1 Reis 19

1 Reis 19

Constable: Elijah was surprised that the revival he had just witnessed was not more effective in eliminating Baal worship (ED: BECAUSE IT WAS IN FACT NOT GENUINE REVIVAL!). Apparently Jezebel’s threat drove the lessons of God’s power and provision that he had been learning at Cherith, Zarephath, and Carmel out of his memory. To win a battle is not necessarily to win the war. Iain Provan: Elijah has been involved in a mighty battle. He seems to think it decisive and so he has left the battlefield for Jezreel. Yet there have been several hints in the narrative thus far that it is the queen, and not the king, who is the real general of the opposing forces. She will not be so easily cowed as her husband, and Elijah is now to see that to win a battle is not necessarily to win the war. That realization will send him into retreat, both physical and mental, as victory becomes defeat. Retreat will in turn lead him to another mountain, to confront, not Baal, but the Lord himself—whom Elijah serves, but whose ways he only partly understands and accepts. (SEE 1 & 2 Kings - Page 4) Now Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done - This would have been very disturbing news (that's euphemistic) to this avid Baal worshiper who had staked her life on the power of Baal as superior to Yahweh! A very unwise choice! Note that Ahab still missed the "takeaway" of the Battle of Mount Carmel -- he fails to attribute Elijah's victory to Yahweh essentially denying the multiple miracles he had witnessed (fire from heaven, sending rain, Elijah out running his chariot)! He is telling the "wicked witch" what Elijah did, not what God did! THOUGHT - When we attempt and succeed in some great spiritual feat for God, we need to be prepared for spiritual opposition, which can be subtle or vicious. The takeaway is we all need to be very circumspect (and prayerfully filled with the Spirit and Word) after we have had a spiritual mountaintop experience! And how he had killed all the prophets with the sword - All the prophets is somewhat difficult to interpret because in 1Ki 18:40 Elijah had specifically stated "Seize the prophets of Baal." There is no mention of the prophets of Asherah although in 1Ki 18:19 Elijah had called for all 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to gather to Mount Carmel. It is possible only the prophets of Baal came. It is also possible that when Elijah said "seize the prophets of Baal" he was generalizing to include all 850 prophets, for all were idol worshipers. The text is not definitive. In either case Jezebel would have been furious because (if the text is interpreted literally) Elijah had personally slain the false prophets hacking them to death, reminding me of another prophet (and judge), Samuel, who "hewed (King) Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal." (1Sa 15:32-33+). The Pulpit Commentary: We can readily understand with what a sense of humiliation and shame the weak and excited king, who must have been awed and impressed by the strange portent he had witnessed, would recount the day’s proceedings to his imperious and headstrong consort, and with what intense mortification and rage she must have heard of the triumph of the proscribed religion and of the defeat and death of the priests of Baal. One might almost have expected that the testimony of an eyewitness, and that her husband, to the greatness and completeness of Elijah’s victory; that his unprejudiced, and indeed unwilling, account of the sacrifices, of the descent of the heavenly fire, of the cries it wrung from the people, etc., would have brought conviction to her mind and taught her how useless it was to kick against the pricks. But there are eyes so blinded (… 2 Corinthians 4:4+ = " the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving") and hearts so steeled against the truth that no evidence can reach them, and this fierce persecutor of the prophets had long been given over to a reprobate mind. She listens to his story, but her one thought is of revenge. Rod Mattoon replays the possible scenario - Jezebel was not present at Mt. Carmel. When Ahab returned to Jezreel, he began to talk with his dominant queen. Imagine this possible scenario. Jezebel: How did it go today? What happened? Did fire consume the altar? Ahab: Yes! Jezebel: Way to go honey! That