Session 2: 1 Kings 19.8-18: Elijah meets God at Horeb
Suggested opening prayer :
God our Father, in former times you revealed yourself as the God of Israel, and spoke through your servants the prophets; help us to discern your will for us in our day, that the same Spirit who inspired the prophets may continue to inspire your Church to follow in your way; through Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive and reigns with you and the same Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
Background :
Elijah was a prophet (that is, one who acts on God's behalf) who was active in the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the 9 th century BC. (There were two Hebrew kingdoms at Elijah's time: one in the South called Judah whose capital was Jerusalem , and the other in the North, called simply Israel , whose capital was Samaria , although the northern kings used Jezreel as a sort of summer residence.) Elijah himself is something of a mystery: he just appears in 1 Kings 17.1, and unusually for a biblical character we are not told his father's name (the ancient equivalent of a surname), just that he came from Tishbe in what is now northern Jordan. This, and the manner of his departure from the earth (in a chariot of fire - 2 Kings 2.11), has led to a huge amount of speculation about him. But the character who comes across in the stories is all too human, as we shall see.
During the time of Elijah the infamous King Ahab ruled over the kingdom of Israel with his evil wife Jezebel. The royal pair encouraged the religion of the false god Baal in place of the God of Israel (1 Kings 16.31-33). But they were opposed by Elijah who publicly demonstrated that Baal was no god at a contest held on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18.17-40). Elijah then showed that it was the God of Israel and not Baal who had power over the elements because he causes a great drought to break at Elijah's behest (1 Kings 18.41-46). Queen Jezebel is furious, and swears to kill Elijah. Because of this, Elijah takes fright, and escapes towards the wilderness, and after a journey in which he is given food by an angel, he finally arrives at Horeb, the mountain of God .
The Encounter with God at Horeb (1 Kings 19.8-18)
This is a story we all think we know, but there is more going on than we realise. The story is the record of a conversation, but, partly because of the way we read it in Church, we often forget about this aspect, and think about the 'still, small voice' of the famous hymn. As you read it now, try to hold in your mind what Elijah has been through, and how God reacts to him, and try to think yourself into their conversation. After a few moments for reflection try to think about these questions.
• How does Elijah feel?
• How does God react to his complaint?
• What are the results of their encounter?
Look now at the individual parts of the story. What is its message for us today?
First look at verses 8-9. 'Horeb' is what the northerners called Sinai, so Elijah has returned to the place where the people of Israel under Moses' guidance first met God (Exodus 19). The wilderness was often regarded as a place where people went to meet God (John the Baptist 'appeared' in the wilderness - Mark 1.2; Jesus goes to the wilderness after his baptism in Matthew 4; St Paul spent some time in the wilderness after his call - Galatians 1.17).
• Why is Elijah in the wilderness? Is he escaping into the past to get away from the present?
• Do we as the Church prefer to dwell on past certainties than on present challenges?
• How does God respond to us when we do this? Does he say, 'What are you doing here?'
Look at Elijah's complaint in verse 10 which is repeated word for word in verse 14 when God asks him the same question, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'
• Are Elijah's concerns legitimate?
• Is God playing fair?
• Do we feel like Elijah? Do we feel like saying, 'I alone am left'?
In verses 11-14 Elijah is granted an audience with God. He has already spoken with God, but now he will encounter God's presence physically, 'the Lord is about to pass by'. God causes a great wind to come, he then causes an earthquake, and then a fire. These are traditional ways in which God made himself known to people (e.g. in Exodus 19.16-18 - the people's first encounter with God at Sinai; Psalm18.7-15 when God is seen riding to the aid of his faithful). This time, however, it doesn't work, and God is found in the silence. Notice that Elijah wraps his cloak over his face in case he sees God. Now God and Elijah have the same conversation as before.
• Elijah is expecting to encounter God at Horeb, but the way God reveals himself is different: do we always expect to encounter God in the same way?
• Do we have the courage to do what God is calling us to do?
Verses 15-18 are God's response to Elijah, and are partly encouragement, partly rebuke. God encourages Elijah to anoint two new kings in his name, but then to appoint Elisha as his replacement. 'Go, return on your way,' God says, but before Elijah has always followed God's way. The final verse reminds Elijah that he is not the only one who has never worshipped Baal.
• It looks as if Elijah has failed. Is failure permitted?
• Elijah appoints his successor. Do we have the grace to step back when our work is over?
• How does negative thinking affect us?
• Do we ever follow our own way, and not God's way?
Allow some time for reflection and prayer, finishing with the Lord's Prayer. Finally read through the story from verse 11 to the end of verse 13.