When the Prophet Is Weary

Right after the victory on Carmel, Elijah ran from Jezebel's threat. He sat under a juniper tree and prayed that he might die, saying he was no better than his fathers. Scripture is honest about the weakness of God's servants. Even great faith can be followed by deep discouragement and exhaustion.

God's response was tender. He did not rebuke Elijah first. Instead, an angel touched him, fed him, and let him sleep, then fed him again because the journey was too great for him. In the strength of that food Elijah traveled forty days to Horeb, the same mountain where God had met Moses. There God asked him twice what he was doing there, inviting him to speak his heart.

God passed by with wind, earthquake, and fire, the signs that accompanied Sinai, but Yahweh was not in them. He came in a still small voice. God corrected Elijah's view that he was alone: seven thousand had not bowed to Baal. God also gave him new work, including anointing Elisha as his successor. Elisha left his oxen and followed, a picture of costly discipleship. In the New Testament, Paul points to these seven thousand and says that at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace (Romans 11:4-5).