By: Randall E. Pickens, Sr.

Early in my Christian walk, I was truly enamored with the life and times of the prophets.  The prophets of old represented our first glimpse of our magnificent creator and His character.  They would become the voice of a loving God to a decadent man.  These prophets carried the message of His imminent desire to redeem and reestablish fellowship with mankind.  These early chosen vessels would develop their own relationships first and thus in doing so became the proof of this possibility of a holy relationship between God and man.  Their relationships and experiences establish the ground rules for all of mankind.  Their lives set the expectation of all mankind.  What God did for the prophets, He would surly do for all!  Or will He; that is the question isn’t it?

This is the question that caused me to pen this article, “WILL GOD DO IT FOR ME and YOU”?  The prophet Elijah is the proof of this principle as well as the typical challenge each of us will experience regarding our faith in God (Jehovah or Yahweh) and His son Yeshua (Jesus) our redeemer.

The life experiences of Elijah record some of the most miraculous events in the history of interaction between God and man.  In 1 Kings 17, Elijah prophesied a judgment in the form of a nation-wide drought yet in the course of this drought he was miraculously sustained, first by God and the raven and then by the widow’s supply of meal and oil that never failed.  Elijah then raised the widow’s son from the dead.  Our first example of power over death.

I Kings 18 then records the famous challenge sanctioned by God (Jehovah or Yahweh) between the Prophets of Baal and Elijah to be witnessed by all of Israel on mount Carmel.    

1Ki 18:19  Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. 

1Ki 18:21  And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 

This historic challenge is likely the event most notable for most of us when characterizing the events of Elijah’s life and his relationship with God.  I published an earlier article specifically regarding the question “HOW LONG HALT YE BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS”.  I would encourage you to follow this link to read this article as well. 

This previous article addresses the sin of polytheism which consistently plagued the Israelite’s and still raises its head in modern religions.

Now, this current article addresses another important question;

“WILL GOD DO IT FOR ME?” 

What struck me as very strange was that this prophet that was used so mightily in chapters 17 and 18 would then be found hiding in a cave and behaving so cowardice!  Elijah had heard that Jezebel had threatened to kill him for what he had done to her prophets of Baal.  Elijah was apparently very fearful of Jezebel and was to a point of surrender.  Listening to his account, I would characterize it as whining and crying and exaggerating his own status as being the “only” prophet remaining.  This of course was not accurate and Yahweh reveals that He had reserved 7000 who had not bowed to Baal.

I love the example Yahweh gives Elijah to explain how He works as opposed to the tactics of the agents of evil.  Yahweh makes it clear that He is not in the wind, earthquake or the fire but in the “still small voice!”.  This is a clear contrast to the typical noisy boisterous threatening of evil, Jezebel!

Now, before we judge Elijah too harshly; I personally can relate to Elijah.  When presented with life’s challenges we often allow fear to over whelm us.  The difference between the confident prophet of chapter 17 and 18 is based on who was being challenged.  Elijah knew God to be a jealous God and would not allow the prophets of Baal to be exalted above Him.  However, when the challenge was made personal then arises the question we consider here in this article; Will God do it for us?             

Jezebel Threatens Elijah

1Ki 19:2  Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 

1Ki 19:3  And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. 

1Ki 19:4  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. 

1Ki 19:5  And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 

1Ki 19:6  And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. 

1Ki 19:7  And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 

1Ki 19:8  And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God. 

1Ki 19:9  And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him,

What doest thou here, Elijah? 

Now, what is clear here is that God is questioning Elijah’s reasoning!  God makes it clear that Elijah looks foolish, hiding from the foe that God had just recently made an open show of!  So, what happened to this courageous Prophet that brought God’s judgements to the land of Israel and defeated the prophets of Baal?  Why is he now cowering?  Well it really doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out!  Elijah was not convinced that God would act on his behalf. 

It gets personal!

BOOM!  This is where I can certainly relate.  I have no doubt that God is all powerful and cannot be limited by any earthly or heavenly force but as Elijah feels the pressure, so do we personally when life’s challenges come at us.  We like Elijah, question whether God will move in our behalf! We see Elijah repeat his fears and doubt again and again, here again in verse 14. He is clearly having a “pity party” and is prepared to quit! He is ready to “throw in the towel“, as we would say.

1Ki 19:15  And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 

So, pay attention to how God responds!  It is a quick subtle message and a powerful reality!  If you’re not paying attention, God’s answer will fly right by!

1Ki 19:16  And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 

1Ki 19:17  And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 

So, did you see it? 

Elijah repeats his whining and crying but God doesn’t even acknowledge the threat!  God merely tells Elijah to get back to the business of God!  He then tells him that he in fact is not alone but there are others reserved unto God’s work.  So, the message to Elijah and me and you is; “remain engaged and focused on our original call”.  Don’t give place to the devil and his empty threats. 

So, does this answer the question? YES! 

Yes, I think God said it loud and clear.  We are to remain focused on God’s business and receive his personal promises which Satan can only steal if we willing relinquish the promise. Wow, that is a powerful message!

Act 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

2Co_7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Heb_6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Now, this is a lot of material for future articles; It is said that the Bible contains approximately 8,810 promises. Friend, this shall keep us busy….. until Jesus returns! Selah!

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