Journal Through the Bible: Week 50 Friday

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I Kings 19:4-20:21

The tired, battle-weary Elijah prayed to God to be allowed to die. At first it appears that his wish will be granted. God told him to anoint Elisha as his replacement. God also set him straight about his assertion that he was the only follower of God left in Israel. There were 7,000 by God's count.

Does God issue any commands?

• God demanded to know from Elijah what he was doing in the cave.
• God told Elijah to stand on the mountain outside the cave. When God passed by the wind, earthquake, and fire tore the mountain but God was not in them (which must mean that Satan was!). Then God spoke to him in a still, small voice.
• God told Elijah to go to the wilderness of Damascus and anoint Hazael to be king of Syria. Then he was to anoint Jehu to be king over Israel, and Elisha to be the prophet who would take his place.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised that any unfaithful missed by the sword of Hazael would be killed by Jehu and that any missed by Jehu would be destroyed by Elisha.
• God promised to deliver Benhadad and the host of Syria into the hands of King Ahab and Israel.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Elijah went for 40 days and nights on the strength of the food fed to him by the angels. Jesus went on the strength of the Spirit for 40 days and nights when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Afterward He was fed by the angels.
• Jesus told His disciples that He would be with them always in Spirit. The Holy Spirit that indwells the believer is like a still, small voice that uses the Word of God to speak to those who will listen.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• At the word of the LORD, the king of Israel and all of his princes battled and won the battle against the enemy of the LORD's people. The LORD has already sent word that His King will lead the final battle against all of His enemies and will defeat them.