will show that pesky prophet and any who might be Jehovah worshipers. Did you get rid of that nut? Ahab: No. Jezebel: Why not? Ahab: The fire fell Jez, but it was the God of Heaven who did it, not Baal. I need to also tell you that 450 prophets of Baal are dead. Elijah had the people execute them. There was nothing I could do! Jezebel: They are all dead!? Ahab: Yes, they are all wiped out! At this point Jezebel's face may have become flushed with anger. Perhaps she begins to pace back and forth with her fist clenched. She screams for the Jezreel Federal Express man. (See his online 1 Kings Commentary) A GOD-GIVEN VICTORY 1 KINGS 19:1–3 - James Bolick INTRODUCTION. Many times we find ourselves depressed and in the midst of despair. But thank God there is victory to be had even in the midst of such conditions. Israel was ruled over by wicked Ahab and his ungodly wife Jezebel, but God gave victory unto His prophet Elijah over these evil forces. Listen Christian, God can and will give us victory if we will meet His conditions. I. THE PREREQUISITES OF A GOD-GIVEN VICTORY. A. Elijah had faith. His faith was proved by his works. James 2:18, 20. 1. His faith enabled him to meet Ahab. 1 Kings 18:17, 18. 2. His faith enabled him to challenge the forces of evil. 1 Kings 18:18–20. 3. His faith enabled him to challenge all of Israel. 1 Kings 18:21, 22. 4. His faith enabled him to put God to the test. 1 Kings 18:23, 24. B. Elijah scorned the false religious system of Baal. 1. Elijah mocked Baal and his followers. 1 Kings 18:25–29. 2. God’s people should expose false religious systems of today. Modernism included. 2 John 9–11. C. Elijah rebuilt the altar of God. 1 Kings 18:30–32. We need to rebuild the altar of Christian living. Some stones that are needed are: 1. Personal piety—be right with God. Micah. 6:8. 2. Family devotions. Eph. 6:1–4; Deut. 6:4–7. 3. Church loyalty. Heb. 10:25. 4. Faithful witnessing. Acts 1:8. D. Elijah prayed. 1 Kings 18:36, 37. 1. To whom did he pray? “JEHOVAH ELOHIM.” 1 Kings 18:36. 2. The purpose of his prayer. 1 Kings 18:36, 37. II. VICTORY WAS GIVEN BY THE LORD GOD. A. The fire of God fell. 1 Kings 18:38. B. We need the fire of God today to burn out the sins of our hearts, and to set us afire to win souls for Christ. James Smith - ELIJAH, THE DOWNCAST 1 Kings 19:1–8 “Art thou alone? and dost thy soul complain It lives in vain? Not vainly does he live who can endure! O, be thou sure That he who hopes and suffers here can earn A sure return.” —PROCTOR. “Great men are not always wise.” Elijah failed just at that point where we would have expected him to take an unflinching stand. Yet it may be good for us to know that God’s greatest servants were men of “like passions with ourselves.” As they, like our Lord and Saviour, were made sharers of our infirmities, so we might be made partakers of their virtues and glories. All things are possible to him that believeth. We observe here a— I. Cowardly Flight. “When he saw that, he arose, and went for his life” (1Ki 19:3). When he saw that Jezebel’s pride and hatred were unsubdued after all that he had done—in proving his authority on Carmel by calling fire from Heaven and praying floods of rain upon the parched land, and showing his loyalty to King Ahab by running as a herald before the royal chariot all those eighteen miles through the drenching storm. As he waits outside the gate all the reward he gets is a message that because he had slain the prophets of Baal his life would be taken “by to-morrow about this time.” So he “went for his life.” Exhausted and disappointed he forgets God and the present need of Israel for a spiritual teacher, and takes to preserving his own life. By faith he boldly stood before Ahab and all the prophets of Baal; by fear he fled before the vain threats of an unprincipled woman. How are the mighty fallen! “Let him that standeth take heed.” II. Despairing Cry. “He requested for himself that he might die” (1Ki 19:4). He found it a very unprofitable business that of seeking merely to save his own life. A self-centred life is sure to come to grief. When one steps out of the current of God’s will and purpose concerning us our chariot wheels are sure to “drive heavily.” Jonah prayed the same prayer while he was in a bad mood (chap. 4:3). Paul was animated by a different spirit when he