June, 1934
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
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say. There is the necessity for quietness if we would hear aright the word o f the Lord. 3. The Lord’s question was repeated (vs. 13, 14). The Lord’s question and Elijah’s answer contain the same words as those found in verses 9 and 10. But a difference may be detected in Elijah’s attitude. In the first instance, he could boldly complain against the Lord. Later, his attitude suggested ac quiescence in the Lord’s providences. His face was wrapped in his mantle. His whole bearing appeared to be altered. To the Lord’s reiterated question, Elijah gave the same reply that he had used the first time. But now the emphasis was not upon himself, but upon the Lord. It was no longer “ I” and “mine,” o f whom he spoke, but “thou” and “thine.” The Lord has no need o f the strongest man, as is revealed in His control o f the wind, the earthquake, and the fire. But the strongest man has constant need of the Lord. III. T he W ord of R estoration (15-17). The Lord’s purpose remained unchanged. In spite of needed lessons, Elijah was still the Lord’s prophet, and he was to go forth to proclaim the Lord’s message. However universally Baal might be worshiped, how ever threateningly Jezebel might speak, and however cravenly Ahab might follow her advice and example, the Lord would have victory, and that victory would come through His servant Elijah,, when the prophet was restored to full fellowship with the Lord. The Lord’s provision had been made (vs. 15, 16). He had already planned an other king for Syria, a successor for Ahab, and, in Elisha, a companion for Elijah. God had not been taken by surprise by the course o f events. And He is the same today—never surprised, never mistaken, never late, and never unready. Finally, Elijah was told that the Lord’s judgments are sure (v. 17). His justice and holiness and the honor of His name would be maintained, and Elijah would be vindicated and exalted. IV. T he W ord of R evelation (18). There was a rebuke o f the prophet’s sel fishness. Instead o f Elijah’s being the only one left who loved and worshiped the true God, there were seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal. They may have been unseen to Elijah, but each one was before the Lord’s eyes. ’ There was also a rebuke o f Elijah’s narrowness. The testimony from the Lord was not merely to human beings upon earth, but there were to be lessons taught to the unseen world of spirit beings, in all the circumstances o f the times. Moreover, there was a rebuke o f Eli jah’s despondency. There were seven thous and (seven, the complete number), and God knew just who and where each one was. The lesson constituted a call for simple trust in the Lord, for absolute con fidence in the Lord’s ways, and for diligent service in the Lord’s place. The “seven thousand” make an intensely interesting study. Their position was one o f difficulty, because o f the times in which they lived. But it, was one o f complete safety, because the Lord’s eye was upon them, as it is upon each o f His own (2 Tim. 2:19). The story o f Naboth (1 Ki. 21), who was one of this company of seven thousand, reveals the fact that these fol lowers o f the Lord were ready to lay down their lives,- rather than to disobey or ignore the Lord’s commands. There are still the “seven thousand” today, who, in the midst o f apostasy, remain true to their Lord.
