God usually uses men to set forth His Word to man. Elijah was one of these messengers. In 1 Kings 19:1-181And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3And 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. 4But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 5And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 6And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. 7And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 8And 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. 9And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord 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. 11And 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. 13And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 14And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because 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. 15And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16And 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. 17And 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. 18Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. (1 Kings 19:1‑18), we see the repentance of Elijah, which is one of seven pictures of repentance in his ministry. In addition to Elijah's mission to Israel, his general ministry and career depict better, or heavenly, things for the Gentiles of a later day.
Through man's fall in the Garden of Eden he acquired a conscience which introduced him into an inward warfare from which he cannot escape. The outcome of this conflict depends upon his response to the moral illumination given to him.
This light from God's Word comes in the form of principles. Repentance is one of the first.
"And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time. And 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 19:1-31And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3And 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 19:1‑3)).
Elijah had demonstrated to Israel who the true God was in contrast to Baal. As a result of the drastic judgment upon Baal, Elijah's life was threatened by Jezebel, the wife of Ahab. It was she who had introduced Baal into Israel.
Elijah had previously been occupied with others and their ways, bad or good, but now the arrow is pointed toward him. Perhaps this was a new position for him. "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small" (Prow. 24:10).
Here was a man who could say, "As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word" (1 Kings 17:11And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. (1 Kings 17:1)). He could slay the prophets of Baal and the groves. He called fire down from heaven. He raised the widow's son from the dead. He could provide with ease twelve barrels of water in the midst of drought. The barrel of meal and the cruse of oil did not fail for three years, even though there was only a daily supply.
Had not Elijah appeared to Ahab face to face after Ahab had sought for him in every nation in order to kill him?
Now the great prophet Elijah, whose fame was spread abroad, runs for his life from an angry, idolatrous woman. "He... went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there" (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)).
Elijah's lesson must be learned alone with God in quietness. It matters not if it be Job, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, or ourselves; certain deep lessons are to be learned about ourselves in order to know our God.
Athough the Lord valued His servant, public power was not the most in importance, though at times necessary. After the disciples of Jesus had returned to Him and told Him of the public display of power on their part, Jesus showed them that this was not the subject for joy, but rather that 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)).
The exhibition of power, even for God, tends to turn the heart to pride and self. Spiritual pride is the worst form. We cannot rightly estimate our own state of soul or abilities. "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool" (Prov. 28:2626He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26)). The evil nature inherited from Adam has proved to be an ugly tenant within, but the soul that abides in Christ will be preserved so that the contrary nature may not manifest itself. To walk in the Spirit is our only safeguard.
We behold here a strange paradox, Elijah running for fear of death and at the same time asking of God that he might die.
Discouragement is not faith, even if it is found in a mighty servant of God.
Enoch and Elijah were the two men who went to heaven without dying. "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Heb. 11:55By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Hebrews 11:5)).
This was not said of Elijah. Enoch departed quietly, having walked with God down here, now walking up there. What a happy picture of the assembly! That day of our departure will soon be here. Do we have doves' eyes for Christ and home?
Elijah closed his career as he lived. A chariot of fire accompanied the whirlwind which took him up.
"I am not better than my fathers" gives away the secret deep down within this mighty man of God. Whatever our reputation among men may be, only God can form the character of our lives. Character is what we are before God.
It was only as he stood before the Lord God of Israel that he had power. In himself he must confess, "All flesh is grass" (Isa. 40:66The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: (Isaiah 40:6)). As Elijah's fathers had failed, so had he. Elijah had to learn that triumph is reserved for One alone.
Christ will yet bear all of the glory of His Father's house, and His servants will share in it. Elijah surely will.
Restoration is through repentance for Israel. Is it not the same for Elijah? The fig tree represents Israel as a nation, but the leaves (glory) follow the fruit (repentance).
Sleeping for sorrow under a wild broom tree in the wilderness is not continuing in the land with the people of God. Either we go on with God's people in all of their weakness, and ours, or we live in a spiritual wilderness alone.
The prophet is a long way from the refreshing stream of Cherith where the ravens fed him, the place God chose for him. Here the prophet has chosen his own way, and God finds him in the wilderness. There is no resource except God. Is it not a comfort to our hearts to know that no matter where our wanderings take us, God is still there? Even if our eyes close in death, "When I awake, I am still with thee" (Psa. 139:1818If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. (Psalm 139:18)).
Elijah was ready to give up and die. John the Baptist manifested some of the same characteristics under trial. Not only would Elijah never die, but God would not give him up. His promises are yea, and amen. The wider the wilderness, the closer he is drawn to God.
Elijah had known the fullness of God's provision while serving Him in the path. He had yet to learn the provision that God would make while he was out of the path.
"And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again" (1 Kings 19:5,65And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 6And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. (1 Kings 19:5‑6)).
Perhaps the wind was blowing just enough to raise the dust and sand. The branches of the wild sages and brooms were sending an endless, monotonous sound on the desert to add to the solitude encircling this forlorn prophet.
Circumstances may be unbearable, the spirit depressed, and natural resources gone. For Elijah the battle had been for others, but in his new experience he had self to contend with, alone in the desert. The question is, "Does God care?" God never sends a servant without providing for him all of the way.
This was a touch of heaven. No artist, poet, or minstrel could describe the soul experience of Elijah at this moment. Scripture is silent as well. Could our prophet have felt, while calling down fire from heaven, the mellowing warmth which gripped his soul at this moment? Deep, lasting impressions, unknown before, now stirred the senses of this man of God. He had known something of the power of God, but did he know God?
There is little on our part that pleases God more than the sense of felt need in His presence. Little by little Elijah is passed into this rich stream of refreshment. "Waters,... to the ankles,... to the knees,... to the loins,... to swim in, a river that could not be passed over" (Ezek. 47:3-53And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. 4Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. 5Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. (Ezekiel 47:3‑5)).
