Restoring Life To The Dead

In the first century C.E., some religious leaders, called Saduccees, did not believe in the resurrection. Jesus reprimanded them with the words: "You are mistaken, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God." (Matthew 22:29) Yes, the Scriptures reveal that Jehovah has such restorative power. How so?

Picture what happened in Elijah's day. A widow was holding the limp body of her only child in her arms. The body was dead. The prophet Elijah, who had been the widow's guest for some time, must have been shocked. Earlier, he helped rescue this child from starvation. Elijah may well have grown attached to the little fellow. The mother was just heartbroken. This boy had been her only living reminder of her dead husband. She may have hoped that her son would care for her in her old age. Distraught the widow feared that she was being punished for some past error. Elijah could not bear to see this tragedy thus compounded. He gently took the corpse from the mother's bosom, carried up to his room, and asked Jehovah God to restore the child's soul, or life. - 1 Kings 17:8-21.

Elijah was not the first person to believe in the resurrection. Centuries earlier, Abraham believed that Jehovah has such restorative power - and for good reason. When Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah was 90, Jehovah restored their deadened reproductive powers, miraculously enabling Sarah to bear a son. (Genesis 17:17; 21:2, 3) Later, when the boy was fully grown, Jehovah asked Abraham to sacrifice his son. Abraham showed faith, reckoning that Jehovah could restore his beloved son Isaac to life. (Hebrews 11:17-19) Such intense faith may explain why Abraham, before ascending the mountain to offer up his son assured his servants that he and Isaac would return together. -Genesis 22:5.

Jehovah spared Isaac, so there was no need for a resurrection at that time. In Elijah's case, however the widow's son was already dead - but not for long. Jehovah rewarded the prophet's faith by resurrecting the child! Elijah then handed the boy over to his mother, with these unforgettable words: "See, your son is alive."! -1Kings 17:22-24.

Next time: Conclusion of Restoring Life To The Dead

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002