wrote, “Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Phil. 1:24). At that moment the kingdom of Israel was in desperate need of that very man who was counting his life a worthless thing. Has the cause of Christ no need of thee? III. Gracious Touch. “As he lay and slept; behold, an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat” (1Ki 19:5). Elijah’s merciful Master did not send a messenger to thrash him, or even to rebuke him for his fearfulness. His loving heavenly Father knew best what his tired and weary child needed. “Arise and eat.” The terrible strain of Carmel, the wearisome run before Ahab, the long journey into the wilderness had no doubt brought upon him complete physical and nervous prostration. The remedy provided by God was “a cake baken on the coals and a cruse of water.” He knows the frailty of our frame (John 21:9–12). How long he slept before the angel touched him we cannot know, but perhaps he was, through utter weakness, in danger of sleeping the sleep of death had not the angel wakened him up to eat. Are we not reminded here of that other angel of His presence, the Holy Spirit, whose gentle touch awakens many of God’s downcast ones, and whose tender voice bids them arise and eat of Him who is the Living Bread. That angel may be touching you even now. IV. Wonderful Discovery. “He looked, and, behold, there was cake baken on the coals; … and he did eat and drink, and laid him down again” (1Ki 19:6). It is not for naught that the angel of God touches any one. For every Spirit-awakened soul there is a much-needed miraculous feast awaiting them. He was not disobedient to the heavenly touch. “He looked,” and seeing the divine provision he appropriated it. It must have been a very palatable breakfast, cooked by an angel, and all for himself. But God’s provision is always suitable to the needs of the soul. It did not concern Elijah how the cake was formed or the coals kindled. It was enough for him that this was God’s gift to him, and that he needed it and was invited to take it. So it is with the salvation that is in Christ Jesus. V. Second Blessing. “The angel of the Lord came a second time, and touched him” (1Ki 19:7). He had already got as much of the gift of God as to save his life, but not so much as would strengthen him for the journey that lay before him. So in mercy he was called again to “arise and eat, because the journey is too great for thee.” Are there not many who have received of the Lord Jesus Christ as the gift of God that which has saved their souls from death, but who, like Elijah, have “lain down again” in selfish ease, and who need a second awakening that they might arise and so partake of Christ, that they may be able to go on on in a life of suffering and testimony? Some people don’t believe in a second blessing, but Elijah did. VI. Supernatural Power. “He went on the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb, the mount of God” (1Ki 19:8). Elijah’s first meal saved his soul, but the second enabled him to witness for God. That forty days’ journey was not accomplished in his own strength, but in the strength of the gift of God. This grace ministered to him was sufficient to bring him unto the mount of God (a journey of about two hundred miles). All this is most suggestive of what the gift of His grace is able to do for all who will obey the call to “arise and eat” (2 Cor. 12:9). Who has ever yet found out the full “strength of that meat” which is within the reach of every child of God in His blessed Word? Downcast and discouraged soul, this call is for you. “Arise and eat.” “Thy words were found, and I did eat them,” etc. (Jer. 15:16; Psa. 119:111). Real Faith in Hard Times By Kevin Riggs 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 (vv. 4, 9, 10). B. Don’t become a loner (v. 3). C. Don’t whine and complain (vv. 4, 10, 14). D. Don’t give up (v. 4). 2. What to do during hard times. A. Realize the situation you are in. B. Draw yourself closer to God (vv. 11–13). C. Fellowship with other believers (vv. 15–18). CONCLUSION: Tough times come and go, but tough people come and grow. The Great Problem of Loneliness By Billie Friel 1 Kings 19:1–18 INTRODUCTION: Loneliness is one of the most lethal difficulties that we face. We can learn a lot about loneliness and how to handle it through the example of the great prophet, Elijah. 