“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord , take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” 1 King 19:4 (KJV)
DIGNIFIED HARLOT
Jezebel, a pagan princess to King Ahab, scorning to execute her wicked plans in secret, sends to Elijah, the prophet, to tell him that she has sworn to kill him, pretending that nothing could deter her from nor protect him against her stroke of death. Yet, Elijah the Tishbite was called by some of the Jewish Rabbis, “the flower of the prophets.” His name signifies, “my God is Jehovah.”
When persecutors cannot wreak their malice and fury against God, they do it upon His servants. But they, who by their own sins provoke God against a nation, are the real troublers of it! Unsettled notions about religion lead to unsound practices; and there can be no communion between Christ and Belial. Elijah, who stated that, “my God is the Lord,” was also called the “troubler of Israel” by King Ahab. “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” (1 Kings 18:17).
The promoters of false religions desperately hate those who zealously oppose their designs. And “no persecutor is more malicious or furious than a profane woman” (Diogenes Laertius). Chilon, an eminent Greek philosopher also had an interesting precept saying, “to threaten no one, because that is a woman’s behaviour,” was claimed by Herodotus as the wisest of the Seven Sages of Greece in one of his aphorisms.
How weak and spiritless are the greatest zealots for God when left to themselves! Elijah had just commanded both King and subjects; now he shrinks for fear of a dignified harlot!
LIKE PASSIONS
But earlier, Elijah knew that King Ahab was his enemy, and sought his life, yet, without hesitation or fear, upon God’s command he went to face him! God, however, often exercises His people with the heaviest trials after they have met with remarkable favors or success. Ahab thus accusing Elijah, expressed, but unwillingly though, to be a messenger from God because he could never have supposed that a man had it in his power to cause a famine and the consequent calamities.
Elijah furthermore boldly met with the prophets of Baal, who, in their desperation to call down their god and to hear them even “cut themselves after their manner until blood gushed out upon them.”(v-28); (this is a heathen custom practiced for ages and may still be seen among some savages of central Africa; and by a sect of Mohammedans “the howling dervishes” in most solemn feasts, but especially in times of national affliction as an act of penance). It is a poor religion that consists chiefly in externals; and a devilish one that requires inhuman severities.
Elijah, however, fled to Beer-Sheba situated in the southern extremity of the land between Judah and Simeon; though he was a holy prophet. Yet from James 5:17, we learn that “he was a man subject to like passions as we are.” He went into this direction because he feared. He must have made a great circuit, as that journey might be performed in just a few days. But, this is one of many scriptural coincidences; Moses, Elijah, types, and John the forerunner of Christ, all were forty days in the wilderness, the same as Christ himself!
This, however, is not merely a story of King Ahab and the pagan princess, Jezebel threatening the life of a singular prophet who in fear fled into the wild country and who impatiently wished for death, but of one who deserted the path of duty.
Other giants of faith, in fact, “men subject to like passions as we are,” also shrank from the path of duty:
Moses in Numbers 11:14, 15, said, “I can’t bear all these people any more alone – it’s too heavy for me.” Moses was complaining. (It Is Enough!) The mixed multitudes weeping for the fleshpots of Egypt (in the wilderness) said, in essence, “If this is how you’re going to treat me, kill me right now.”
Jeremiah said in Jer. 20:14-18, “Cursed be the day I was born. Why didn’t you kill me in the womb…with my mother as my grave?” (It Is Enough!)
Jonah said in Jonah 4:3, 8, “Lord take my life from me…better for me to die than to live.” (It Is Enough!)
Jesus Christ was constantly faced with failure…Satan was working to oppose Him and His way. Isaish 49:4 writes, “I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought… and in vain.” (It Is Enough!)
Ah! But when men impatiently wish for death, they are ordinarily in a frame of mind very unfit for it; and would be ready to recall their wish if God were to grant it! We ought never to desert the path of duty though it leads us “through the valley of shadow of death.” (Psalm 23) However dark providences appear we should never despair! We know not what further work or purpose God has for us. To desire to be with Christ is laudable but to be weary of our warfare is sinful.
BRINK OF DESPAIR
Jezebel, in 1 Kings 19:2 clearly states, “Your life” (the life of Elijah!). Here is a man of God, a devout servant, who has done a valiant service for His Master; an enthusiastic religious leader and ardent patriot; a man of great physical endurance. His feat of running before the chariot of King Ahab from Mt. Carmel to the palace of King Ahab and Jezebel demonstrates his excellent physical condition. But now is threatened with death for all his efforts. Jezebel swore vengeance on the withering prophet.