Points and Problems 1. This week’s lesson begins with a very familiar formula, found many times in the Old Testament: “ The word o f the Lord came." Most of the great prophetic dis courses are prefaced with this formula. The question has sometimes been raised as to whether this coming o f the “word o f the Lord” was sufficiently objective for the prophet to distinguish it from his own thoughts. Verse 13 makes it very clear— Elijah heard “a voice." And Jeremiah 23:16 insists that true prophecy originates from “the mouth o f the Lord,” not from a vision o f the speaker’s “own heart.” To deny that God can speak to the prophet, so clearly that he may know that the voice is from God, is to deny all possibility o f special revelation. 2. The lesson contains a striking con trast between what is sometimes called natural revelation, and special revelation. The processes o f nature—the earthquake, the wind, and the fire—can tell us that there is a God, and that He is a God of power ; but God Himself cannot be found in them. If man is to know God and His will, there must be a special and personal revelation. God must speak. And man must hear His voice, as Elijah heard. The revelation o f God in nature is important, but it is insufficient to satisfy the deepest needs of man who is a sinner. 3. Thè prophet Elijah, great man that he was, had an overexalted notion o f his own importance. “ I, even I only, am left,” he complains. Like us, he had too small a conception o f the grace of God. As a mat ter o f fact, grace is always greater than we can think. Elijah was only one among 7,000. His idea of God’s grace was 7,000 times too small. Doubtless, when we reach the Father’s house, we shall have to en large our puny notions. Out o f the Great Tribulation alone, God’s grace rescues a host that no man can number (Rev. 7:9 ). Elijah Listening to God 1 K ings 19:9-18 Memory Verse: “ I will hear what God the Lord will speak” (Psa. 85:8). Approach: God saved Elijah the pro phet, and Elijah was a mighty servant o f the Lord. He showed the people that Baal,
God had to show Elijah that he was mistaken. God spoke to Elijah and sent him back to work. He told Elijah that there were still seven thousand o f the children o f Israel who worshiped Him, the true God. Elijah'went back to work. He was no longer discouraged, for he had been shown God’s strength. Golden Text Illustration A beautiful illustration o f how God does speak to each heart is seen in the life of Helen Keller, that wonderful girl, who, blind, deaf, and mute, is yet a profound student, not only o f facts, but o f abstract truths. Her teacher had felt that it would be impossible to teach her o f the great and all-loving Spirit. It was a subject impos sible to explain to one whose only sense was that of touch. But when Helen was fourteen, the teacher felt that she must make an effort to give her some glimpse o f spiritual truth, so she tried to tell her o f God, His infinite love, and protecting care. With her sensitive fingers placed on the lips and throat of her patient teacher, Helen followed the words with a face that began to glow and shine more and more until she said, “ Oh, I am so glad you told me His name, for He has often spoken to me.”— 5,000 Best Modern Illustrations, by H allock . Object Lesson A L ittle V oice and a B ig M essage Objects: A candle, and a toy windmill. (The windmill can be made from a piece o f paper, four inches square, cut from each corner to within a half inch o f the center. Bend one point of each section toward the center, putting a pin through them. Run the pin through the center of the paper and into the end o f the pencil.) Lesson: It was a little voice that spoke a big message to Elijah. Boys and girls, as well as men and women, should remem ber that in speaking to us, God often uses things we might consider small. Often a whisper will attract our attention more than shouting would. Did you ever see the wind? Now think carefully. You have seen the effects of the wind—what the wind does. You cannot see the breath which comes out o f my mouth, but if your hand were as close as mine, you could feel it. Or, if you were near to this mirror, you could see the effect of one’s breath on the glass. As I blow my breath toward this lighted candle, it affects the flame. If I were to blow too strongly, the flame would go out. You do not hear my breath, but you see the effect o f it on the flame. Notice what happens when I blow against this windmill. It turns very rapidly. The bi eath is unseen and unheard, yet the wind mill feels the effects of it. It is not necessary that you hear God’s voice speaking in the same way that Elijah heard it. You have the Bible to read, and can feel God’s Spirit influencing your life. W e should be sensitive to the slightest lead ing o f the Spirit o f God, even though no voice is heard speaking aloud to us.
the god that they wo r s h i p e d , was a false god, for Elijah prayed to the living God for rain, and the rain fell. Lesson Story : But Ahab, the king, and Jez ebel , his wife, hat ed Elijah and wanted to kill him. E l i j a h f e l t he had to flee for his
life. He went to Mount Horeb, and there be lived in a cave. Suddenly he felt weak and alone. While he hid in the cave, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying : “What doest thou here, Elijah?” ' Then Elijah, who was feeling very sorry for himself, said something like this :. “ I have been working hard for the Lord God. The children o f Israel have forgotten the Lord and have broken down His altars and slain His prophets. And I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” Now Elijah had forgotten that God is stronger than all the nations o f the earth, and that he, Elijah, need not be afraid o f what men might do to him, because God was on his side. When Elijah forgot about God’s power, he became discouraged.
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