1 Kings 19:1 – 18 “Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like the lives of those you killed!”
And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself traveled on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep.
Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”
And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again.
A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.”
So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.
After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.
And after the fire came a still, small voice. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
Then the LORD said to him, “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet.
Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.
Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal d and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
Elijah was exhausted! Not only had Elijah had a power confrontation with the prophets of Baal, but he followed that with an intense prayer session on Mount Carmel, followed by a fifteen – mile run through the wilderness to Jezreel. Little wonder then, that when Jezebel snarled her threats, Elijah grabbed his servant and they both ran for the wilderness. Knowing that Jezebel was only out for his blood, Elijah left his servant in Beersheba while he passed on into the wilderness of the Negev. Finally, Elijah collapsed under a broom tree, begging God to let him die.
What did God do at this point? Did God smite Elijah dead? Did God criticize Elijah? No! God gave Elijah food and water and let him sleep. Once Elijah was rested, he journeyed on to Mount Horeb, where he spent the night in a cave. What happened while Elijah was hiding in the cave? God ordered Elijah to come out of his cave as the Lord passed by. Immediately after this, storm winds, earthquakes, and lightning shook the mountain, but God was not in any of these events, nor did Elijah respond to them. But after all the shaking, noise, and smoke had dissipated, there came the still small voice of God, and that was when Elijah came to the mouth of the cave.
God asked Elijah, “What are you doing here?” Elijah responded, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.” Both God and Elijah knew that the first part of this statement was true. But Elijah did not have all the facts.
At that interview on Mount Horeb, God re – confirmed his acceptance of Elijah as His prophet and gave Elijah a new commission. Elijah was to anoint three different men – Hazael as king over Syria, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha to succeed Elijah as the prophet of God. God promised Elijah that these three men would kill those who had been opposing God and Elijah. But God also informed Elijah that Elijah was not alone; in fact, there remained 7,000 men who had not worshiped Baal.
APPLICATION: H.A.L.T. – Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired – these are four of the most common stressors that prevent people from recovering from any kind of addiction, obsession, depression, etc. Looking at Elijah, you realize that Elijah was suffering from all of these stressors.
I love the story of Elijah, but I despise some of the teachings that have come from it. Elijah was a man of tremendous faith, and yet there are those with practically no faith who feel qualified to criticize Elijah, as if they would certainly have done better. I love what D. L. Moody had to say about this situation:
“I suppose that if we asked the men in Elijah’s time what kind of a man he was, they would have said, “He is very peculiar.” The King would have said, “I hate him.” Jezebel did not like him; the whole royal court did not like him and a great number of the nominal Christians did not like him; he was too radical.
I am glad that the Lord had seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal; but I would rather have Elijah’s little finger than the whole seven thousand. I would not give much for seven thousand Christians in hiding. They will just barely get into heaven; they will not have crowns. See that “no man take thy crown.” Be willing to be one of Christ’s peculiar people, no matter what men may say of you!”
God fed Elijah, gave him water, and let him sleep before he undertook a strenuous journey. Then God re – commissioned Elijah, but it was going to take three men to replace him. Eventually, God even took Elijah up into heaven without Elijah dying. For those who would criticize Elijah, my question is this: what has God done in your life? Have you ever ministered to the point of total exhaustion, or have you hoarded your resources prudently? Have you ever risked your life for God?
During the school shootings at Columbine, one teen – age girl was asked if she was a Christian. When this young lady answered, “Yes,” she was shot and killed. In athletic terms, Elijah left everything he had out there on the playing field. Are we willing to do the same?
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You all the days of our lives. Help us to be willing to risk everything for You, if You call us to do so. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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