I Kings 17:13 – First to the Lord

First to the Lord – Preaching

Preaching Outline on I Kings 17:13 – “And Elijah said unto him, Fear not: go, do according to thy word: but make me a little cake first, and bring it hither unto me; and afterward thou shalt make for thyself, and for thy son.”

Introduction to I Kings 17:13

The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath is one of faith, obedience and miracles. The context is one of scarcity and despair. The land was in the grip of a severe drought, and resources were limited. The widow of Zarephath was on the brink of survival, with no hope for the future.

Elijah appears in this scenario not as an ordinary man, but as a representative of God, bringing a message that is both challenging and full of promise. Elijah’s request – “first for me” – was not just a practical instruction; it was a spiritual test. God was teaching that, even in times of scarcity, putting Him first opens the door to divine provision.

Like the widow, we often face moments of crisis where we are called to trust God before we even see the solution. The question is: are we willing to obey and take the first step of faith?

Development

The condition of man without God

“I’m going to prepare it for me and my son, so that we can eat and die.”

The widow reflects the reality of human beings without hope in God. Life is marked by limitations, incessant effort and the awareness that death is inevitable. This cake represents the attempt to find sustenance and meaning with the resources we have, but always coming up against the fragility of earthly life.

The Temporality of Life: Without God, man lives only for the present moment. Expectations are limited: eat and die. Even if he achieves riches or conquests, the inevitable end is death.
The Weariness of the Soul: Often, like the widow, we feel on the verge of exhaustion, carrying burdens that seem unbearable. The absence of God makes everything even heavier.

Divine provision comes with God’s priority

“Do not be afraid; go, do according to your word, but make it first for me.”

Elijah brought an unexpected order: do it for him first. This instruction, humanly speaking, seemed irrational. How could a woman who barely had enough for herself give away what little she had? But the secret of blessing is exactly there: when we put God first, he takes care of everything we need.

God’s command is a test of faith: Like the widow, we are challenged to hand over to the Lord something that, at first glance, seems impossible. But it is in this surrender that we experience the supernatural.
God’s priority generates provision: When God comes first, the flour doesn’t run out and the oil doesn’t dry up. This symbolizes the living Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit continually sustaining our lives.

A small cake: God doesn’t demand the impossible of us

God didn’t ask for something grandiose, but something simple and small. What the Lord expects from us is not a disproportionate sacrifice, but our heart, our obedience and our faith.

Flour: Represents the Word of God. A life based on the Bible is grounded and consistent. Just as flour is the main ingredient in a cake, the Word of God is the basis for a healthy spiritual life.
Olive oil: symbolizes the Holy Spirit. It is the oil that gives life and flavor to the flour, just as the Holy Spirit enlivens the Word in our hearts, making it effective.

God doesn’t need our wealth or abilities; he wants our willingness to give what little we have in obedience and trust.

Putting God first: No matter the scenario of scarcity or crisis, we must prioritize the Lord in our lives. This includes time, resources, decisions and worship. When we do this, we experience divine provision.
Trust even in scarcity: The widow gave everything she had, trusting in God’s promise. This attitude is an example for us: we must trust in God, even when we can’t see how he will provide.
Action before the miracle: The miracle of provision came after the widow’s obedience. God calls us to act in faith before we receive what he has promised.

Conclusion of I Kings 17:13

The story of the widow of Zarephath and Elijah teaches us that God is the provider in times of need, but that his provision is directly linked to our willingness to obey and put him first.

When we give the Lord the “flour” (our foundation in the Word) and the “oil” (our dependence on the Holy Spirit), we experience a life full of meaning and purpose. Provision is not only material, but spiritual, because God sustains us in all areas of life.

So build your life with the Lord as your priority. Live according to His Word, being filled with the Holy Spirit. Remember: what God asks of us is small compared to the greatness of what He has already done and what He will still do in our lives.

Ask yourself: in which areas of my life has God not been the priority?
Decide today to give the Lord what he asks for, trusting that he will never allow the flour to run out or the oil to dry up in your bottle.

God wants exclusivity. When He is first in our lives, we lack nothing and can live with fullness and purpose. Do “first for the Lord” and experience the wonders of His provision.