CENTRAL THOUGHT
“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).
HYMN: MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE
Text: 1 Kings 19:1-18
INTRODUCTION
In a dramatic display of God’s power, the Prophet Elijah the Tishbite witnessed God’s nearness. He challenged the prophets of Baal to climb mount Carmel for a contest: his God against theirs. After these false prophets spent most of the days pleading for their god to accept their sacrifice, Elijah prayed to the one true God, immediately “the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil….” 1 Kings 18:38. Amazed by God’s response, the people put the prophets of Baal to death at his command.
When wicked Queen Jezebel heard what had happened to her prophets, she sent Elijah a message: “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time” (19:2).
As a result, “Elijah was afraid and ran for his life” (vs. 3). Did Elijah feel the Lord had left him in the middle of this difficult situation? After watching God’s defeat of Baal, did Elijah think God would not, or could not, help him? These are the focus of this lesson.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
1.) To understand why Elijah fled from Jezebel.
2.) To reflect on Elijah’s attitude and its consequences.
3.) To derive a lesson from Elijah’s situation.
Bible Truth:
Q1. WHY DID ELIJAH FLEE FROM JEZEBEL?
When wicked Queen Jezebel heard what had happened to her prophets, she refused to believe the truth! She had spent so many years believing in her made-up gods that she would not admit they were false. Her heart had become as hard as stone, and she would not accept the truth about the almighty God. So, she sent Elijah a message: “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time” (19:2).
Elijah on receiving the queens message became discouraged and depressed, His depression was not due to one single cause; it was linked to several things. At the root of depression is almost some form of fear. Elijah felt alone and had little hope for the future. He suffered from paranoia, thought that everyone was out to get at him. He did not see any way out of his predicament. The great prophet of Israel was scared/frightened by Queen Jezebel’s threats, and thus fled for his life. The Lord Jesus admonished us not to fear those that can only kill the body but cannot kill the soul (Matt. 10:28).
Q2. REFLECT ON ELIJAH’S ATTITUDE DURING DEPRESSION / FEAR AND THE CONSEQUENCES.
Elijah walked for 40 days and nights (with God’s empowerment) until he came to mount Horeb. This was the same place where God had appeared to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-2). Here, the Lord asked, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” This was God’s way of making Elijah think about why he had run away. Gently, God was giving Elijah the opportunity to confess his mistrust, and turn from his discouragement. But Elijah did not repent. Instead, he gave a list of excuses. The, the Lord said, “And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a
great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12). God displayed His power right in front of Elijah to give Elijah the opportunity to set his focus back on Him. It was as if God was saying, If I can split a mountain and cause and earthquake at my whim, do you really need to worry about what one woman can do to you? Then, God’s gently voice whispered once again, “Elijah what are you doing here?” But sadly, Elijah did not set his focus back on God, he repeated his excuses. Vs. 14 “And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away”. Vs 15-18, “15 And the Lord said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him”.
God asked Elijah to anoint three different people. The first was Hazael, as King of Aram; Elijah was told to anoint an enemy king because God was going to use Aram as an instrument to punish Israel for its sin. Aram brought Israel’s “external” punishment.
Israel’s internal punishment came from Jehu, the next man Elijah was to anoint. As king of Israel, Jehu would destroy those who worshipped the false god Baal (2 Kings 9:10). The third person Elijah was told to anoint was Elisha, the prophet who would succeed him. Elisha’s job was to work in Israel, the northern kingdom, to help point the people back to God.
How often does a believer today react to threats, in a way that portrays the source of the threat as more powerful than his God? (The class should discuss).
Q3. WHAT LESSON CAN WE LEARN FROM ELIJAH’S SITUATION?
- How often are we like Elijah, fearful of failure, of being alone, unable to complete a task given to us, incapable of success, weak in perseverance, patience, and hope?
- How often do we feel that our efforts were in vain? That we weren’t able to make a difference, just like some of those who went before us? How often do we think that we contributed to the problem rather than being part of the solution? How often have we failed: the relationship went sour; the marriage broke up; the addiction made one lose everyone and everything she had.
- How many of us are afraid, lonely, exhausted, burned out and without any hope? How many of us have given in to
- despair, cynicism, meanness of spirit, and smallness of heart? How many of us have lost our faith in the God who can make barren wombs to bare and raise the dead? Like Elijah, some believers give up too soon in the face of challenging situations.
When we base our faith on spiritual realities, which are not governed by physical laws, our faith will not crumble when circumstances look hopeless or impossible. Because we know “nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
Faith tough enough to withstand tough times must not be based on what we feel or even what we perceive with our physical senses, but on what we know about God. Though Jezebel was thundering, she was not in control. Though God was silent, He was not absent, Elijah’s God and out God is the God of signs and wonders but He is also the God of whispers and gentleness. Elijah needed to know that God was there and that He is more than enough in any situation.
Daily Living Application
Often following “mountain top” experience, we tend to slip into spiritual valleys. As we get to know God better, we begin to base our faith on what we know, not on what we feel or perceive through our physical senses. That kind of faith grows as we grow in our knowledge and understanding of Him. And a growing relationship with God matures into a faith that stands the test of tough times.
If you feel far away from God, quit relying on what you feel and start relying on His Word.
Memory Verse:
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”.
Daily Devotional guide
Monday: Fear not He/she who cannot kill the soul.
Matt. 10:28-31
Tuesday: The height of discouragement
1 Kings 19:1-4
Wednesday: God cares for His servant.
1 Kings 19:5-8
Thursday: Benefit of being in God’s presence.
1 King 19:8-14
Friday: God has the final say/word in frightening situations.
1 Kings 19:15-17
Saturday: Only God is all-knowing.
1 Kings 19:18, Proverbs 5:21, 15:3, Heb. 4:13