Elijah the Prophet (part 2) - 1 Kings 19-20

For Starters...

Being a spiritual leader must be so strong and focused that they never have to deal with ordinary emotions of regular folks, right? Do spiritual leaders ever get involved in self-pity? You wouldnt think so, but apparently they do! Consider Elijahs story this evening as his spirits sink into a real pit; how did he get there from the heights of the Mt. Carmel challenge? What lesson could there be for all of us, leader or not, about temptations, expectations, etc.

What's the Story?

King Ahab had quite a story to tell, when Jezebel asked the usual, >Howd your day go, honey?< Ahab told her not only that that Baal didnt answer by fire as was the challenge, but moreover were killed at Elijahs command, because they had lost the challenge. This naturally infuriated Jezebel, and in her anger swore an oath to see Elijah as dead as her own prophets by the end of the next day!

Perhaps Elijah was too hopeful that this great and decisive challenge would shut the door on any further challenges to the true God of Israel and turn the tide against pagan religion in the kingdom. But at the news of Jezebels threat Elijah went into panic mode. In fear for his life, he ran south toward and then through Judah. He left his servant in Beersheba10 , and walking about a day even farther south, he found a tree to sit under and began his pity party in earnest ã >I have had enough, LORD,< he said. >Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.< (1 Kings 19:4, NIV).

He fell asleep but was awakened and fed twice by an angel from God, which enabled him to then walk on to Mt. Horeb11 with no other food or drink. Upon arriving at Horeb, however, Elijah resumed his self-pity complaining to the Lord that he had been so faithful in the face of such terrible conditions, yet now he was in danger of losing his life to the angry Jezebel.

God commanded him to find a good place on the mountain to stand and watch. As Elijah watched a tremendous wind tore at the mountainside and Elijahãbut the Lord was not in the wind. Then, there was a mighty earthquakeãbut the Lord was not in the earthquake. Then, there was a raging fireãbut the Lord was not in the fire, either. Then, there was >the sound of a gentle stillness<, and it is at this that Elijah covers his face in humility, because he percieved Gods presence. >What are you doing here Elijah?<12 God then asked. Elijah probably answered in a much less defiant voice, >I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.< (1 Kings 19:14, NIV).

Finally God gave Elijah a list of new assignments: (1) anoint Hazaelas king over Aram, (2) anoint Jehu over Israel, and (3) anoint Elisha as successor to Elijah himself. He also informed the >Lone Ranger

Elijahs first stop was in Elishas hometown where Elisha began following the older prophet.

In the meantime, however, Benhadad, the current king of Aram, was stirring up war between himself and Israel. Benhadad, with a stronger army, surrounded Ahab at Samaria and sought to extort king Ahab, >`Your silver and gold are mine, and the best of your wives and children are mine.'" (1 Kings 20:3, NIV)! Ahab must have seemed too eager to acquiesce to Benhadads demands, because the Aramean king changed the demands of his extortion to letting his ministers come search Ahabs entire house and take whatever he wanted. Ahabs advisors counseled the king against these demands, which meant war. A prophet of God, however, met Ahab and promised that the Lord would deliver the Arameans into Ahabs hands and even told him Gods plan. Israel, indeed, did rout the Aramean army, just as promised.

But the advisors of the king of Aram counseled Benhadad to attack again with a similar army but on different ground, >Their gods are gods of the hills. That is why they were too strong for us. But if we fight them on the plains, surely we will be stronger than they. (1 Kings 20:23, NIV). So, the next year Benhadad challenged Ahab east of the Jordan on the plains of the Gilead. The outcome, however, was no different; Benhadads army was completely slaughtered as the wall of Aphek collapsed on them.

Benhadad survived by retreating to an inner chamber. He knew that he had no chance, though and thought that hed throw himself on the mercy of Ahab, who, surprizingly enough, let him go! One of the prophets, however, by the command of God rebuked Ahab for this foolishness through a parable and predicted an early death for Ahab for this sin.

So What?

* What was the meaning of the >gentle stillness< in the story of Elijahs experience on Mt. Horeb? What is the message for us?
* Have you ever been in Elijahs shoesãwallowing in self pity that youve done the right thing and not only have things not improved, they have actually gotten worse? Ever felt like you were the spiritual >Lone Ranger * Mr. Horeb is only approximately 200 miles from Beersheba. Walking only 10 miles a day (easy walking) you could walk about 400 miles in 40 days! Why did it take Elijah so long? Do you know of any other >40 * What does >One who puts on his armour should not boast like one who takes it off.< (1 Kings 20:11, NIV) mean?