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Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Reis 19
Spurgeon - “Elijah failed in the very point at which he was strongest, and that is where most men fail. In Scripture, it is the wisest man who proves himself to be the greatest fool; just as the meekest man, Moses, spoke hasty and bitter words. Abraham failed in his faith, and Job in his patience; so, he who was the most courageous of all men, fled from an angry woman.” And left his servant there - This is the second time we are told Elijah had a servant (first = 1Ki 18:43), and here he leaves his servant at Beersheba. Donald Wiseman has an interesting point about leaving the servant - The historian deliberately selects events which parallel Moses who also left his servants (Exod. 24:2ff.; 33:11), as did Abraham (Gen. 22:5), so that he could face God alone. So must all of us who would reconsider God’s call and our mission. (See 1 and 2 Kings: An Introduction and Commentary - Page 184) R D Patterson points out that "What Elijah needed to learn, God would soon show him (1Ki 19:11–12). God does not always move in the realm of the extraordinary. To live always seeking one “high experience” after another is to have a misdirected zeal. The majority of life’s service is in quiet, routine, humble obedience to God’s will." (See 1 and 2 Kings) WAS ELIJAH TRULY AFRAID? The answer is not as easy as you might think. You are undoubtedly saying "Of course he as afraid because that is what all the modern translations say." And since you are a literalist, you say how could one even entertain any other consideration? That is a fair question. The answer is that one major point of contention is how to translate the opening words of 1Ki 19:2? Most modern translations have some variation of "AND HE WAS AFRAID," but a number of translations including the KJV have "AND WHEN HE SAW." There is a big difference between the verbs AFRAID and SAW in English but as explained below not such a big difference between the Hebrew words. Paul Apple (page 305) who I respect as a very conservative commentator writes "I have grown up all my life with a misunderstanding about this controversial text of Scripture. I just assumed that it was a psychological profile of a broken man who had given in to self-pity and was totally focused on his own sorry lot in life. The commentary of Dale Ralph Davis (summarized in the Notes section of my pdf commentary - scroll down to page 313) has enlightened me to a different approach to this passage. All of God’s servants have experienced the discouragement of thinking they have ministered in vain. When the desired visible results are not evident; when it seems like you are not making a difference; you can succumb to the temptation to want to call it quits. Especially when you have a heart that is passionate to see God’s kingdom agenda advanced and God’s people repent and mature in the faith." The NET Note adds that "The Masoretic Text (Wikpedia note - "the authoritative Hebrew and Aramaic text of the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) in Rabbinic Judaism") has “and he saw,” but some medieval Hebrew Manuscripts as well as several ancient versions support the reading “he was afraid.” The consonantal text (וַיַּרְא, vayyar’) is ambiguous and can be vocalized וַיַּרְא (from רָאָה, ra’ah, “to see”) or וַיִּרָא (vayyira’, from יָרֵא, yare’, “to fear”). Here is an excerpt from Dale Ralph Davis who argues that Elijah was in fact not actually afraid. For the full discussion see Paul Apple's Pdf commentary on 1 Kings and scroll down to page 313. The upshot is that ‘see’ is more likely the true text. 1. Weigh the text. In the traditional Hebrew text the first word of verse 3 is a form of the verb rā’āh and may be rendered, ‘And/then he saw,’ or ‘When he saw (that).’ However, a few Hebrew manuscripts read a form of yārē’, ‘to fear, be afraid.’ The LXX and derivative versions follow this latter reading. This reading (‘Then he was afraid’) seems to fit so naturally that most all modern English versions adopt it (e.g. NIV, NASB, NRSV; the last does not even indicate ‘he saw’ as an alternative). These two verbs look very much alike, especially in the ‘imperfect’ verb form used here, and so can be easily confused. Which was likely original? How can we tell? Ask which reading better explains the other. That is, is it more reasonable to assume that ‘fear’ was original and was changed to ‘see’, or that an original ‘see’ was changed to ‘fear’? If ‘fear’ (yārē’) were original we have a problem, for it fits so naturally after Jezebel’s threat in verse 2 that we can’t imagine any scribe ever changing it to ‘see’ (rā’āh) and that reading then appearing in the bulk of Hebrew manuscripts (the Masoretic Text). But if ‘he saw’ were original we can easily understand someone looking at that and thinking that the text must have meant to use the very similar looking ‘he was afraid.’ (At this point I am afraid to ask if you see that!) The upshot is that ‘see’ is more likely the true text. Supposing then that ‘he saw’ is the original reading, how does it fit the context, coming as it does between Jezebel’s threat in verse 2 and the following clauses of verse 3 (‘he rose and went for his life’)? We must remember chapter 18, where Yahweh, in living color and on turf known to be sacred to Baal, had publicly and irrefutably shown Baal to be the non-god he was; by both fire and rain Yahweh had proven he was the only real God—and the people had confessed as much (1Ki 18:39). Ahab, of course, told Jezebel all about this and about Elijah’s execution of the prophets of Baal (1Ki 18:40). Then Jezebel sent her death-threat to Elijah (1Ki 19:2). Hence Elijah saw that in spite of the Carmel Apologetic nothing was going to change in Israel; Jezebel was still wearing not only the pantyhose but the pants in the kingdom and calling the shots. Since he was not required to be meek meat under Jezebel’s guillotine, Elijah left the kingdom, but not because he was afraid of dying. Rather, (ED: AS RONALD ALLEN WRITES) He wanted to die, for he was broken. He did not wish to die at Jezebel’s hand, for that would be judged her victory—hence his flight. But south of the proverbial southernmost city of the southern kingdom, in the wilderness of Judah, where none would give Jezebel credit for his death—there he begged Yahweh to take his life. (Elijah the Broken Prophet) I think Allen is right. Elijah was broken. But one can be broken without being psychotic. For the rest of Davis' 3.5 page argument (he has 6 major points) against Elijah being afraid see Paul Apple's Pdf commentary on 1 Kings and scroll down to page 313 Ronald Allen - Elijah the Broken Prophet - JETS - 22:3, 1979 (10 page article) - Excerpt - The Conundrum Of His Character - “And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life” (1 Kgs 19:3a NASB)." What kind of a man is it who alone can face the 450 prophets of Baal without flinching, but who then runs in cowardly fear because of the rantings of one woman? Expositors and preachers have had a field day exulting at the contrast of the Elijah of Mount Carmel, bold and dashing in victory, versus the Elijah of the wilderness, bowed in quaking fear under a desert shrub. If ever there was a portrait painted “warts and all,” this is surely it. Elijah is the “Peter of the OT,” a favorite object of expository contempt and stern moralizing. Perhaps a few examples should be given to demonstrate the intensity of the attack upon him. First, the words of Merrill F. Unger: "What a contrast! Elijah the hero of faith on Carmel victorious over Baalism! Elijah the coward of unbelief at Horeb, self-occupied, utterly discouraged, wishing to die (cf. Rom 11:2–4), praying against rather than for God’s people." (Borrow Unger's Bible Handbook page 222)(J. V. McGee speaks of his “cowardly retreat” in Notes for Through the Bible) British expositor A. W.
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Spurgeon - Morning and Evening - It was a remarkable thing that the man who was never to die, for whom God had ordained an infinitely better lot, the man who should be carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, and be translated, that he should not see death—should thus pray, “Let me die, I am no better than my fathers.” We have here a memorable proof that God does not always answer prayer in kind, though he always does in effect. He gave Elias something better than that which he asked for, and thus really heard and answered him. Strange was it that the lion-hearted Elijah should be so depressed by Jezebel’s threat as to ask to die, and blessedly kind was it on the part of our heavenly Father that he did not take his desponding servant at his word. There is a limit to the doctrine of the prayer of faith. We are not to expect that God will give us everything we choose to ask for. We know that we sometimes ask, and do not receive, because we ask amiss. If we ask for that which is not promised—if we run counter to the spirit which the Lord would have us cultivate—if we ask contrary to his will, or to the decrees of his providence—if we ask merely for the gratification of our own ease, and without an eye to his glory, we must not expect that we shall receive. “If the Lord does not pay in silver, he will in gold; and if he does not pay in gold, he will in diamonds.” Yet, when we ask in faith, nothing doubting, if we receive not the precise thing asked for, we shall receive an equivalent, and more than an equivalent, for it. As one remarks, “If the Lord does not pay in silver, he will in gold; and if he does not pay in gold, he will in diamonds.” If he does not give you precisely what you ask for, he will give you that which is tantamount to it, and that which you will greatly rejoice to receive in lieu thereof. Be then, dear reader, much in prayer, and make this evening a season of earnest intercession, but take heed what you ask. John G Butler - 1 Kings 19—Fainting of Elijah. After the great victory at Mount Carmel, Elijah experienced a bad fainting spell but eventually recovered from it. • Persecution of Elijah: Jezebel, the wicked wife of Ahab, started the fainting spell by sending a message to Elijah that she intended to kill him in the next 24 hours. • Panic of Elijah: after getting this message, Elijah “went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba” (1Ki 19:3) in southern Judah. •Pouting of Elijah: he asked God to take his life, “It is enough” (1Ki 19:4) was his pouting complaint. • Preservation of Elijah: an angel fed him several meals. • Path of Elijah: he headed to Horeb (Mount Sinai where Israel camped for a year after the exodus from Egypt). • Probing of Elijah: “What doest thou here?” (1Ki 19:9, 13) was asked twice by God; Elijah’s answer was the same both times—between the questions was a demonstration of wind, earthquake, fire, and a still small voice. • Precepts for Elijah: he was told to anoint two kings (Hazael of Syria and Jehu of Israel), and to anoint Elisha as a prophet. • Prophet for Elijah: he called Elisha who served Elijah until Elijah was taken to heaven. Had Enough? Joni Eareckson Tada - More Precious Than Silver: 366 Daily Devotional Readings - Page 4 I have had enough, LORD…Take my life.—1 Kings 19:4 Ever feel as if you have spaghetti for a backbone? When I feel like giving up, I think of good ol’ Elijah and our verse for today. Even a powerful prophet can discover he has noodles for knees. Queen Jezebel had heard through the grapevine that Elijah had wiped out hundreds of her prophets. So she went after his neck. And Elijah ran for his life. When he reached the desert, Elijah gave up. He didn’t even have the courage to do himself in. Instead he begged God to perform a mercy killing on him. Do you see yourself in this picture? Whether we’re terminally ill, on our last legs, or hunch-shouldered with a bad case of the Monday morning blues, all of us sometimes say, “I’ve had enough.” There’s hardly a one of us who hasn’t at one time or another wanted to throw in the towel. Each of us can draw comfort that we are all as vulnerable as Elijah. How did this mighty prophet surface out of his despair? God didn’t give answers; he gave himself. He ministered to the prophet, handing him food and giving him sleep. God even offered a listening, empathetic ear. The record shows that the Angel of the Lord agreed that “the journey is too much for you” (1 Kings 19:7). Then God presented Elijah with new work to do. Sometimes switching focus onto others is just what the doctor would order. As surely as the Angel of the Lord gave the prophet a sip of cool water and laid him down to rest, the Lord touches your life through the people he places around you. People are the hands and heart of God to you. If there are no people? God will personally come through for you, giving you strength out of nowhere. Do what Elijah did. Carve out time for rest. Watch your nutrition. Spend time with God. Seek out fellowship. Look for ways to help others. It’s a prescription to help ease depression. God of rest and restoration, show me how to turn to you for help when I slump emotionally. Tune my heart to the ways in which you want to minister to me, and help me to be responsive. Spurgeon - sermon notes - 1 Kings 19:4 We may learn much from the lives of others. Elijah himself is not only a prophet but a prophecy. His experience is our instruction. Sometimes we enter into a strange and mysterious state of depression, and it is well to learn from Scripture that another has been in that Valley of Deathshade. Weary, and sick at heart, sorely tried ones are apt to faint. At such a time they imagine that some strange thing has happened unto them; but, indeed, it is not so. Looking down upon the sands of time they may see the print of a man’s foot, and it ought to comfort them when they learn that he was no mean man, but a mighty servant of the Lord. Let us study— I. ELIJAH’S WEAKNESS. “He requested for himself that he might die.” 1. He was a man of like passions with us. James 5:17. He failed in the point wherein he was strongest; as many other saints have done. Abraham, Job, Moses, Peter, &c. This proved that he was strong not by nature, but in divine strength. He was no unfeeling man of iron, with rerves of steel. The wonder is not that he fainted, but that he ever stood up in the fierce heat which beat upon him. 2. He suffered from a terrible reaction. Those who go up go down. The depth of depression is equal to the height of rapture. 