It's a story of faith, resourcefulness, and the enduring power of good deeds.

We're talking about Elisha, the prophet. Like his mentor Elijah, Elisha was known for his compassion. He wasn’t just some aloof spiritual figure; he was deeply involved in the lives of ordinary people, especially the poor and the vulnerable. And that brings us to this remarkable widow.

Her husband? None other than Obadiah. Now, you might know Obadiah as a prophet in his own right – the one who prophesized against Edom. But here’s a twist: Obadiah was also a high-ranking official in the court of the notoriously wicked King Ahab. Talk about a difficult balancing act! As Ginzberg retells in Legends of the Jews, Obadiah was actually an Edomite by birth.

Think about that for a moment. He was surrounded by evil, living in the heart of corruption, yet he remained steadfast in his faith. It's a powerful image, isn't it? The Midrash Rabbah compares him to Esau, Jacob's brother. Esau lived with pious parents but went astray, while Obadiah lived amidst wickedness and remained righteous.

But here's where the story takes a tragic turn. While serving in Ahab's court, Obadiah used his position and personal fortune to support hidden prophets. He even borrowed money – from the future king, no less! – to keep them fed and safe. This was a HUGE risk. He was putting everything on the line to do what he believed was right.

Then, Obadiah dies. The king, now looking for any excuse to squeeze money from his subjects, demands that Obadiah’s children repay their father’s debt. Can you imagine the widow’s despair? She’s facing utter ruin.

So, she does something incredible. She goes to the graveyard and cries out, "O thou God-fearing man!" And here, according to the story, a heavenly voice responds. It doesn’t immediately offer a solution, but it asks a profound question: "There are four God-fearing men: Abraham, Joseph, Job, and Obadiah. To which of them dost thou desire to speak?"

Think about that for a second. What an amazing moment! God acknowledges Obadiah as being among the most righteous figures in history. The widow responds, "To him of whom it is said, 'He feared the Lord greatly.'" She's referring to the verse in 1 Kings 18:3, which specifically praises Obadiah's profound fear of God.

What happens next? Well, that's a story for another time. But this moment, this plea from a desperate widow, this recognition of Obadiah's unwavering faith… it speaks volumes about the power of righteous actions, even in the darkest of times. It reminds us that even when we feel like we're drowning, our deeds, our character, our faith – they resonate far beyond our own lives. They echo in eternity. And they can call forth miracles we never imagined possible.