1 Kings 19:14 – “And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
VS. 3-4 – How many of us have reached the point of being done. Just done with it. No more, LORD. I have nothing left to give! Why am I still here if nothing ever seems to work? Why am I still here if it’s only conflict and anger! Why are you trying to use one such as me that has no good in me, that is lazy and fleshly and fails continually? Everywhere I turn is persecution, back biting, distraught souls……. No one’s ever happy and it’s never enough! The ones that came before that helped lay the foundation for you church were so much greater, smarter, more zealous than me. Why am I still here LORD?
VS. 5-8 – As Hayley put it Wednesday night, sometimes we just need to fill our bellies and take a nap.
What I want you to see is God gives all provision for what you need to complete HIS will. Elijah was at his wits end, ready to lay down and die, yet God continued to grant him provision for strength.
After that nap; after that meal; he was able to sojourn 40 days and 40 nights through the wilderness unto Horeb the mount of God.
Horeb; The Mount of God
Exodus 3:1-2 – “1Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.”
Exodus 17:1 – “And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.”
Exodus 17:6 – “Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.”
Exodus 19:1-5 – “1In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. 2For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount. 3And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 4Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. 5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:”
Exodus 33:1 – “And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:”
Exodus 33:6 – “And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.”
Horeb is also mentioned in Deuteronomy, 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Psalms, and Malachi.
Significance of the number 40:
The rain for the flood lasted 40 days and 40 nights.
Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai twice.
The Israelites spent 40 years wandering the wilderness in Exodus.
Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness fasting before being tempted by the devil.
Transformation and Sanctification; preparation for the next great task.
VS. 9-10 – I’ve been doing everything, LORD. Everything to your honor to your glory, yet they won’t listen! Even after all the mighty miraculous things you have shown, they will not listen. I wandered from Beersheba in a daze not knowing where my feet were taking me for, I am empty and desolate and alone, but my soul led me here to Horeb, to the Mount of God! Where you spoke to Moses in the burning bush, where you brought water bursting from the rock, where you opened the Israelites eyes to their sin and separated them from the corruption of Eqypt. Where I too felt that I could be closer to you!
Matthew 15:7-8 – “7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
Isaiah 29:13 – “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”
VS. 11-14 – God demonstrates often in the largest most grandiose happenings, whether natural disaster, amazing healings, huge revivals, and churches even, although fully in HIS control, it doesn’t mean they are of HIM or that HIS Spirit is in them. Only those that truly belong to HIM will recognize the absence or presence of HIS Spirit regardless of what the event is. In the quietest moment, when everything seems calm, no noise, no movement, like an undisturbed pool of water God’s voice moves across the surface in peace and guidance.
1 John 4:1-4 – “1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
VS. 15-21 – God begins leading Elijah to end his ministry. God brings Elijah together with Elisha who will take his place upon Elijah’s departure.
2 Kings 2:9-12 – “9And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 10And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 11And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.”
Elijah continued for another 3 years plus after seeking God’s release from his pain and suffering.
The Character of Elijah and Elisha
When God said move, they moved.
These last few verses give a good idea of the man Elisha was.
Reflection and Personal Application
Fear and Despair: How do you respond when fear and despair threaten to overwhelm you?
Divine Intervention: When has God provided for you in unexpected ways during difficult times?
The Voice of God: How can we cultivate stillness to hear God’s whispers amid life’s tumult?
God’s Provision and Care: Reflect on moments when God sustained you physically or spiritually.
The Call and Preparation of a Prophet: What steps are you willing to take in response to God’s call?