3. He suffered grievous disappointment, for Ahab was still under Jezebel’s sway, and Israel was not won to Jehovah. 4. He was sadly weary with the excitement of Carmel, and the unwonted run by the side of Ahab’s chariot. 5. His wish was folly. “O Lord, take away my life.” He fled from death. If he wished to die, Jezebel would have obliged him, and he needed not to have fled. He was more needed than ever to maintain the good cause. That cause was also more than ordinarily hopeful, and he ought to have wished to live to see better times. He was never to die. Strange that he who was to escape death should cry, “Take away my life!” How unwise are our prayers when our spirits sink! 6. His reason was untrue. It was not enough: and the Lord had made him, in some respects, better than his fathers. He had more to do than they, and he was stronger, more bold, more lonely in witness, and more terrible in majesty. He had more to enjoy than most of the other prophets, for he had greater power with God, and had wrought miracles surpassed by none. He had been more favoured by special providence and peculiar grace, and was yet to rise above all others in the manner of his departure: the chariots of God were to wait upon him. II. GOD’S TENDERNESS TO HIM. 1. He allowed him to sleep: this was better than medicine, or inward rebuke, or spiritual instruction. 2. He fed him with food convenient and miraculously nourishing. 3. He made him perceive angelic care. “An angel touched him.” 4. He allowed him to tell his grief (see verse 10): this is often the readiest relief. He stated his case, and in so doing eased his mind. 5. He revealed himself and his ways. The wind, earthquake, fire, and still small voice were voices from God. When we know what God is we are less troubled about other matters. 6. He told him good news: “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel”: verse 18. His sense of loneliness was thus removed. 7. He gave him more to do—to anoint others by whom the Lord’s purposes of chastisement and instruction should be carried on. Let us learn some useful lessons. It is seldom right to pray to die; that matter is best left with God; we may not destroy our own lives, nor ask the Lord to do so. To the sinner it is never right to seek to die; for death to him is hell. The wilful suicide seals his own sure condemnation. To the saint such a wish is allowable, only within bounds. He may long for heaven, but not for the mere sake of getting away from service or suffering, disappointment or dishonour. To desire death may be proper under some aspects; but not to pray for it with eagerness. When we do wish to die, the reason must not be impatient, passionate, petulant, proud, or indolent. We have no idea of what is in store for us in this life. We may yet see the cause prosper and ourselves successful. In any case let us trust in the Lord and do good, and we need never be afraid. SELECTIONS What is this we hear? Elijah fainting and giving up! that neroical spirit dejected and prostrate! He that durst say to Ahab’s face, “It is thou and thy father’s house that trouble Israel”; he that could raise the dead, open and shut the heavens, fetch down both fire and water with his prayers; he that durst chide and contest with all Israel; that durst kill the four hundred and fifty Baalites with the sword,—doth he shrink at the frowns and threats of a woman? Doth he wish to be rid of his life, because he feared to lose it? Who can expect an undaunted constancy from flesh and blood when Elijah fails? The strongest and holiest saint upon earth is subject to some qualms of fear and infirmity: to be always and unchangeably good is proper only to the glorious spirits in heaven. Thus the wise and holy God will have his power perfected in our weakness. It is in vain for us, while we carry this flesh about us, to hope for so exact health as not to be cast down sometimes with fits of spiritual distemper. It is no new thing for holy men to wish for death: who can either marvel at or blame the desire of advantage? For the weary traveller to long for rest, the prisoner for liberty, the banished for home, it is so natural, that the contrary disposition were monstrous. The benefit of the change is a just motive to our appetition; but to call for death out of a satiety of life, out of an impatience of suffering, is a weakness unbeseeming a saint. It is not enough, O Elijah! God hath more work yet for thee: thy God hath more honoured thee than thy fathers, and thou shalt live to honour him. Toil and sorrow have lulled the prophet asleep under this juniper tree; that wholesome shade was well chosen for his repose. While death was called for, the cozen of death comes unbidden; the angel of God waits on him in that hard lodging. No wilderness is too solitary for the attendance of those blessed spirits. As he is guarded, so is he awaked by that messenger of God, and stirred up from his rest to his repast; while he slept, his breakfast is made ready for him by those spiritual hands: “There was a cake baked on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head.” Oh, the never-ceasing care and providence of the Almighty, not to be barred by any place, by any condition! When means are wanting to us, when we are wanting to ourselves, when to God, even then doth he follow us with his mercy, and cast favour upon us, beyond, against expectation! What variety of purveyance doth he make for his servant! One while the ravens, then the Sareptan, now the angel, shall be his caterer; none of them without a miracle: those other provided for him waking, this sleeping. O God! the eye of thy providence is not dimmer, the hand of thy power is not shorter: only teach thou us to serve thee, to trust thee.—Bp. Hall. Elijah “arose and went for his life.” But better he had stood to his task as a prophet, and answered as Chrysostom did when Eudoxia the empress threatened him. “Go tell her,” said he, “I fear nothing but sin”; or as Basil did, when Valens, the Arian emperor, sent him word that he would be the death of him: “I would he would,” said he: “I shall but go to heaven the sooner.” Luther had his fits of fear, though ordinarily he could say, “I care neither for the Pope’s favour nor fury.” Gregory doubted not to say, that because Elijah began to be tickled with high conceits of himself for the great acts which he had done, he was suffered thus to fear, and to fall beneath himself, for his humiliation. The like we see in Peter, scared by a silly wench: to show us how weak, even as water, we are, when left a little to ourselves.—John Trapp. Who told Elijah it was “enough”? God did not; he knew what was enough for Elijah to do and to suffer. It was not enough. God had more to teach him, and had more work for him to do. If the Lord had taken him at his word, and had also said “it is enough,” Elijah’s history would have wanted its crowning glory.—Kitto. It cannot be denied, that in the expression “it is enough!” we behold the anguish of a soul which, disappointed in its fairest expectations, seems to despair of God and of the world, and is impatient and weary of the cross; a soul which, like Jonah, is dissatisfied with the dealings of the Almighty, and by desiring death, seeks, as it were, to give him to understand, that it is come to such an extremity, that nothing is left but the melancholy wish to escape by death from its sufferings. Nevertheless, a Divine and believing longing accompanied even this carnal excitement in the soul of Elijah, which, thirsting after God, struck its pinions upwards to the eternal light; yes, the key-note of this mournful lamentation was the filial thought that the heart of his Father in heaven would be moved towards him, that his merciful God would again shine forth upon his darkness, and comfort the soul of his servant. Thus we see, in the prayer of our prophet, the elements of the natural and of the spiritual life fermenting together in strange intermixture. The sparks of nature and of grace, mutually opposing each other, blaze up together in one flame. The metal is in the furnace, the heat of which brings impurity to light; but who does not forget the scum and the dross at the sight of the fine gold?—F. W. Krummacher. I. The cause of Elijah’s despondency. 1. Relaxation of physical strength. 2. Second cause—Want of sympathy. “I, even I only, am left” Lay the stress on only. The loneliness of his position was shocking to Elijah. 3. Want of occupation. As long as Elijah had a prophet’s work to do, severe as that work was, all went on healthily: but his occupation was gone. To-morrow and the day after, what has he left on earth to do? The misery of having nothing to do proceeds from causes voluntary or involuntary in their nature. 4. Fourth cause—Disappointment in his expectations of success. On Carmel the great object for which Elijah had lived seemed on the point of being realized. Baal’s prophets were slain—Jehovah acknowledged with one voice: false worship put down. Elijah’s life-aim—the transformation of Israel into a kingdom of God, was all but accomplished. In a single day all this bright picture was annihilated. II. God’s treatment of it. 1. First, he recruited his servant’s exhausted strength. Read the history. Miraculous meals are given—then Elijah sleeps, wakes, and eats: on the strength of that, he goes forty days’ journey. 2. Next, Jehovah calmed his stormy mind by the healing influences of nature. He commanded the hurricane to sweep the sky, and the earthquake to shake the ground. He lighted up the heavens till they were one mass of fire. All this expressed and reflected Elijah’s feelings. The mode in which nature soothes us is by finding meeter and nobler utterances for our feelings than we can find in words—by expressing and exalting them. In expression there is relief. 3. Besides, God made him feel the earnestness of life. What doest thou here Elijah? Life is for doing. A prophet’s life for nobler doing—and the prophet was not doing, but moaning. Such a voice repeats itself to all of us, rousing us from our lethargy, or our despondency, or our protracted leisure, “What doest thou here?” here in this short life. 4. He completed the cure by the assurance of victory. “Yet have I left me seven thousand in Israel who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So, then, Elijah’s life had no failure after all.—F. W. Robertson. J R Miller - He himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a juniper tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 1 Kings 19:4 He was sorely discouraged. It seemed to him that all he had done, had come to nothing. There are few things we need more to guard against than discouragement. When once we come under its influence, it makes us weak, robbing us of our hope and making cowards of us. Many a life is discrowned and drawn down to failure, through discouragement. It is surely a sad picture: this greatest of the old prophets lying there under the little bush, in the wilderness, longing to die! If he had died then and there, what an inglorious ending it would have made of his life! As it was, however, he lived to do further glorious work and to see great results from his contest with idolatry. God was kinder to him, than he knew. It is wrong to wish ourselves dead. Life is God's gift to us, a sacred trust for which we shall have to give account. While God keeps us living—he has something for us to do. Our prayer should be for grace to do our duty bravely and well unto the end. From Elijah's after-experience, we learn that we would never be cast down by any discouraging experiences. The things we think have failed are often only slowly ripening into rich success. We have only to be faithful to God and to duty, and we may always rejoice. What seems failure—is often best success. J Oswald Sanders - Responding in Service Numbers 11:11 (From A Spiritual Clinic) Until the very moment of his collapse, Moses had been selfless in his care of his people. Indeed, when the anger of God was kindled against the idolatrous people, Moses had asked that his name be blotted out of God’s book (Exodus 32:32), if only they might be spared. But he dropped to a lower plane in Numbers 11:11–15. Forgetting the desperate spiritual need of the people, he reproached God and indulged in self-pity. He lost sight of all that God had enabled him to achieve and became self-absorbed. Elijah, too, in his time of reaction, reproached God and in strange disillusionment cried: “I am not better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4 KJV). His self-esteem had been dealt a shattering blow. “I have been very jealous for the LORD God,” he complained (v. 14 KJV), implying that in spite of his zeal, he had been “let down.” His twice repeated, “I, even I only, am left” (vv. 10, 14 KJV), indicates his sense of loneliness in his devotion to God. He too was engulfed in self-pity. Nor was the case different with Jonah. His cause for reproaching God was resentment of His grace and forbearance! The real trouble was that God’s goodness to Nineveh had shattered his reputation as a prophet. Jonah had prophesied judgment, and God had exercised mercy. Since his reputation was gone, Jonah concluded that it would be better to die than to live. In each case the desire to die stemmed from making self and self-interest supreme instead of God and His glory. Is not all despondency in essence a manifestation of self in one form or another? Real Faith in Hard Times By Kevin Riggs - Zondervan 2013 Pastor's Annual SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 19:1–18 INTRODUCTION: Living by faith means that during hard times you have Someone to lean on. Elijah was a prophet who stood for righteousness during a wicked time. After his defeat of the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, Queen Jezebel vowed to kill him. Elijah fled and became discouraged. God spoke to him and encouraged him. From his experience we learn what to do, and what not to do, during difficult times. (1) What not to do during hard times. A. Don’t throw a pity party (1Ki 19:4, 9, 10). B. Don’t become a loner (1Ki 19:3). C. Don’t whine and complain (1Ki 19:4, 10, 14). D. Don’t give up (1Ki 19:4). (2) What to do during hard times. A. Realize the situation you are in. B. Draw yourself closer to God (1Ki 19:11–13). C. Fellowship with other believers (1Ki 19:15–18). CONCLUSION: Tough times come and go, but tough people come and grow. H A
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Spurgeon - IT IS ENOUGH! 1 Kings 19:4 It is difficult for a young person to understand why Elijah could be so dreadfully depressed as to pray, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life” (1 Kin. 19:4). As we grow older and more experienced, our trials multiply and our inner life enters difficult conflicts. Because we are in similar places, we better understand why God allowed His ancient servants to be put in these situations. There is relief in discovering that we are walking paths that others have traveled. We understand Elijah’s attitude on Mount Carmel when he said, “I alone am left” (1 Kin. 18:22), and we comprehend why he executed the prophets of Baal (1 Kin. 18:40). If we are puzzled as to why he got under a juniper bush (1 Kin. 19:4) or hid in a cave (1 Kin. 19:13), we understand the reasons when we ourselves get under the juniper and remember that Elijah once sat there. When we hide in a cave, it is a comfort to remember that this great prophet also did. Perhaps you have prayed Elijah’s prayer. One saint’s experience is instructive to others. Many of the psalms—called Maschil, or instructive psalms—record the writer’s experiences and become our textbooks. If the Holy Spirit will guide me, I may be able to say something to help. You do not know how much there is to live for. Nevertheless, God has such blessings in store that your mouth will be filled with laughter and your tongue with singing. The Lord has done great things for you, and you will be glad (Ps. 126:2–3). Be of good courage. Strengthen your heart and wait on the Lord until He comes. May His blessing be with you forever! Scraped Butter I have had enough, Lord . . . . Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors. 1 Kings 19:4 In J. R. R. Tolkien’s book The Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo Baggins starts showing the effects of carrying, for six decades, a magical ring with dark powers. Weighed down by its slowly corrosive nature, he says to the wizard Gandalf, “Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean: like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.” He decides to leave his home in search of rest, somewhere “in peace and quiet, without a lot of relatives prying around.” This aspect of Tolkien’s story reminds me of an Old Testament prophet’s experience. On the run from Jezebel and wrung out after his battle with false prophets, Elijah badly needed some rest. Feeling depleted, he asked God to let him die, saying, “I have had enough, Lord” (1 Kings 19:4). After he fell asleep, God’s angel woke him so he could eat and drink. He slept again, and then ate more of the food provided by the angel. Revitalized, he had enough energy for the forty-day walk to the mountain of God. When we feel scraped thin, we too can look to God for true refreshment. We might need to care for our bodies while we also ask Him to fill us with His hope, peace, and rest. Even as the angel tended to Elijah, we can trust that God will impart His refreshing presence on us (see Matthew 11:28). When you’re wrung out and exhausted, what actions tempt you? How can you put your trust in God when you’re tired and overwhelmed? Strengthening God, I look to You for true rest. Please help me put my hope in You and fill me with Your presence. "Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!" (1 Kings 19:4). A letter came to Radio Bible Class that bore no signature and no return address. It read, "By the time you receive this letter, I will have committed suicide. I accepted Christ two years ago. Lately my world has been crumbling around me. I can't take it anymore. I can't fall again or be `bad' anymore. God and I have drifted apart… Lord, help me. Could you take a moment and say a prayer for me, a teenager? Lord forgive me!" Even Christians can get so desperate that they want to take their own life. In 1 Kings 19 we read that Elijah was so physically and emotionally exhausted that he asked God to take his life. Although that's not suicide, his request arises from the same feelings of despair. But God brought Elijah out of his depression. He lifted him up by strengthening him with food, restoring him through sleep, listening to his complaint, gently correcting him, reassuring him in a still, small voice, giving him new work to do, and telling him.that all was not lost. ELIJAH "Elijah … arose and ran for his life, and went … a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die (1 Kings 19:2-4). Adoniram Judson, the pioneer missionary to Burma who translated the Bible into Burmese and is considered one of the great early missionaries, had difficulty dealing with the death of his wife, Nancy. In deep depression, he said, "God is to me the Great Unknown. I believe in him, but I find him not." We have all gone through times when the only certainty was uncertainty. Like Christian in Pilgrim's Progress, we have all faced Giant Despair. As Winston Churchill put it, we are sometimes overtaken by the "black dog of depression." Jezebel scared Elijah with her death threat, and he ran for his life. He was so discouraged that he asked God to carry out Jezebel's pronouncement. Instead, God reassured Elijah with His presence and plan for the future. Like Elijah, the two disciples from Emmaus were near despair. Their hope that Jesus would redeem Israel had been dashed, leaving them disappointed and puzzled-but only until the resurrected Christ appeared. With His presence came a bright light for the future. Faith and doubt travel hand in hand, and doubt about God's goodness and care often leads to depression. Yet sorrow has a spur; depression can drive us to Him. If we do not find Him, He finds us; and we cry out for joy. He is alive and He loves us. Finding New Hope Why are you cast down, O my soul? … Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him. --Psalm 42:5 A woman who was widowed for the second time felt the loss deeply. She saw little reason to go on living. One day she got into the car with her young grandson. After securing him properly, she started the car without fastening her own seatbelt. When the 5-year-old politely pointed this out to her, she told him she didn't care about her safety because she wanted to go to Jesus and Grandpa. The boy replied, "But Grandma, then you would leave me!" God used this youngster to bring to her the realization that He still had service for her to perform, and that her situation was not as hopeless as it seemed to be. During almost 50 years of ministry, I've seen many despairing people come to the place where they felt there was no way out. Like Elijah, they wanted to die (1 Ki. 19:4). God sustained them, however, and showed them that He still had work for them to do. They discovered that the situation was not as dark as they had thought and that God had a reason for them to go on living. Beyond the losses of this life That cause us to despair, New hope is born within our hearts Because our God is there. -DJD There Is Hope It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers. — 1 Kings 19:4 Today's Scripture : 1 Kings 19:1-7 An old legend tells of an angel who was sent by God to inform Satan that all his methods to defeat Christians would be taken from him. The devil pleaded to keep just one. “Let me retain depression,” he begged. The angel, thinking this a small request, agreed. “Good!” Satan exclaimed. He laughed and said, “In that one gift, I have secured all.” In a now out-of-print book about depression, author Roger Barrett describes it as a “wretched experience that leaves you exhausted, uninvolved, and in deep, hopeless despair. . . . You feel doomed, trapped. . . . It’s awful!” In every age, God’s people have struggled with this crippling emotion. Elijah’s cry “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life!” is the cry of a despondent man (1 Kings 19:4). Others like Job and David knew similar agony of soul, but they emerged from it with stronger faith. That’s encouraging! Lord, give us grace to trust You when Life's burdens seem too much to bear; Dispel the darkness with new hope And help us rise above despair. —Sper No one is hopeless who knows the God of hope. Light In The Darkness Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers. --1 Kings 19:4 Christians who pass through the dark tunnel of depression tend to focus on their sins and weaknesses and failures so much that they may even want to die. God can use times like this, however, to increase their awareness of His inexhaustible grace. In 1964, Alan Redpath, former pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, sank into the depths of despondency following a near-fatal stroke. He wrote later of having terribly wicked thoughts. "O Lord," he prayed, "take me right home!" It was then he sensed that the Lord was saying, "It is I, your Savior, who has brought this experience into your life to show you [that] this is the kind of person--with all your sinful thoughts and temptations which you thought were things of the past--that you always will be, but for My grace." Though tempted and sadly discouraged, My soul to this refuge will flee And rest in this blessed assurance: "My grace is sufficient for thee." -Anon. Amid the darkness of sin, the light of God's grace shines brightest. When Hope Is Lost: Dealing With Depression RENEWED HOPE [Elijah prayed], "Lord, take my life."… Then the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way." -1 Kings 19:4, 15 People who live without hope can become suicidal. So it was with an Italian prisoner of war being held on a military base in the United States during World War II. He had become despondent after learning that his wife had died in Italy. The camp commander, knowing that the man had been a stonemason, asked him if he could design a chapel for the base. The POW accepted the assignment and even supervised construction. Today a unique chapel stands at the Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The formerly despondent prisoner found renewed hope by using his God-given talents to bless others. In 1 Kings 19, we read that Elijah was despondent. He was physically and emotionally drained after fleeing from the evil Queen Jezebel. In despair, he asked God to take his life. Instead, the angel of the Lord ministered to his physical needs. Some days later, the Lord spoke to Elijah and told him that his work was not over. When plunged in darkness and despair, Our only hope is in the Lord; Not once does He withhold His care, Or ever fail to keep His Word. -- DJD God gives hope to us as we give help to others. A Good Day To Die? It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life! — 1 Kings 19:4 Today's Scripture : 1 Kings 19:1-18 Hopelessness and anger combined to bring death to a young man in my neighborhood. Someone had beaten him up for something he said. To retaliate, he came back with a gun. The police were called. When they arrived he ran, shooting at them. To protect everyone, they shot him. He lost his life at age 21. Later it was reported that he had told a family member that morning: “Today would be a good day to die.” I wonder what brought him to such despair. There was a day when the prophet Elijah felt hopeless and wanted to die. He had just experienced a great victory over the prophets of Baal, but now his life was being threatened by the king’s wife Jezebel. In fear, he ran into the wilderness (1 Kings 19:4). There he “prayed that he might die, and said, ‘It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life!'” We may think that Elijah was overreacting, but hopeless feelings are real. He wisely went to the right source for help—he cried out to God. The Lord knew Elijah needed restoration, so He provided for his needs (vv.5-7). He revealed Himself to him (vv.9-13) and renewed Elijah’s sense of purpose by giving him work to do (vv.15-17). God brought him hope by reminding him that he was not alone (v.18). Lord, give us grace to trust You when Life's burdens seem too much to bear; Dispel the darkness with new hope And help us rise above despair. —Sper No one is hopeless whose hope is in God. 1 Kings 19:5 He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.” he lay: Ge 28:11-15 was an angel touching him: Ps 34:7,10 Da 8:19 9:21 10:9,10 Ac 12:7 Heb 1:14 13:5 1 Kings 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ELIJAH SUDDENLY TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL He lay down and slept under a juniper tree - Undoubtedly exhausted physically and mentally he feel asleep. and behold (pay attention! - hinneh; Lxx - idou), there was an angel (malak) touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.” - NET = "All of a sudden an angelic messenger touched him and said, "Get up and eat." As subsequent passages show this is not just a created angel but the angel Creator, the Angel of the LORD. He knew what Elijah needed in his exhausted, downcast condition. THOUGHT - You may think you are alone, especially when you are downcast. You are not alone! Rod Mattoon - Elijah is sleeping under a juniper tree which is also known as a broom bush. It is here that the Lord is going to start sweeping "stinkin' thinkin"' out of Elijah's life and get this man back on his feet physically and spiritually. (Online 1 Kings Commentary) F. W. KRUMMACHER 1 KINGS 19:5. He lay and slept under a juniper tree. Even in the midst of the desert our gracious God is able to provide for us a place of repose; the storm does not rage incessantly; peaceful hours intervene unawares, and the burden upon our shoulders becomes for a while a resting pillow to our heads, upon which we insensibly gather recruited strength.… The very days of storm and tempest have their hours of repose and mercy. Therefore let no one be anxious, however steep and thorny his path, however rough and dreary his road. When the weary knees are ready to sink, God will know how to provide him a resting-place, and he shall be able to say, “I laid me down and slept; I awaked, for the Lord sustained me.” And although these may be only short pauses; still they remind us how easily He could, if He pleased, at any moment, deliver us out of every trouble. And a believing assurance of this is sufficient to overcome every anxiety and fear. Springs in the Valley - And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him. (1 Kings 19:5) God does not chide His tired child when that weariness is a result of toil for Him: “I know thy toil” (Rev. 2:2)—the Greek is “labor to weariness.” And what happened? “Behold, then an angel touched him.” There is no wilderness without its angels. Though Elijah knew it not, angels guarded him round about in his blackest depression and were actually placing bread and water at his head while he was asking for death. A man may have to cry in the midst of an apostate community, “I, even I only, am left”; but he is always companied by legions of holy angels. But more than that. Who is this angel? It is the Angel of the LORD, the Jehovah Angel; the One who, centuries later in Gethsemane, had to have an angel to strengthen Him. He touched His exhausted child. Blessed exhaustion that can bring such a touch! As the Psalmist has said (Ps. 127:2), “He giveth to His beloved while they sleep” (RSV, margin). And God does not chide His tired child. THE DAWN Dear child, God does not say today, “Be strong”; He knows your strength is spent; He knows how long The road has been, how weary you have grown, For He who walked the earthly roads alone, Each bogging lowland, and each rugged hill, Can understand, and so He says, “Be still, And know that I am God.” The hour is late, And you must rest awhile, and you must wait Until life’s empty reservoirs fill up As slow rain fills an empty upturned cup. Hold up your cup, dear child, for God to fill. He only asks today that you be still. GRACE NOLL CROWELL Oswald Chambers - The initiative against depression Arise and eat. 1 Kings 19:5. The angel did not give Elijah a vision, or explain the Scriptures to him, or do anything remarkable; he told Elijah to do the most ordinary thing, viz., to get up and eat. If we were never depressed we should not be alive; it is the nature of a crystal never to be depressed. A human being is capable of depression, otherwise there would be no capacity for exaltation. There are things that are calculated to depress, things that are of the nature of death; and in taking an estimate of yourself, always take into account the capacity for depression. When the Spirit of God comes He does not give us visions; He tells us to do the most ordinary things conceivable. Depression is apt to turn us away from the ordinary commonplace things of God’s creation, but whenever God comes, the inspiration is to do the most natural simple things—the things we would never have imagined God was in, and as we do them we find He is there. The inspiration which comes to us in this way is an initiative against depression; we have to do the next thing and to do it in the inspiration of God. If we do a thing in order to overcome depression, we deepen the depression; but if the Spirit of God makes us feel intuitively that we must do the thing, and we do it, the depression is gone. Immediately we arise and obey, we enter on a higher plane of life. F B
1 Reis 19
Spurgeon - “The spirit needs to be fed, and the body needs feeding also. Do not forget these matters; it may seem to some people that I ought not to mention such small things as food and rest, but these may be the very first elements in really helping a poor depressed servant of God.” Rod Mattoon - There are some great insights here! 1. In mercy, the angel speaks to him again because he knows Elijah is not prepared and equipped for the journey. The Lord knows you better than you do! When God calls, don't resist Him. 2. The Word of God is our supernatural spiritual food. It gives strength to the believer. 3. Life's journey is too great for us. We cannot be victorious in our own strength. We need the strength of the Word in our own life (Mt 4:4). Rarely do I find a depressed Christian who walks with God each day, carefully reads the Word of God, and gives his burdens to the Lord. When we see Elijah, we see that the Lord fed him so he would walk! (Online 1 Kings Commentary) Loins Girded - Arise and Eat 1 Kings 19:7 - J J Knapp It is hard to believe that it was the same man: the Elijah who had stood on the height of Carmel, calling for fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, and who had helped destroy the priests of Baal with his own hands, and the Elijah, who fled for the evil Jezebel, had thrown himself under a juniper tree in the desert, and had called upon death as a saviour. What a relapse in faith in this prince in the Kingdom of heaven! The Almighty One, however, knew the cause of this weakness in the soul: she lay in the bodily exhaustion of the prophet, who had demanded too much of his strength in the struggle upon Carmel and also later; what the prophet needed before other things was rest and renewal of strength. Therefore twice an angel was sent. He prepared for him a little food and a draught of water, allowed him afterwards to enjoy a refreshing sleep, and awoke him a second time to eat once more,—and yes, then the old Elijah appeared again: the way that lay before him was not too much for him any more, but marvellously strengthened he went by the power of that food forty days and nights without interruption to the mountain of God, Horeb. How well does the Lord know to lift His servants with the exact fitting means from their spiritual depression, and to prepare them for the way, that was designed for them, that would have been too much for them in their state of despondency. We all know hours of dejection, they often follow Carmel-hours promptly, in which our faith lifted us as it were beyond ourselves, and made us capable of things that would seem impossible to us in ordinary circumstances. Is it not ashaming already to hear that the Lord gave His undivided attention as much to the servant who lay complaining like a weakling under a bush, as well as to the hero who triumphed upon the height of Carmel? Is it not a comfort that He makes us in our weakness of soul to arise and be strengthened as by an angel’s hand? The means He uses for it are various, but they always fit our condition. For Elijah it was a meal and some quiet sleep. For someone else it shall be a word of appreciation, a loving encounter, an agreeable surprise,—usually a small thing as for Elijah a cake of bread and a bottle of water; but these small things are given to us as by angels ministering, and in the final instance they come forth from the compassion of God, who knows His creature. In this manner the Lord makes us to arise. Then we are fit again for even the hardest way, that would be too much for us without the refreshing of the Lord,—we walk forty days without becoming tired, we walk forty nights without becoming weary. Streams in the Desert - “The journey is too great for thee.” (1 King 19:7) AND what did God do with His tired servant? Gave him something good to eat, and put him to sleep. Elijah had done splendid work, and had run alongside of the chariot in his excitement, and it had been too much for his physical strength, and the reaction had come on, and he was depressed. The physical needed to be cared for. What many people want is sleep, and the physical ailment attended to. There are grand men and women who get where Elijah was—under the juniper tree! and it comes very soothingly to such to hear the words of the Master: “The journey is too great for thee, and I am going to refresh you.” Let us not confound physical weariness with spiritual weakness. “I’m too tired to trust and too tired to pray, Said one, as the over-taxed strength gave way. The one conscious thought by my mind possessed, Is, oh, could I just drop it all and rest. “Will God forgive me, do you suppose, If I go right to sleep as a baby goes, Without an asking if I may, Without ever trying to trust and pray? “Will God forgive you? why think, dear heart, When language to you was an unknown art, Did a mother deny you, needed rest, Or refuse to pillow your head on her breast? “Did she let you want when you could not ask? Did she set her child an unequal task? Or did she cradle you in her arms, And then guard your slumber against alarms? “Ah, how quick was her mother love to see, The unconscious yearnings of infancy. When you’ve grown too tired to trust and pray, When over-wrought nature has quite given way: “Then just drop it all, and give up to rest, As you used to do on a mother’s breast, He knows all about it—the dear Lord knows, So just go to sleep as a baby goes; “Without even asking if you may, God knows when His child is too tired to pray. He judges not solely by uttered prayer, He knows when the yearnings of love are there. “He knows you do pray, He knows you do trust, And He knows, too, the limits of poor weak dust. Oh, the wonderful sympathy of Christ, For His chosen ones in that midnight tryst, “When He bade them sleep and take their rest, While on Him the guilt of the whole world pressed— You’ve given your life up to Him to keep, Then don’t be afraid to go right to sleep.” The Journey Is Too Great for Thee” “The journey is too great for thee.”—1 Kings 19:7 This text has been illustrated by ten thousand men. Livingstone consecrated himself to African exploration. He performed two journeys, but the third was too great for him. His health failed. Two of his servants deserted him, and they took with them his medicine chest. “I never dreamed,” he wrote, “that I should lose my precious quinine.” One of the last entries in his journal was: “I am pale, bloodless, and weak from bleeding profusely ever since March 31st last. An artery gives off a copious stream, and takes away my strength; oh, how I long to be permitted by the Over-Power to finish my work!” When he could work no longer he was carried on a frame of wood with some grass and a blanket upon it. And when he could endure to be carried no farther, his faithful servants built him a little hut, and in that rude structure he died. He was a great traveller. He contributed much to our knowledge of Central Africa. The coloured races owe him a mighty debt of gratitude. He was one of the bravest of Christian men. But the journey of African exploration was too great for him. James Smith - THE POWER OF THE DIVINE TOUCH. I. The Power of His Touch in Nature (Psa. 144:5). II. The Ministry of His Touch in Grace: 1. Awakening, 1 Kings 19:5 2. Healing, Matt. 8:3 3. Cleansing, Isa. 6:7 4. Shrivelling the self-life, Gen. 32:25 5. Bestowing Holiness, Exod. 29:37 6. Giving a willingness to serve, 1 Sam. 10:26 7. Bestowing power to speak, Jer. 1:9 8. Suffering, Job 19:21 (ED - Rev 1:17 removing fear from John). J J Knapp - The Loins Girded - Arise and Eat 1 Kings 19:7 It is hard to believe that it was the same man: the Elijah who had stood on the height of Carmel, calling for fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice, and who had helped destroy the priests of Baal with his own hands, and the Elijah, who fled for the evil Jezebel, had thrown himself under a juniper tree in the desert, and had called upon death as a saviour. What a relapse in faith in this prince in the Kingdom of heaven! The Almighty One, however, knew the cause of this weakness in the soul: she lay in the bodily exhaustion of the prophet, who had demanded too much of his strength in the struggle upon Carmel and also later; what the prophet needed before other things was rest and renewal of strength. Therefore twice an angel was sent. He prepared for him a little food and a draught of water, allowed him afterwards to enjoy a refreshing sleep, and awoke him a second time to eat once more,—and yes, then the old Elijah appeared again: the way that lay before him was not too much for him any more, but marvellously strengthened he went by the power of that food forty days and nights without interruption to the mountain of God, Horeb. How well does the Lord know to lift His servants with the exact fitting means from their spiritual depression, and to prepare them for the way, that was designed for them, that would have been too much for them in their state of despondency. We all know hours of dejection, they often follow Carmel-hours promptly, in which our faith lifted us as it were beyond ourselves, and made us capable of things that would seem impossible to us in ordinary circumstances. Is it not ashaming already to hear that the Lord gave His undivided attention as much to the servant who lay complaining like a weakling under a bush, as well as to the hero who triumphed upon the height of Carmel? Is it not a comfort that He makes us in our weakness of soul to arise and be strengthened as by an angel’s hand? The means He uses for it are various, but they always fit our condition. For Elijah it was a meal and some quiet sleep. For someone else it shall be a word of appreciation, a loving encounter, an agreeable surprise,—usually a small thing as for Elijah a cake of bread and a