David Bahn – Reflections

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These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are 1 Kings 18-20, Psalm 6.

1 Kings 17:8-16

[At Horeb, the mount of God, Elijah] came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” ¹¹ And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. ¹³ And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁴ He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” ¹⁵ And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. ¹⁶ And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. ¹⁷ And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. ¹⁸ Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

The chapters from today’s readings are on the other end of the favorites list from those with the endless names, sons, wives, daughters, clans, and tribes we navigated in weeks past. I’m reminded of the scene in Star Trek when the young Scotty witnesses the furious intensity of Kirk and Spock. Scotty exclaims, “I like this ship! It’s exciting!”

There are certainly some exciting things in these chapters.

Elijah and the prophets of Baal have a showdown on Mount Carmel. Elijah taunts the prophets of Baal, goading them to cry louder because maybe their god is away, asleep, or even busy (yes – likely a euphemism for using the toilet). Their dancing and self-flagellation accomplish nothing. But when Elijah calls out to the LORD, fire comes down from heaven and consumes the sacrifice – bull, wood, stones, water, and all. Things do not end so well for the prophets of the false god.

Then comes the long-awaited rain – just as Elijah had promised. He had told Ahab it was coming, and on his servant’s seventh trip back from watching the horizon, he reports a small cloud rising from the sea. Before long, “the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain” (18:45).

After all that, you might expect Elijah to be so charged up that he could slay dragons. Instead, he hides in a cave. In despair, he prays that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (19:4).

So God does two things. First, he speaks to Elijah – not in the mighty wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a still small voice. And second, he reminds Elijah that he is not alone. There are still 7,000 in Israel who have not bowed the knee to Baal. And there is Elisha, who will take up Elijah’s mantle and carry on the prophetic work.

These chapters present a striking picture of prophets. These men were warriors of a sort: confronting kings, shaping military strategy, calling down judgment, and standing boldly in the thick of the fray. God used them for his purposes in those days.

Perhaps I find that striking because Jesus is so different. He is the Prince of Peace and mediator of a new covenant. His mission was not to conquer by force but to reconcile by grace. His great showdown looked, for a terrible moment, like defeat itself – abandoned, rejected, crucified. Yet through perfect obedience and complete faithfulness, Jesus won the victory. And his grace and truth are still changing hearts and saving souls.

There may be times when an Elijah is needed. But we will always need the grace and truth of Jesus.