"Whom have we, Lord, but Thee,
Soul-thirst to satisfy?
Exhaustless spring! The waters free!
All other streams are dry.
"Our hearts by Thee are set
On brighter things above;
Strange that we ever should for-
get Thine own most faithful love."
(Little Flock Hymn Book, No. 153)
No one can teach as God can. Would that we were alone with Him more! If you were to look for Jesus when He was here, you would find Him where there was need. Are we learning the precious lessons that can only be learned here in this world which has become a wilderness to faith?
It was "THEN", at the lowest moment, that the angel touched him. Heaven's balm can heal earth's sorrows. (See Matt. 11:25,2625At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. (Matthew 11:25‑26); 1 Cor. 10:1313There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13); 2 Cor. 4:88We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (2 Corinthians 4:8)).
"Arise and eat", the word of angels. "I am not better than my fathers", the word of man. If we could look behind the thin veil which hides the unseen, we would be as angels. Yet, if faith were active, the result of walking close to the Lord, we would be living in the atmosphere of heaven and know better the mind of heaven. We would also know ourselves better, and the result would be more intimacy with our God and His love. This brings trust.
The law was written upon stones-cold stones. They tell of God's requirements from man. Elijah's mission was to bring Israel back to this law. For one moment it seemed as though Elijah had succeeded, and then Satan's fury had broken loose upon the prophet.
As the angel touched him, he looked and saw a cake baken upon hot stones (N.T.). There are no cold stones for those who know God as a God of mercy.
Who but the Lord would follow His unhappy servant into the wilderness?
Although great things were ahead for Elijah, self was a hard master. Peace and joy are our portion, not discouragement, the result of being self-centered. He did eat and drink, only to lay himself down again.
"And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 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" (1 Kings 19:7,87And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 8And 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. (1 Kings 19:7‑8)).
There is no patience like God's. "For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not" (Job 33:1414For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. (Job 33:14)). Elijah listened the second time the angel touched him.
If Christ had not said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee," we would not be able for the journey. We are permitted to rise and eat of the angel's provision lest we faint in the way.
No man could naturally be without food or drink for forty days. Our path is a miracle, just as Elijah's, as we wend our way homeward through testings and vicissitudes of this life.
At the giving of the law, Moses neither ate nor drank for forty days and forty nights. (See Deut. 9:9,189When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the Lord made with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor drink water: (Deuteronomy 9:9)
18And I fell down before the Lord, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. (Deuteronomy 9:18).)
Elijah, typifying Christ, goes to Mount Horeb (Sinai) to answer to God for Israel. who had broken the law.
Christ was without food and drink for forty days and nights, being tempted of Satan in the wilderness. Elijah was given food and drink sufficient for forty days, a complete period of testing. Sinai was the mount that Israel could not touch. Elijah, on the contrary, was at home there.
At the time of the cross, Jesus was at Mount Horeb. He sweat as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground. There He pleaded for our souls. On the cross He was made sin. It was there that Jesus began the streams of eternal transport and bliss. Elijah, on the contrary, closed his mission at Horeb by speaking against God's people.
"And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD 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" (1 Kings 19:9,109And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord 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. (1 Kings 19:9‑10)).
After finding lodging in a cave, Elijah heard the word of the Lord, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" His answer was sad. In the presence of God he recalls the failures of God's people. Also he lets it be known that he alone was faithful in Israel. He adds, "And they seek my life, to take it away" (1 Kings 19:1010And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord 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. (1 Kings 19:10)).
When Jesus went to Horeb, did He speak against us? Never! Precious Savior! He stood in our place before a holy God. No one but God will ever know what He suffered for us. "The weight of the brass could not be found out" (2 Chron. 4:1818Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out. (2 Chronicles 4:18)).
Here God's love for the sinner is seen in all of its beauty and luster. Why did Jesus go to Horeb? To plead for our souls and shed His blood to redeem us, praise His name!
Elijah is the only prophet whose failure is recorded in the New Testament.
"And 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: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice" ( Kings 19:11, 12).
It is his conscience that is being reached. In John 4 the Lord said to the woman, "Go, call thy husband, and come hither." Sometimes the only way to learn is to be deprived of our privileges.
God was not in this display, although the power was His.
The heart must have an Object upon Whom to rest. Power may be very good in its place, but not for comfort, joy, rest, and love.
"And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because 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" (1 Kings 19:13,1413And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 14And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because 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. (1 Kings 19:13‑14)).
A word from the STILL SMALL VOICE, and Elijah wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave.
Again the question is asked, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" The answer is unchanged. The will is not broken.
Twice the same question. Twice the same answer.
Twice the same STILL SMALL VOICE, "Go."
"And the LORD said unto him, 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 Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
Four commands are laid upon the conscience of Elijah by the STILL SMALL VOICE:
1. Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus.
2. Anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.
3. Anoint Jehu king over Israel.
4. Anoint Elisha to be prophet in thy room.
We are not told if the first command was carried out, but we know that Elijah never anointed either Hazael or Jehu. This was left for Elisha to do. To be faced with the anointing of these two kings who were to be God's rod of judgment upon His people was too much for Elijah to bear. He must have broken under it. Elijah did, however, anoint Elisha as his successor, his own mission being closed. (See 2 Kings 8:10,11-13:32, 13:3, and 2 Kings 9.)
There was much that Elijah did not yet know. Only the Lord knows them that are His. Seven thousand, a perfect number, had not bowed the knee to Baal, nor kissed him, and were reserved for blessing.
It would be good to be able to embrace the seven thousand in our prayers, rather than to speak to God against any of His people. There are even today a perfect number hidden away for blessing.