After leaving Israelite territory, Elijah was directed and strengthened by God to walk forty days until he reached Mount Horeb, or Mount Sinai as it’s usually called. Forty days… that’s one day for every year that the Israelites had wandered in the same Wilderness. On the Mountain of God, Elijah “entered a cave there and spent the night” (1 Kings 19:9).
Sometime, probably in the early morning hours, “the word of the Lord came to him” (1 Kings 19:9). Interestingly, God didn’t rebuke Elijah for running away from his responsibilities. Nor did God reprimand Elijah for his fear. Rather, God asked a question. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9). Why are you here? Why are you hiding in a cave hundreds of miles from home?
Elijah didn’t exactly answer the question. “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life”
(1 Kings 19:10). Elijah’s response to God rings with pride and self-pity. I’m “very zealous!”
And, “poor me! I’m all alone!”
Again, God didn’t rebuke the prophet. He said, “ ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.’ At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper” (1 Kings 19:11-12).
What was God saying? Why the mighty wind, the earthquake, and the fire? Was God demonstrating that He has lots of tools in His supernatural toolbox?
Elijah had witnessed God’s extraordinary power when fire rained from Heaven on Mount Carmel. During the next chapter in Elijah’s life, God was going to work in a different way. God was going to speak in a gentle whisper.
God revealed Himself at Sinai and redirected His prophet, “Go and return by the way you came to the Wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. You are to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place” (1 Kings 19:15–16). Elijah, the cave man, faithfully became Elijah the king-maker.
God wasn’t through with Elijah! God isn’t through with you either…
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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