WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

“Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” (Psalm 110:3, KJV)

“and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” (2 Chronicles 20:6, NIV)

“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?”” (1 Kings 19:9, NIV)

“Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.” (1 Kings 19:1, NIV)

“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.”” (1 Kings 19:2, NIV)

“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,” (1 Kings 19:3, NIV)

“while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, 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.”” (1 Kings 19:4, NIV)

Elijah flees to Mount Horeb because he is afraid for his life

The Lord asks him, what are you doing here ?

Jezebel (Ahab’s wife) swears an oath that she will kill him just as he had destroyed her Baal prophets.

He admits defeat in that, in his human strength, he fails as his ancestors also had in keeping Israel faithful to the Lord.

“while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, 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.”” (1 Kings 19:4, NIV)

The Lord himself speaks to Elijah. The question “What are you doing here?”

This is a good question to ask ourselves at any time.

The word of God came to him in the cave (v. 9). “What are you doing here?”

Elijah’s answer again revealed the discouragement of his heart; he felt as though he were the only one in Israel still faithful to the Lord.

Instead of confessing his pride and desire for self-vindication, Elijah continued to argue his case with the Lord, so the Lord had to use other means to teach him and to bring him to the place of surrender.

The question is intended to make Elijah fully aware of who he is, where he is, why he is there, what brought him there, and that it is the Lord who is in charge of his life and work.

Elijah gives a truthful answer.

He has been zealous for the Lord; his love for the Lord had motivated him to challenge Ahab, the Baal prophets, and Jezebel.

Israel has rejected the covenant the Lord made with his people and their rulers; they have rejected the Lord, his name, person, promises, blessings, gift of life, and love.

Israel has destroyed the system of worship which the Lord commanded.

Israel has put the prophets to death. Those appointed to proclaim and apply the Lord’s Word to life have been destroyed. The living Word is thus rejected and silenced.

Elijah has stood alone as a prophet and now his life is threatened. He, the last remaining spokesman, has been silenced by a threat on his life—a threat that is real and would have been carried out had he remained in the land of Israel.

“He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn 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 19:10, NIV)

“He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn 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 19:14, NIV)

The Lord’s response to Elijah is similar to what Moses heard after Israel had committed spiritual fornication with the golden calf (Exod. 34:6–7).

He is to position himself so that he can witness the actual presence of the Lord.

In a still small voice, in complete silence, the Lord makes Elijah aware of his presence.

Elijah is commanded to return to the land of Israel.

There is work to do.

The Lord has not forgotten his people

Such news undoubtedly cheered Elijah. Were it not for the insight into his feelings of fear and discouragement given in this chapter, one might not believe that Elijah was indeed “a man just like us” (James 5:17).

So far was the true Church from being in danger of perishing entirely

Even in judgement, the Lord will not forget his faithful seven thousand in Israel. The Lord maintains his people—be it a remnant.

“Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”” (1 Kings 19:18, NIV)

“And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”” (Romans 11:4, NIV)

Something remaining. In the Old Testament some passages refer to total destruction of a nation (e.g., the Babylonians in Jeremiah 50:26). When God brings judgement on the people, however, he does not destroy the faithful with the wicked, but leaves a remnant (Ezek. 6:8; Mic. 2:12). The concept of a remnant stood for that part of the nation who were faithful even though most people rejected the ways of God (Isa. 4:2-4). The fact of the existence of a remnant is said to be due to God himself (Isa. 1:9; Zeph. 3:12). The remnant, then, is the real people of God, a concept we also find in the New Testament, “a remnant chosen by grace” (Rom. 11:5).

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, NIV)

“Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,” (Psalm 46:2, NIV)

“though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” (Psalm 46:3, NIV)

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18, NIV)

““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33, NIV)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”” (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,” (Isaiah 61:1, NIV)

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7, NIV)

“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.” (Psalm 54:4, NIV)