Strengthened by the food so wonderfully provided, Elijah proceeded further into the wilderness. John the Baptist chose the wilderness for its possibilities of quiet communion with God (Luke 1:8080And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel. (Luke 1:80)); there is no evidence that Elijah went there with anything so commendable in his mind. For the time being, he had practically forgotten God! Terrible possibility for any of us in times of discouragement! After forty days the prophet reached Horeb, the mount of Coda place of peculiar interest. There Jehovah had dealings with Moses, forty years after his premature attempt to deliver His people. At Horeb Moses learned precious lessons which fitted him for his future service in Israel (Ex. 3). In the same neighborhood was Mount Sinai, where Jehovah had dealings with the nation, and set before them His holy law (Ex. 20). It is significant that Elijah in his indignation against the people should have gone there. It was as if he desired judgment upon them for their unfaithfulness. The Holy Spirit in Romans 2:22But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. (Romans 2:2) says “he pleaded with God against Israel.”
The prophet took shelter in a cave, and soon he heard the voice of Jehovah. He had heard the kindly words of the angel, but he had been out of touch with Jehovah for some time. The divine voice was a challenge: “What doest thou here, Elijah?” This reminds us of the Creator’s call to disobedient Adam in the garden, “Where art thou?” (Gen. 3:99And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? (Genesis 3:9)), and also of His challenge to Cain, “What hast thou done?” (Gen. 4:1010And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. (Genesis 4:10)). Elijah heard no divine challenge either at Cherith or at Zarephath; for he went to both places by the word of Jehovah. But his presence at Horeb was a different matter. Jehovah did not send him there; but, being there, he was taught lessons of the deepest possible importance, and the record of them has been preserved for our instruction today.
We note the word “doest.” “What doest thou here?” Great stirrings were taking place in the land of Israel; for the mighty events on Mount Carmel must have made a deep impression upon the minds of the people. Jehovah was now the confessed God of Israel, and no longer Baal. How useful Elijah might have been as a worker and instructor amongst the masses at such a time; and there was indeed no one else who could have done the work. But here is Elijah far away from the habitations of men, and sheltering in the quietness of a cave! When the Lord says to His servants, “Come ye apart and rest awhile,” it is the right thing to cease labor and retire (Mark 6:3131And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. (Mark 6:31)); but no such words had been addressed to Elijah. He was an absentee from an important post of duty at one of the most critical moments in his nation’s history. Philip left Samaria when the tide of blessing was in full flow, and went down to a desert road; but the angel of the Lord directed him there, and he went unhesitatingly, although he probably wondered why (Acts 8:2626And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. (Acts 8:26)).
Brethren, let us seek to be subject at all times to the controlling hand of God. Let us never move without His guidance and when we get it, let us go forward, like Paul and his friends in Acts 16:9-109And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. (Acts 16:9‑10), when they crossed the sea from Troas into Macedonia. One of the vital principles of Christianity is the presence on earth of the Holy Spirit in testimony to the absent Christ. He employs as instruments whomsoever He will, and He is the true Director of all the operations. If we go where we should not, either for service or for pleasure, we may hear the divine challenge, “What doest thou here?” and what can we say in reply?
Elijah’s reply was deplorable. “I have been very jealous for Jehovah the God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword: and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” Thus the disgruntled prophet spoke well of himself, and ill of God’s people, and virtually called upon God to judge them. He had got a long way from God in his soul in expressing himself thus. The contrast with Moses after the people’s worship of the golden calf is startling. When Jehovah proposed to wipe out the stiff-necked people, and make a fresh start with Moses, Moses would not hear of it. He pleaded the honor of Jehovah’s great name; he entreated Him to remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; and even prayed God to blot him out of the book of life, if thereby the people might be forgiven! (Ex. 32). It was music to Jehovah to hear His servant pleading thus in the spirit of self-sacrifice for His erring people. What an anticipation of Christ! Moses never shone more brightly than on that day of matchless intercession. Would that we could catch the spirit of it!