bottle of water; but these small things are given to us as by angels ministering, and in the final instance they come forth from the compassion of God, who knows His creature. In this manner the Lord makes us to arise. Then we are fit again for even the hardest way, that would be too much for us without the refreshing of the Lord,—we walk forty days without becoming tired, we walk forty nights without becoming weary. Robert Hawker - The Poor Man's Evening Portion - 1 Kings 19:7, 8. How blessed is it to observe, in the several instances of God’s people, that the Lord measures out strength in proportion to their wants, and fits every back for the burden. The prophet was obliged to flee from the king’s court, but the King of kings will give him a table in the wilderness. Elijah shall be taught at one time, how to live by faith, when fed by ravens! and at another, how to go forty days and forty nights without food, when sustained by grace in going to Horeb. My soul! canst not thou find, in thy experience, similar exercises of faith; if not so splendid, yet at least no less profitable? Hath not Jesus many a time fed thee at his banqueting house, and made thy cup run over, when telling thee, in some sweet communion visit, either at his table or thine own, either in the Church or in the closet, how suited his grace is for thee, and that his strength is perfected in thy weakness? And hath not Jesus, as in the instance of Elijah, touched thee a second time, yea, and a third, and many a time, and laid in refreshments for thee, against the coming hour of trial, when the journey of spiritual exercises, that were to follow, would otherwise have been too great for thee? Knowest thou nothing of these things? Surely, in such trainings as these, the Lord is as much leading on his people now, as he did of old. Doth he come in a full tide of glory, and show himself to be Jesus, and open to our spiritual sight his pierced hands, and his side? Doth he come into the soul as the King of glory, openly manifesting his refreshing, his comforting, his strengthening, his loving presence; and, at the same time, opening our eyes and hearts to receive him; so that the soul is made joyful, and brought as into the very suburbs of heaven?—Mark what follows: perhaps, as in the case of the prophet, a long abstinence is to follow. Jesus hath therefore laid in a store of comforts. He hath victualled the ship. He hath fortified the garrison. “The just shall live by faith.” Precious Jesus! give me to live on thee, when all outward comforts fail. In fulness or in famine, in life or death, if I have thee, I have enough to live upon, and in thy strength to go forty days and forty nights; yea, for ever, to the mount of God in glory! Vance Havner - "The Journey is too Great" Living in Kingdom Come - Page 106 ... the journey is too great for thee (1 Kings 19:7). IT IS THE comforting word of the angel to rugged Elijah under the juniper. If ever a man seemed equal to any emergency, it was this granitic prophet. He was built for storm and stress. Like the New Testament Elijah, John the Baptist, he was not a reed shaken by the wind nor a wearer of soft clothing in kings' houses, but, just the same, he collapsed, and we do well to take warning. It had been a great day on Carmel. Elijah had prayed down both fire and water and had annihilated the prophets of Baal. He was established as the champion of Jehovah in the land, but any man who calls for a showdown between Baal and the true God is in for trouble in any generation. Elijah might have advocated peaceful coexistence. Carmel would have been a great spot for a summit conference! The great prophet took a stance that exacted a terrific toll of body and mind. The next day, after Carmel, has put many a seer under the juniper. After our Lord's baptism, came His temptation. Dr. Scroggie says, "After the dove came the devil." It was after Paul's third heaven experience that he listed his thorn in the flesh. They had needed rain in Israel for a long time, but before the showers, there must be a showdown, and before the showdown, there must be a prophet. We have been singing "There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing" for years, but so far there has been only a sprinkle here and there. There will be no downpour of revival blessing until we face the issue of Baal or Jehovah. When Elijah asked, "How long halt ye between two opinions?" (1 Kings 18:21) the people answered him not a word. It is so today. Call on the average Sunday morning congregation to take a stand and there will be a profound silence. You have all the elements of revival on Carmel. There is the prophet calling the people to God in a day of apostasy. There is the confrontation with the forces of Baal. There is the rebuilding of God's altar. After the sacrifice came supplication. Then came the fire of God's power and the flood of God's blessing. It was a great day on Carmel, but the preacher who calls his people to the test of fire had better be ready for trouble. It is easier to talk on other subjects, and a minister may save himself a trip to the wilderness and a session under the juniper. On top of all this came the threat of Jezebel to kill the preacher. Jezebel was one of the wickedest women of all time. She had brought her heathen religion into Israel, and had set up the altar of Baal beside the altar of Jehovah. Jezebel is still with us, and any prophet who calls for a showdown on Carmel will have a head-on collision with Ahab's queen. In the Book of Revelation we find a Jezebel in the church at Thyatira endeavoring to mix the church and the world—the mystery of godliness with the mystery of iniquity. Today any preacher who challenges Baal and refuses to be manipulated by Babylon infiltrating the church under the guise of recreation or social innovations will hear from Jezebel! When Jezebel threatened Elijah, we read, "... when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life..." (1 Kings 19:3). The man who was accustomed to standing before the Lord God of Israel lets a wicked woman scare him almost out of his senses. We think of Simon Peter who, "... when he saw the wind boisterous, was afraid..." (Matthew 14:30). This was Elijah's greatest blunder. He was on the threshold of a great revival in Israel. The prophets of Baal had been slain. The people had cried, "The Lord He is the God" (1 Kings 18:39). If Elijah had stood his ground, the seven thousand faithful believers in Israel might have rallied to him. The history of a nation might have been changed. Many a prophet has let the devil and Jezebel scare him out of the greatest victory of his life. Sometimes pastors who dare to expose sin in the church win the first round of the battle; then the devil puts on the pressure, some prominent member gets angry and Elijah takes off to the wilderness saying, "It is enough" (1 Kings 19:4). "I've had it," would be his words today. God knows our frame and remembers that we are dust. The angel fed Elijah and put him to sleep. Some prophets have had too much food and sleep. God save us from overeating and oversleeping! Others have worn themselves out seeking strange experiences, when they really need food and rest. Elijah had his greatest experience of God after he rested. At Cherith, he learned the lesson of God's provision; at Carmel, he learned the lesson of God's power; but in the cave, he learned the lesson of God's presence as he had never known it before. Elijah had a lot to learn. God met him at Horeb with the question, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:9). Many a man running from his post of duty needs to hear that voice, but, instead of confessing his mistake, Elijah justifies himself, "I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts..." (v. 1). Now every preacher ought to be jealous, not of other preachers, but for God. Paul was jealous over his Corinthian flock. God is jealous and will not share His throne with another. We ought to be jealous when we see Christians living with a divided allegiance—when Jezebel sets up an altar to Baal. A cave is a poor place for an Elijah when he should have been standing up for God against Jezebel in Samaria. Elijah learned three lessons at Horeb. First, he learned something about self-pity. He lamented that the prophets had been slain..." and I, even I only, am left..." (1 Kings 19:10). He was the surviving saint, with a martyr complex. Any preacher with a streak of the prophet in him is always in danger of imagining himself to be the lone survivor of a vanishing breed—the last of the old, school. Elijah learned something about statistics. Good men, jealous for God, often have trouble with statistics. God had a different set of figures from Elijah's. Seven thousand in Israel had not bowed to Baal. God has a faithful remnant today. There were a few "even in Sardis," in that dead church, with an image to be alive. They may be a minority, but God knows who and where they are. Elijah should have stayed in Samaria and rallied that spearhead for God and righteousness. If God's prophets would defy Jezebel and exalt God today, His seven thousand might take heart, rise up, and be counted. There are many good people today who do not like the way things are going in state and church. We need to stand on Carmel, call for a showdown, repair God's altars, and pray down fire and water until there is the sound of abundance of rain. Finally, Elijah learned a lesson in stillness. God did not speak in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the still, small voice. Now God does speak sometimes in wind as at Pentecost, in earthquake as at the crucifixion and the resurrection, and in fire as with cloven tongues when the Spirit came, but He also speaks in a whisper. Elijah had been through days of wind, earthquake, and fire. He needed to be still and know God. It is wrong to hide in a cave in quiet solitude, cultivating our own souls, when we need to wrestle with stormy issues of our day. It is equally wrong to become so involved with controversial problems, so obsessed with the world situation, theological issues or personal difficulties, that we have no time for communion with God. We are living, we are dwelling, in a grand and awful time, In an age on ages telling; to be living is sublime. We can become so wrought up over movements and counter movements that we try to stay on Carmel and end in collapse. God did not demote the wearied Elijah. After the stillness, came action. He ordered Elijah to pass the torch on to his successors. What a trio he was to ordain: Hazael, Jehu and Elisha! God has His men in the offing, and some of them are not the sort we might have chosen. Let us not try to perpetuate ourselves into the next generation. There is only one of a kind. There is only one like you, or me, for which let us be thankful! Let us serve our generation by the will of God, then anoint some Elisha to carry on where we left off. Remember that Elisha was not a second Elijah. "The journey is too great," for all of us. If you are under the juniper, for whatever reason, press on to Horeb, and get your orders; not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the whisper of the still, small Voice. Wobbly Knees Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you. —1 Kings 19:7 Today's Scripture : 1 Kings 19:1-18 Our children grew up accustomed to thanking God for their food and asking Him to bless it. Once, after my husband had prayed, Tina asked, “Daddy, why did you ask God to bless this food to our wobbly knees?” He had said “bodily needs,” not “wobbly knees.” Tina’s misunderstanding not only reminded us of the necessity of food, but it also encouraged us to ask God for strength when we face life’s stresses. In today’s reading, we find Elijah in a “wobbly” condition. After his mountaintop experience (1 Ki. 18), he ended up in the wilderness—tired, discouraged, and hungry. An angel brought him food, and later God Himself ministered to Elijah’s discouragement by speaking to him in a still, small voice. Like Elijah, everyone has “wobbly” moments. If we haven’t taken time to care for our physical needs, we need to rest and eat. And if we are feeling weak spiritually, we must take time to be quiet and listen to the still, small voice of God in His Word. This is essential food for our souls. It’s good to pause at mealtime to ask God to use the food to meet our bodily needs. It’s even more crucial to read His Word and ask Him to nourish us spiritually. After all, He alone is the One who can strengthen “wobbly knees.” By: Joanie Yoder Lord, when we're tired and feeling weak, To our faint hearts Your Word will speak; To strengthen us along the way. —Hess When life gets you down, take time to look up. www.odbm.org/devotionals/devotional-category/ 1 Kings 19:8 So he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. KJV 1 Kings 19:8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. BGT 1 Kings 19:8 καὶ ἀνέστη καὶ ἔφαγεν καὶ ἔπιεν καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἐν τῇ ἰσχύι τῆς βρώσεως ἐκείνης τεσσαράκοντα ἡμέρας καὶ τεσσαράκοντα νύκτας ἕως ὄρους Χωρηβ LXE 1 Kings 19:8 And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights to mount Choreb. NET 1 Kings 19:8 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. CSB 1 Kings 19:8 So he got up, ate, and drank. Then on the strength from that food, he walked 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. ESV 1 Kings 19:8 And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. NIV 1 Kings 19:8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. NLT 1 Kings 19:8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. in the strength: Da 1:15 2Co 12:9 forty days: Ex 24:18 Ex 34:28 De 9:9,18 Mt 4:2 Mk 1:13 Lu 4:2 Horeb: Ex 3:1 Ex 19:18 Mal 4:4,5 1 Kings 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Daniel 1:15 (SUPERNATURAL SUSTENANCE) At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food. Exodus 3:1 Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. Exodus 