Year 1, Week 50, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations
Year 1, Week 50, Day 1
I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Kings 19.
Today’s reading continues the emphasis upon Elijah. 1 Kings 19 records Elijah fleeing from Jezebel, Ahab’s wife: “Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life” (1 Kings 19:2-3). Elijah struggles to make sense of how the wickedness of Ahab still seemed to flourish in the aftermath of the demise of the prophets of Baal; but the LORD sustained Elijah as he journeyed to Mt. Horeb: “And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God” (1 Kings 19:7-8). Today’s reading concludes with the choice of Elisha as Elijah’s successor: "So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him” (1 Kings 19:19).
One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the parallel nature of the LORD’s appearance to Elijah at Mt. Horeb with that of the LORD’s appearance, years earlier, to Moses at Mt. Horeb. Mt. Horeb is also known as Mt. Sinai. The LORD appeared to Moses at this same location: “The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation” (Exodus 34:5-7). Moses had journeyed through the wilderness from Egypt to Mt. Sinai during a period of forty days. Now Elijah, fleeing from Ahab and Jezebel has traveled through the wilderness for forty days.
Once he arrived at Mt. Horeb, Elijah staying in a cave, was asked a question by the LORD: “There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9). The LORD would ask this question again a second time (see 1 Kings 19:13). I would suggest that the LORD’s questions were designed to draw out of Elijah what his convictions were concerning the LORD and the purposes of the LORD. Elijah has been fittingly zealous for the LORD: “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:10). Elijah has been faithful to the LORD’s call upon his life. And perhaps Elijah is discouraged-not for his own sake-but for the sake of the LORD. Elijah’s burden may not have been self-pity, as many often read this passage; Elijah’s burden may have been how God’s glory has been spurned. Perhaps Elijah is sad and weak over the apparent little impact he has had to promote the glory of God among the people with a view toward their obedience and covenant faithfulness.
The LORD seems to tenderly draw Elijah out of the cave and appear before him: “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke 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 the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:11-12). Just as the LORD passed by Moses (see Exodus 33:22), so now He passed by Elijah. What impacted Elijah was not the wind, earthquake, and fire, but his presence in a quiet voice. The LORD spoke to Elijah. The LORD can work in spectacular ways like He did at Mt. Carmel, or He can work through His quiet Word.
The LORD inquired of Elijah a second time: “And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13). Elijah’s answer was similar to the first: “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:14). The LORD gently corrects but kindly reassures Elijah with clear plans and promises: "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:15-18). Elijah was not alone and the LORD had not abandoned His plans. Therefore, Elijah was recommissioned to continue the work. And Elisha would be with him: “Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him” (1 Kings 19:21b).
What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?
Pastor Joe