Elijah Flees to the Wilderness
[ READ ] 1 Kings 19:1–8
Elijah Flees Jezebel
1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 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.” 3 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.
4 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.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 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. 7 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.” 8 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.
1 Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 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.” 3 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.
4 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.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 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. 7 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.” 8 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.
“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours...”
James 5:17
In the context of James Elijah serves as an example of the victorious prayer of faith, but with a nature like ours we see in 1 Kings that he also falls into a period of deep depression and despondency. Likewise, we are all subject to periods of despair when perhaps even life itself does not seem worth living. To whom do we turn?
Elijah’s life is a major theme in today’s passage. Jezebel, the idolatrous queen of Israel, is focused on ending Elijah’s life following his slaughter of the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings 18:40. Amazingly, Elijah’s calling fire from heaven seems to have no impact on her. Elijah runs for his life to the southern end of Judah and a day's journey into the desert. There Elijah prays that the LORD will take away his life. It is important to note that Elijah left the answer to his prayer with God and did not take action by his own hand.
The LORD has other plans for Elijah’s life and as he sleeps, a meal is provided to meet his physical needs. This meal, accompanied by an angel, provides reassurance that he is loved, and it is not time for his life to end. After more sleep, a second visit from the angel and another meal Elijah travels on to the Mountain of the LORD where the LORD will minister to his spiritual needs.
In our dark times let us look to Jesus who came that we might have life and have it abundantly, John 10:10.
- Gary Gunther
James 5:17
In the context of James Elijah serves as an example of the victorious prayer of faith, but with a nature like ours we see in 1 Kings that he also falls into a period of deep depression and despondency. Likewise, we are all subject to periods of despair when perhaps even life itself does not seem worth living. To whom do we turn?
Elijah’s life is a major theme in today’s passage. Jezebel, the idolatrous queen of Israel, is focused on ending Elijah’s life following his slaughter of the prophets of Baal, 1 Kings 18:40. Amazingly, Elijah’s calling fire from heaven seems to have no impact on her. Elijah runs for his life to the southern end of Judah and a day's journey into the desert. There Elijah prays that the LORD will take away his life. It is important to note that Elijah left the answer to his prayer with God and did not take action by his own hand.
The LORD has other plans for Elijah’s life and as he sleeps, a meal is provided to meet his physical needs. This meal, accompanied by an angel, provides reassurance that he is loved, and it is not time for his life to end. After more sleep, a second visit from the angel and another meal Elijah travels on to the Mountain of the LORD where the LORD will minister to his spiritual needs.
In our dark times let us look to Jesus who came that we might have life and have it abundantly, John 10:10.
- Gary Gunther
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Elijah ran before Ahab to Jezreel, a distance of 16 miles or more, 1 Kings 18:46. He then journeyed over 95 miles to get to Beersheba. How might physical tiredness impact our susceptibility to despair?
+ God provided rain in answer to Elijah’s prayer, but did not take his life in answer to Elijah’s prayer to die. What can Elijah’s experience teach us about prayer?
+ Elijah ran before Ahab to Jezreel, a distance of 16 miles or more, 1 Kings 18:46. He then journeyed over 95 miles to get to Beersheba. How might physical tiredness impact our susceptibility to despair?
+ God provided rain in answer to Elijah’s prayer, but did not take his life in answer to Elijah’s prayer to die. What can Elijah’s experience teach us about prayer?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Before meeting the LORD at Mt. Horeb (Mt Sinai) Elijah slept and ate. How do you incorporate periods of rest into your life to avoid spiritual and physical burn out?
+ Elijah was ministered to by an angel. Take a moment to picture yourself as God’s treasured possession who is worthy of God’s love. Imagine what Elijah experienced going to sleep and being awoken by an angel.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Before meeting the LORD at Mt. Horeb (Mt Sinai) Elijah slept and ate. How do you incorporate periods of rest into your life to avoid spiritual and physical burn out?
+ Elijah was ministered to by an angel. Take a moment to picture yourself as God’s treasured possession who is worthy of God’s love. Imagine what Elijah experienced going to sleep and being awoken by an angel.
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Jesus, thank you for giving me abundant life. When I am discouraged, lift up my eyes to you. Align my heart to seek your will. May I be ever grateful for your blessings in this life and thank you for giving me the assurance of life forevermore.
+ Pray with me:
Jesus, thank you for giving me abundant life. When I am discouraged, lift up my eyes to you. Align my heart to seek your will. May I be ever grateful for your blessings in this life and thank you for giving me the assurance of life forevermore.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/find-a-group)
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ Do you have a story about a time that God lifted you from a dark time that can you share with others?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/find-a-group)
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ Do you have a story about a time that God lifted you from a dark time that can you share with others?
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