24:18 Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights. Exodus 34:28 So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. Matthew 4:2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. Mark 1:13 And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him. Luke 4:2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. ELIJAH TRAVELS 40 DAYS TO MOUNT HOREB So - Term of conclusion. Elijah obeys the Angel. Note the Angel only commanded arise, eat. He arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food - Elijah would need the energy supplied by that food because he would walk for 40 days! The text says Elijah went but the question is why did he go? Was this Elijah's self-will or did the Angel tell him to go to Horeb? I think it may well be the latter, because in 1Ki 19:7 the Angel says "because the journey is too great for you." So clearly, the angel knew Elijah was going to Horeb and He knew he would travel for 40 days. However, this is still somewhat speculative because there is no clear order like go to Brooke Cherith or to Zarephath. So whether he was in or out of the will of Yahweh, the LORD did prepare him for his journey and He did meet Elijah at the terminus of the journey. THOUGHT - We all have downcast moments so we do well to note Yahweh's treatment of his prophet Elijah -- rest; food and drink; more rest; more food and drink. A good divine prescription! Dale Ralph Davis writes "He tells Elijah to eat and drink again ‘for the journey is too much for you’ (NIV). Verse 8 indicates that the angel is anticipating the trip to Horeb and not reflecting on the journey taken from Jezreel. If so, then Elijah goes to Horeb with divine authorization." (See see Paul Apple's Pdf commentary on 1 Kings and scroll down to page 313) R D Patterson - God would tenderly nourish and lead his prophet to a place where he would get some much needed instruction (cf. Moses, Ex 2:15–3:22; Paul, Gal 1:15–17). After a forty-day trek, Elijah found that he had been drawn by divine providence to Mount Sinai, the sacred place of God’s self-disclosure (v.8). (See The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Page 50) Forty days and forty nights to Horeb (Sinai), the mountain of God (identical phrase in Ex 3:1; Ex 4:27; Ex 24:13; Ezek 28:16) - What a difference a chapter makes - Chapter 18 from Victory on Mount Carmel to Chapter 19 to Despondency on Mount Horeb! A journey on foot normally would have taken up to 14 days but it takes Elijah 40 days. If one interprets ate and drank literally, it appears that Elijah ate and drank only at the beginning of his journey and thus he would have fasted for 40 days and forty nights even as did Moses on Mount Horeb (Sinai) (Ex 34:28) and Jesus in the wilderness (Mt 4:2). Putting this all together, it would support that Elijah's 40 days was a supernaturally enabled journey and that he was going to Horeb because that is where he was told to go. One has to ask why 40 days? It could mirror Israel's 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Nu 14:33-34) and as such symbolize a time of testing and dependence on God. Another consideration is Moses' 40 days on Mt Horeb (Ex 24:18). This length of time would have given Elijah time to recover emotionally and spiritually and would have shown Elijah that God was able to provide for him supernaturally. Peter Pett: We can compare the forty days and forty nights of the rain at the time of the Flood (Genesis 7:12), and the forty days and forty nights twice spent by Moses in the Mount (Exodus 24:18; Exodus 34:28). Compare also the forty days (morning and evening) during which Israel were challenged by Goliath (1 Samuel 17:16). It was the indication of a crisis point in divine affairs. Spurgeon - Morning and Evening —1 Kings 19:8 All the strength supplied to us by our gracious God is meant for service, not for wantonness or boasting. When the prophet Elijah found the cake baked on the coals, and the cruse of water placed at his head, as he lay under the juniper tree, he was no gentleman to be gratified with dainty fare that he might stretch himself at his ease; far otherwise, he was commissioned to go forty days and forty nights in the strength of it, journeying towards Horeb, the mount of God. When the Master invited the disciples to “Come and dine” with him, after the feast was concluded he said to Peter, “Feed my sheep”; further adding, “Follow me.” Even thus it is with us; we eat the bread of heaven, that we may expend our strength in the Master’s service. We come to the passover, and eat of the paschal lamb with loins girt, and staff in hand, so as to start off at once when we have satisfied our hunger. Some Christians are for living on Christ, but are not so anxious to live for Christ. Earth should be a preparation for heaven; and heaven is the place where saints feast most and work most. They sit down at the table of our Lord, and they serve him day and night in his temple. They eat of heavenly food and render perfect service. Believer, in the strength you daily gain from Christ labour for him. Some of us have yet to learn much concerning the design of our Lord in giving us his grace. We are not to retain the precious grains of truth as the Egyptian mummy held the wheat for ages, without giving it an opportunity to grow: we must sow it and water it. Why does the Lord send down the rain upon the thirsty earth, and give the genial sunshine? Is it not that these may all help the fruits of the earth to yield food for man? Even so the Lord feeds and refreshes our souls that we may afterwards use our renewed strength in the promotion of his glory. Vance Havner - Forty Days Throughout the Bible some very important things happened within periods of forty days. The Flood began with forty days and nights of rain (Genesis 7:12). Moses was on Mount Sinai forty days and nights (Exodus 24:18). When Israel rebelled, Moses fell down before the Lord forty days and nights (Deuteronomy 9:25). Elijah went in the strength of angel food forty days and nights. (1 Kings 19:8). Ezekiel bore in symbolism the iniquity of Israel forty days (Ezekiel 4:6). Jonah declared that Nineveh would be overthrown in forty days (Jonah 3:4). Jesus fasted forty days and nights before His temptation (Matthew 4:2) and was in the wilderness forty days (Mark 1:13). But most important of all was the forty-day period between His resurrection and His ascension when our Lord was seen by His disciples in His new body with infallible proofs that He had conquered death. We have heard it so long that familiarity with the account has dulled our senses, and what ought to make us shout for joy in church aisles, puts us to sleep in the pews. Think of it, the Son of God fresh from the grave appearing here and there to a few followers for forty days! And here is a mystery of all mysteries that boggles the minds of us sophisticates nowadays. Why did He not appear before His enemies? What a dramatic scene, if He had stood again before Herod and Pilate! Why did He stay in an obscure Roman province with a whole world dying for salvation? Why not a showing in Rome, Athens, Alexandria? What sort of program is this, just letting the secret out to a few ordinary run-of-the-mill people? It is enough to give the news media a nervous breakdown! Wouldn't it have proven in days what we have tried for centuries to get across? The facts were all firsthand and visible. Those who crucified Him and those who witnessed Calvary were living, and He could easily have been identified. Today a preacher back from the grave would run every other news item off the front pages. And why not? Millions are dying, and we must get the word around. Think of what television could do with that! But had He chosen to show the whole world, our Lord would not have needed all our gadgets. Here were the most amazing forty days of all the centuries, on which all Christianity hangs and the Gospel depends. And when these witnesses started out to tell it, this was the heart of their message. He came back from the grave! Somehow we have buried the story in all the pagan trappings of Easter, and we have had no small assist from the world, the flesh, and the devil. We have tried to capture it in art, music, and literature. You will search in vain our history books for much about it. Pages record trifling happenings that made no difference but, somehow, these forty days didn't make it. It is the way of the world and part of "the foolishness of God" whose ways are not our ways. God keeps a different calendar. With Him, in whose sight one day is as a thousand years and one year as a day, these forty days may have passed unnoticed in a world oblivious to what God was about. But to us who claim to know there had better be a reshuffling of our scale of values and a rediscovery of those few weeks that spelled the difference in everything for time and eternity. Strength for the Journey by Woodrow Kroll Phil 4:13 1 Kings 19:8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. Strength for the Journey One New Year's Day in the Tournament of Roses parade, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. After checking for mechanical problems, the crew discovered that the vehicle pulling the float was simply out of fuel. The whole parade was held up until someone could get a can of gasoline. The most amusing thing about this whole fiasco was that the float represented the Standard Oil Company. With its vast oil resources, its truck ran out of gas! Elijah had run out of gas as well. He had victoriously confronted the prophets of Baal and revived the people of Israel (1 Kings 18:20-40). He had raced King Ahab back to Jezreel and won (1 Ki 18:46). Then he had fled from the wrath of Queen Jezebel and gone a day's journey into the wilderness (1Ki 19:1-3). Now he was faced with another journey, this time to meet with God on Mount Horeb, but he didn't have the strength to do it on his own. God sent an angel of the Lord, who said to Elijah, "The journey is too great for you" (1Ki 19:7). Then God gave Elijah supernatural strength, and in that strength he traveled for 40 days and 40 nights. Believers are not able to live the victorious Christian life on their own strength either. God knows that. But He is also able to give us the strength we need. The apostle Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). God has unlimited resources, but unless we appropriate them to our lives, they do us no good. Don't settle for a stalled-out Christian life. While you are inadequate in yourself, God is more than sufficient for all your needs. Call on Him today and you'll experience all the strength you need for the journey. Be filled with the Spirit and you'll never run out of gas. WEAPONS—positive and negative 1 Kings 19:8; Luke 4:13–14 Especially Deadly George Whitefield, frail in body and weak in lungs, nevertheless had an astounding range in voice. He preached to a crowd in Scotland estimated at one hundred thousand. Ben Franklin claimed to have heard him at a mile’s distance. He was perhaps the second greatest open-air preacher ever, specifically endowed by God for the work. Ward Hill Lamon, Lincoln’s friend and marshal of the District of Columbia, almost killed a man with his bare hands when arresting him. Lincoln wrote him, only half-jokingly: “When you have occasion to strike a man, don’t hit him with your fist; strike him with a club or crowbar or something that won’t kill him.” Our spiritual life exists apart from either the frailty or potency of the body. We always live on two planes of existence, neither essential to or prohibitive of the other. Samson, though strong in body, never developed strength of soul. Jesus’ soul burgeoned even as his body shrank after forty days and nights of hunger in the wilderness. From sources deep within him light shone in his eyes like arcs in the night. He met Satan spiritually energized, alert, powerful … determined to slay the dragon. determined while disadvantaged in all but one way, to utilize that way to overcome! 1 Kings 19:9 Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” a cave: Ex 33:21,22 Jer 9:2 Heb 11:38 What are you: 1Ki 19:13 Ge 3:9 16:8 Jer 2:18 Jon 1:3,4 1 Kings 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Exodus 33:21-23 Then the LORD said (TO MOSES), “Behold (pay attention! - hinneh; Lxx - idou) , there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on the rock; 22 and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 “Then I will take My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.” FROM A MOUNTAINTOP TO A BROOM TREE TO A CAVE! Then he came there to a cave and lodged (lun) there - The mountain man is now a caveman! Elijah seeks a place where no one can see him. A cave literally reads "the cave," as if it was one that was especially designated (and known) and could parallel with God putting Moses in "a cleft in the rock." Bob
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Spurgeon - This same lesson has to be learned over and over by us all: let us repeat it, ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord.’ It is to be lamented that the most of professors obstinately cling to the fatal error of looking for displays of power of one kind or another. I hear that a certain church is seeking for a very clever man: she thinks that God is in the wind… That still small voice will be hushed and silent, while the boastings of your wisdom resound like a howling wind or a thunder unaccompanied by rain.” David