It is not in this world that the righteous receive just rewards for service performed in the name of the Lord. The tragedies of life may be in those who do the most in the cause of righteousness; and are those who suffer the most. Many do not understand the reasons now, but there is comfort in knowing that Jesus Christ, the Sinless One, suffered more than any one, you and I, or any one ever will. The Apostle Paul, of all the disciples, suffered the most next to Jesus.
Elijah arose, and “ran for his life.” (v-3). This after a stupendous victory over the 400 prophets of Baal and showing so much courage; fire from Heaven; with this could meet any trial of faith. He did not cringe before the fanatic position of the priests of Baal! He had the presence and blessing of God; never guessing his courage would fail him.
Suffering from reaction so often follows success. He hoped victory at Mt. Carmel would break the spell of Jezebel and the King. When Jezebel heard of Elijah’s victory and the death at his hands of the 400 prophets of Baal, she stubbornly rejected Elijah’s reformation. It was just more than he could take saying… ”It Is Enough!”
He was not ready! Not prepared! Not aware! Not watchful! He was not ready for the cool, cunning, calculated, hatred of this wicked queen. Are you prepared? Such circumstances and ploys abound today! They come suddenly, unexpectedly!
ESCAPE!
Elijah’s only thoughts were on escaping her clutches without thinking of the consequences. Has this ever happened to you? Escaping the crisis? I am sad to say that most often we take the same position as Elijah; running away from the problem or earthly cares; or perhaps even worse… denying the problem.
Elijah did not do right! He left his post of duty; in military terms; AWOL (Absent With Out Leave). His work wasn’t over yet. The battle was only beginning! Here was the human side of Elijah. If he was courageous, he would have sent a message back to the queen to remind her that the same God that gave him the victory over Baal would not leave him. He would have angels to protect him; God’s wrath would have fallen on Jezebel and a mighty reformation would have spread over the land. But, by running away he played into the hands of the enemy; running away from a heinous woman.
Elijah, however, didn’t stop at Judah, but kept on going, traveling day and night into the wilderness, not even resting. His strength came from fear and adrenalin running in him. Here he demonstrated himself as a man of like passions with us; by fleeing from the wrath of Jezebel to Beersheba, 130 miles south of Jezreel, well into the territory of Judah and out of Jezebel’s jurisdiction. By divine assistance he reached Horeb, the mountain of God, on the borders between Judah and Simeon, some 200 miles further South.
Depressed and discouraged he said, “It Is Enough!” At Mt. Carmel, only a few days ago, he was at the top of the sky… victorious! His spirits now sank to a new low. He is so defeated that he hides under a Juniper bush. Overcome by fatigue and strain he wishes to be dead! But, only an angel appeared and encouraged him to go on to Horeb, where he found shelter in a dark, dingy cave where the Lord confronted Elijah, saying, “What doest thou here?”
Here is a typical reaction for many people today…overstrained feelings… escaping, denying. But, by a divine kind of experience, a soul can be lifted to new heights of glory and victory; a religious revival, when the soul gives away discouragements and depression of everyday life problems, personal matters, and realities. Every day being born again, saved, finding Jesus, having His presence, the truth. But, remember, and listen! No one in this world can stay on top of the mountain always. (Mt. Carmel for Elijah) But, remember also–in our deepest distresses God is nearer to relieve us than we think, and faith must silence all objections! A promise of God is instead of a thousand arguments or excuses.
Moreover, to encourage their own peevish or bad-tempered forwardness, the impatient saints are apt to think matters in the church worse than they really are. But whom the Lord loves He will rebuke and chasten, He will direct and further employ. No place can exclude His gracious manifestations. It is the folly of human weakness to be discouraged for want of success in God’s work. It bodes ill, however, when God’s favourites become intercessors against a people. We may expect quickly to hear or see instruments of God’s wrath, raised up to destroy them; for in His due time God will avenge His people.
FAILED OR FAILURE?
But, Elijah’s arguments and excuses caused his faith to fail; fleeing to the wilderness for fear of his life, and here he could not discharge his duties for which the Lord has appointed him. Has your faith failed? The work he had begun he was not to complete. He failed! Ah! But, he was not a failure! God still read his heart. Elijah was not to perish in discouragement, and solitude in the wilderness. He would not go down into the tomb, but ascended with God’s angels to be present in the glory of God in a convoy of flaming chariots. They, who can trust God with their all heart, will find themselves not losers (failures) by Him. God often exercises His people with the heaviest trials after they have met with remarkable favours.
