God Encourages Elijah
1 KINGS 19:19-21
Elijah is called to meet with the Lord at the scene of his redemptive historical action of covenant making: “I will take you to me for a people…” [Exo.6:7]., where it all began.
§ In the theophany at Horeb, Elijah learns that the “Lord was not yet” [19:12] in the manifestations of judgement.
§ Elijah learns that the Lord is in “the still, small voice” [19:12]. The day is a ‘day of grace’ and when Elijah realises how wrong he was he covers his face in shame and submission: “he wrapped his face in his mantle…” [19:13].
§ Elijah has been rebuked and is now ready for service: “he stood in the entering of the cave” [19:13].
- THE LORD & ELIJAH AT HOREB
1. The Repeated Question
a. The Lord
The message of the Lord: “there came a voice to him…” [19:13].
§ אֵלָיו - “came to him” [19:13],
§ קֹ֔ול - “voice” [19:13], ‘any type of noise which breaks the sound waves and so enters the perception of hearing’: “still, small voice” [19:12].
b. The Question
The Lord asks Elijah the same question: “what are you doing here, Elijah?” [19:9].
§ מַה־לְּךָ - “what” [19:9], when used with reference to a person, a question about ‘character, quality’ not about ‘identification’;
§ פֹ֖ה - “here” [19:9], ‘in this place’;
Application
The Lord’s question in [19:9] is repeated.
§ The Lord wants Elijah to answer the question now, after the experience of Horeb and the “still, small voice” [19:13].
2. Elijah’s Answer
a. Elijah’s Zeal
Elijah’s zeal: “I have been very jealous for the Lord…” [19:10].
§ קַנֹּ֨א קִנֵּ֜אתִי - “very jealous” [9:10], piel perfect, ‘verb expresses a very strong emotion whereby some quality or possession of the object is desired by the subject’.
§ ‘The central meaning of our word, however, relates to “jealousy” especially in the marriage/covenant relationship’.
§ In a positive sense – ‘to advocate zealously for the benefit of someone else’; in a negative sense – ‘to bear a grudge against, to resent’.
§ ‘The cause of the anq actions is the (possibly imagined) infringement of someone’s rights or injury to the subject’s honor’;
a. The Cause of Jealousy
Elijah was jealous because: “for the Lord God of hosts…” [19:10].
§ אֱלֹהֵ֣י צְבָאֹ֗ות - “for Lord of Hosts” [19:10],
§ Mount Carmel: “How long halt ye between two opinion? If the Lord be God…” [18:21].
b. Israel’s Rebellion
The reason for Elijah’s jealousy: “for the children of Israel have forsaken…” [19:10].
c. Elijah’s Defeatism?
Elijah’s stands alone: “and I, even I only, an left…” [19:10].
a. The Death Threat
Elijah’s life is under threat: “they seek my life…” [19:10].
§ יְבַקְשׁ֥וּ - “seek” [19:10], piel imperfect, ‘look for’; ‘search’;
§ לְקַחְתָּֽהּ - “take it” [19:10], ‘to grasp’ take hold of’; ‘to take possession of’;
Application
Elijah’s answer is exactly the same as the response to the first question.
§ The first time this statement of defense is presented to the audience, the emphasis falls on Elijah’s feelings (informative) but the precise reiteration exhibits Elijah’s inflexibility and egocentrism (elucidating).
- THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF ELIJAH 1
1. The Renewed Commission
a. Return to Service
God’s command: “Go, return thy way to the wilderness of Damascus…” [19:15].
§ לֵ֛ךְ - “go” 19:15], qal imperative, ‘travel’; ‘take a journey, walk’;
§ שׁ֥וּב - “return” [19:15], qal imperative, ‘turn around’; ‘linear motion to original point’;
§ לְדַרְכְּךָ - “thy way” [19:15], literally ‘to your way’; ‘path, route or highway’;
b. Re-Commissioning
Go back to the lion’s den: “wilderness of Damascus” [19:15].
§ מִדְבַּ֣רָה דַמָּ֑שֶׂק - “wilderness of Damascus” [19:15], ‘city of the plateau’;
§ Damascus is situated NE of Mount Hermon; this is where Elijah had carried out his ministry, reaching to Sidon and Zarephath on the coast.
Application
Elijah was to return to the place where he had veered of track, two hundred miles north in Damascus.
§
2. Elijah & His Complaints
a. Elijah’s First Complaint
The first complaint: “the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant...” [19:14].
§ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל - “children of Israel” [9:10],
§ עָזְב֤וּ - “forsaken” [9:10], qal perfect, ‘to abandon’ [Gen.2:24];
§ בְרִֽיתְךָ֙ - “covenant” [9:10], suzerain and vassal - ‘binding personal relationship with boundaries and conditions’.
i. The Threat
By forsaking the covenant, Israel was open to the Lord’s threatened judgement:
§ “The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me” [Deu.28:20].
§ “Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?” [Deu.31:17].
b. Elijah’s Second Complaint
The second part of the complaint: “thrown down thine altars and slain thy prophets…” [19:14].
§ הָרָ֔סוּ - “thrown down” [9:10], qal perfect, ‘to tear down a structure’; ‘to demolish’;
i. The Cause
Israel had been led into Baalism by Ahab and Jezebel:
§ Ahab: “did evil in the sight of the Lord more than…” [16:30]; “he took to wife Jezebel…and went and served Baal and worshipped him” [16:31]; “he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal…” [16:32].
§ Jezebel: “the prophets of Baal…which eat at Jezebel’s table” [18:9].
c. Elijah’s Third Complaint
The third part: “I, even I only am left…” [19:14].
§ אִוָּתֵ֤ר - “left” [19:10], niphal imperfect, ‘to be a remainder’; ‘to be left over’;
§ Carmel: “I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord…” [18:22].
§ אִוָּתֵ֤ר אֲנִי - “I only” [19:10],
§ לְבַדִּ֔י – ‘member’; ‘an amount or unit of a quantity as part of a share or whole’;
ii. The Cause
Ahab and Jezebel were once again the problem: “slain thy prophets with the sword” [19:14].
§ הָרְג֣וּ - “slain” [9:10], qal perfect, ‘to put to death intentionally’;
§ Jezebel: “Jezebel slew the prophets of the Lord…” [18:13]; “Jezebel sent a messenger…make thy life as the life of one of them…” [19:2].
Application
3. Yahweh & ‘The Ongoing Work of Judgement’
Yahweh is seen in his ongoing work of judgement [19:15-17]; a new order will replace the old. God answers Elijah’s complaint by promising to pave the way through judgement.
a. The “Wind” of Hazael > Realm of International Politics
The first step: “anoint Hazael to be king over Syria” [19:15].
§ מָשַׁחְתָּ - “anoint” [19:15], qal perfect, ‘to dedicate or consecrate a person or object for service’;
§ לְמֶ֖לֶךְ - “king” [19:15], ‘governmental head of a kingdom’;
§ עַל־אֲרָֽם - “Syria” [19:15], literally ‘Aram’; an area of Damascus;
§ This declares Yahweh’s lordship over that non-Israelite country.
i. Judgement
The coming judgement: “him that escapes the sword of Hazael…” [19:17].
§ Hazael destroyed many in Israel: “in those days the Lord began to cut Israel short; and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel…” [2Kgs.10:32-33].
b. The “Earthquake” of Jehu > Realm of National Politics
The second step: “Jehu…shalt thou anoint king over Israel” [19:16].
§ תִּמְשַׁ֥ח - “anoint” [19:16], qal imperfect, ‘to dedicate or consecrate a person or object for service’;
§ לְמֶ֖לֶךְ - “king” [19:16], ‘governmental head of a kingdom’;
§ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל - “Israel” [19:16],
§ Thus reestablishing the Lord’s rule over the Northern Kingdom.
i. The Judgement
The coming judgement: “him that escapes the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay…” [19:17].
ii. Ahab & Jezebel
Ahab was king over Israel: “Ahab, Omri’s son, reigned instead of Omri” [16:28].
§ Jezebel: “when Jehu was coming to Jezreel…they threw her down and some of her blood sprinkled…” [2Kgs.9:30-37].
§ Ahab: “Elijah…in the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood” [21:19].
§ Ahab’s death at the hands of the Syrians: “a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel…” [22:34-38].
§ The house of Ahab: “Jehu slew all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel…” [2Kgs.10:11].
iii. Baalism
Jehu went forth and destroyed Baalism:
§ Prophets of Baal: “call unto me all the prophets of Baal…and they smote them with the edge of the sword…” [1Kgs.10:18-26].
§ Baalism: “they brought forth the images…Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel” [2Kgs.10:26-28].
c. The “Fire” of Elisha > The Spiritual Realm
The third step: “Elisha the son of Shaphat…shalt thou anoint prophet in thy room” [19:16].
§ אֱלִישָׁ֤ע - “Elisha” [19:16], a name meaning ‘God is salvation’; compare “Elijah”, ‘my God is Yahweh’.