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Spurgeon - A STILL SMALL VOICE. 1 Kings 19:12 In our religious services, we too often rely on carnal force and energy. We hope that if we make enough noise, create enough excitement, and stir and agitate, we will be identified with the power of God. How does God touch our hearts? Our heavenly Father generally uses a soft, tender, gentle, quiet, calm, and peaceful—still, small—voice. Softly and gently, the Holy Spirit works like the breath of spring dissolving icebergs and melting glaciers. After winter has taken every stream by the throat and held it fast, spring sets it free. No hammer or file is heard as the icey bonds fall off; only the soft south wind blows, and all is life and liberty. So it is with the work of the Holy Spirit when He comes into the soul. He can be a mighty rushing wind (Acts 2:2), for He comes according to His own sovereign pleasure. Yet when He brings the peace of God, He usually descends as the dove (Matt. 3:16) or as the dew from heaven—all peace, all gentle, and all quiet. Satan can set the soul on fire with agony, doubt, fear, and terror. Then the Spirit comes in tender love and reveals Christ the Gentle One. He sets up the Savior’s cross and speaks peace, pardon, and salvation. This is what we want and need: the work of the Spirit of God coming in His own manner of living love. God is said to speak to men in “a still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12), which may partially explain why we find it hard to hear him when he speaks. It’s much like receiving a phone call in a house with the T.V. going, the stereo blaring, and a house full of people chatting with one another. To understand the caller, it requires asking the friends to be quiet and turning down the stereo and T.V. So it is with hearing God. It may well require removing those distractions, those areas of sin that deafen our ears to the voice of the Lord. Sit Still by Woodrow Kroll American culture is built around the oft-quoted phrase, "Don't just stand there, do something!" As a result, our lives are filled with busyness. We rush from meeting to meeting. We chauffeur our children from hockey practice to tennis lessons to shopping at the mall. We pull in to the nearest fast-food drive-through, place a quick order, and then we're off again. It's no wonder we can identify with Blaise Pascal, who said, "All the troubles of life come upon us because we refuse to sit quietly." Naomi knew better. Her advice?sit still, stay quiet?was filled with the wisdom of experience. Ruth had come to Naomi and told her all that took place at the threshing floor. It was obvious to Naomi that God was at work. How things were going to turn out, however, she didn't know. But she did know that this was not the time to rush here and there to find the answer. Instead, it was the time to sit quietly and listen intently for the Lord's response. At the right time, God would bring everything to pass. When much is at stake, do you have difficulty sitting still? If you will remember to wait patiently, you will see a number of positive things happen. In stillness you'll discover God in new and deeper ways (Ps. 46:10). You'll also be able to hear God when He speaks to you in a still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12). Furthermore, you'll have the wisdom and strength to act when the time is right (Isa. 30:15). Sit still and let God work in your life. Trust Him to accomplish what is best for you in His own timing. Listen quietly and you will hear His answer. While you rest, God will work. He Can Lead You Out Of It After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. —1 Kings 19:12 Today's Scripture : 1 Kings 19:1-12 Almost everyone will at some time in their life be affected by depression, either their own or someone else’s. Some common signs and symptoms of depression include feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, worthlessness, and helplessness. Although we cannot say for certain that characters in the Bible experienced depression, we can say that some did exhibit a deep sense of despondency, discouragement, and sadness that is linked to personal powerlessness and loss of meaning and enthusiasm for life. Elijah is one biblical character who fits this description. After defeating the prophets of Baal, he received a death threat from Jezebel. His hope was shattered, and despondency set in. He wanted to die! God helped Elijah deal with his despondency in several ways. The Lord did not rebuke him for his feelings but sent an angel to provide for his physical needs. Then, the Lord revealed Himself and reminded Elijah that He was quietly working among His people. Next, He renewed Elijah’s mission by giving him new orders. Finally, God reminded Elijah that he wasn’t alone. The weak, the helpless, and the discouraged are in the Shepherd’s special care. Quiet, Please After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. —1 Kings 19:12 Today's Scripture : 1 Kings 19:1-12 In recent years, the spread of personal digital music players has resulted in concerns about hearing loss. The design of the music players and their earphones has been the target of complaints and lawsuits. Long-term exposure to music at a high volume has been shown to cause serious hearing impairment. In a sense, too much hearing can result in an inability to hear. We live in a world filled with noise—noises designed to sell, plead, seduce, and deceive. In the midst of this cacophony of sound, it’s easy to miss the one voice that matters most. Elijah had listened to Jezebel’s threats and the voice of his own fear, so he fled to a cave to hide. In the cave he was confronted with the overwhelming noise of wind, an earthquake, and fire (1 Kings 19:11-12). Then the cave grew silent and the voice of the Lord—the only sound that mattered—broke through as “a still small voice” (v.12). If we are to hear God speaking to our hearts through His Word, we need to pull away from the noise of the crowd. Only when we learn to be quiet can we really understand what it means to commune with the God who cares for us. Speak, Lord, in the stillness While I wait on Thee; Hushed my heart to listen In expectancy. —Grimes To hear God’s voice, turn down the world’s volume. Streams in the Desert - 1 Kings 19:12 A SOUL, who made rapid progress in her understanding of the Lord, was once asked the secret of her easy advancement. She replied tersely, “Mind the checks.” And the reason that many of us do not know and better understand Him is, we do not give heed to His gentle checks, His delicate restraints and constraints. His is a still, small voice. A still voice can hardly be heard. It must be felt. A steady, gentle pressure upon the heart and mind like the touch of a morning zephyr to your face. A small voice, quietly, almost timidly spoken in your heart, but if heeded growing noiselessly clearer to your inner ear. His voice is for the ear of love, and love is intent upon hearing even faintest whispers. There comes a time also when love ceases to speak if not responded to, or believed in. He is love, and if you would know Him and His voice, give constant ear to His gentle touches. In conversation, when about to utter some word, give heed to that gentle voice, mind the check and refrain from speech. When about to pursue some course that seems all clear and right and there comes quietly to your spirit a suggestion that has in it the force almost of a conviction, give heed, even if changed plans seem highest folly from standpoint of human wisdom. Learn also to wait on God for the unfolding of His will. Let God form your plans about everything in your mind and heart and then let Him execute them. Do not possess any wisdom of your own. For many times His execution will seem so contradictory to the plan He gave. He will seem to work against Himself. Simply listen, obey and trust God even when it seems highest folly so to do. He will in the end make “all things work together,” but so many times in the first appearance of the outworking of His plans, “In His own world He is content To play a losing game.” So if you would know His voice, never consider results or possible effects. Obey even when He asks you to move in the dark. He Himself will be gloriously light in you. And there will spring up rapidly in your heart an acquaintanceship and a fellowship with God which will be overpowering in itself to hold you and Him together, even in severest testings and under most terrible pressures.—Way of Faith. SITTING AT THE FEET OF JESUS Source of words and music unknown (Borrow Kenneth Osbeck's Amazing Grace - 366 Inspiring Hymns page 244) Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42+) The story of Martha the worker and Mary the worshiper (Luke 10:38–42) illustrates an important spiritual principle: We please our Lord most when we learn to sit at His feet in adoration and worship before trying to serve Him in our own strength. Sitting implies our humble dependence upon Him and a sense of quietness of soul that indicates our willingness to hear. We can become so busy with life’s pursuits, even worthy Christian activities, that we do not hear the still small voice of God. Or sometimes we pursue God in spiritual spectaculars. But like the story of Elijah on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:11, 12), the Lord does not always reveal Himself in the wind, fire, or earthquake, but sometimes in the stillness of the small voice. Speak, Lord, in the stillness while I wait on Thee; Hushed my heart to listen in expectancy. Speak, Thy servant heareth! Be not silent, Lord; Waits my soul upon Thee for the quick’ning word! —E. May Grimes Learning to listen to God’s voice is one of the important factors in our spiritual growth. When we are silent before Him in the enjoyment of His presence and His Word, we gain His wisdom, insights, and the renewal of our strength for daily living. May the people who see and know us say of us even as it was said of the early disciples—“they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Play the song - Sitting at the feet of Jesus, O what words I hear Him say! Happy place—so near, so precious! May it find me there each day! Sitting at the feet of Jesus, I would look upon the past, for His love has been so gracious—It has won my heart at last. Sitting at the feet of Jesus, where can mortal be more blest? There I lay my sins and sorrows, and, when weary, find sweet rest. Sitting at the feet of Jesus, there I love to weep and pray, while I from His fullness gather grace and comfort ev’ry day. Bless me, O my Savior, bless me, as I sit low at Thy feet! O look down in love upon me, let me see Thy face so sweet! Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus; make me holy as He is; may I prove I’ve been with Jesus, who is all my righteousness. For Today: 2 Kings 22:19; Psalm 130:5; Isaiah 30:15; 57:15; Matthew 11:29; 2 Corinthians 4:16 Be especially sensitive to God’s still small voice in your life. Let this awareness of His presence and concern encourage and empower you. Use this hymn to help— Spurgeon Study Bible - 1Ki 19:12 “And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.” God here teaches Elijah that although he does use the wind, the earthquake, and the fire when he pleases, these are not his most effective instruments. He does not do his mightiest works by them but in another way—by a soft voice. Thus the Lord practically said to Elijah, “Gentler means must be tried with these rebellious people. My glory will be promoted among them by other methods than you have as yet used, or than I have used by you as my servant. I have let them see that I am Lord and Master of the terrible forces of nature. I have convinced them that I am a great God who can strike them as much as I please, but I have not thereby won their hearts—other methods must be used. The soft voice must be tried.” To all of us who preach the Word, or who try to teach it in any way, God seems to say, “Do not trust in great displays of force, in tremendous demonstrations of power; trust rather in the soft influences of the distilling dew of God’s Spirit and the gentle rain of the gospel. Preach the Word to the sons and daughters of Adam.” A temptation assails all of us who preach to want to do some great thing. We fancy that if we could preach such a famous sermon as Jonathan Edwards delivered when he spoke of sinners in the hands of an angry God, then we should have lived to some purpose. But the preaching of Jesus Christ and him crucified never loses its power. The telling over and over again of “the old, old story of Jesus and his love” never becomes a mere repetition if with warm heart and loving spirit we still cry to our hearers, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn 1:29). There may be no excitement in our congregation; no sensation may be created by our preaching. But the Lord will be in it. He always has been in such preaching as that, and he always will be. Spurgeon - The Still Small Voice (full sermon)1 Kings 19:12–13 At one time Christian people thought very little of the bodily system: they called their physical frame a vile body, as indeed it is in some sense, but not in every sense. If they had any doubts, fears, and tremblings our good fathers laid them all on the back of the devil, or ascribed them to their own unbelief, when frequently their depressions arose from lack of food or fresh air, or from a torpid liver, or a weak stomach. A thousand things can cast us down, and we ought not to despise the body through which they act upon us. Rather should we attend to natural laws and look to the God of those laws to help us. God, who made the body, and who gave it such a close affinity to the mind, observes how dependent the soul is upon the body, and often begins his restoring work by healing our diseases. We who dwell in houses of clay are often cribbed, cabined, and confined from loftier things by reason of the dust to which our soul cleaves. The Lord who heals his people began in Elijah’s case by refreshing his languid frame. He restored him by sleep and by food. If any of you are depressed and in mental trouble, I would invite you to look to your health, and not to blame yourselves till first you have seen whether your sadness arises from sickness or from sin, from a feeble body or a rebellious mind. Do not think it unspiritual to remember that you have a body, for you certainly have one and ought not to ignore its existence. If your heavenly Father thinks of your physical frame, he