This verse from 1 Kings 17:11 is part of the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. It means that the prophet Elijah, who was in a desperate situation during a famine, asked the widow who was gathering sticks for a fire to bring him a piece of bread.
Let's break it down:
"As she was going to get it": She was in the process of fetching water, likely because Elijah had already asked her for a drink of water in verse 10.
"he called to her, and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”": Elijah then asked her for a small piece of bread. The word "morsel" emphasizes that he was asking for a very small amount.
Significance of the verse:
Elijah's Boldness/Faith: Asking for bread seems like a lot to ask of someone, especially given the context. A severe famine was ravaging the land, and the widow was clearly impoverished. Elijah's request shows either extreme boldness or a deep faith that God would provide.
Widow's Poverty: The fact that Elijah is asking for a "morsel" of bread emphasizes the severity of the famine and the widow's dire situation. She likely had very little food left.
Test of Character: This is a pivotal moment that tests both Elijah's and the widow's character. Elijah is trusting God to provide, even through a very unlikely source. The widow will be faced with a difficult decision: to share her last bit of food with a stranger or to save it for herself and her son. The next verses reveal her response and the miraculous provision that follows.
In essence, the verse sets the stage for the miraculous events that follow. It highlights the desperate circumstances and the request that challenges both the prophet and the widow.
This verse from 1 Kings 17:11 is part of the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. It means that the prophet Elijah, who was in a desperate situation during a famine, asked the widow who was gathering sticks for a fire to bring him a piece of bread.
Let's break it down:
"As she was going to get it": She was in the process of fetching water, likely because Elijah had already asked her for a drink of water in verse 10.
"he called to her, and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”": Elijah then asked her for a small piece of bread. The word "morsel" emphasizes that he was asking for a very small amount.
Significance of the verse:
Elijah's Boldness/Faith: Asking for bread seems like a lot to ask of someone, especially given the context. A severe famine was ravaging the land, and the widow was clearly impoverished. Elijah's request shows either extreme boldness or a deep faith that God would provide.
Widow's Poverty: The fact that Elijah is asking for a "morsel" of bread emphasizes the severity of the famine and the widow's dire situation. She likely had very little food left.
Test of Character: This is a pivotal moment that tests both Elijah's and the widow's character. Elijah is trusting God to provide, even through a very unlikely source. The widow will be faced with a difficult decision: to share her last bit of food with a stranger or to save it for herself and her son. The next verses reveal her response and the miraculous provision that follows.
In essence, the verse sets the stage for the miraculous events that follow. It highlights the desperate circumstances and the request that challenges both the prophet and the widow.