These words are found in 1 Kings 19:1212And 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) and concern the prophet Elijah, who had fled from the land of Israel to Mount Horeb, where the law of God had originally been given to Moses. Just prior to fleeing, Elijah had, with the power of God, won a great victory over Satan and idolatry at Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal had been thoroughly defeated and finally killed, after the people beheld the fire of God descend and consume not only Elijah’s sacrifice, but also the wood, the stones, the dust and the water in the trench around the altar. But then Jezebel had threatened Elijah’s life, and instead of trusting the Lord, he fled from her.
It is instructive to notice that Elijah fled to Mount Horeb, for Elijah had been a pillar of the law that had been given there. We know that the law of Moses was introduced with a great display of God’s power, as recorded in Exodus 19. We read about “thunders and lightnings ... and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud” (vs. 16). We also read that “the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly” (vs. 17). If man was to have a relationship with God based on obedience, he needed to feel the majesty and glory of God and what God’s holiness demanded. We know that despite Israel’s promise that “all that the Lord hath spoken we will do” (Ex. 19:88And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord. (Exodus 19:8)), no child of Adam could keep God’s law. It was only on the basis of a blood sacrifice that God could go on with guilty man.
Communion With God
Further to all this, the law did not give man any communion with God. No, it made God’s holy requirements clear, but did not draw men any closer to Him. Elijah’s exemplary faithfulness in seeking to bring Israel back to the law was not effective, although the display of God’s power did result in the slaying of all the prophets of Baal. However, we must remember that power, even if it is from God and for God, tends to focus us on ourselves and bring in pride and self-exaltation. Sadly, this was the case with Elijah, great servant of the Lord though he was.
We find Elijah fleeing from Jezebel, who had threatened to take his life by the next day, and it is recorded that “he arose, and went for his life” (1 Kings 19:33And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. (1 Kings 19:3)). But it is rather a strange paradox that in the next verse he “requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life” (vs. 4). Here was a godly man, yet reduced to extreme discouragement. He was running for his life, yet wanting to die. What was the problem?
Manifestation of Power
We learn from Elijah’s history that the greatest lessons of life are not learned by a display of power, but in quietness and humility, in the Lord’s presence. Power may at times be necessary, as an adjunct to communion with the Lord, but it cannot be a substitute for it. When the servant gets occupied with himself and the results are not what he expects, discouragement can easily set in. But the Lord knew how to reach into the heart of His esteemed servant and to teach him the needed lesson.
First of all, the Lord spoke to him, asking him what he was doing there at Mount Horeb. Elijah’s answer betrays his occupation with himself, for he accuses the people of God and portrays himself as the only faithful one left in Israel. It is then that God gives various displays of His power — a wind, an earthquake, and a fire. Elijah was certainly familiar with all these, and it is significant that he was able to stand upon the mount while all this went on. It was an exhibition comparable to that which had occurred hundreds of years before, when the law was given. However, God was not in any of these mighty forces. Doubtless His power was there, but not God Himself. Finally Elijah hears a “still small voice,” and he instantly recognizes the Lord. In reverence he wraps his face in his mantle and goes to the entering in of the cave. Again the question comes, What doest thou here, Elijah? Again Elijah gives the same answer as before, accusing the people of Israel and exalting himself as the only faithful one left in Israel. What was the result?
The End of the Ministration of Law
God could not use him anymore and told him, among other instructions, to anoint Elisha as prophet to take his place. There is great instruction for all of us in this. God’s power is great, and the occasional demonstration of it is necessary to remind us of who God is and what He can do. We do need to be reminded that we are creatures and that all power is in God’s hands. However, as we have noted earlier in this article, power can occupy us with ourselves, even if it is God’s power. It is in the still small voice that God is really known and His mind revealed. For this same reason the Lord Jesus could remind His disciples not to rejoice because the demons were subject unto them through His name, but rather to rejoice because their names were written in heaven (Luke 10:2020Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20)). In the case of Elijah, God’s heart toward His people had not changed, even though they needed to come under His discipline. Even at the end of their history, He could still say to them, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:33The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3)). While God might well bring discipline upon His people, He does not appreciate our accusing them before Him.
In closing, we may note that Elijah seems to have been broken by the Lord’s comments to him and His telling him to anoint Elisha to be prophet in his stead. But again God’s grace is displayed, for once Elijah had learned to listen to the still small voice, God grants him a reprieve. It is true that he anointed Elisha, but then Elisha follows Elijah and serves him. Elijah does not immediately disappear from the scene; for approximately ten years he continues to function as a prophet, while Elisha learns from him.
It is often the same in our lives. We may have to learn a hard lesson, but once that lesson is learned, God delights to display His grace toward us. May we have our ears open and ready to hear that “still small voice”! In the difficult days in which we live, we can count on God’s grace in our life, although His discipline may be necessary at time. As the hymn says:
God’s grace will to the end,
Clearer and brighter shine;
Nor present things, nor things to come,
Can change His love divine.
Toplady
W. J. Prost