1. God’s Physical Provision in Our Lives (vv. 1–8). After fleeing the threat on his life by Queen Jezebel (vv. 1–5), God first provided rest, food, and water for Elijah that supernaturally sustained him for 40 days and nights (vv. 5–8)! 2. God’s Presence in Our Lives (vv. 11–12). By revealing Himself to Elijah, God proved His presence. God is always with us. 3. God’s Purpose in Our Lives (vv. 15–16). God gave Elijah a purpose, just as He has for each of us. Get your mind off yourself and immerse yourself in service to others. 4. God’s People About Our Lives (v. 18). God reminded Elijah that others still worshiped the one true God. We should all be an active part of God’s family of faith! CONCLUSION: God’s physical provision, presence, purpose, and people guarantee that we are never alone. God Is at Work Date preached: By Melvin Tinker 1 Kings 19:1–18 INTRODUCTION: God leads Elijah to a place of restoration, reveals Himself to Elijah, and makes a promise regarding Israel. 1. Elijah and God’s Provision (vv. 3–9a). 2. Elijah and God’s Presence (vv. 9b–14). 3. Elijah and God’s Promise (vv. 15–18). CONCLUSION: The powers of this world will not prevail against God and His people. God sent Jesus that the world might be reconciled to Him and His Holy Spirit that we might be indwelt by Him. God has built His church and hell will not overcome it (Matt. 16:15–20). ELIJAH FACES DISCOURAGEMENT 1 Kings 19:1–18 - Croft Pentz Elijah had a great victory on Mount Carmel. God sent the fire of heaven. Now Elijah becomes discouraged. He was a man with passions such as all men—James 5:17. Elijah becomes: fearful, lonely, disappointed and discouraged. 1. THE PROPHET’S ESCAPE—vv. 1–4 2. THE PROPHET ENTERTAINED—vv. 5–7 3. THE PROPHET ENCOURAGED—vv. 9–18 Discouragement leads people to these four things: (1) Defeat, (2) Disappointment, (3) Disease, and (4) Death. Don’t allow Satan to use discouragement in defeating you. Making the Most of Your Nervous Breakdown Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1–21, Introduction: The Wall Street Journal recently ran a front page story on the subject of nervous breakdowns, saying “The nervous breakdown, the mysterious affliction that has been a staple of American life and literature for more than a century, has been wiped out by the combined forces of psychiatry, pharmacology, and managed care. But people keep breaking down anyway.” According to USA Today’s weekend magazine, anxiety disorders are the Number 1 mental health problem in the United States, costing Americans more than $42 billion a year in doctor bills and workplace losses. In the Bible, the prophet Elijah once had a “nervous breakdown.” By studying his experience we can learn how God deals with us when we’re overwrought and overstrained. The Lord wrote a sevenfold prescription for Elijah. The same therapy will work for us. 1. Sleep and nourishment (vv. 4–8). Elijah was exhausted, for he had combated paganism for three years, waged a vigorous war on Mt. Carmel against the prophets of Baal, prayed with exceeding earnestness, and had run a virtual marathon back to Jezreel. When we’re exhausted, we have less control over our emotions. Depression descends more easily. Worry grips us more doggedly. Temptations catch us unawares. Verses 4–8 tell of how God provided sleep, bread, and water for Elijah under the broom tree. 2. Angelic help (vv. 5–7). The Lord sent an angel to care for Elijah. Hebrews 1:14 says that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherit salvation. Many times, according to intimations in the Bible, angels minister to us though we’re unaware of it. 3. Ventilation (vv. 9–10). God allowed Elijah to repeatedly ventilate his frustrations. When we can express our feelings to a good friend or to the Lord, it helps reduce our swirling emotions to tangible thoughts and words. We can identify them and begin to get them “out of our system.” 