Defeated by Yourself

Background

In order for us to understand these verses we must take an over view of chapter 18;

First there had been a drought in Israel for many years and God is bringing it to an end;

Next before the rains come Elijah calls the 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah as being false prophets;

Then the false prophets call on their gods to send fire from heaven with no response;

Elijah then soaks the alter with water fills a trench with water, calls out to God and everything is consumed by fire from heaven;

Finally Elijah calls for the killing of all the false prophets.

Trouble Stirred

Notice how Ahab told Jezabel what Elijah had done - if left out that God had worked through Elijah;

Ahab’s point was to enrage Jezabel against Elijah, but why, some feel that Ahab had the spirit of an Israeli which would prevented him from persecuting Elijah himself - he needed outside help;

By putting everything on Elijah Ahab knew Jezabel would react, how can we know this by turning to 1 Kings 18:4.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume 1 Kings 19:1–8

Those who, when they cannot for shame or fear do mischief themselves, yet stir up others to do it, will have it laid to their charge as if they had themselves done it.

Fear Arises

Ahab’s thoughts were correct, Jezabel was enraged against Elijah and she made her intent and promise crystal clear (v. 2);

Now Elijah, the prophet that God had used in so many ways, appears to have forgotten about God’s protection and runs for his life;

Yet why did Jezabel send a message and not an executioner, some believe it was because she feared the people who witnessed the actions of God (1 Kings 18:39);

Both Elijah and Jezabel had fears, one allowed their fear to slow them down or to just make a threat, while the other allowed their fear to cause them run, hide and pray to die;

Think about this Elijah ran approximately 125 mile plus a day’s journey because of his fear of one person, this was after he had killed 850 angry prophet’s of Baal.

How do you react when fear arises?

God Provides

Provision - v. 5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree… this is desert shrub that provides shade, also the roots can be eaten or used this charcoal;

Nutrition - v. 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. God sent to him what he needed at the moment of need;

Recuperation - v. 6 So he ate and drank, and lay down again. God knew he needed a time of rest in order handle what was next;

Strength - v. 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. God gave him the strength he need to continue in on the journey that would be required;

This is the point you need to grasp - the same God that did that for Elijah is the same God that we serve today.

The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Ki 19:8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Ki 19:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Ki 19:6). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Ki 19:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.