§ בֶּן־שָׁפָט - “Shaphat” [19:16], from the word ‘to judge’; ‘one who presides over disputes in a legal capacity’;
§ מֵאָבֵ֣ל מְחֹולָ֔ה - “Abel-meholah” [19:16], ‘town on the boundary of King Solomon’s fifth district in the Jordan Valley’;
§ תִּמְשַׁ֥ח - “anoint” [19:16], qal imperfect, ‘to dedicate or consecrate a person or object for service’;
§ לְנָבִ֖יא - “prophet” [19:16], from root word ‘to boil forth’; ‘to pour forth words’; ‘the messenger of God with the people’;
i. Judgement
The “fire” of judgement through Elisha’s ministry: “him that escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay” [19:17].
Application
There is a “hiddenness” about Yahweh’s work of judgement.
§ God will send three instruments of judgement: Hazael, Jehu and Elisha.
§ Victory will come by political process – not through obvious spectacular demonstrations of divine power.
§ Jehu’s work would supplement that of Hazael; those who survive Jehu’s slaughter must face the spiritual judgement of Elisha.
§ Elijah’s role is now clear: it is partly to fight, and partly to pave the way for others.
§ God’s strategy is long term; from the beginning it had involved the gentle but devastating “whisper” [19:12] as well as the all-consuming fire.
§ Elijah and all the Lord’s servants can expect God’s protection; God will pave the way as His work goes on. God removes all the obstacles as the work of His kingdom progresses.
- THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF ELIJAH 2
Yahweh’s work is scene in his work of grace [19:18]. There is a “hiddenness” about Yahweh’s work and presence: “still, small voice” [19:12].
1. A Successor
Elisha is to be Elijah’s successor: “in thy room” [19:16].
§ תַּחְתֶּֽיךָ - “thy room” [19:16], ‘under’; ‘in place of’; ‘to succeed’;
§ Elijah’s role is partly to prepare for others: “anoint Hazael, Jehu…and Elisha to be prophet in thy room” [19:16].
§ The work of grace is not yet finished: “the still, small voice” [19:12].
2. A Hidden Church
a. The Remnant
The remnant: “yet have I left seven thousand in Israel…” [19:18].
§ בְיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל - “in Israel” [19:18],
§ שִׁבְעַ֣ת אֲלָפִ֑ים - “seven thousand” [19:18],
i. Covenant Faithfulness
The remnant have remained faithful to Yahweh: “which have not bowed unto Baal…” [19:18].
§ כָּל־הַבִּרְכַּ֗יִם - “all the knees” [19:18], ‘the part of the body’;
§ לֹֽא־כָֽרְעוּ - “not bowed” [19:18], qal perfect, ‘kneel down’; ‘to prostrate’; ‘to show great reverence or respect for’; ‘to worship’;
§ לַבַּ֔עַל - “unto Baal” [19:18], ‘pagan God’; ‘deity of Canaan’; “Ahab…went and served Baal and worshipped him” [16:31].
§ כָ֨ל־הַפֶּ֔ה - “mouth” [19:18], ‘entrance orifice of the body for breathing, eating, etc’; ‘the lips’;
§ לֹֽא־נָשַׁ֖ק לֹֽו - “kissed him” [19:18], qal perfect, ‘to touch with lips as a gesture of affection and mutual relationship or submission’;
ii. God’s Grace
The remnant is the handiwork of God: “have I left…” [19:18].
§ הִשְׁאַרְתִּ֥י - “left” [19:18], hiphil perfect, ‘to remain’; ‘to be in a state of being a left-over part of a whole group’; ‘a residue or remnant’;
§ ‘the references of the root to human entities occasionally convey the meaning “survive” from a variety of threats’;
§ The hiphil of the verb is causative: ‘I have caused to remain to me’.
b. Elijah Alone?
The word of encouragement to Elijah: “I, even I, am left…” [19:14].
§ Elijah had overlooked the possibility or the fact that there were other faithful ones in Israel.
§ We could ask where the “remnant” was when Elijah was engaged at Mount Carmel.
3. Elijah’s Obedience
Elijah responded in obedience: “so he departed hence…” [19:19].
§ יֵּ֣לֶךְ - “departed” [19:19], qal imperfect, ‘to travel, take a journey’;
§ מִ֠שָּׁם - “hence” [19:19], ‘from out of there’;
Application
There is a “hiddenness” about Yahweh’s work of grace.
§ Grace will have a remnant; the God of grace insists on that: “I will build my church…” [Mat.16:18].
§ Yahweh will always have a people: “God has not cast away his people which he foreknew. Do you not know what the scriptures say of Elijah?...even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace” [Rom.11:5].
§ God’s word cannot be silenced. It remains the force that produces the remnant, protects the remnant, and empowers the remnant.
§ Elijah’s ministry had not been in vain; God’s word does not return void no matter how things look to us.
