1 Kings Chapter 19
Elijah was known to be a mighty prophet, his presence and works were felt for generations over, from around 870 B.C. until the New Testament times.
Elijah’s name mentioned by an angel of the Lord on the birth of John the Baptist:
“He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the feathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:17)
Elijah’s name mentioned by Jesus’ disciples James and John:
“…Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” (Luke 9:54)
Elijah’s name mentioned by bystanders during Jesus’ crucifixion:
“….’Look, He is calling for Elijah!’…..’Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.” (Mark 15:35-36)
Even though generations of Israelites revered the great prophet, the Bible tells us ‘he was a man with a nature like ours’ (James 5:17) And this chapter reveals to us how even great men have their moments of weaknesses, and how God is kind to them.
What are you doing here?
The mighty prophet Elijah ran for his life, left his servant in Judah, and travelled a day’s journey into the wilderness. There, he prayed that he might die (v3-4).
“It is enough!”
In our service to God today, when we encounter difficult people, or difficult situations, have we ever felt like giving up? At times like these, let us remind ourselves that our lives belong to our Creator, we must try harder to carry out God’s will for us, and it is not for us to decide that we should give up.
“I am no better than my fathers!”
Have we ever compared ourselves with others when doing holy work? Do we subconsciously want to be acknowledged as being the best? When we have such a mentality, then faith and serving God becomes a competition, and a means of self-glory. Let us each be accountable to God in our holy work, as we serve in our capacity according to what we have received.
In Elijah’s weakness, God did not directly rebuke him, instead He sent an angel to provide for him, and to encourage him (v5-7). Elijah got up, ate, and continued his journey to a cave in Mount Horeb, escaping from the wicked Queen Jezebel’s threats.
Jezebel here embodies the character of those who hear and have knowledge of, but choose to ignore the power of God. Even God’s miracles do not move their hardened hearts. On top of that, If anyone dared to oppose and challenge her, like prophet Elijah did, they would be ‘marked’ (v2). She was prideful and glorified herself (1 Kings 18:19).
The world has no lack of people who are like Jezebel in nature. How then, do we as Christians interact with them? Are we easily disheartened by unpleasant remarks, and fear rejection when we share God’s word?
Some of us may seek refuge in God’s presence in church, or even distance ourselves from non-believers.
When Elijah sought refuge in a cave on the mountain of God – Horeb, God again did not rebuke him. Instead God asked him, “What are you doing here?”
In response to God’s question, Elijah emphasized his accomplishments and exaggerated the failures of others (v10, 14). In his weakness, he forgot that one other God-fearing man – Obadiah, had kept 100 prophets of God hidden when Jezebel set out to kill them (1 Kings 18:4).
Dejected with how things turned out, and in his own sense of failure, Elijah forgot that his work for God was not finished. Similarly, as God has commissioned us to preach the gospel to non-believers, how can we fulfill what God has purposed for us to do, if we shun our non-believing relatives and friends, and are content with our own faiths?
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you
Before Elijah heard the LORD in a still small voice (v12), God had already heard the voice of Elijah (1 Kings 17:22) and granted his prayer.
God had used what others would consider the lowliest forms in society to provide for Elijah – the ravens, and a widow (1 Kings 17:4, 9). And the help that they had provided for Elijah was sufficient.
This time, God wanted Elijah to understand that He can certainly work in mighty ways, just like the miracles at the widow’s house and at Mount Carmel, but God works just as powerfully in quiet ways.
Sometimes God sends fire to consume a thoroughly wet altar, and sends rain after years of drought (1 Kings 18:38, 45) and our members’ faiths are greatly rejuvenated. But during the times when we do not see the results we expect in God’s ministry, it does not mean that God is not working with us.
When Elijah came out of the cave and stood on Mount Horeb, he was guided to realize that God had been silently providing for him and his work the whole time – He had set aside two kings, a successor (v16-17), and 7000 faithful men who would work alongside Elijah (v18), supporting him in his ministry.
God is greater than all our worries and fears. In doing God’s work, let us realize His quiet providence, overcome our fears, come back and serve Him with our best, and our all (Rom 12:1).
