The Lord Appears to Elijah

Topic: Discouragement
Passage: 1 Kings 19:8–21

April 21, 2022

Commentary

 

 

Evidently Jezebel had not been present on Mount Carmel, so Ahab reported to her what had taken place. Whether or not Ahab had thoughts of revenge is unstated. However, when Jezebel heard that her prophets had been put to death she was furious. Attacking the problem, she sent a threatening message to Elijah. She threatened to do to Elijah what he had ordered done to her prophets.

 

Fearful for his life, the prophet ran to Beersheba, over seventy miles away. Leaving his servant there he went another day’s journey and rested under a juniper tree. Faithless, discouraged and tired from his journey God met his needs by feeding him. It must have been quite a meal as it gave Elijah strength to travel 40 days, until he reached Mount Horeb. It was here that Elijah said, “I alone am left; and they seek my life.” God’s reply was that there were still seven thousand in Israel who followed Jehovah.

 

God then reminded Elijah of who He was by giving three startling demonstrations. (l) A fantastic wind came that broke rocks into pieces, (2) an earthquake, (3) and then a fire. Following this three responsibilities were given the prophet. First he was to go to Damascus to anoint Hazael king over Syria, second he was to anoint Jehu king over Israel and third he was to anoint Elisha as prophet in his place. Only the last duty was carried out immediately as Elijah traveled back across the wilderness and cast his mantle on Elisha.

 

Application

 

 

Elijah thought he was the only one left who was still true to God. When I am tempted to think that I am the only one left that is faithful to the task I must never stop to feel sorry for myself. Discouragement will dilute the good I may be doing.

 

1 Kings 19:8– 21 (NET)

8 So he got up and ate and drank. That meal gave him the strength to travel forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

9 He went into a cave there and spent the night. Suddenly the Lord’s message came to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 10 He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.” 11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord. Look, the Lord is ready to pass by.”

12 After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a soft whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his robe and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Suddenly a voice asked him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 14 He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came and then head for the wilderness of Damascus. Go and anoint Hazael king over Syria. 16 You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet. 17 Jehu will kill anyone who escapes Hazael’s sword, and Elisha will kill anyone who escapes Jehu’s sword. 18 I still have left in Israel 7,000 followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him.”

19 Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen; he was near the twelfth pair. Elijah passed by him and threw his robe over him. 20 He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, then I will follow you.” Elijah said to him, “Go back! Indeed, what have I done to you?” 21 Elisha went back and took his pair of oxen and slaughtered them. He cooked the meat over a fire that he made by burning the harness and yoke. He gave the people meat and they ate. Then he got up and followed Elijah and became his assistant.

The Lord Appears to Elijah

Topic: Discouragement
Passage: 1 Kings 19:8–21

February 18, 2019

Commentary

 

 

Evidently Jezebel had not been present on Mount Carmel, so Ahab reported to her what had taken place. Whether or not Ahab had thoughts of revenge is unstated. However, when Jezebel heard that her prophets had been put to death she was furious. Attacking the problem, she sent a threatening message to Elijah. She threatened to do to Elijah what he had ordered done to her prophets.

 

Fearful for his life, the prophet ran to Beersheba, over seventy miles away. Leaving his servant there he went another day’s journey and rested under a juniper tree. Faithless, discouraged and tired from his journey God met his needs by feeding him. It must have been quite a meal as it gave Elijah strength to travel 40 days, until he reached Mount Horeb. It was here that Elijah said, “I alone am left; and they seek my life.” God’s reply was that there were still seven thousand in Israel who followed Jehovah.

 

God then reminded Elijah of who He was by giving three startling demonstrations. (l) A fantastic wind came that broke rocks into pieces, (2) an earthquake, (3) and then a fire. Following this three responsibilities were given the prophet. First he was to go to Damascus to anoint Hazael king over Syria, second he was to anoint Jehu king over Israel and third he was to anoint Elisha as prophet in his place. Only the last duty was carried out immediately as Elijah traveled back across the wilderness and cast his mantle on Elisha.

 

Application

 

 

Elijah thought he was the only one left who was still true to God. When I am tempted to think that I am the only one left that is faithful to the task I must never stop to feel sorry for myself. Discouragement will dilute the good I may be doing.

 

1 Kings 19:8– 21 (NET)

8 So he got up and ate and drank. That meal gave him the strength to travel forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

9 He went into a cave there and spent the night. Suddenly the Lord’s message came to him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 10 He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.” 11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord. Look, the Lord is ready to pass by.”

12 After the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, there was a soft whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he covered his face with his robe and went out and stood at the entrance to the cave. Suddenly a voice asked him, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 14 He answered, “I have been absolutely loyal to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.” 15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came and then head for the wilderness of Damascus. Go and anoint Hazael king over Syria. 16 You must anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to take your place as prophet. 17 Jehu will kill anyone who escapes Hazael’s sword, and Elisha will kill anyone who escapes Jehu’s sword. 18 I still have left in Israel 7,000 followers who have not bowed their knees to Baal or kissed the images of him.”

19 Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen; he was near the twelfth pair. Elijah passed by him and threw his robe over him. 20 He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, then I will follow you.” Elijah said to him, “Go back! Indeed, what have I done to you?” 21 Elisha went back and took his pair of oxen and slaughtered them. He cooked the meat over a fire that he made by burning the harness and yoke. He gave the people meat and they ate. Then he got up and followed Elijah and became his assistant.