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1 Kings 19 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
The events in 1 Kings 19 could be known as “The Pastor’s Chapter.” After the triumphant, cataclysmic fire-from-the-sky victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah found himself defeated. The smoldering flames of God burned on the altar but what would follow would only leave Elijah physically, emotionally, and mentally burned out.
Everything had gone according to plan. Elijah threw down the gauntlet. The prophets of Baal were utterly humiliated. The nation of Israel along with their evil prophets and dysfunctional leaders witnessed firsthand the mighty power of God on display. Elijah went all in and God showed up. It seemed to be the perfect ending… until Jezebel opened her mouth.
She sent a message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I don’t do the same thing to you that you did to the prophets.” 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life; he took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. Leaving the servant there, 4 Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down in the shade of a tree and wished he would die. “It’s too much, LORD,” he prayed. “Take away my life; I might as well be dead!”
1 Kings 19:2-4 GNB
You see, this is ministry. This is my life. Maybe this is your life. You plan and work to see God’s glory on display. You take risks for His Kingdom. You stand up to the obstacles hindering others from experiencing His presence. You put yourself out there full-tilt with the intention of seeing others drop their idols and return to God. You go all in. Absolutely, unequivocally all in. Then, the miraculous happens. You witness the incredible victory of God!
And then you wait expectantly for the revival to commence.
And then…
The enemy strikes back.
“He saw it was best to give place to this storm, and go to a place of safety. He probably thought that the miracle at Carmel would have been the means of effecting the conversion of the whole court and of the country, but, finding himself mistaken, he is greatly discouraged.”
Adam Clarke
Running From God
When things don’t turn out the way we envisioned, what is our response? Where do we go when God doesn’t work according to our plan? For one of the most prolific prophets in Scripture, he would decide to run away. His journey was not a short distance. He left from Jezreel to the southern city of Beersheba. It was 100 miles… on foot. Sound familiar? Have you ever been so defeated you simply stopped reading the Word? Have you ever been so depressed, you struggled to utter one prayer to God? Have you ever felt as if your work for the Kingdom was wasted?
Elijah did.
I can’t do this anymore. It’s too much. I’m stressed, disappointed, and depressed. We have all been there. It is a familiar and fatalistic thought pattern of God’s people.
How does God respond to such defiance? Elijah walked away from his ministry, his calling, and his purpose as a prophet of the Lord.
The God of Grace and Truth
When God comes to Elijah in the storm, earthquake, and fire, it would have made sense for Him to be there. Elijah would have known this. He had just seen His power on display. He knew the stories of old when God worked the most incredible and miraculous events in all of history. Where was God when he needed Him most?
He was not in the storm, the earthquake, or the fire. He was not in the sensational elements of nature. He held Himself back and this forced Elijah to lean every so slightly in His direction. As God veiled Himself, He whispered. Elijah came out from the cave.
What was God doing?
Elijah had to believe that God was present and working outside of the dramatic displays of power. But this wasn’t just true in the lives of others, this was true of Elijah’s personal relationship with God. God made it personal. The mighty display of power, wrath, and anger are pieces of evidence we all need to see, but they didn’t produce Salvation. For Elijah, his relationship with God could not be solely reduced to a sensational, emotional experience. In fact, God’s best work takes place in the hearts of people who respond to the still, small voice of His love and grace. This was exactly what Elijah needed.
And then, God reveals something very interesting. In all of Elijah’s depression and doubting, God shares with him the truth of the situation.
Yet I will leave seven thousand people alive in Israel—all those who are loyal to me and have not bowed to Baal or kissed his idol.”
1 Kings 19:18 GNB
7000 people had been faithful to the Lord. Although Elijah believed that the big events had not accomplished what he wanted, he failed to see that the small details of his ministry had produced more fruit than he could have imagined. It was a strong message that many times God is doing his work silently, sometimes imperceptibly. We look for Him in the spectacular but His Spirit moves behind the scenes.
So he answered me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of Hosts.
Zechariah 4:6 HCSB
This is such an important message for us today! We must cling to the truth that He is still working and doing more than we could imagine even when “big things” aren’t happening. It will not be by the strength of individuals or by the might of many, but only by God’s Spirit. He will strengthen us personally with His still, small voice when we need it the most. For anyone struggling in this same way, be encouraged by the acts of God in 1 Kings 19.