Elijah and the Widow
Read some poetry connected to the story of Elijah and reflect on its meaning.
This poems are from the English Standard Version of the Bible.
Psalms 147:7-20
The worship of Baal and the worship of the God of Israel are contrasted in the stories of Elijah. Baal was seen as a bring of rain, thunder, and water, which were needed for plentiful crops. See how this poem attributes these powers to YHWH, the God of Israel.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!
8 He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders;
he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool;
he scatters frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rules to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules.
Praise the Lord!
Discussion Questions
Compare the stories to Psalms 147. What themes and ideas do you see in common?
How is weather used in the poem? Find specific examples.
How is God supplying food and protection? Find specific examples.
What is happening in the heavens? What is happening on the earth? What is happening in the space in between? Find specific examples.
If you had to summarize, what is the main point of this poem.