God spoke to the distraught prophet (1 Kings 19:9-18; Ex 34:17-23) rebuking him for being where he should not have been (v -9,13). What a contrast; Elijah, the hero of faith on Mt. Carmel, victorious over Baalism. Elijah now the coward, of unbelief at Horeb, self-occupied, utterly discouraged, wishing to die (Rom 11:2-4) praying against rather than for God’s people… in fact a “nothingness!”
But the Lord’s message as He spoke to Elijah was not in the earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the “still, small voice” of His revealed will which probed the prophet’s failure and directed him to wind up his ministry. Ah! Elijah learns an amazing secret! Jehovah, the Lord God Almighty is not to be found in the overwhelming power of nature unleashed. Sometimes His power is most dramatically released when He moves through the still small voice of a “changed conscience.” How? “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). We fail too, for we have “like passions,” but to be a failure is abominable – nasty, disgusting, vile! This is what we must fervently guard against! We can have another chance!
God, subsequently, ordered him to anoint another to be prophet in his place, his successor – Elisha, like many other biblical heroes – a man who was close to the soil; considered to be a man of some consequence, since his ground required twelve ploughs. He accompanied the older prophet, Elijah, his master, in rounds to the prophetic schools or “sons of the prophets.”
It has been remarked that the miraculous works of Elisha are double the number performed by his predecessor (healing of the leper Naaman, the Syrian; parting of the Jordan; multiplying of the loaves and grain, the Shunamite’s son, purifying of the spring, etc.) What a calling!
HOW LONG?
These experiences will help what every human being will one day understand. What is this? That sin can only bring sorrowful shame, regrets, loss, unbelief and – failure! Ah! But that God’s mercy reaches into the deepest depths and channels of our heart; and faith lifts up the repenting soul to share in the glory of God. But, are you willing? “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’” (1 Kings 18:21). Well, how long, dear friends and brethren?
From Elijah’s experience, we learn another exciting lesson. What is that? “Apostasy today is similar as it was in Elijah’s day, spread over Israel.” (PK 170). This occurs by exalting human above divine, praise of popular leaders, worship of mammon, teaching of science above the truths of revelation, transgressing the Law, and many following after Baal. Satan is trying to break our hold on God by doubt, questioning, discouragement, and indifference, which brings our mistakes and failures before us, and tempts us to distrust God and question His love and concern for us until we say like Elijah – “It Is Enough!” Although God’s saints are generally few; they are often more numerous in times of general apostasy, than good men think; and all of them are under the special knowledge and care of God.
The Lord said to Simon, predicting his denial, “Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me strengthen your brethren.” (Luke 22:31, 32). You see, God brings us under His chastening until our stubbornness is broken. Our will falls, rebellion is ended and we are humbled at last before God. We can also quietly ask ourselves the probing question, “What are we doing here – elsewhere?” Furthermore, do you have the faith and persistence of Elijah for this time? Where are the Elijah’s of today? How long?
The Apostle Paul, arguing for the “principle” of a remnant of Israel, referred to the 7,000 faithful worshipers in the time of Elijah (Romans 11:2). Here’s the story, also, of the combination of zealous bravery and human failure, giving added weight to the power of prayer exemplified in this man of God. He was a man of like nature with ourselves, but he prayed fervently, and God answered him. (James 5:17, 18). Great and inexpressible is the power of fervent prayer with God.
FAINTING SPELLS
Faint not! When you have reached the agonizing point of saying, “It Is Enough,” and fainting overcomes you; without courage or hope; failing strength, without vigor or enthusiasm, what is a timid one to do? God asks of you, “when faint, and the fierce fires of affliction surround you, don’t try to be strong!” Rather, it is time to declare an exuberant declaration of faith! Well, how? David said, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed, that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13,14). Another of David’s undaunted psalms of refuge and comfort when fainting prods one is, “Be still, and know that I am God! (Psalm 46:10)
And great is the mercy when troubles and deliverances concur to strengthen our faith and increase our knowledge. God will have his witnesses in the worst of times and will endow them with gifts and graces proportionate to the difficulties with which they are called to struggle.
When dangers appear greatest, our faith in God’s promise and perfections should be strongest. If we can triumph in God as our own God, we may triumph over every trouble and danger. The revolutions on earth can little affect them whose hearts are duly fixed on things above. They need never fear, and they shall never fail, who have God for their refuge and their strength.
None can resist his effectual and heart-touching call; and no earthly cares can detain them from His service!
Say not now, “IT IS ENOUGH!”
John Theodorou
U.S.A.