Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. I Kings 19:2
Here he was, a tad bit tired from outpacing Ahab’s chariot, no supporters, no fans, and no groupies around him. Only his servant was with him. (I think he probably had to hang around.) Then, he gets the news that Jezebel has this contract out on him. The text says he ran for his life to Beersheba and left his servant there (there goes the last hope for any moral support). Then he ran into the wilderness and collapsed under a juniper tree where he requested that he might die.
It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers. I Kings 19:4c
It’s hard to believe that this mighty prophet of God went from the high of carrying out one of the most remarkable achievements in the entire Bible to a low so deep that he was despondent and wanted God to take his life. Then again, maybe it isn’t all that hard to believe. Maybe most of us have been there to some degree.
But God wasn’t finished with this runaway prophet and He isn’t done with us either. I know because I am still here writing and you are still here reading. So we aren’t done with whatever God has for us to do. Let’s remember that!
Elijah wasn’t done either, but he was exhausted, hungry, scared, and had no one. Elijah was just done in! God knew all of this, including Jezebel’s threats and massive man hunt. It was all part of His plan to speak to Elijah in the most intimate way.
So under the juniper tree, after a few visits from the angel of the Lord, some sleep, and some food, Elijah was good to go. I mean he was good to go for forty long days. I love the last statement from the angel of the Lord before Elijah left for this long trek, “Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.” (I Kings 19:7b). Talk about an understatement!
Elijah conquered the prophets of Baal on God’s strength and with God’s power. He ran from Jezebel on his own without listening for God. The next forty days he survived on God’s provision from the food and rest back in the wilderness. Is this a lesson for us?
Finally, he arrived at Mount Horeb, the Mountain of God. But was he ready to listen to God…God’s way? God wants to give Elijah some instruction. You can read the whole story in I Kings 19.
God: What are you doing here, Elijah?
Elijah: I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
God: Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD.
Now here is where it gets interesting…as if standing before God on His Mountain and talking with Him isn’t interesting enough. But, trust me, it gets better! So Elijah hangs out in the cave and waits for God to speak to him again.
Suddenly a great and strong wind ripped at the mountain, and the rocks were torn in pieces. Elijah thought for sure that this was God. But God was not in the wind. Then an earthquake came and then a fire and Elijah thought surely this was God. Nope, He was not in the fire.
Then Elijah heard “a sound of gentle blowing.” We’re told that when Elijah heard this gentle breeze, he just knew it was God. Jehovah opened his mind and his heart, and he knew the Creator was in the gentle blowing. Elijah wrapped his mantle around his face and finally did what God told him to do. He went out of the cave and stood on the mountain before the Lord. There he and God repeated the first conversation with one important difference:
Elijah was ready to listen to God in God’s way. And he was ready for God’s instruction. The assignment wasn’t nearly as dramatic or astonishing as some of the previous ones. God simply asked him to anoint a new ruler over Aram, a new king over Judah, and a new prophet to replace himself, none other than Elisha. God also reminded the prophet that he was not alone. God had a remnant, a 7000 strong remnant that did not bow their knee to Baal.
Discussion
- Look up the following familiar passages. Ask God to show you His gentle wind blowing presence in these Scriptures and to show you something new for the every day.
- John 3:16
- Psalm 23
- Isaiah 40:31
- Isaiah 9:6
- Matthew 28:18-20
- Matthew 28:5-7
One Another Living 