Dark Clouds Close-in – Elijah Under the Broom Tree (1 Kings 19:1-10)

 

Background: night and day change from 1 Kings 18 to chapter 19. The successes on Mt Carmel have not led to repentance in Israel. King Ahab and Jezebel in the town of Jezreel. Elijah is also in town.

  1. Persecution and Self-Exile (vv.1-4)
    • Jezebel strikes fear into Elijah’s heart and he runs for his life.
    • Elijah walking by faith, not by sight (Lot chose Sodom, Numbers 13:33, Peter walking on water, contrast: Moses at the Red Sea).
    • Elijah wishes to die (Numbers 11:14-15, Jonah 4:8, Psalm 55:4-8).
    • Elijah wishes to die, but is not suicidal. …but he is not quite Pauline (Phil 1:23) in his desire to be with the Lord, either.
    • The complex causes of depression for Christians. How can we help?
    • God answers Elijah’s prayer with “no”.
  2. God’s Angelic Provision (vv.5-8)
    • Psalm 127:2
    • Elijah may run from God, but God draws near to him.
    • Behold! An Angel!
    • Behold! cakes and water!
    • He lays down again! (God, in His grace draws near again)
    • Finally Elijah obeys- he rises and goes.
  3. Onwards to Mt. Sinai (v.8)
    • Thee Mt. Sinai (Exodus 3:1-4, Deut. 4:15)
    • Forty Days and Forty Nights (Moses, Jesus- Matthew 4)
  4. “Elijah Syndrome” in the Cave (vv.9-10)
    • God speaks in question
    • Elijah Syndrome- God has 7,000 who have now bowed the knee. What about the 100 prophets of God hidden in the caves?
    • John 10:16