Elijah and the prophets of Baal
This week we continue the journey of Elijah. After God’s victory over the prophets of Baal, Ahab returns from Mt. Carmel to Jezreel and relays the events of chapter 18 to Jezebel. She was probably taken by surprise and certainly angered by what she heard. Elijah had been basking in the mountaintop victory only to quickly descend into a valley of despair. We can in our own way identify with Elijah. We achieve a wonderful spiritual victory but soon after we are attacked by the enemy which drives us to a place of doubt and defeat.
Verses 1-5a -Jezebel breathed out threats against the life of Elijah, saying he would soon meet the same fate as her 850 false prophets. At no time do we see an indication that she thought to thank the LORD for bringing an end to the drought. One might think Elijah would be brimming with confidence after he witnessed the awesome power of God. We can’t know his thoughts, but we can learn from his experience. After hearing the threats of Jezebel, Elijah runs for his life to Beersheba, the southernmost point in Judah. Even then he went further as he left his servant in Beersheba and journeyed another full day into the wilderness toward Sinai. We see the depth of his despair when he makes camp in the shade of a desert shrub. He was at a point of utter physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion as he cried out to for God to take his life. He then drifted off to sleep I would imagine with the hope that he would not reawaken.
Meanwhile… The lesson picks back up in verse 11, but we need to see what God does for Elijah in the intervening verses.
In 5b-10 God again provides for Elijah. He is awakened by the touch an angel. The angel instructs Elijah to get up and eat and drink the cake of bread and water provided for him. Then after eating Elijah is to lay down and rest again. The angel provided more food, and he tells Elijah that the journey ahead of him is too difficult for him to undertake without the strength of God’s nourishment. Now strengthened by that food, Elijah traveled forty days and forty nights to Horeb. Horeb is the mountain of God (Mt. Sinai) also where Moses heard God’s voice at the burning bush (Exodus 3) and where he received the Ten Commandments (Deut. 4:10-14). Elijah would also encounter God at Mt. Horeb.
Verses 11-14 In verse 9 God asks Elijah what he is doing there? Elijah answers that even though he has been faithful the people have turned away from Him and he is the only prophet of God remaining. God then tells Elijah to leave the cave and stand to wait for the presence of the LORD to pass by. Soon we read of wind, fire, and earthquake but God’s presence is in none of these. Finally, Elijah hears the voice of God. God could have chosen to judge His people by fire, wind, or earthquake but He is giving them another opportunity to turn away from wickedness and repent. God later asks Elijah the same question He asked in verse 9. Again, Elijah’s answer is the same as before. The people and their leaders are evil, and I am the only man of God left.
In the concluding verses (15-18) God lays out a plan for Elijah. He is to leave Horeb and go to the Wilderness of Damascus. Here he is to anoint Hazael the king of Syria. Next, Elijah was to anoint Jehu as future king of Israel. Gods would use Jehu to dethrone Ahab and destroy his family. Finally, he was to appoint his successor, the prophet Elisha. God would use each of these three men anointed by Elijah to rid Israel of Ahab, Jezebel, and the practice of Baal worship. God closes with a promise to preserve the faithful remnant. There were some 7,000 who had not bowed a knee to false gods. God is faithful to preserve those who remain loyal to Him.
When we reflect on the Central Truth of the lesson, we too must remember not to allow discouragement to get the best of us. Elijah faced so many trials and tests. Even though he saw God’s faithfulness in the desert, in Zarephath, and at Mt. Carmel it seemed he was always just one step ahead of personal calamity. He literally ran for his life on more than one occasion. Sometimes we feel we are beset by critics and naysayers. Sometimes like Elijah we come to end of our rope emotionally, physically, and spiritually but God is with us. We can learn lessons from Elijah. He took rest and nourishment when God told him to. Elijah received both physical and spiritual nourishment from God. Do you remember Jesus’ reply when the devil tempted Him to turn the stone into bread? Jesus replied that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Jeremiah also writes that when he found the words of God, he ate them, and those words became his joy and heart’s delight. The Christian will find joy and peace when we spend time feasting on the word of God. Additionally, Elijah did as God instructed. When God told Elijah it was time to get going, Elijah obeyed without hesitation and did just as God told him. Finally, Elijah honestly expressed his feelings and fears to God. We too should be honest with God about our own doubts and pray that He will enable us to overcome them.
To summarize – Elijah experienced trials and troubles, but he remained faithful and obedient to God’s direction. He shared his feelings and fears openly with God, and he stayed firmly connected to God – his ultimate source of strength.
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