Below are the quotes that were used in the video.
1 Kings 17-19 shares wonderful experiences on faith, making important decisions, and the Spirit of God. The widow of Zarephath is a great role model for acting in faith. Elijah asks the people, "How long halt ye between two opinions?" The word 'halt' can be translated as 'limp' or 'hop.' Limping between two opinions is awkward and spiritually painful. This week's readings emphasize that if Jesus is the Christ, follow him.
Jezebel – A Phoenician princess, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Zidonians, and wife of Ahab, king of Israel (1 Kgs. 16:31). This marriage, more than any other single event, caused the downfall of the northern kingdom, as Jezebel introduced into Israel the worst forms of Phoenician worship in place of the worship of Jehovah (1 Kgs. 18:4, 13, 19; 19:1–2; see also 21:5–25; 2 Kgs. 9). In Rev. 2:20 the name is applied figuratively to a woman (or sect) causing great harm to the Church in Thyatira. See also Athaliah. (Bible Dictionary, p 713)
•Elijah or Eliah (hyla) - "my God is Jehovah" or "Yah(u) is God"
•Tishbite (ybvt) -"captivity" site unknown but maybe the town of Tishbe.
Joseph Fielding Smith: “… all the ordinances which could be performed by the Aaronic Priesthood remained with Israel in the dark days of her disobedience. It was necessary, under these conditions, that there be someone with authority to perform ordinances, such as confirmation, for we know that the prophets of old had the gift of the Holy Ghost (see 2 Peter 1:21). We read in 1 Kings, chapter 17, that power had been given to Elijah to close the heavens that there would be no rain except by his word. He had power given him to bless the widow's oil and meal and to bring down fire from heaven to consume his offering and destroy the false doctrines of the priests of Baal. The fact that Elijah had this great power and authority did not prevent other prophets from also holding some divine authority in the Melchizedek Priesthood which was essential to the faithful in the House of Israel. We should also remember the fact that in the days of the Savior's ministry this authority held by Elijah was bestowed by Elijah, and the authority held by Moses was restored by Moses to Peter, James, and John. (Answers to Gospel Questions 4:7-8.)
Elder Lynn Robbins: “Now doesn’t that sound selfish, asking not just for the first piece, but possibly the only piece? Didn’t our parents teach us to let other people go first and especially for a gentleman to let a lady go first, let alone a starving widow? Her choice-does she eat, or does she sacrifice her last meal and hasten death? Perhaps she will sacrifice her own food, but could she sacrifice the food meant for her starving son? Elijah understood the doctrine that blessings come after the trial of our faith (see Ether 12:6; D&;C 132:5). He wasn’t being selfish. As the Lord’s servant, Elijah was there to give, not to take. . . .One reason the Lord illustrates doctrines with the most extreme circumstances is to eliminate excuses. If the Lord expects even the poorest widow to pay her mite, where does that leave all others who find that it is not convenient or easy to sacrifice?" (CR, April 2005, p. 36-37)
Thought questions:
This is the fourth miracle mentioned in this chapter which Elijah performed by means of his priesthood power.
Baal – “god worshipped in many ancient Middle Eastern communities, especially among the Canaanites, who apparently considered him a fertility deity and one of the most important gods in the pantheon.” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Baal-ancient-deity)
“Halt (xoppacach) – limp. Literally, the phrase means 'How long hop ye about upon two boughs?' This is a metaphor taken from birds hopping about from bough to bough, not knowing on which to settle. Perhaps the idea of limping through lameness should not be overlooked. They were halt, they could not walk uprightly; they dreaded Jehovah, and therefore could not totally abandon him; they feared the king and queen, and therefore thought they must embrace the religion of the state. Their conscience forbade them to do the former; their fear of man persuaded them to do the latter; but in neither were they heartily engaged” (Clarke, Commentary, 2:457).
“The priests of Baal were so unscrupulous that they rigged their altars with fires beneath them to make the sacrifices appear to ignite spontaneously. One ancient writer said he "had seen under the altars of the heathens, holes dug in the earth with funnels proceeding from them, and communicating with openings on the tops of the altars. In the former the priests concealed fire, which, communicating through the funnels with the holes, set fire to the wood and consumed the sacrifice; and thus the simple people were led to believe that the sacrifice was consumed by a miraculous fire." (In Clarke, Commentary, 2:459.)
Some Lessons from Elijah
President Boyd K. Packer: “That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does as a sound. Pure intelligence can be spoken into the mind. The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses [see 1 Corinthians 2:14; D&C 8:2; 9:8–9].
“This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions [see D&C 11:13; 100:5]. . . . “This process is not reserved for the prophets alone. The gift of the Holy Ghost operates equally with men, women, and even little children.
“It is within this wondrous gift and power that the spiritual remedy to any problem can be found. . . . “You can know the things you need to know. Pray that you will learn to receive that inspiration and remain worthy to receive it. Keep that channel—your mind—clean and free from the clutter of the world.” (“Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 44, 45)
Thought questions:
Teaching Thoughts:
Jezebel – A Phoenician princess, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Zidonians, and wife of Ahab, king of Israel (1 Kgs. 16:31). This marriage, more than any other single event, caused the downfall of the northern kingdom, as Jezebel introduced into Israel the worst forms of Phoenician worship in place of the worship of Jehovah (1 Kgs. 18:4, 13, 19; 19:1–2; see also 21:5–25; 2 Kgs. 9). In Rev. 2:20 the name is applied figuratively to a woman (or sect) causing great harm to the Church in Thyatira. See also Athaliah. (Bible Dictionary, p 713)
•Elijah or Eliah (hyla) - "my God is Jehovah" or "Yah(u) is God"
•Tishbite (ybvt) -"captivity" site unknown but maybe the town of Tishbe.