4. God’s still, small voice (vv. 11–13). The ultimate answer to life’s downturns is rediscovering God’s infallible Word. Elijah needed a gentle word of reassurance, a gentle whisper. The same whisper comes to us as we open the Scripture. Golfer Tom Lehman gave his life to Christ in high school when a friend invited him to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. After college, Tom worked hard to enter the PGA Tour, and in 1991 was named the Ben Hogan Tour Player of the Year. But in 1995, his doctors discovered pre-cancerous colon polyps, and surgery was required. Tom and his wife got down on their knees and committed the matter to God, and the Lord gave him Joshua 1:9 to strengthen him during the crisis: Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you. 5. A renewal of purpose (vv. 14–17). The Lord gave Elijah a set of new assignments. Nothing helps us overcome discouragement like rediscovering our purpose in life and setting to work at what God has called us to do. 6. Reassurance (v. 18). Things are never as bad as they appear where God is concerned. Elijah had twice insisted that he was the only surviving worshiper of God. The Lord told him there were 7000 others. 7. A Friend (vv. 19–21). The Lord provided the solitary Elijah with a friend, Elisha, to share the load. A healthy life keeps its friendships in good repair. Conclusion: Are you overwhelmed, stressed, discouraged, depressed? God wants to renew your strength and to restore your soul. The way He revived Elijah is the pattern He wants to use to revive your spirit, too. Castaway He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. — Mark 1:35 Today's Scripture : 1 Kings 19:1-10 In the film Castaway, Tom Hanks plays Chuck Noland, a clock-conscious Federal Express manager who gets shipwrecked on a desert island. Completely cut off from other people and modern conveniences, he must learn the primitive skills of a caveman. He puts arduous effort into harpooning fish, making fire by rubbing sticks together, and opening a coconut to get its milk and sweet fruit. The movie is rich with insights on how difficult life can become for someone who is stranded in an isolated wilderness. In the Bible, the wilderness is often the setting for the mighty work of God within the human heart. Jesus made a practice of withdrawing to the wilderness to pray and receive direction (Mark 1:35). In a similar setting, God fed the despondent prophet Elijah with heavenly food (1 Kings 19:1-10), and in the wilderness the Ethiopian pondered the gospel (Acts 8:26-40). After Paul’s conversion, he withdrew to the Arabian Desert and was taught by the Spirit (Gal. 1:15-18). In solitude, on wings of prayer My soul ascends before the throne; My only hope of strength is where My heart and His meet all alone. —Anon. God is with you in your most barren wilderness. 1 Kings 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” So may the gods do to me: 1Ki 2:28 1kI 20:10 Ru 1:17 2Ki 6:31 if I do not make your life I: Ex 10:28 15:9 2Ki 19:10-12,22,27,28 Da 3:15 by tomorrow about this time: Pr 27:1 Ac 12:4-6 Jas 4:13,14 1 Kings 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JEZEBEL'S WARNING TO ELIJAH Then Jezebel sent a messenger (malak - "angel" in v5) to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time - One could paraphrase it “Get out of town by sundown, Elijah, or you are a dead man!” Jezebel issues a warrant for Elijah's life but some think she was bluffing or she would have sent an executioner, not a messenger. Jezebel is swearing an oath, calling upon her pagan gods Baal and Asherah to kill her if she does not fulfill her threat against Elijah. We see a similar oath by pagan Ben-Hadad in 1Ki 20:10. Of course Jezebel is deceived because her gods could not even call down fire from heaven on Mt Carmel, so clearly they had no power. Yahweh however did have that fire. And the irony is that she would die a horrible death in 2Ki 9:30-37, a death that was prophesied by Elijah the Tishbite (2Ki 9:36) in 1 Kings 21:23+ declaring to Ahab “Of Jezebel also has the LORD spoken, saying, ‘The dogs will eat Jezebel in the district of Jezreel." Paul Apple (page 305) - Was he afraid because he did not want to die? Not entirely the whole story because he is going to request that the Lord take his life. Allen suggests that he did not want Jezebel to be the one to take his life and gain a perceived victory over God. Elijah was still concerned for God’s reputation. We can speculate regarding what would have happened if Elijah had stayed there and held his ground and depended on the Lord to protect him. Certainly we don’t see any word from the Lord directing him to flee. Instead we see the Lord questioning him twice later in the passage: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” William