Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “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 19:1-10
In fear, Elijah runs away from Jezebel, Ahab’s wife. He does this running right after one of the greatest victories of his life and ministry! He just wiped out the 450 false prophets of Baal and led the people to repentance through the miracles the LORD had done through him. Fire is literally called down from heaven showing God to be the only real god and once again calling the Israelites to worship the LORD only and to turn from the false gods they had embraced. Elijah runs and the LORD sends an angel to confront him. He does his best to define himself to the LORD and convince Him that he is zealous and righteous. Elijah does not continue to be “open” with God about what was really going on inside. Truth is just hours before Elijah was so discouraged and disappointed that he wanted to die! He had prayed saying, “I have had enough”…and “take my life” in response to the threats from Jezebel. Fear of this woman and bitterness had him in knots and thinking of dying. As most of us do when depressed, defeated and discouraged…he just falls asleep.
Elijah had allowed himself to be defined by this defeat. Although it was only perceived, he felt defeated. The previous victory meant nothing. Elijah forgot what God had done and turned to depression, which is anger turned inward. What was he angry about? He was angry because he had stood up to the false prophets, depended on God and won. He turned the fickle and hard hearted people back to God yet there were still death threats, insults and difficult times! He was done, ticked off and tired of the battle! It seems Elijah wanted to define the battle and have it on his terms rather than God’s terms.
According to Merriam-Webster definitive means: to define, of a conclusion or agreement done or reached decisively and with authority. Example: “a definitive diagnosis”. Synonyms of the word are: conclusive, final and ultimate. Defeat does not need to define you. What does define YOU? Is it your name, your reputation, how your parents raised you, decisions you have made, what others think of you, popular opinion, the failures you experienced or your most recent defeat? Could it be you are defined by something totally arbitrary and inexplicable so that no one can ever be “defined” and so you have no purpose? Will our circumstances good or bad dictate how we live or can the LORD help define you? Hopefully you are willing to be trained by the LORD and allow Him to “define” you rather than the world…or your past…or your defeats!
In a tremendous show of mercy and grace, the LORD sends an angel to take care of His prophet. The LORD knew this was going to be a difficult lesson yet He let Elijah go through it. This is God’s training and it can be grueling. From time to time, I too have felt Elijah’s pain. I have not yet asked to “die” nor have I said, “I have had enough” but I have certainly felt these things! We are reminded of Hebrews 5:7-9 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him… In one of the most difficult times in Elijah’s life God allows him to whine and complain a bit and even takes care of him while he is completely discouraged and checked out! In all this we have to come to a conviction that suffering is part of life and rather than giving in to disappointment we must return to the one who can save us and learn to endure as He did for us.
The LORD listens to the complaints and then the “religious” sounding answer, “I have been very zealous for the LORD” 1 Kings 19:10. Elijah wants to be defined by his previous zeal and not think about the current state of his heart. The LORD then “defines” Himself and tells Elijah to “go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by” v. 11. Wind tears the mountains apart and shatters rocks. Then an earthquake strikes and next comes a fire. Finally, after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave v.13. At this time Elijah seems to be getting the LORD’s point, so he steps out of hiding and has a phenomenal encounter with the most powerful being in the universe…in a whisper.
God tells him to get back in the battle literally, “Go back the way you came…anoint Hazael king…anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king…and anoint Elisha to succeed you as prophet” vs.15-17. Elijah’s discouragement, disappointment and defeat is dealt with by being sent back to live out his purpose! A prophet does not hide in caves; he anoints, he preaches and he raises up leaders! God takes away the disappointment and redefines who Elijah is…a man of God! Then as if that were not enough God gives Elijah some extra encouragement, “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel- all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him” v.18. Elijah was not alone…not all had fallen away…there was a remnant fighting for their relationship with God. There was hope. Never quit, defeat is not definitive!
He stoops down to make us great! (2 Samuel 22:36)
Matt Sullivan
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