'The word of the LORD - another prophet, another man of God and the sons of the prophets "

1 Kings 18:13; 19:18; 20:1-43

Introduction:

- Loneliness can be debilitating. Left unchecked, the downward spiral of loneliness will devour the precious strength that we need for renewal, healing, and fruitful ministry.

- Loneliness seldom dwells alone and usually coexists with devastating fatigue, distorted vision and a deceptive self-assessment of one’s importance or lack thereof.

- The pain of loneliness should not surprise us. We are at our best when we cherish and cultivate wholesome relationships.

- “What if loneliness was not the enemy that we thought, but a strange friend meant to lead us to more of God?” (John Piper, Desiring God)

Although the hand of the LORD was and continued to be on Elijah before and after what the LORD did through him on Mt Carmel, in the days that followed, Elijah spent an inordinate amount of time in the wilderness and a cave rather than on Mt Horeb where he needed to be to hear the LORD clearly and follow him obediently.

In addition to lovingly revealing himself to Elijah and redirecting him, 1 Kings 20, provides an aside insight that even when we feel alone and wrongfully conclude that no one loves the LORD as sincerely as we do, there are often others through whom our LORD is speaking and working like:

1. A prophet to Ahab, to king of Israel – “Thus says the LORD … and you shall know that I am the LORD.” 1 Kings 20:13; 1-25

-Ben-hadad, king of Syria’s demand for tribute from Ahab as besieged Samaria – 20:1-12 cc Elisha 2 Kings 6:8-7:20

- Ahab defeated Ben-hadad according to what the LORD, because the LORD is God.

2. A man of God to Ahab, king of Israel – “The LORD is God … and you shall know that I am the LORD” 1 Kings 20:28; 26-34

- Ben-hadad, king of Syria filled the valley country overwhelming Israel. – 20:26-30

- Although the LORD gave Ben-hadad and Syria into the hand of Ahab and Israel, rather than destroying Ben-hadad, Ahab made a covenant with him and let him go. – 20:30-34

3. A certain man of the sons of the prophets, to Ahab, king of Israel – 1 Kings 20:35-43

- “Because you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as you have gone from me, a lion shall strike you down.” – I Kings 20:36

- Although one son of the prophets refused assistance, another helped.

- Injured & disguised son of the prophets’ narrative question.

King Ahab’s judgment on himself.

- “Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall be for his life, your people for his people.” – 1 Kings 20:42

The take home, take to our hearts applications from this portion are succinct.

1. The LORD is more than able to use others. He has other sheep who are not of our flock.

2. The message of those whom our LORD uses is, “You shall know that LORD is LORD.”

3. Those who reject the LORD’s message will be held accountable.

AWV/Oct 22/23