A VOICE SPEAKS TO ELIJAH
[1 Kings:19:1-18 [1] And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. [2] Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. [3] And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. [4] But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. [5] And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. [6] And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. [7] And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. [8] And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. [9] And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? [10] And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for 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. [11] 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: [12] And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. [13] And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? [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. [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. ].
“Come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21).
The Angry Queen
Elijah had proved to the people who worshiped idols that idols could not hear and could not answer prayers. God had heard Elijah's prayer and in the sight of all the people had sent fire from Heaven that burned the sacrifice on the altar. Elijah had done everything just as God had commanded, and God had heard his prayer. He always does when men obey Him.
The wicked prophets were killed; but when the wicked queen heard about this it made her very angry, because they were her people and worshiped her idols. She blamed Elijah for it all, and said she was going to kill him.
Elijah's Fear
Elijah went far way from the wicked queen. He walked in the hot sun and perhaps was very hungry and very tired. He was so sad that he even asked God to let him die. But God had something for Elijah to do later on. Sometimes it is better for us that God does not answer every one of our prayers.
The Angel of the Lord
Often when people are sick or discouraged God speaks to them. Sometimes He sends angels to talk to people when they need help. God saw Elijah out there in the wilderness, asleep under the tree. God knew that Elijah was sad and hungry, so He sent an angel to him. The angel touched him and said, Arise and eat. Elijah awoke and looked, and there was a cake baked on some coals, and there was a bottle of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. Later the angel of the Lord touched him again and told him to eat. Elijah ate and drank some more, and this food gave him enough strength for forty days and forty nights. Whatever we receive from God is good.
The Small Voice
He went until he came to a cave and went into it. God spoke to him there and asked him what he was doing. Elijah told God that the people were worshiping idols, and had killed the good men, and that they were also trying to kill him.
God told him to go and stand on the mountain. The Lord passed by him and a strong wind blew and broke the rocks; then there was an earthquake; then a fire. But the Lord was not in the wind, in the earthquake, nor in the fire. Elijah lived closed enough to God to hear His voice when he spoke. He covered his face with his mantle, and went out and stood in the entrance to the cave. Then he heard a still small voice say to him, What doest thou here, Elijah? He said again that he was very sad because people were worshiping idols instead of God. God told him to go on an errand for Him and put oil on a man's head to make him a king.
God told Elijah that although many people were worshiping idols, He still had a great many people who were worshiping Him. That made Elijah feel happy, no doubt, and he went out to do more work for God.
An Angel to Protect
God knows how to help people when they need His help He sent an angel to Elijah. Today, He still sends angels to men and women, and even children have seen the angel of the Lord. A young woman who has served the Lord since the time she was a child, tells an incident which happened during her childhood. One winter's night her father was away from home, and the mother was left alone with the children. A terrible storm arose and a fierce wind shook the house. The child was in a room upstairs and her mother was downstairs. The little girl became very much frightened and began praying. Presently she saw a most beautiful, large angel standing in the room, with wings outstretched, at the foot of her bed. She knew that the Lord had sent the angel to take care of her and the family. She was no longer afraid, but knew that the angel would protect them from all danger. However, we do not always see the angels that may be protecting us.
We are always safe when God protects us; and He has promised that He will take care of us if we ask Him to do so, and believe His promises. We are certain that He protects us many times when we do not even know that we are in danger. He is a loving Father who cares for His children. If we listen carefully we may hear His sweet voice speaking to us. He always speaks to us through His Holy Word.
1. What did the wicked queen plan to do to Elijah? [1 Kings:19:2Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.
].
2. Tell what happened while he was sleeping under the tree. [1 Kings:19:5-6 [5] And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
[6] And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
].
3. What three things happened while Elijah was standing on the mountain? [1 Kings:19:11-12 [11] 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:
[12] And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
].
4. Was God in them? [1 Kings:19:11-12 [11] 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:
[12] And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
].
5. How did God then speak to Elijah? [1 Kings:19:12-13 [12] And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
[13] And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
].
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