In his continuing series focussing on people on the move, the Rev Richard Baxter considers the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17:8-24

AS we look at the stories of people who had to move to new places, this month we explore the story of Elijah.

He had to move from his home because the effects of climate change led to drought, just as climate change forces so many people to move today. In his case, lack of rainfall meant the brook dried up, and the water shortage caused crops to fail. Elijah’s choice is to go and find somewhere new, or to stay and die. Understandably, he chooses to go, and heads off hoping to escape the food shortages at home.

Elijah travels north to a village called Zarephath, in what is now southern Lebanon. It seems that he knew no-one there, and had no friends or relatives he could rely on. To have any chance, the first thing he had to do was to make a connection and find a friend.

He approaches a woman out gathering sticks near the city gate. (Perhaps he saw the sticks were a sign she might have something to cook on a fire.) First, he asks her for a drink, immediately putting himself in the place of someone with a need looking for help.

By his action, Elijah recognises his helplessness, reliant on the kindness of a stranger for the most basic need. He asks her for water, and when she seems willing to give it, he pushes his luck, and asks for bread as well.

The lady explains she has virtually nothing. There is enough for one more meal for herself and her son, then she too is at risk of starving. Many would back off and give up at that point, but Elijah persists. He asks her to make a small roll for him and then to use the rest for her son and for herself. It’s a bold, perhaps even an unreasonable, thing to ask, that a destitute woman should share the last of her food with him. But so often those with a personal understanding of living on the edge display a generosity beyond what others might expect. The woman’s willingness to help is the beginning of a partnership which sees both of them through the drought.

The message of the story is about the blessings of connection. Two strangers, united by difficult shared circumstances, find that they can be a help and support to one another. Together they can cope when on their own, each had little hope. The woman saves Elijah from starving, and her flour and oil doesn’t run out during the time of shortage. Eventually, her kindness is repaid by the extraordinary help Elijah gives her son. The boy seems to have died but is revived by the prophet’s prayers. Both of them are better off because of their willingness to share what they have with one another.

“ The woman’s willingness to help is the beginning of a partnership which sees both of them through the drought.

In a new place the need to establish connection is vital. At their best, churches can offer some of those connection points for the newest people in their communities. However, that is not some benevolent act of charity offered from on high. When we make those vital links, it turns out that everyone is blessed. ¤

The Rev Richard Baxter is Transition Minister, Glasgow: Wellington.