gives you a hint to do the same. If the Lord in his wisdom began with the high-spirited Elijah by feeding and refreshing his mortal body, we ought to count it wisdom to look to our outward parts: it is of heretics that we read that they promote ‘neglecting of the body’: wise men value it as ‘the temple of the Holy Ghost’. Charles Stanley - KNOWING THE VOICE OF GOD Pathways to His Presence: A Daily Devotional - Page 13 SCRIPTURE READING: 1 KINGS 19:1–18 KEY VERSE: 1 KINGS 19:12 … and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. The most potent hearing aid known to man is the Holy Bible. It is the standard of truth against which you can test every message that comes your way. Making a decision on an issue important to you can be extremely difficult. Sometimes it may seem as if you are hearing two or more voices, all of which make seemingly good points but also tug you in different directions. It is important that in these times you learn to discern the voice of God. There are several principles you can apply to what you’re hearing to gauge whether it is of God, but the most basic is whether the message conflicts with Scripture. God won’t tell you to do something that counters what He already has recorded for all mankind. Therefore, the best way to know God’s voice is to get to know Him. Spend time in His Word and soak in His truths. You must know God’s Word before you can differentiate God’s instructions from the messages Satan or your flesh is sending you. Do you know how investigators are trained to recognize counterfeit money? They don’t spend all of their time trying to keep up with the latest technological advances in creating false money. Instead, they first and foremost diligently study the original, the real thing. Then, held against the standard, the counterfeit stuff stands out. Help me to discern Your voice, dear Lord. I want to differentiate Your message from all others. Still Small Voice Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! — Psalm 46:10 Today's Scripture : 1 Kings 19:11-18 When God spoke to Elijah on Mount Horeb, He could have done so in the wind, earthquake, or fire. But He didn’t. He spoke with a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). God asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (v.13), as he hid from Jezebel who had threatened to kill him. Elijah’s reply revealed what God already knew—the depth of his fear and discouragement. He said, in effect, “Lord, I have been most zealous when others have forsaken You. What do I get for being the only one standing up for You?” (see v.14). Was Elijah really the only one serving God? No. God had “seven thousand in Israel . . . whose knees have not bowed to Baal” (v.18). In the depths of our fear or despair, we too may think we’re the only one serving God. That may happen right after the height of a success, as it did for Elijah. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “be still, and know” that He is God. The sooner we focus on Him and His power, the quicker we will see relief from our fear and self-pity. Keep listening for the “still small voice” If you are weary on life’s road; The Lord will make your heart rejoice If you will let Him take your load. —Hess To tune in to God’s voice we must tune out this world’s noise. 1 Kings 19:13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” he wrapped his face: 1Ki 18:42 Ex 3:5,6 33:23 Isa 6:2,5 What are you doing here 1Ki 19:9 Ge 16:8 Joh 21:15-17 1 Kings 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ELIJAH REVERENT BEFORE THE QUIET WIND When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle (addereth) - This he did to signify his reverence, for covering the face was a token of respect among the Asiatics, as uncovering the head is among Europeans. Bob
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Spurgeon - He first wrapped his mantle about his face – he became subdued and awe-stricken – full of reverence. Oh! it is a great thing when a sinner is willing to wrap his face when he is confounded, and say, ‘I cannot defend my course; I am guilty.’ We know that if at our judgment-seat a man pleads guilty, he is punished; but at the judgment-seat of the gospel whoever pleads guilty is forgiven. Wrap your face. and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave - Note that apparently during the wind, earthquake, fire he had remained inside the cave, in disobedience to the LORD's order to come out. And behold (pay attention! - hinneh; Lxx - idou), a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?" - The still small voice repeats His question. The omniscient God knows but He wants Elijah to ponder this question. Elijah was downcast, beat down by recent events and in dire need of a fresh vision from God. God saw his heart and need and He provided as He always does. THOUGHT - How about your spiritual journey beloved? Have you experienced some wonderful movings of the Almighty, but now you find yourself like "Christian" in the "Slough of Despond," the deep, muddy swamp of despair? Even as "Christian" was helped out of the slough by "Evangelist," so too we are helped by being reminded of the great Gospel of our salvation (Eph 1:13+) giving us victory over sin (Ro 6:14+, 1Co 15:57+, Ro 8:37+) and the world (1Jn 5:4-5+, Gal 6:14+, Jn 16:33+) and giving us a sure future and hope (not hope so, but hope sure!). (Jer 29:11, Ro 15:13+, Pr 23:18, 1Pe 1:3+) If you are in the slough of despond, run into His Word for relief and rest. Proverbs 30:5 promises "Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." (Ps 18:2) May He be your Refuge in the storm of despond. Amen. ROD MATTOON has an additional THOUGHT - The Holy Spirit continues to quietly speak to the Christian today, especially when he or she is out of position. He is asking, "What are you doing here?" When they are in a place of wickedness He asks, "What are you doing here?" Is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about your life or are you going so fast and making so much noise that you cannot hear Him?" Mantle (0155) addereth from adar = wide (Adar - this root connotes that which is superior to something else, and, therefore, that which is majestic). Esau's hairy garment (Ge 25:25). Prophet's hairy garment (Zech 13:4). A beautiful robe (Josh 7:21, 24) Used 5 times of Elijah's mantle (1Ki. 19:13; 1Ki. 19:19; 2Ki. 2:8; 2Ki. 2:13; 2Ki. 2:14). Gilbrant - "Most of the occurrences of ʾaddereth, are in references to the famous "mantle" or "cloak" which belonged to Elijah. The mantle of Elijah was equivalent to the staff of Moses. Elijah hid his face in this piece of clothing when he heard the "still small voice" of God (1 Ki. 19:13). Elijah called Elisha to follow him by placing the mantle on his shoulders. Before Elijah was carried away by a chariot of fire, he parted the waters of the Jordan by striking it with his mantle. After Elijah was transported to heaven, Elisha picked up the mantle and struck the Jordan in the same manner to cross back over. In this way it was made known that Elisha had taken up where Elijah left off (2 Kings 2). An unusual meaning of ʾaddereth is found in Ezek. 17:8. Apparently, the idea of magnificence or adornment is the connection between a garment and the "splendid," "magnificent" or "noble" vine in Ezekiel's parable. This association is also seen in Zech. 11:3. In this parable, which uses shepherds as characters, the KJV states their "glory" is destroyed. The NIV says their "rich" pastures are destroyed." (Complete Biblical Library) ADDERETH - 12X/12V - arment(1), glory(1), mantle(7), robe(2), splendid(1). Gen. 25:25; Jos. 7:21; Jos. 7:24; 1Ki. 19:13; 1Ki. 19:19; 2Ki. 2:8; 2Ki. 2:13; 2Ki. 2:14; Ezek. 17:8; Jon. 3:6; Zech. 11:3; Zech. 13:4 Easton's Dictionary - Heb. 'addereth, a large over-garment. This word is used of Elijah's mantle (1 Kings 19:13, 19; 2 Kings 2:8, 13, etc.), which was probably a sheepskin. It appears to have been his only garment, a strip of skin or leather binding it to his loins. 'Addereth twice occurs with the epithet "hairy" (Gen. 25:25; Zech. 13:4, R.V.). It is the word denoting the "goodly Babylonish garment" which Achan coveted (Josh. 7:21). Tony Evans - Out of a Whirlwind A Moment for Your Soul: Devotions to Lift You Up When Elijah heard [a gentle wind], he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. 1 Ki 19:13 Huddled in a cave and miles away from his home, Elijah tried to warm himself and remember how he got to this place. Queen Jezebel and her violent threats against him came rushing back to his mind, crowding out the memory of the miracle God had done on Mount Carmel and the spiritual victory that had been gained there. Now he hid in fear. Many of us have had similar experiences. God breaks into our lives through answered prayer, and we are left speechless. Then trouble appears on the horizon, and we are shaken. Instead of sleeping soundly at night, we toss and turn and wonder if God will help us. As Elijah waited in the cave, God began to demonstrate His mighty ability to His prophet. First, He sent a strong wind that tore at the mountain, then an earthquake, and finally a mighty fire. God’s presence, however, was not in any of those. Then the prophet heard a gentle wind blowing around him, and he knew he was standing in the presence of God. Perhaps as He did with Elijah, God will gain your full attention by allowing the storm to blow a little longer. If this is the case, let the wind, earthquake, and fire come, knowing that you have a loving heavenly Father whose only desire is to draw you nearer to Himself. Take time to worship Him and tell Him that you are listening for His voice. Charles Stanley - Back on Course Into His Presence: An In Touch Devotional - Page 224 SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Kings 19:9–15 KEY VERSE: 1 Kings 19:13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah had just come away from a tremendous spiritual victory. In fact, the victory won on Mount Carmel was the highlight of his career as a prophet of God. However, immediately following the victory came a time of serious testing. Elijah had stood firm in his faith, and God had destroyed all of the prophets of Baal, reaffirming the fact that He was Jehovah God. In a horrific fit of anger, Queen Jezebel sent a message to Elijah stating, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them [a prophet of Baal]” (1 Kings 19:2). In other words, Jezebel planned to kill Elijah. Filled with fear, Elijah fled. Finally, at Mount Horeb he collapsed. That was where God spoke to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” It was a reasonable question to ask. Elijah was accustomed to living in the shadow of God’s greatness and power. Why was he hiding out like a common criminal? Maybe God is asking you the same question: “What are you doing here? Why are you running? Why are you fearful?” God did not let go of His prophet. Instead, He instructed Elijah to get back into the thick of things. And this is His word to you. If you have gotten off course, don’t give up. Tell the Lord what you are struggling with, and He will send His encouragement and hope to you. Lord, I am struggling, running, and fearful. Help me get back on course with You. Strengthen me with Your Word. 1 Kings 19:14 Then he said, “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.” I have been: 1Ki 19:9,10 Isa 62:1,6,7 forsaken: De 29:25 31:20 Ps 78:37 Isa 1:4 Jer 22:9 Da 11:30 Ho 6:7 Heb 8:9 1 Kings 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Romans 11:1-5+ I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.” 4 But what is the divine response to him? “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.” SAME QUESTION SAME ANSWER Then he said, “I have been very zealous (qanah; Lxx - zeloo) for the LORD (Jehovah), the God of hosts (see Jehovah Sabaoth); for the sons of Israel have forsaken ('azab - abandoned; Lxx - egkataleipo) Your covenant (beriyth), 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.” - See comments on 1Ki 19:10. The Lord's second question was the same as His first one (1Ki 19:9). And so was Elijah's response. We see no outward evidence of any inward change. it appears that God's powerful demonstration on the mountain made little impact on Elijah. Warren
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Spurgeon - Then the Lord did what perhaps was best of all for Elijah, he gave him some more work to do. He sent him off about his Master’s business again; and I warrant you that, when Elijah went back over that road, it was with a very different step from that which brought him down to Beersheba. He had come along terrified and distressed; but now he goes back with the majesty that belongs to the Tishbite, he is afraid of no Jezebel now.” William
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Spurgeon - This showed Elijah that his quiet ministry over the years actually bore more fruit than the spectacular ministry at Mount Carmel. “Yet, all the while that vile idolatry was spreading in Israel, the worship of the true God was being retained by seven thousand faithful souls, though Elijah did not know that there was even one beside himself. How were they won to Jehovah? Certainly not by Elijah’s impressive demonstration on the top of Carmel, for they were loyal to the Lord before that… The still small voice had been doing for Israel what Elijah could not do” and every mouth that has not kissed him People kissed statues or altars of Baal as a sign of loyalty to him (Hosea 13:2). Idolaters often kissed their hand in honour of their idols; and hence the origin of adoration (from ad = to/toward + orare = to speak from os/oris = the mouth). In Roman culture, adoratio referred to a physical act of reverence, such as bowing or blowing a kiss toward a deity or ruler. Cicero mentions a statue of Hercules, the chin and lips of which were considerably worn by the kissing of his worshippers. 🎶 O Come All Ye Faithful🎶 O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! Robert