.jpg)
The story of Elijah and Widow of Zarephath is perhaps one of the most moving in all of the Old Testament. Beyond the obvious pathos of the plight of the widow, there is a theme which emerges; highlighting an eternal truth. We will see this theme again with the widow and her mite. In both instances the widow is asked to give - or gives freely - of everything that she has. Now in the case of the widow and her mite we don't know the outcome, though we do know that the Lord himself took personal notice of the act which is sufficient to indicate that she did indeed receive her heavenly reward for her earthly sacrifice. With the Widow of Zarephath, we do know the outcome of her faithfulness. You'll remember that Elijah curses the land with a drought, sealing the heavens from rain by the authority of the sealing power of the priesthood (the same power which seals families for time and all eternity in the temples today) because of the wickedness of the people. Elijah goes to Zarephath where he is instructed to ask of the widow to give him to eat and drink, which under normal circumstances would not have been an unusual request under the rules of hospitality at that time, but under circumstances of drought, was incredibly difficult to fulfill if not impossible. The widow, however, does what the prophet asks of her and gives him the last of her meal and oil which she had been saving for herself and her son. She, just like the widow and her mite, gave all that she had. We'll, you'll remember the end of the story, she looks again at her cruise of oil and barrel of meal to find that they are full again and they never empty throughout the duration of the drought.
The eternal principle here is clear. It is taught again to Joseph Smith in section 84 of the D&C verses 33-39 in what is known as the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood:
33 For whoso is afaithful unto the obtaining these two bpriesthoods of which I have spoken, and the cmagnifying their calling, are dsanctified by the Spirit unto the erenewing of their bodies.
34 They become the asons of Moses and of Aaron and the bseed of cAbraham, and the church and kingdom, and the delect of God.
35 And also all they who receive this priesthood areceive me, saith the Lord;
36 For he that receiveth my servants areceiveth me;
37 And he that areceiveth me receiveth my Father;
38 And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s akingdom; therefore ball that my Father hath shall be given unto him.
39 And this is according to the aoath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.
The message is simple; The Lord will give us all that He has, as we give Him all that we have. When you think of what it is that we truly have compared to that which the Lord has, the greatness and goodness of the plan becomes clear.
Brethren, I know these things are true.
- Brother Gough
[Check out this cool video about Elijah and the Widow!]
f
