Elijah Flees From Jezebel
October 17, 2020
Commentary
Jezebel had not been on Mount Carmel and only heard what her husband reported to her (vv. 1-5). Elijah’s treatment of her prophets made her very angry, so she sent a message to him that she was going to kill him within 24 hours in retaliation for his slaughtering of the 450 prophets of Baal. Upon receiving this warning Elijah was terrified. This seemed strange after all the boldness he had just demonstrated but evidently his fear came from the power Jezebel possessed.
Rather than resting in God for His protection as he had for the past three and one-half years, Elijah ran for his life. He ran all the way across the kingdom of Judah to the southern town of Beersheba.
Still fearful he might be discovered by Jezebel’s spies he told his servant to stay behind and watch while he traveled alone one more day’s journey (about 15 miles) into the Negev desert. Finally he sat down under a broom tree (a desert bush that grows to a height of 12 feet and provides some, though not much, shade) and rested. He was so discouraged he prayed that he might die.
Elijah woke at the touch of a divinely sent messenger (vv. 6-8). This angel woke Elijah, perhaps after he had slept for some time, and urged him to eat some food, since the journey he had ahead of him would require much energy. Moses and the Israelites had traveled in that wilderness for 40 years, sustained by the manna God had provided for them and learned lessons of His faithful care and provision. Now Elijah would traverse the same desert for 40 days and nights, sustained by the bread God provided and would learn the same lessons. A direct trip from Beersheba to Mount Horeb (the ancient name for Mount Sinai would have taken Elijah only about 14 days on foot (a distance of approximately 200 miles).
Application
God has a plan for when things are going to happen and nothing that man does will change this. He has told us many of the things that are going to happen but He has not told us when they will happen. For this reason I need to live like He is coming back today.
Isaiah 9:1– 7 (NET)
1 (8:23) The gloom will be dispelled for those who were anxious. In earlier times he humiliated the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali; but now he brings honor to the way of the sea, the region beyond the Jordan, and Galilee of the nations.
2 (9:1) The people walking in darkness see a bright light; light shines on those who live in a land of deep darkness.
3 You have enlarged the nation; you give them great joy. They rejoice in your presence as harvesters rejoice; as warriors celebrate when they divide up the plunder.
4 For their oppressive yoke and the club that strikes their shoulders, the cudgel the oppressor uses on them, you have shattered, as in the day of Midian’s defeat.
5 Indeed every boot that marches and shakes the earth and every garment dragged through blood is used as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called Wonderful Adviser, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His dominion will be vast, and he will bring immeasurable prosperity. He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom, establishing it and strengthening it by promoting justice and fairness, from this time forward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will accomplish this.
Illustration: God Put The Prodigal on Husks For a Purpose
One family in desperate straits came to a congregation for help. The people began to pull together some resources to help them out. Someone brought a word of prophecy that said, “Don’t give hamburger to those I have put on husks.” God put the prodigal on husks so he would come to himself and return to his father’s house. If someone had given him regular meals, he might have stayed in the pigsty forever. (Mike Rexroat – Sermon Central).