Becoming a Compassionate Woman: 6 Biblical Examples Намуна

The Widow of Zarephath: A Compassionate Mother

While the Shunammite woman we met in the last passage was wealthy, our next compassionate woman was the exact opposite. However, as we’ll see here, showing compassion doesn’t require much. Often, it only requires giving God a yes.

In 1 Kings 17, we find the prophet Elijah in the middle of a drought. God instructed him to go to Zarephath, where he would find a widow to supply him with food. Elijah did as the Lord commanded him and saw the woman gathering sticks.

Elijah called to the woman, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?”(1 Kings 17:10, NIV). As she went, Elijah also asked for a piece of bread. Unfortunately, the woman was in great need herself—all she had was a handful of flour and a little bit of olive oil.

Just how dire was the situation? The woman told Elijah that she was gathering sticks so she could cook one last meal for her and her son before they died of starvation. Elijah told her not to be afraid and to prepare the meal anyway. God was going to ensure her flour and jug of oil wouldn’t run dry.

In an act of faith and compassion, the woman gave Elijah her yes and made the meal. God did as he said he would and extended the flour and oil, ensuring that Elijah, the woman, and her son had plenty of food each day.

There’s a lot to learn from this compassionate woman. First, it’s clear that God uses unlikely people to accomplish his purpose. Second, all he needs from us is a yes.

The woman’s simple courage in believing God’s Word and feeding Elijah, even when she didn’t have anything to feed herself and her son, preserved this prophet and enabled him to continue God’s work.

Showing compassion doesn’t take a lot of money or other resources. It simply takes a willing heart.

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7-24