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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
June, 1934
God. At the time o f his discouragement, Elijah’s eyes were not on the Lord, but upon circumstances—and this outlook always spells failure. But the One who could say continually, “ I have set the Lord always be fore me” (Psa. 16:8, cf. Acts 2:25), was never moved by circumstances. But how ever greatly the Lord’s children may fail Him, the Lord never fails His own. He met Elijah in the hour o f his despondency and brought just the relief that was needed. Elijah perhaps realized his failure and, filled with chagrin, asked that he might die. He was disappointed in himself, dis couraged in his work, and distressed by what he had done. He was perhaps think ing, “What will they say—after hearing me boldly declare that I stand before the liv ing God?” Elijah’s request was o f course refused (v. 4). God’s care for him was manifested in the denial o f his wish. We, too, may thank the Lord that He does not bestow all that we desire. Elijah needed rest, and this the Lord provided (vs. 5, 6). W e see the great ten derness of the Lord with His servant. He has no rebuke; He pays no attention to the foolish prayer; He understands Elijah’s need for recuperation; and He knows that instead of dying under the tree, Elijah will yet be translated into the presence o f God. When Elijah awakened, the Lord pro vided the needed nourishment (vs. 7, 8). Elijah had failed God, but God would not fail him. The prophet had left God’s place, but God would not leave him. The Lord “ knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust,” and we can trust Him to deal with us in infinite compassion when we turn back from our failures to Him, even though we come with Elijah’s prayer of weakness and discouragement. Points and Problems The first verse of the nineteenth chapter of First Kings refers to an act o f Elijah which at first glance seems a bloody and inhuman deed. The prophet had gathered the thousands of Israel unto Mount Car mel, and, after a dramatic demonstration of the absolute supremacy and power o f Je hovah, brought several hundred prophets o f Baal down to the brook Kishon and “ slew them there.” Not one was permitted to escape. The method of execution was “with the sword.” Many modern critics o f the Bible have declared that such an act is impossible to defend on any ground, and that this is simply another instance of a wrong con ception of God—as leading the prophet to suppose he was doing God’s will in killing those who disagreed with him. Certainly it must be admitted that Elijah did not have the kind of “ministerial cour tesy” which some today would have the church exercise toward the priests and leaders of non-Christian religions. But archaeology has come to the defense o f Elijah and his reputation in a most re markable way. Excavations at the great military city of Gezer uncovered one of the “high places” devoted to the worship of Baal. Underneath the floor o f this great temple o f Baal were found large earthen jars containing the bones o f infants. And these bones appear to be of very young infants all about the same age. Now the late Dr. M. G. Kyle has pointed out that large numbers o f infants o f the same age do not ordinarily die at the same place and the same time from natural causes. The only possible conclusion from this archaeologi- cai discovery, as well as from other sources, is that these prophets o f Baal were practic ing the horrible rite of infant sacrifice. As one looks at the pitiful skeletons o f these
sie’s heart, it blackens it. ( Squirt the black into the jar with considerable force.) When some one urges a boy or a girl to do some thing evil, it is easy for the one who has never accepted Christ as Saviour, to do the wrong thing. Notice how differently Jane acts with re gard to sin 1 She does not allow it to stay in her heart at all. (This jar is filled with water, and the black gasoline rises to the top and does not stay within the outline o f the heart.) How important it is that every boy and girl accept Christ as Saviour, and, like Jane Jar, not allow sin to stay in the heart! and the ravens. Here was the proper place; he went to the very location that the Lord had indicated. Here was the proper action; “so he went and did according unto the word o f the Lord.” And here was the proper confidence; as he saw the brook dry ing day by day, he continued unmoved. We may well believe that his last drink from the brook was as full and refreshing as was his first. God always supplies the need o f His people, although sometimes there may be nothing left over. When the brook dried up, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Arise, get thee to Zarephath.” And there again provision was made