Elijah Flees Jezebel

                                                                       I king 19:1-8

 

July 17, 2021

 

 Elijah Flees Jezebel

 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.  Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.”   Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”   And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.”   And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again.   And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.”   And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

 

From Greatness to a life controlled by Fear of death, mighty may be a better title.  Elijah the man of God, had no fear of a King because he clearly understood that God was with him.  I believe this is the theme of not only Isaiah but all the great prophets of God, and Elijah was one of them.  It is found in Isaiah 41:10, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

 

In my time on planet earth, I’ve discovered that one is most vulnerable after a great victory when it comes to spiritual areas, and I believe others also.  We often forget that the only thing we are to fear is God.  Elijah had given King Ahab a word from God, it will not rain until I say it will.  About three years later he shows up and tells the king to meet him at Mount Carmel with the prophet of Baal and all of the people of Israel.  Now you know the story, but Elijah is not fearful of Ahab or anyone for he knows God is with him.

 

What has happened to this man who knows God as his provider and protector?  That is the same question I and others ask during the China virus, or my name for it is the pandemic of fear.  Elijah, fear an evil woman and allow fear to take control of his life, but I saw men of God both in and out of leadership let fear take control of their lives.  Could that be why God often spoke to us about fear in the Scriptures?

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice