An handful of meal in a barrel— Sandys tells us, that in the east they kept their corn in long vessels of clay, it being subject to be eaten by worms without that precaution: this he observed at Gaza. Agreeable whereto, Norden informs us, that a barbarian of Upper Egypt opened one of his great jars, in order to show him how they preserved their corn there. The barrel in which the woman of Sarepta kept her corn, whereof she had only enough left to make a handful of meal, might be a vessel of much the same kind, and consequently כד kad is improperly translated a barrel. It is certainly in the original the same word as is used for the vessels in which Gideon's soldiers concealed their torches, and which they broke, with a clashing terrifying noise, when they blew with their trumpets; and both circumstances indicate their being vessels of earth. It does not, however, follow from hence, that they had these things with them for the keeping of their corn; it might be for fetching water; for we find that the same word is expressive of the vessels in which women were wont to fetch water, Genesis 24:14; Genesis 24:67.; and no wonder, since the same kind of vessels were used for both purposes. Norden speaks of great jars for corn, as was just remarked; and Bishop Pococke, on the other hand, more than once takes notice of the women of that country carrying water in earthen jars at this time. Rebecca, most certainly, did not carry a barrel, a vessel of above thirty gallons, upon her head. Observations, p. 150.
REFLECTIONS.—The brook being dry, Elijah is commanded to remove. We see that he waited to the last drop without solicitude, and even then removed not without an order. He that believeth will not make haste, but wait the Lord's leisure.
1. Zarephath, a city of Sidon, is the place fixed on for his abode, where God had provided a reception for him in the house of a widow, a Gentile, and poor withal, and in the very country where Jezebel might seize him. But they who have God's warrant to go, have no questions to ask.
2. Though he knew not the person that should be his hostess, he went, not doubting to find her; and lo! at the gate providence brings them together. A woman met him, one very unlikely to supply his wants, who appeared almost famishing herself. To her he addressed himself for a little water; and when she turned to fetch it, he desired a morsel of bread along with it. This led her to inform him of her distressed circumstances; a handful of meal, and a little oil in a cruse, were all that she possessed; and she was now come to gather a few sticks, to dress it for herself and her son, as the last morsel they ever exposed to eat. Elijah bids her do so, but first make him a cake, nor fear to want, since from God he assured her, that the meal should not fail, nor the oil be exhausted, till the days of famine were over. Behold a prodigy of faith! Without hesitation, though so difficult the command, against which reason, self-love, and natural affection might raise strong objections, she staggered not at the prophet's assurance, but did as she was desired, and trusted in the word of promise. Note; (1.) In our deepest distresses, God is nearer to relieve us than we are aware. (2.) God has ever chosen the poor in this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom. (3.) Faith silences all objections; a word of promise is instead of a thousand arguments. (4.) They who can trust God with their all, will find themselves no losers by him.
3. The first essay confirmed the prophet's declaration, and the daily miracle continued for two years and upwards, during which Elijah, herself, and her son, even in those days of dearth, had enough. It was plain fare, indeed; but no doubt they were abundantly thankful for it, and, coming thus from the Lord's hand, it was doubly sweet. Note; (1.) The prophets and ministers of God must learn of Elijah to be content with hard fare. (2.) There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth. Works of piety and charity bring us again our own with usury. (3.) If our hearts be open to receive the great prophet, the greater than Elijah, we shall then never want any manner of thing that is good.