Overcoming Discouragement: The Elijah Syndrome Series

In 1 Kings we see the victorious bold Elijah and we see the opposite extreme when Elijah faced discouragement. The background comes from long years of drought in Israel. Elijah made a prophecy that there would be no dew or rain in Israel. This drought was extremely severe.

Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” (1 Kings 17:1)

Because of the prophecy Elijah was a wanted man. The King, Ahab hunted for Elijah but was unsuccessful to find him and kill him. When Elijah showed himself the King blamed Elijah for the drought when the blame was with the king himself. The drought was the result of King Ahab forsaking the Lord and following Baal gods.

Then came the famous showdown at Mount Carmel between Elijah and 950 prophets. There were 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah.

Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” (1 Kings 18:19)

When the showdown began the people said nothing in support of Elijah. Elijah asked them how long they would waver between two options.

Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. 22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the LORD’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. (1 Kings 18:21-22)

Elijah was already showing an indication that discouragement was coming. He already was missing the big picture. In his moment of discouragement, he said he was the only prophet. Elijah was not seeing the whole picture. Elijah saw only the negative when he was discouraged. Yes, Ahab was a wicked king, but Obadiah was in charge of Ahab’s palace and Obadiah was a devout believer.

(Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD. 4 While Jezebel was killing off the LORD’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.) (1 Kings 18:3-4)

There was going to be a clear choice. There were two altars. There were two offerings. The result would be proved by fire. The Baal gods did not answer, even when the Baal prophets cut themselves to call them to respond. There was absolutely no response from the Baal gods, who it became evident were useless.

Elijah poured water on the alter many times. It left no doubt that Almighty God is all powerful. Fire fell and consumed the sacrifice. The people who had been before silent fell on their face before God.

Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!” (1 Kings 38-39)

The people were transformed when they saw and experienced the power of God. There was no room for doubting the hand of the Lord. Everyone saw the power of God. At this Elijah commanded them to seize the prophets of Baal and killed them with the sword.

Still the rain had not come. Elijah went to the top of Mount Carmel and prayed. His prayer posture was to bend down on the ground with his head between his knees. He asked his servant to look toward the sea. There is nothing came the reply. Elijah prayed and prayed, and seven times asked if there is any sign of rain. On the seventh time there was a small cloud rising on the sea.

The heavy rain came. Ahab went to Jezreel by chariot and the power of the Lord came upon Elijah and he ran a marathon in record time, reaching Jezreel before Ahab. Jezebel the wife of Ahab heard what happened and vowed that by this time the next day Elijah would be killed the same way he killed the Baal prophets.

After the bold confrontation and his experience with a miracle and experiencing the power of God and answered prayer Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. Elijah said, “ I have had enough. Take my life Lord.” He fell asleep and an angel touched him, woke him up and prepared food to strengthen him. Elijah traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Mount Horeb the place where Moses encountered God and received the ten commandments.