When it comes to our religion, we want consolation without conviction. We want reassurance without repentance. We want wholeness without holiness.

Elijah may be done with life, done with being a prophet, done with Israel, perhaps even done with God. But God is not yet done with His servant Elijah.

So, as our story opens this morning, Elijah is a wanted man, the worship of Baal dominates Israel, the altar of the Lord has been torn down by Jezebel, and what’s left of God’s prophets are in hiding. It is not looking good for Elijah and for the cause of the true God of Israel.

The widow is beside herself with grief as she confronts Elijah with anger: “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” In her grief and anger, the only explanation she can think of for what has happened to her son is that having a prophet in the house has meant that God has been taking a closer look at her, has seen her prior life worshipping
Baal, and has now decided to punish her for that sin.