Joseph Fielding Smith: “… all the ordinances which could be performed by the Aaronic Priesthood remained with Israel in the dark days of her disobedience. It was necessary, under these conditions, that there be someone with authority to perform ordinances, such as confirmation, for we know that the prophets of old had the gift of the Holy Ghost (see 2 Peter 1:21). We read in 1 Kings, chapter 17, that power had been given to Elijah to close the heavens that there would be no rain except by his word. He had power given him to bless the widow's oil and meal and to bring down fire from heaven to consume his offering and destroy the false doctrines of the priests of Baal. The fact that Elijah had this great power and authority did not prevent other prophets from also holding some divine authority in the Melchizedek Priesthood which was essential to the faithful in the House of Israel. We should also remember the fact that in the days of the Savior's ministry this authority held by Elijah was bestowed by Elijah, and the authority held by Moses was restored by Moses to Peter, James, and John. (Answers to Gospel Questions 4:7-8.)
Elder Lynn Robbins: “Now doesn’t that sound selfish, asking not just for the first piece, but possibly the only piece? Didn’t our parents teach us to let other people go first and especially for a gentleman to let a lady go first, let alone a starving widow? Her choice-does she eat, or does she sacrifice her last meal and hasten death? Perhaps she will sacrifice her own food, but could she sacrifice the food meant for her starving son? Elijah understood the doctrine that blessings come after the trial of our faith (see Ether 12:6; D&;C 132:5). He wasn’t being selfish. As the Lord’s servant, Elijah was there to give, not to take. . . .One reason the Lord illustrates doctrines with the most extreme circumstances is to eliminate excuses. If the Lord expects even the poorest widow to pay her mite, where does that leave all others who find that it is not convenient or easy to sacrifice?" (CR, April 2005, p. 36-37)
Thought questions:
- How was the choice this woman faced similar to some of the choices the Lord and His prophets have asked us to make?
- Why do you think it is important for us to first demonstrate faith before we receive the Lord’s promised blessings?
- When have you, or someone you know, acted in faith and experienced the Lord’s blessings as a result?
This is the fourth miracle mentioned in this chapter which Elijah performed by means of his priesthood power.
- He brought famine by his word (see v. 1).
- Fed by ravens (see v. 6).
- Caused the widow's food supply to miraculously continue (see vv. 13-16).
- Raised the widow’s son from the dead (see vv. 21-22)
Baal – “god worshipped in many ancient Middle Eastern communities, especially among the Canaanites, who apparently considered him a fertility deity and one of the most important gods in the pantheon.” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/Baal-ancient-deity)
“Halt (xoppacach) – limp. Literally, the phrase means 'How long hop ye about upon two boughs?' This is a metaphor taken from birds hopping about from bough to bough, not knowing on which to settle. Perhaps the idea of limping through lameness should not be overlooked. They were halt, they could not walk uprightly; they dreaded Jehovah, and therefore could not totally abandon him; they feared the king and queen, and therefore thought they must embrace the religion of the state. Their conscience forbade them to do the former; their fear of man persuaded them to do the latter; but in neither were they heartily engaged” (Clarke, Commentary, 2:457).
“The priests of Baal were so unscrupulous that they rigged their altars with fires beneath them to make the sacrifices appear to ignite spontaneously. One ancient writer said he "had seen under the altars of the heathens, holes dug in the earth with funnels proceeding from them, and communicating with openings on the tops of the altars. In the former the priests concealed fire, which, communicating through the funnels with the holes, set fire to the wood and consumed the sacrifice; and thus the simple people were led to believe that the sacrifice was consumed by a miraculous fire." (In Clarke, Commentary, 2:459.)
Some Lessons from Elijah
- Belief vs. Faith. The prophets of Baal believed in their traditions and false god. Faith is a principle of action and power.
- Limping between opinions. Don’t limp between faith in Christ, and belief in the world. You believe in the things of the world. Faith in Christ is fact.
- 400 vs. 1. If God is on your side, it does not matter how many oppose you.
- Elijah’s faith. He simply acts on his faith in God.
- Simple Prayer. Elijah’s prayer is simple and sincere.
- God’s prophets are always vindicated (see 1 Kings 18:36).
President Boyd K. Packer: “That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does as a sound. Pure intelligence can be spoken into the mind. The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses [see 1 Corinthians 2:14; D&C 8:2; 9:8–9].
“This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions [see D&C 11:13; 100:5]. . . . “This process is not reserved for the prophets alone. The gift of the Holy Ghost operates equally with men, women, and even little children.
“It is within this wondrous gift and power that the spiritual remedy to any problem can be found. . . . “You can know the things you need to know. Pray that you will learn to receive that inspiration and remain worthy to receive it. Keep that channel—your mind—clean and free from the clutter of the world.” (“Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 44, 45)
Thought questions:
- What can prevent us from hearing the still, small voice of the Spirit?
- When have you felt the still, small voice of the Spirit speak to you? How was that experience a blessing to you?
- Is there a place (Temple, Church, Home, Seminary, etc.) where you often feel the Spirit?
Teaching Thoughts:
- Have family members or your class teach each other how to better recognize and act on the Spirit.
- We can have faith like the widow of Zarephath to act on the messages from prophets and experience the Lord’s blessings.
- ‘Limping’ between two opinions is awkward and spiritually painful. If Jesus be the Christ, follow him.
- Today – find an opportunity to teach someone what you learned about the Spirit, faith, and following Christ.