NL 409: God Speaks to Elijah
image: “Enjoy the Silence...” by Thomas Leuthard (Flickr)
November 7, 2021
1 Kings 19:1-18
Initial Thoughts
Jezebel
In Which Jezebel Gives Way to Deborah: “I look forward to the day when women with leadership and insight, gifts and talents, callings and prophetic leanings are called out and celebrated as a Deborah, instead of silenced as a Jezebel.”
Back to 2 weeks ago to what happened after the Elijah threw down on the prophets of Baal
Bible Study
Context:
Elijah is coming off of a series of great victories (raising the dead, calling down the fire, overthrowing the prophets of Baal, proclaiming drought, etc) but is now weary
Driven more by fear than by love and dedication to God
Begs for death
Moses connections
Mount Horeb = Mount Sinai
40 days and nights in a cave - like Moses (Exodus 24:18)
God passes by - like Moses (Exodus 32:22)
Wants to die - like Moses (Numbers 11:14-15)
Qol demamah daqqah
Qol - sound or voice
Demamah - silence, whisper or stillness (see Psalm 107:29)
Daqqah - thin, small, sheer, or fine
The Sound of Silence
Not necessarily that God had nothing to do with the wind, earthquake and fire, but God chose to speak in the silence.
Not a definitive declaration or revelation that God prefers to work in the silence or that we need to quiet our hearts in order to hear God
Too many examples of God being revealed in fiery pillars, column of smoke, fire and brimstone, great floods, earthquake of crucifixion, violent winds and proclamations of Pentecost, etc.
Direct contrast to how God spoke to Moses (Exodus 19:16-19) AND contrast to Baal the Storm God (Yahweh is in the calm after the storm)
Interesting to read this passage alongside Psalm 42 - Elijah’s unspoken complaint is God’s silence in the face of great tragedy - to reveal Godself to Elijah in that moment is a reminder that even in the most defining silence - God is there!
God defies expectation
Not that God isn’t in other things, but God is in the places we least expect it- the silence of life
"A shipwrecked man prays to God to save him. A boat approaches, but the man tells it to go away because God will save him. The boat leaves. A second boat arrives, and the man sends it away, saying God will save him. The man dies of exposure. When he gets to heaven, he complains to God for not saving him when he prayed. God tells the man he sent two boats to save him but the man sent them away."
Elijah’s Complaints:
Alone: “I alone am left” v.10 and 14
God speaking in the silence is a reminder that Elijah is never alone
God’s plans never rest solely on your shoulders- you are not alone
I am inadequate or unable to provide a future for Israel or even myself
God assures Elijah that there is a future, not only for Elijah, but for Israel
There are 7000 people that Elijah doesn’t know about
There is a future ministry for Elijah (anointing a new king and calling a new prophet) that Elijah doesn’t know about
It is interesting that Elijah still feels alone after being fed by an angel - TWICE!
Sometimes, depression and despair can blind us to miracles in our midst.
Thoughts and Questions
How much time do we spend listening for God? We may talk, sing, shout and yell at God, but do we take time to listen? While God is present in all things, perhaps we need to take more time to listen to God speaking in moments of silence
Check out John Cage’s 4’33”
It is easy to fall into despair when we think the Kingdom of God rests only on our shoulders - even more so when we feel alone. Who are the partners- the 7000 - that God is calling us to connect with? How will we as pastors and churches continually reach out to others to bring about the Kingdom of God?
We may feel frustrated and exhausted as pastors and churches- but God can work with frustration and exhaustion. God can lead us to Sabbath (still waters), God can provide for us (green pastures), speak to us (restoring our souls) but does do to send us back out into the world.
Opening music: Misirlou, One Man 90 Instruments by Joe Penna/MysteryGuitarMan at MIM
Closing Song by Bryan Odeen