The story of Elijah’s interaction with God needs a Part II blog. There’s just too much going on here. When we finished Part I, Elijah was hiding in a cave. He had forgotten how powerful God was and how faithful God had been to him. Now, I want to focus on how God responds to Elijah. His response says much about God’s character. God is powerful. He is patient, and He is faithful. Here is the interaction between Elijah and God in 1Kings 19:9-17
9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
Then the Lord spoke his word to Elijah. He asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 He answered, “Lord God of Armies, I have eagerly served you. The Israelites have abandoned your promises,[a] torn down your altars, and executed your prophets. I’m the only one left, and they’re trying to take my life.”
11 God said, “Go out and stand in front of the Lord on the mountain.”
As the Lord was passing by, a fierce wind tore mountains and shattered rocks ahead of the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the Lord wasn’t in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake there was a fire. But the Lord wasn’t in the fire. And after the fire there was a quiet, whispering voice. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his coat, went out, and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Then the voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 He answered, “Lord God of Armies, I have eagerly served you. The Israelites have abandoned your promises, torn down your altars, and executed your prophets. I’m the only one left, and they’re trying to take my life.”
15 The Lord told him, “Go back to the wilderness near Damascus, the same way you came. When you get there, anoint Hazael as king of Aram. 16 Anoint Jehu, son of Nimshi, as king of Israel. And anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat, from Abel Meholah as prophet to take your place. 17 If anyone escapes from Hazael’s sword, Jehu will kill him. And if anyone escapes from Jehu’s sword, Elisha will kill him. 18
So, God asks Elijah the rhetorical question, “What are you doing here?”, but Elijah doesn’t get it. He tells God that the situation is hopeless and that his people area trying to kill him. Then God shows him the fierce wind, the earthquake, and the fire. He shows Elijah these things not to scare him, but to remind Elijah about his power. He is basically letting Elijah know that he’s God, and He’s in control.
Then God asks Elijah the question again. What are you doing here? He could have asked it in the fierce wind, or in the earthquake, or in the fire. However, he didn’t want to scare Elijah. So, he asked him in a quiet, whispering voice. Nevertheless, Elijah still doesn’t get it. Look at how patient God has been with Elijah. God could have given up on Elijah before the cave incident. He had already shown Elijah His power before now. He could have given up on Elijah when He asked him the rhetorical question the first time. He could have given up on Elijah after He showed him the wind, the earthquake, and the fire. He could have given up on Elijah after He asked him the question a second time, but God was patient and gentle with Elijah.
In addition to being patient and gentle, God was faithful as well. Elijah never “got it”. Even though he never understood that God was in control and that he didn’t need to be hiding, God still faithfully provided a plan and direction. When Elijah left that cave, God gave him instructions that included a new king for Israel and a successor for Elijah. And Elijah was never harmed.
I’m ending all my posts with an invitation to accept Jesus. If you would like to accept Jesus, simply pray the following prayer or one like it: “Dear Lord, I’m a sinner. I acknowledge that You sent Your son, Jesus, to die for my sins. I humbly accept Your son, Jesus, and I now further acknowledge that I am forgiven of my past sins, my present sins, and my future sins.” If you prayed that simple prayer, you are saved. Now, you need to follow Jesus. Start reading your Bible. I would suggest starting with Matthew, reading all of the New Testament, then reading the Old Testament. Also, find a good church. Christianity was never meant to be done alone. You need to be in community with other believers.