to trust Him and to obey something that He has called you to do? Be encouraged today that when we obey our God, He faithfully provides everything that we need.

Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (NKJV).”