A Challenge For Elijah

A Challenge from Elijah

And The Still Small Voice

1 Kings 19: 1-18

All of us want to be heard and understood. We want to make sure that what we say is understood so that there will be no misunderstandings Right communication is very important if we are going to get our message across.

“I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.

A judge was interviewing a woman regarding her pending divorce, and asked, "What are the grounds for your divorce?" She replied, "About four acres and a nice little home in the middle of the property with a stream running by." "No," he said, "I mean what is the foundation of this case?" "It is made of concrete, brick and mortar," she responded. "I mean," he continued, "What are your relations like?" "I have an aunt and uncle living here in town, and so do my husband’s parents." He said, "Do you have a real grudge?" "No," she replied, "We have a two-car carport and have never really needed one." "Please," he tried again, "is there any infidelity in your marriage?" "Yes, both my son and daughter have stereo sets. We don’t necessarily like the music, but the answer to your questions is yes." "Ma’am, does your husband ever beat you up?" "Yes," she responded, "about twice a week he gets up earlier than I do." Finally, in frustration, the judge asked, "Lady, why do you want a divorce?" "Oh, I don’t want a divorce," she replied. "I’ve never wanted a divorce. My husband does. He said he can’t communicate with me."

A woman who traveled abroad without her husband got to Paris and found this fabulous bracelet she’d been looking for. And so she sent a wire back home saying, "I have found this beautiful bracelet, one I’ve been looking for all my life. It only cost $7,500. Do you think I can buy it?" Her husband wired back a short but firm reply, "No, price too high!" And he signed his name. But in the transmission the comma was left out and the message read, "No price too high." Oh, she was thrilled! Omitting that comma almost put that guy in a coma.

I want to talk about the way that God communicated to Elijah after he ran from Jezebel and hid in a cave. There were many events leading up to this point in Elijah’s life.

Elijah appeared on the scene in Israel prophesying that it would not rain until he said it would. How popular do you think that made him with Ahab?

Then the Lord called him to the brook of Cherith where he fed him day by day. But the brook dried up and the Lord led him to Zarephath where he was fed by a widow.

After three years the Lord told Elijah to go to Ahab and he would send rain on the earth.

When Ahab saw Elijah he welcomed him with this statement “Is that you o destroyer of Israel?

I know that you know the events that followed. Elijah challenged them to a test. Whose God would answer by fire? After Elijah’s God answered he executed all the prophets of Baal.

Then the rains came. You would think that Jezebel would have been happy with the rain but all she could think about was that her precious god Baal had been defeated. She was afraid she would loose power. Therefore, she made a vow to kill Elijah.

Read 1 Kings 19:1-18

Prayer:

So Elijah ran as hard as he could from Jezebel. He went and sat under a broom tree and had a pity party.

He prayed to die. But if he really wanted to die Jezebel could have done that for him.

But the Lord was not through with him. There under the broom tree the Lord sent an angel to feed him. Two times the angel woke him up to feed him. And in the strength of that food Elijah was able to go for 40 days & nights. He went to Mt. Horeb which is the same as Mt. Sinai. This is where Moses received the Ten Commandments. There, he went into a cave and spent the night.

I. What Are You Doing Here?

A. Here is a probing question put to Elijah.

1. Let me think about this one

2. I have been very zealous for the Lord

3. Others have forsaken your covenant.

4. They have torn down your altars

5. They have killed your prophets

6. I am the only one left and they want to kill me.

B. Does the Lord ever ask you this question? What are you doing here?

1. Here, speaking of this place in your life. What is your purpose in life?