Read 1
Kings 19-20 & John
2
To discover:
As you read consider what God is
teaching Elijah.
To ponder:
Elijah’s attitude changes markedly.
Having run in God’s power ahead of Ahab to Jezreel, presumably confident things
would now be better in Israel
(18v46), days later he is running for his life from Jezreel because of
Jezebel’s threat. He leaves Israel
and enters the desert on the farthest border of Judah.
Resonating with the worn out minister or persecuted Christian, he prays he
might die, saying he has “had enough.” Seeing himself no better than his
ancestors suggests he may be considering giving up on God altogether. But God
has not given up on him. Twice his angel (or just messenger) gives food and
water, reminding Elijah of God’s previous care for him (17v1-6) and
strengthening him for his “journey.”
Here Elijah is
like Moses, travelling through the desert to Horeb (Sinai) where he witnesses
God pass by (as Ex 33v18-34v7). However, God’s repeated question: “why are you
here,” suggests this was Elijah’s idea. He could speak with God elsewhere. So
perhaps, like Moses, he sought a particularly rejuvenating vision of God’s
glory. God’s question also helps us understand why he passes by only in
silence. Elijah’s response to it implies he is there because he sees himself as
the only zealous one left in Israel.
Despite meeting Obadiah and hearing of the prophets he saved (18v1-15), Elijah
assumes God is not at work in the northern kingdom. God’s point may therefore be
that he is, but by quiet rather than dramatic means. By covering his face (so
that he doesn’t die, Ex 33v20), Elijah actually acknowledges that God’s awesome
glory is manifest at these times too. It’s an encouragement to Christians today
when few are converted and the church seems in decline. We should not despair
or exaggerate the problem, but trust God is still present and active.
By repeating his
answer, Elijah suggests he hasn’t fully learnt the lesson, which may explain
why he we don’t see him properly fulfilling God’s commands of 19v15-16.
Nevertheless, God’s continued commitment to Israel
is seen by his promise of absolute destruction on those who stood against him,
whilst stressing he has “reserved,” and so kept for himself, 7000 who have
remained faithful. The number signifies completion and so God’s intention, and
the fact that he still has many who are for him. We should be grateful he has
graciously “reserved” us for himself too.
Rather than properly
anoint Elisha, Elijah passes him his cloak, signifying transference of
authority, and speaks rather grumpily. By contrast, Elisha comes with
enthusiasm, again “running.” Indeed, his return to kiss his parents and cook
his oxen on his ploughing equipment shows he intends not to return to his
former way of life. Alluding to this, Jesus calls us to an even greater
commitment (Lk 9v61-62).
Ben-Hadad’s bullying
confrontation with Ahab is God’s means of once more fighting for Israel
so they will know he “is the LORD” (20v13, 28). Having gained fearful
acceptance of his first demands, Ben-Hadad increases them bringing a bold
rebuff from Ahab. The similarity between Ben-Hadad’s oath over Samaria to
Jezebel’s over Elijah (20v10, 19v2) shows he is no more able to fulfil his
threat before his gods, than she has been hers. Rather, by following God’s
commands through a prophet, Ahab’s commanders and 7000 men defeat their
complacent enemies. The warning and then defeat of the second attack proves
that God is not a limited local god, but the true God of all (20v23, 28). So
despite being hugely outnumbered (20v27), Israel
defeat her enemy, and God follows it up by causing a wall to collapse on the
survivors.
This all meant
Ahab’s subsequent treaty with Ben-Hadad was wrong. He had just been shown that
he didn’t need it as God would act for him, and whereas God’s law urged the
offer of peace to prevent battle with nations beyond Israel’s
borders, it required destruction of those who chose to fight (Deut 20v10-15). The
seriousness of Ahab’s refusal to “strike” was graphically illustrated by the
prophet’s actions (20v35-36) and message (20v42-43).
Praying it home:
Praise God that he continues to be
at work even in the quiet times. Pray for his energy and strength for Christians
and ministers feeling worn out and despondent.
Thinking further: The still
small voice
The translation of the Hebrew in
19v12 as “gentle whisper” or “still small voice” has often be taken as
justification for seeing inner impressions or feelings as potential words from
God. The problem with his interpretation is that God has already been speaking
to Elijah (19v9-11) and with such clarity that he can have a conversation with
him. It is this same voice that we read of in 19v13-18 giving quite specific instructions
as was the usual experience of prophets. What Elijah actually hears in the cave
is a quiet hint at God’s presence in more literally “a barely audible whisper.”
This communicates nothing other than that God is there in the quietness not the
noise, drawing Elijah out to then be addressed by him. A modern equivalent
might be God giving the despairing Christian a quiet reminder or sense of his
presence that moves them to turn to the scriptures where they are strengthened
by his word.
If you receive this post by
email, visit bible2014.blogspot.co.uk
and make a comment.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment