The widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:8-16), a poor woman, is called to aid the prophet, Elijah, with her last bit of food and is surprised by a miracle.
She reminds us that what little we have is sometimes all that we need. Her people were not followers of the God of Israel. This story, however, shows how God is willing to do acts of mercy in foreign territory, even where Baal is worshiped.
This excerpt is from the November 2013 Gather magazine Bible study, “In Good Company: Stories of Biblical Women,” by Kay Ward.