What happens when the brook dries up? Zarephath Part 1

It’s hard to be generous when you’re scared. I recorded a video lecture for the Atlantic School of Theology as part of their upcoming stewardship course. Elijah and the widow of Zarephath figure prominently in my talk; so, I’m beginning a blog series based on this story from 1 Kings 17.

Once there was a prophet called Elijah. He was on the run from trouble, camped out by a brook. Ravens brought him food. But then the brook dried up and the ravens stopped coming. Then the word of the Lord came to him, telling him to go to Zarephath.

“So he got up and went to Zarephath.” 1 Kings 17:10. Maybe this doesn’t jump out at you as an important verse, but I think it is!

What happens when the brook dries up?

Readers of this blog already know that people don’t go to church like they used to, and that it’s only a small number of (mostly) older, generous folks keeping churches and charities going. What happens when the ravens stop coming and the brook dries up? For many congregations, this is not a hypothetical question.

Elijah didn’t give up. He was a prophet, presumably he asked God what to do next. And the word of the Lord came to him. God told him to head to Zarephath. Elijah got up and went.

What Elijah did not do

Note what Elijah did not do; he didn’t build a dam and try to get more water from the dried up brook. He doesn’t get angry at God for stopping the raven Uber eats deliveries. Nope, he spent his time in prayer, asking God what to do next. This is seriously good advice. Turning to God—the love of our eternal, generous, creative God—for help is a much better option than relying on our own devices. I know this is completely obvious, but I need continual reminders and it bears repeating!

Road show

Elijah got up and went. God told Elijah to hit the road, to go somewhere else. I’ve met congregations from different denominations who talk about “that other church” i.e. the church from the same denomination that is often literally just down the road or similarly close. Have they ever thought of merging? Yes and no. Yes, they have thought of it, and no, they don’t want to do that.

Elijah didn’t have any reserve funds, he couldn’t sell the manse and sit by the dried-up brook a while longer. “He got up and went.”

Here’s the thing: God doesn’t give up on us, even when the brook dries up. What is the word of the Lord for your congregation? And are you willing to pursue new directions, even head to Zarephath? What would Elijah do in your situation?

Next blog: Elijah meets the starving widow.