I’m not sure Elijah’s greatest victory occurred at Mount Carmel, when he literally prayed “fire” down on that water soaked altar. Proving God to be God in the sight of all Israel.
Perhaps an even more significant lesson was learned by the Prophet when he had fled to Mount Horeb, Mount Sinai to us! And even this experience was based on prayer!
Our Prophet has just had his second angel-served Meal! And he … “did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? AND HE SAID, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 1st Kings 19:8-10
My Dad would have called Elijah’s speech here “poor mouthing!” I say “speech,” the Prophet is talking to God! Directly to God! At the Mount of God! Where Moses received the Law! Such communion is also called PRAYER, folks!
Now it’s true. Believers who have been “hurt” or feel “threatened” often speak of their own self-worth! “I have been very jealous of the Lord!” Or “I am the only faithful one left!” And if you check our Text carefully, Elijah moaned this lament TWICE unto the Lord, within a very brief time!
A “pity party” is in progress!
And a “superior attitude” is never pretty, even in a dedicated follower of the Lord!
“Grumbling” is forever unattractive to our God!
The events (their murmuring) in Israel’s life (nationally) prove that fact, particularly near and subsequently around Horeb, around Sinai! The very place Elijah is standing.
BUT AT LEAST ELIJAH BROUGH HIS COMPLAINTS TO THE LORD!
Praying his “burdens” back to his God!
Doing what Peter said, just a few hundred years ahead of time. “Casting all your care upon Him (the Lord); for He careth for you.” 1st Peter 5:7
So, how does God “answer” this prayer?
So far … not Elijah’s finest moment!
God answers with a theology Lesson!
With a Theophany (an appearance of the Almighty), visibly so!
With a Primer on knowing God better!
With a tutorial on the Ways of God!
The Lord gave Elijah much more than he ever expected!
More than he asked!
More than enough!
Just like Job was given a lesson on God’s Power … instead of an explanation of Job’s suffering!
Elijah is given a lesson on God’s Essence, God’s method of Operation … instead of various reasons for Jezebel’s seeking his life!
“And God said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake 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. And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice (probably a still, small one)unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And Elijah said …” 1st Kings 19:11-14, where more prayer follows … “and he said!”
God is not always in the wind!
God is not always in the earthquake!
God is not always in the fire!
But God can be, at times anyway, in a “still small Voice!”
Elijah just learned something BIGGER that all his previous life lessons had taught!
Elijah, the Prophet of the big, boisterous, dramatic things!
Is now Elijah the Prophet of “small, quiet” things as well!
God is not through with Class yet … more to learn tomorrow … but already Elijah’s time at Horeb has been well spent! And this too … God can speak to us yet today … “in His still small Voice!”
Oh yes, the world yet in her future faces plenty of wind and quaking and fire … but for now … listening for that sweet Voice is enough!
Sufficient!
In fact, I can hear Him now.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell