I Have Kept Them Says the Lord

Introduction

Open this evening to 1 King 19 and we will be looking at verse 9-18. 1 Kings 19:9-18.

My nots are very different this evening, so the sermon will not have the same flow as usual.

Lets pray.

Last time.

The trajectory of worship and the necessity to keep ourselves conformed to the word.

Their are generational consequences for trajectory that we set.

The mercy of God to 1000’s of generational.

In all of it, the wickedness of Rehoboam and the Faithfulness of Asa we see God’s guiding hand protecting the line of Christ.

Transition

The periscope, the section of scripture we pickup with tonight, comes in the ministry of the Prophet Elijah. The very famous battle with the prophets of Baal on mount carmel is over and Elijah, sets out in the the desert to die. In stead of dying, God sustained him and bring him to mount Horeb, also know as mount Sinai. The place were God gave the law to Moses. He comes to mount Horeb with having not eating anything for 40 days and 40 nights.

Like I said before, the way I will go about this exposition tonight is a little different. We will start in verse 9 and work our way through the text to verse 18 stopping along the way to expound on certain points but the bulk of the remaining time this evening will be in verse 18.

Body

“There he came to a cave and lodged in it.”

The 40 days a nights

Traditions hold that this cave is the one God put Moses in what Moses saw his glory.

The Hebrew working uses the definite articular. The Cave.

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“And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Like the Lord didn’ know the answer to this question.

Adam in the garden.

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10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” (1 Ki 19:9–10, ESV)

Elijah is not in accurate with this words “For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

The best king of Isreal is Jehu which Elijah is about to anoint and even Jehu will return to worship only the the LORD Yahweh.

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“11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke 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 the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” (1 Ki 19:11–14, ESV)

“Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD”

You are not ready for instruction yet.

Notice the posture of worship

The earlier Elijah was not read for God next instructions.

This Elijah is ready to do what God tells him.

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“The Wind the earthquake and the fire are all ways God show himself to Moses on the first time at this mounting. The still small voice is how he show him now, every situation, even when we cannot hear him over the noise in our lives.

Elijah had veered of course and God’s word bring him back.

We can see the measure of being on course is true worship of God.

Again “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Again the same question, this time directed to the true worship.

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“And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 17 And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death.” (1 Ki 19:15–17, ESV)

The LORD does not say, its okay you can just wait here in the the cave.

No Elijah, you go. I have appointed you to do these things and no one will stop you.

But you are to appoint Elisha “be prophet in your place”

Is this going to cost Elijah the his life? Jezabel is looking to kill him. We know the rest of the story. Elijah does not know the story. His job is to go trust God’s sovereignty.

God’s is sending reform he tells Elijah, Jehu and Elisha will bring this reform, but God does not promise Elijah that he will see it.

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“Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Ki 19:18 ESV)

I want us here to appreciate the golden thread.

One of the truths of Christianity that no other can claim is the consistency of God’s revelation from generation to generation.

Progressive revelation never contradicts

We understand more, we see the fulfilment in Christ, the plan of salvation is the same all a long.

God is the one that saves his people. This is the primary thrust of Hebrews Chapter 11, from Able to you and me we are saved by grace through faith.

The declaration of God here is that he has 7000 people that are his.

The number 7000 maybe a specific 7000 it also may be a number the Elijah understands a the total number of God’s people.

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Turn if you will to Romans 11 and lets take a look at verse 2–6

While you are turning to Romans 11, I want use to look at this because it is scripture that interprets scripture. The clear parts of scripture interpret and apply the less clear. Romans 11:2-6.

“2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.” (Ro 11:2–6, ESV).

The glorious part of scripture is that it all points to Christ,

The guy Elijah is living persecuted and he said Lord look I am the only one that follows you, the Lord said, all mine follow me.

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Jn 6:37–40, ESV)

“every mouth that has not kissed him”

“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” (Ps 2:12, ESV)

The heart of God’s people is after God they do not have any affection for Baal.

Conclusion

I hope this lists gimps has encouraged you this evening.

Benediction

Romans 16:20 ESV

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.