1 Kings 18:41-19:18

1 Kings 18:41-19:18

Now that Israel was beginning to turn back to God (at least for the time being), God decided to allow them to have rain again. It was a reminder that He was the one that could send them rain and hold it back from them if He so desired. The lack of rain had been punishment for their disobedience, but because they had chosen to turn back to Him, He sent the rain. As the story continues in 1 Kings 19, it is unclear as to how Ahab took all of these events. While it does not say that he was hostile toward Elijah, it also does not say that he turned back to God like the rest of the Israelites. Nevertheless, he returned to his home and told Jezebel all that Elijah had done. If Ahab was not upset with Elijah, Jezebel most certainly was. She sent word toe Elijah that he would die the next day just as the 450 prophets had. It is obvious that she did not turn back to God for she only grew more hostile.


In fear of his life, Elijah fled and went back to Judah, a land of safety for him. Remember that this was all taking place during the reign of Asa in Judah, a man who was following God. Judah was not a hostile place for Elijah to be, and he found safety there. But it is during this moment of Elijah’s life that we realize that he too was only human. We saw David (a man after God’s own heart and a great example for us) stumble. In the same way, we see Elijah’s struggles. For a brief moment he forgot about God’s provisions in his life. He lost his trust in God and tried to find his own place of safety. But it was in Elijah’s darkest moment that God reached out to him. God once again sent him food, as he had done when Elijah had remained by the brook of Cherith for an extended period of time. God provided for him, gave him the strength to persevere through his hard times, and encouraged him to return to Israel and continue his job.

Elijah had found refuge in a cave, and it was there that the Lord met him and gave him his new mission. This is a very famous passage as it encourages us to listen for God’s still small voice. Elijah witnessed a loud wind, an earthquake, and a fire, but God did not choose to reveal Himself to Elijah in those ways. Instead, it was in the time of peace when everything had settled down that God spoke to Elijah. Now this does not mean that God does not use major events in our lives to get our attentions, but we cannot always expect God to speak to us in this way. Sometimes He is speaking to us during our daily routines. So we must always be listening for God.

As for Elijah, he was commanded to return to Israel, even though he was the only true prophet left. He was to anoint a new king in Syria as well as a new king for Israel, Jehu. Furthermore, God had prepared another man by the name of Elisha who would become Israel’s next prophet, following in Elijah’s footsteps. Elijah was to go to him as well and prepare him for the task ahead of him. Elijah had been rejuvenated. He had been encouraged and strengthened by God and was ready to return to Israel to complete his mission. Although Elijah messed up (as we all do) and began to feel sorry for himself, he did not stay in his self-pity. He found his strength and God, left his place of safety, and returned to the heat of the battle. Yes it can be quite dangerous to be in the middle of God’s will, serving Him, but it is also the greatest place to be!

Matt