for the physical needs o f the Lord’s servant. III. T he C are for E lijah (19:1-8). W e welcome the uncompromising truth fulness and honesty of Bible history. The Word of God never glosses over the fail ures o f its heroes. But while, in consider ing our own frailty, we may draw comfort and encouragement from the failures of Bible characters, we must also strive to emulate their successes; and this is pos sible only by the grace of God. In obedience to God’s word, Elijah showed himself to Ahab. He then gathered the prophets of Baal, and after a demon stration which proved that the living God was with him, he had these false prophets slain. Ahab informed Jezebel of what had been done (v. 1). Jezebel immediately threatened Elijah’s life (v. 2). And Elijah well knew she had the power, hu manly speaking, to put her threat into exe cution. The reaction of Elijah was one of fear and dread, and he fled from her wrath. On the surface, Elijah’s failure seems to have come from the fear o f man; which is ever a snare to God’s people (Prov. 29:25; Heb. 13:6). But deeper than the fear of man was the physical fatigue under which Elijah labored. When the body becomes overly tired, the soul is depressed, and the spirit becomes ill—the whole man weary and open to Satan’s attacks. There was only one Man who, while tired in body, troubled in soul, and groaning in spirit, never became discouraged. Moreover, Eli jah suffered from more than mere physical fatigue; there was also forgetfulness of BLACKBOARD LESSON ELIJAH'5 GOD STILL L IV E S 2 7-,s\3*
Jane Jar represents a Christian girl or boy. I will place this red cloth over her to remind us o f the blood o f Christ which cleanses from all sin. When a person ac cepts Christ as Saviour, God gives him a new heart which loves good and hates evil. Jessie Jar is like many boys and girls who do not think it is necessary to accept Christ. As we look at these two girls, we do not see much difference. But wait until sin comes along, and we shall notice that there is a great difference. This medicine drop per has a black fluid in it, which we will let represent sin. When sin comes to Jes- Lesson T ext : 1 Ki. 17:1-7.; 19:1-8. Golden T ext : “ For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matt. 6:32). Outline and Exposition I. T he A ppearance of E lijah (17:1). ® here is no mention of Elijah’s ances try, his birth, his home, or any inci dents o f his early life. He appeared suddenly, unexpectedly, and unwelcomely, upon a scene of spiritual and religious ruin. Ahab, a wicked king, was upon the throne of Israel, and Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians, was his wife (16:31). Jezebel was a worshiper of Baal. She had largely succeeded in sup pressing the worship o f the true God, and was persecuting His followers. Suddenly Elijah appeared with a message for Ahab (v. 1). . Elijah stood before the living God, with whom Baal, a dead god, could not even be compared. Elijah was unmoved by fear of the renegade Ahab. The prophets of Baal stood before Ahab, but Elijah stood before Jehovah, the God of the universe. Furthermore, Elijah was unmoved by a false patriotism; he could declare that there would be a drought over all the land, bringing famine to his people. Sometimes the best thing for a people is God’s judg ment upon them. Certainly the best friend Israel had during the drought was Elijah, who foretold the days o f suffering. Elijah’s word was a challenge to Baal, who was considered to be the god of heaven and of agriculture. Hence, if Baal had any power, this was the time for him to show it by sending rain, in spite of Elijah’s prediction. In praying for the withholding of rain, Elijah was merely pleading for the fulfillment o f the Word o f God (Deut. 11:16, 17; 28:15, 23). II. T he C ommand to E lijah (17:2-7). Elijah was told to go to the brook Cherith (v. 3). This command was a hard one to obey. It might even be suggested to him that his obligation was to speak to the king and the people rather than to run away from duty. The prophet was told that provision would be made for him there (v. 4), that is, near Cherith. Some teachers say that the ravens were Arabians, but our God is not limited to men in His provision for the needs o f His people. Elijah would be fed, if he was in the place where the Lord had told the ravens to bring the fo o d ; but he must be there, in God’s place for him. Countless blessings are daily missed by Christians, because the Lord’s children are out o f the Lord’s place for them. Elijah immediately obeyed (vs. 5-7). Here was the proper attitude; he believed what was' told him about both the brook
JULY 15, 1934 GOD CARES FOR ELIJAH 1 K ings 17:1-24; 19:1-8
TODA Y ».».a.
HE U SE S THE S A M E METHODS
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