God spoke again to Elijah. “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before Jehovah.” Great manifestations of divine power followed. “Jehovah passed by, and a great strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before Jehovah; but Jehovah was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but Jehovah was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire; but Jehovah was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-1211And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11‑12)). Manifestations of power are from God, but they must not be confounded with God himself. Elijah had witnessed His power at Carmel; but because he no longer beheld such displays, it seemed difficult for him to realize that God was working at all. But he presently learned that a quiet gracious work was proceeding in many hearts in Israel of which he was unaware. God had use for the whirlwind, for out of it He spoke in majesty to Job and his friends (Job 38:1; 40:61Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, (Job 38:1)
6Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, (Job 40:6)), and Nahum tells us “Jehovah hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm.” He has use “for the earthquake”: what blessed results followed the shaking at the midnight hour in Philippi (Acts 16). An earthquake was one of God’s witnesses to His Son at the moment of His death (Matt. 27:5151And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51)). He has also use for the fire, as the people of Israel had so recently proved on Mount Carmel. But although Elijah witnessed at Horeb the great and strong wind the earthquake, and the fire, it was the still small voice which made him feel that he was having to do with God.
It is possible for us today to get discouraged if the work of God in our hands does not move in striking ways. Persons of energetic disposition, such as Elijah certainly was, are more likely than others to feel thus. Where there are no visible manifestations we are apt to conclude that nothing is doing at all! The Book of the Acts is instructive in this connection. God used the violence of an earthquake of arouse the Philippian jailor; He opened the very heavens to reach and lay low Saul of Tarsus; but Timotheus and Lydia were reached by the quiet influence of the Word of God with nothing notable connected with their conversion. A prominent London business man in the last century, who was a lover of the Gospel (as we all should be) threw himself very zealously into the great inter-denominational campaigns of his day; but in the evening of life he said to me: “If I had my time over again, I would let all such movements alone. Enormous expenses were incurred, and I do not feel sure of the results. Upon mature reflection, I think perhaps the best work is done in the constant plodding in modest halls.” I replied: “I told you that years ago.” Those who want great things, and who are filled with Elijah’s zeal and energy, would do well to remember what the London merchant said. Too often the great things involve the use of worldly methods, and also the sacrifice of divine principles which we profess to hold dear. These remarks are not intended to discourage enterprise for God. Far from it. If there are no signs of blessing in connection with the work we are doing, let us get down before God about it, and ask Him why our labor appears to be in vain. But the comparatively few souls that we can show as the result of quiet Scriptural preaching may be worth more in the long run than the crowds who are registered as converts because they have signed “decision cards,” or have shaken hands with the preacher! Some of these souls may possibly be injured for life by such flippant handling.
There were no great things to show in Jerusalem after the return from the captivity; but real solid work was wrought which delighted the heart of God. By the hand of Zechariah the prophet Jehovah sent this encouraging message to the leader of the people. “This is the word of Jehovah to Zerubbabel: not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts” (Zech. 4:66Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)). Again we say it was the still small voice which made Elijah feel that he was having to do with God. It is the same to (lay. God speaks now to consciences and hearts in the written Word. The band, the choir, the solo, and other forms a religious excitement are unlikely to lay bare the conscience, and create in the hearer a horror of sin and its eternal consequences; such unapostolic methods would rather tend to hinder the voice of God reaching the inner man at all.
Jehovah’s manner of approach to His fugitive servant was very gracious. He did not address him angrily in tones of thunder. The “soft gentle voice” (J.N.D.) did not terrify Elijah. It drew him to the mouth of the cave with his face reverently wrapt in his mantle. Servant and Master were now, as it were, face to face. A second time He who alone should control the movements of His servants put the question, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” The poor prophet repeated word for word what he said when first challenged. The children of Israel were so evil, they had forsaken Jehovah’s covenant, thrown down His altars, and slain His prophets. Elijah alone remained; and he also they sought to kill! Such words were very grievous to Him who loved His people with 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)). Since Elijah’s day they have murdered the Son of God; even so, we are told in Romans 11:2828As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. (Romans 11:28) they are still “beloved for the fathers’ sake.” Let us tread softly when we examine the failures of the servants of God. Elijah at Horeb, and Paul in Jerusalem (Acts 21) were out of the path of divine leading. The story of their faults is written for our warning. We do not feel worthy to stand alongside such devoted servants of God, but we must face the fact that they were not perfect. The Lord Jesus could have said all that Elijah said concerning rebellious Israel, and more! Was He not tasting the bitterness of malignant rejection? Yet not a word of complaint passed His lips, not a word that pleaded for judgment upon His enemies. Instead, He wept over them; and even when on the way to Calvary, He said: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:3434Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)). Centuries before His coming the Spirit of prophecy put these words into His lips: “I have labored in vain; I have spent My strength for naught, and in vain” (Isa. 49:44Then I said, I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the Lord, and my work with my God. (Isaiah 49:4)). But His labor was acceptable to the One who sent Him, and there His heart rested. Although treated by the people of Israel worse than Elijah, He did not flee away. We have seen already that when a hint was sent to Him to depart hence, or Herod would kill Him, He refused to do so, because His work was not finished. At the same moment He spoke of the people (of Jerusalem particularly) as having killed the prophets, but He said it in grief, not in anger (Luke 13:31-3531The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee. 32And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. 33Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem. 34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! 35Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Luke 13:31‑35)). Psalms 16:88I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:8) explains the difference between the Lord Jesus and Elijah: “I have set Jehovah always before Me; because He is at My right hand, I shall not be moved.” “Always” was not true of our prophet. When Jehovah was indeed before him, he was bold as a lion; but when he lost sight of Jehovah, and got Jezebel before him, be collapsed utterly. Truly, God has only had one perfect Servant. Let us follow Him!
Jehovah’s reply to Elijah’s complaint is deeply solemn in all its parts. “Go return!” Every false step with any of us must be retraced. Abram should not have gone down into Egypt, and he enjoyed no more communion with God until he returned “unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first; and there Abram called on the name of Jehovah” (Gen. 13:44Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. (Genesis 13:4)). But false steps and careless walking involve loss of time; so we are taught in the law of the Nazarite (Num. 6:1212And he shall consecrate unto the Lord the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering: but the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled. (Numbers 6:12)). Life is too short to allow of wasted time! Life on earth is our great preparation for ETERNITY!
To proceed with Jehovah’s words to Elijah. “Go return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: and Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-Meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every month which hath not kissed him.” The judgments which Elijah seemed to feel were necessary should be executed. The forsaken covenant, the desecrated altars, and the murdered prophets, should all be avenged; the circumstances of the judgments should be analogous to the whirlwind, the earthquake, and the fire. A ruthless destroyer from without, and a fierce reformer within, should be let loose upon the guilty nation.
Elijah was now to go to Abel-Meholah (in Naphtali) to anoint Elisha to be prophet in his room. He probably did not expect anything quite as serious as all this when “he made intercession to God against Israel” (Rom. 11:2-52God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:2‑5)). The principal lesson that he learned at Horeb was that Jehovah had seven thousand in Israel that were still true to Him, and refused Baal. Elijah had seen the terrible evils which covered the land, but somehow he had overlooked the good that was there. Had he known that Jehovah still had thousands of true hearts in Ahab’s dominions, he would scarcely have said: “I, even I only am left!” Self-occupation is a spiritually ruinous thing, whatever form it may take; but it is highly objectionable when it leads any servant of God to imagine that he is the last true man upon earth! The testimony of God has never yet depended upon the slender thread of a human life, and it never will. God Himself will take care of the testimony; and in His own infinite wisdom He always knows where to find instruments through whom He can speak to the consciences and hearts of the people. The prophet said nothing in response to the solemn words of Jehovah. What could he say?