Bible Studies
Elijah, The Man (1 Kings 19:1-4a)
Series: Studies in First KingsIntroduction:
1. Elijah is no milquetoast weakling. 2. “Eliyahu,” as his name is in the Hebrew, carried the word of the Lord to Ahab, king of Israel. 3. He confronted Israel with a three and a half year drought. 4. He challenged the 450 prophets of Baal, along with the 400 prophets of Asherim to a show down at Mount Carmel. Finally, he seized them and executed them at the brook Kishon. And all of this because he depended upon the word of the Lord God. 5. But his greatest challenge, as is often the case, may have been internal in its nature. 6. The narrator of Kings is concerned to trace the theme of the unfolding of the kingdom of God and to identify the contrast between loyalty to God and disloyalty. He calls attention to the nature of God as reflected in His ability to predict the future. But in chapter 19 he gives us a look at the human side of the prophet Elijah and perhaps some insight into ourselves.Discussion:
I. Elijah was afraid for his life (19:1-4c). How often fear distracts and paralyzes us!A. Up until this time Elijah had had to deal primarily with Ahab.
1. Ahab had allowed idolatry.
2. He had married Jezebel, erected an altar for Baal and built a house for Baal in Samaria.
3. But there is some evidence that he was influenced by the morality characteristic of the Law of Moses.
4. Additionally there is evidence of some level of respect for Elijah.
B. Jezebel, on the other hand, is ruthless and unrestricted.
1. She has already destroyed the prophets of God (18:4).
2. When Ahab told her about what Elijah had done and how he had killed the prophets of Baal she swore to kill him “by tomorrow.”
3. She was a woman of action and Elijah knew it. He took her seriously.
C. He ran for his life into Judah, to Beersheba in the southern most region. About 100 miles from Jezreel.
1. He left his servant there and fled into the wilderness.
2. He prayed to God to take his life.
3. Perhaps you have felt like Elijah. Perhaps you have found yourself in circumstances that were overwhelming.
4. Elijah must have been both physically and emotionally stressed.
a. He was running for his life.
b. He had been through a highly charged emotional situation with Ahab, Israel and the prophets of Baal.
c. Sleeping and eating must have been a help (5-8).
d. But it seems he is still on the run. He went to Horeb (Mt. Sinai). Note places on map— Jezreel, Beersheba and Horeb. Horeb is about 200 miles from Beersheba.
e. Elijah reminds us of Jonah who fled to Tarshish rather than carry God’s message to the Ninevites.
f. Although God is continuing to care for Elijah. Elijah’s run for his life was not on God’s agenda.
II. Elijah was discouraged (9-10).A. His physical and emotional exhaustion must have continued (8-9).
B. He thought he was the only one left (10).
1. “The sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant.”
2. He felt no support from the people of God, only opposition.
3. He thought, “everyone has abandoned the Lord and they have abandoned me.”
C. Even though the 3.5 year drought was designed to bring repentance, as far as Elijah was concerned the whole episode was a failure.
D. What was he supposed to do now? It is the end of his prophesying. He has dismissed his servant, abandoned his mission and retreated into the desert.
1. Everything he has lived for is gone—his prophetic work, God’s people.
2. Have you ever felt like Elijah?
3. Have you ever dropped out, checked out, retired, quit?
4. For Elijah he thought there was nothing left but to die in the wilderness.
5. This is the same Elijah that had courageously challenged Ahab.
6. This is the same Elijah that had challenged Israel.
7. This is the same Elijah that had miraculously feed the widow of Zeraphath, raised her son from the dead, called down fire from heaven and slain the prophets of Baal.
E. God asked his question the second time, “What are you doing here Elijah? (11-14, cf. 9).
1. I have been very zealous for the Lord. Focused on the past.
2. The sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant.
3. Torn down Your altars. Focused on other’s failures.
4. Killed Your prophets with the sword.
5. I am the only one left and they are trying to kill me. Focused on self.
III. God’s message to Elijah—“Go, return to My mission” (15-16).A. Three prophetic works to do.
1. Go to Damascus and anoint Hazael king of Aram.
2. Anoint Jehu king over Israel.
3. Anoint Elisha as prophet in your place.
B. The Lord will vindicate His cause (vs. 17-18).
1. Death awaits some.
2. Some are faithful.
C. “He departed from there” compare “What are you doing here?”
1. Getting back to the work of the Lord counters discouragement.
2. Our focus now goes to the future rather than the past, on those who are faithful rather than the unfaithful, and on others rather than on self.
3. Who are you concerned to anoint to do the work God has planned for them to do?
4. We need to be a lot less focused on the past, a lot more focused on the faithful and a lot less focused on ourselves.
D. It is time that we kiss mother and father goodbye, sacrifice the oxen and move on with the work of God (19-21).
Conclusion:
1. Yes Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (cf. James 5:17). 2. But the mission and purpose of God is more important. 3. We must lay aside our discouragements and continue to press forward in the accomplishment of the work of God.
