“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 – NIV) Today, I launch a new clergy collegial blog. I hope we will encourage and empower each other toward success and excellence in pastoral ministry. As I sit in the Pastor’s Study at Cambria Heights Community Church, I often ponder the possible feedback of clergy colleagues as it relates to preparing sermons, counseling in particularly difficult situation, designing fresh worship, balancing competing priorities of ministry, marriage and family, maintaining self-care, pursuing personal dreams and private interests outside of ministry and family, and finding resources to meet the ever evolving and changing needs of the people whom I serve. After a sustained period of prayer, reflection and meditation, I realize I can invite you to come “In The Pastor’s Study” for an exchange of ideas.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

1 Kings 19:1-18 Bible Study Notes


Bible Study Notes -  1 Kings 19:1-18

What do you do when you are depressed spiritually?  In this passage, the prophet, Elijah, finds that he is physically, emotionally and spiritually exhausted.    Incredibly, this mighty man of God yields to these common emotions which we do not associate normally with “spiritual giants.”  After being threatened with death by Jezebel, Elijah flees to Mount Horeb.  Weary and isolated, Elijah begins to feel that God abandons him despite his faithful service.  He stands amazed that Almighty God would leave him alone when he, Elijah, fights valiantly on God’s behalf.  Have you ever has the experience of feeling alone in your faith journey despite your very best attempts to serve the Lord faithfully?  Can you relate to feeling forsaken by God?  Do you think that you have been abandoned to the circumstances of your life?  As we study Elijah’s example, let’s glean answers to these very personal questions which many of us have asked periodically.  Consider the following questions and ideas.

  • How is the source of Jezebel’s death threat to Elijah?
  • Notice that she takes a divine vow to fulfill his promise of taking the prophet’s life.  Let’s discuss the meaning of a vow.
  • Elijah flees for his life.  At Beersheba in Judah, he leaves his servant and continues the journey alone.  What leads him to leave his servant?
  • He travel’s a day’s journey into the wilderness.  What is the significance of the wilderness?
  • Near a broom tree, Elijah prays that he might die.  Is this an act of self-pity?  Had he really wanted to die, would he not have stayed and faced Jezebel’s threat directly?
  • Dissect the prayer of Elijah in verse 4.
  • In verse 5, Elijah lies down and falls asleep.  He is physically tired.  How does his exhaustion affect his emotions, feelings and outlook?
  • An angel appears suddenly; he awakens the prophet and tells him to get up and eat.
  • Supernaturally, a cake of bread baked over hot coals and a jar of water appear.  Notice the provision of food to meet Elijah’s physical hunger. 
  • Perhaps, there are literary symbols to Holy Communion in the Christian context. 
  • Also, note the physical condition of hunger added to his exhaustion.
  • In verse 7, the angel directs Elijah a second time, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.”  Again, note the provision of the Lord in the wilderness.
  • After Elijah is strengthened by the food and rest, he travels for forty days and forty nights until he reaches Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God.
  • Note that the Lord’s provision enables and encourages the prophet to continue his journey.
  • At Mt. Horeb, Elijah goes into a cave and spends the night.  Consider the image of isolation in a cave – darkness, coldness, anxiety, noises, need of a fire for light and warmth, etc.
  • Then, Elijah feels the presence of the Lord and hears His voice.  “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  Notice that the voice of God addresses the prophet directly and by name.
  • Let’s dissect verse 10, Elijah’s reply to the Lord’s question.  How would you characterize this response?  Again, does Elijah engage in self-pity and self-serving behavior?  Is he being self-righteous?
  • Then, the Lord tells the prophet to leave the cave and stand on the mountain in the presence in the Lord “for the Lord is about to pass by.”
  • Notice that the Elijah is able to see the Lord more clearly on the mountain that within the cave.  Contrast the locations of mountain and cave.
  • Then, a mighty wind abruptly tears the mountain apart and shatters the rocks.  Imagine the prophet’s fear of death in the midst of that natural storm.
  • After the tempest, an earthquake occurs.  A tremendous fire follows the earthquake.
  • Elijah discovers that the voice of the Lord is not found in the natural events.
  • Instead, a gentle whisper holds the Word of God.  Compare the drama of near natural disaster with the stillness, silence and solitude of being in the presence of Almighty God.
  • A second time, the voice of God asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
  • Elijah repeats himself in verse 14.  How do we understand his need to repeat himself?  Is this an act of self-justification?
  • In verse 15, the Lord directs Elijah to “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus.”  Essentially, the Lord sends Elijah back to work with a succession plan.
  • Interestingly, getting back to work and continuing to do what you have been doing is the resolution to the prophet’s spiritual depression, isolation, and tiredness.
  • In verse 18, the Lord refers to a remnant in Israel.
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