Elijah Part 2

Elijah Part 2

​From the highest of highs,

​to the lowest of lows

by Lori Peters

Multiple Choice

What Queen ordered the killing of the prophets of God?

• Esther

• Delilah

• Jezebel

• Mary

Open Ended

What did God send to Israel because the people had begun to worship idols?

​Mount Carmel

​Elijah challenges the priests of Baal to a sacrifice duel.

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​Elijah rebuilt the altar to the Lord that Jezebel had torn down.

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​He made it impossible for any "accidental" fire by drowning it in water.

​Mount Carmel

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And God showed up!!!

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​Mount Carmel

​Elijah enacts God's judgement on the false prophets of Baal. Why?

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​They had the truth and not only rejected it but embraced a false god.

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​The priests led the way and set the example for the people.

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​God holds these leaders to a higher standard and in this case, they deserved death under the Mosaic law.

​Mount Carmel

​Elijah was completely vindicated.

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​Ahab and subsequently, Jezebel, had to see what God did and the penalty the priests of Baal paid.

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​Yet, it did not deter Jezebel. She continues on in her mission to destroy the faith of Israel and the prophets who speak in the name of God.

Multiple Choice

True or False: Jezebel repented and thanked Elijah after the event on Mount Carmel.

• True

• False

​Lowest of lows

​Elijah flees Samaria and heads about 20-25 miles away - a day's journey.

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​He finally sit under a tree and tells the Lord do let him die.

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​He is exhausted, fearful, hungry, and confused about the effectiveness of his mission.

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​His perspective needs a change and its going to take -

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​A SNACK AND A NAP

​Lowest of low

​God provides an angel to give Elijah fresh bread and water.

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​Elijah sleeps and then eats again.

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​This second time two curious things happen:

​1. The angel tells him the journey is too great - "What jouney?"

​2. On the strength of that one meal he went forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb

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​Three miracles occur in this passage - the angel, the food, and the strength.

​Lowest of lows

​In spite of all these, Elijah is still discouraged. He travels all the way south in Judah to Mount Horeb.

​Key points:

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​Mount Horeb is the same mountain that Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on receiving the Ten Commandments.

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​Elijah is considered a second "Moses" as a prophet and one who will tell Israel what to do in the name of the Lord

​Lowest of Lows

​God asks Elijah what he is doing at that mountain.

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​“I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

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​In other words, woe is me.......

​Lowest of lows...

​God does something miraculous here when he calls Elijah to experience his presence.

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​The Lord's presence passes by Elijah in the cleft in the rock and amazing supernatural effects occur.

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​It is not until the gentle whisper of the Lord asking him once again what he was doing on the mountain did Elijah realize he was in the presence of the Lord and he covered his face in awe and respect.

​Lowest of low....

​Elijah gives the same response.

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​But the Lord does not acknowledge his pity party.

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​God gives him another mission and this one will change things dramatically in Israel.

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​Elijah is commanded to go anoint a new King, a new prophet, and God reminds him that there are over 7000 who still worship him.

​Lowest of lows....

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​God reminds Elijah

​he is not

​ALONE

​Life on Mission

​Often times living a life on mission has the highest highs and the lowest lows.

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​We can often feel lonely at the "top" and forget that we are always in the presence of the Lord and in a host of other believers living lives on mission as well.

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​Taking care of our basic needs can sometimes be lost when we are zealous for the Lord.

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​However, proper sleep, food, time with Jesus, and fellowship with other believers can help us from running to the cave for a pity party.

​Life on Mission

​God steps in and helps shift our perspective when we are struggling with our mission.

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​We have to be willing for him to this for us.

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​It is at these times when his peace passes all understanding and his grace is sufficient.

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​We keep moving in his strength and power when we have neither.