Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-10-08
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.
ELIJAH HEARS GODS VOICE
EipCs Nv .91

| / Kings, 1X.1-2l.
Golden Text-Wait for Jehovah. Be
strong and let thy heart take
| courage-Psalm xxvii.14.
Elijah was physically exhausted
when he reached the palace at Jez'
reel. The courageous champion of Je-
hovah had used up all his physical en-.
ergy in his contests with Ahad and
the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel
and in his 16,mile run from his tri-
umph to the Summer palace. His
nerves were on an edge. He was dis
appointed when he learned of Jeze-
bel's threat to take his life. he knew
that she would try to carry out her
plans. The prophet was filled with
disappointment. dependency, discour-
agement, and depressed. He had
stood alone without fear for Jehovah
angry queens desire for vengeance he
fed. In this he showed that he was
"a man of like passion with u.s."
The panic.stricken prophet pushed
on for a hundred miles, until he reach
ed Beersheba, the most southerly city
of Palestine, on the edge of the des'
ert. Leaving his servant there, the
lonely prophet pushed on into the un-
inhabited section, called desert, until.
completely exhausted and worn out,
he fell asleep under "a juniper tree"
or broom plant" that furnished him
shade and protection from the heat OF
the sun.
Many have questioned this act Of
the prophets fight. 1t Is true that
God could have protected him against
the fury of the angry woman IL he
had dared to stand his ground. Our
Lord Himself withdrew from danger
several times because His hour had
not vet come. He advised His dis.
ciples, when they persecute you In
this city fee into the next" We are
not called upon to sacifice our life
unless we are answering divine call,
SO we cannot condemn Elijah for fee.
ing.
Prophets Religious Dependency.
The prophet was suffering from re-
ligious dependency when he request.
ed for himself that he might die. y
This petition was not the result OF
fear. It was produced by his mental
condition. He was bitterly disappoint-
ed, for he had expected that after
Gods demonstration OF power and APP
prevail of Elijah, as His servant, that
the whole nation, including Jezebel,
would be converted. Her fury at the
results Of her own seed sowing-for
she had commenced the religious per.
secution-that was reaped in the
death Of the prophets Of Baal had
filled Elijah with bitter disappoint.
ment. He was discouraged by her at.
titude toward Jehovah. His faith had
evidently shaken for the moment, and
he was overwhelmed by a spirit Of de-
spondency that filled him with de.
preston, so that he requested death.
Dependency is dangerous for any
leader. Disbursement units one for
the task of inspiring confidence. No
arouse the spirit Of faith, hope and
enthusiasm among men, that Is essen
tial to victory. God did not cast aside
Elijah because he was respondent. He
drew near to him and cured the
prophet of his religious dependency,
treating him in accordance with his
needs. 1t is one OF the glories of the
Gospel that God can and does use i'm.
perfect men.
The Lord had further need Of Elijah.
He started to restore, recover, rebuild
and renew the prophets power by Civ.
ing him the blessing of sleep and the
benefit of food. There is a close con-
nection between our physical cOndi-
ton and our spiritual failures. Our
Lord fed the multitude before He
preached unto them. Social relief has
frequently opened the door for the en-
trance Of the good news concerning
spiritual life. When Elitah's body
had been built up, he was brought to
Horeb for spiritual treatment. Sinai,
or Horeb, was where the covenant was
made that Ahab had broken. 1t was
where God had revealed Himself to
Moses IN the burning bush and the
PRONUNCIATION of the law.
Revelations mt HOreb.
Perhaps the prophet was taken to
the very cleft Of the rock" where
God had Moses and showed the found
er of Israel His glory as He passed