THE WORD OF THE LORD
Text: 1 Kings 19
15 September 2009
(I) THE WORD OF THE LORD
“…and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him,
‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ ” 1 Kings 19:9
1. The ministry of the word of the Lord
Public ministry (To the nation of Israel)
2. The ministry of the word of the Lord
Private ministry (To Elijah)
(II) REPLY OF ELIJAH
“So he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone and left; and they seek to take my life.’ ” 1 Kings 19:10
1. Zeal for the Lord God of hosts
True!
2. Context of this zeal
a) Israel’s forsaken of their covenant with God
b) Tearing down of altars
c) Killing of God’s prophets
3. Lament
a) Feeling terribly alone
b) Feeling afraid that he too would soon lose his life
(III) A SECOND WORD OF THE LORD
“Then He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD.’ And behold, the LORD passed by…” 1 Kings 19:11a
1. A great strong wind (1 Kings 19:11b)
2. An earthquake (1 Kings 19:11c)
3. A fire (1 Kings 19:12a)
4. A still small voice (1 Kings 19:12b)
(IV) A SECOND ROUND
1. God to Elijah
“…’What are you doing here, Elijah?’ ” 1 Kings 19:13c
2. Elijah to God
Elijah gives the same answer to God
a) He has been very zealous for the Lord of hosts
b) The children of Israel had forsaken their covenant with God
c) They had torn down His altars
d) He is feeling terribly alone and afraid!
(V) GOD’S 3rd WORD TO ELIJAH
1. The work of anointing
a) To anoint Hazael as king of Syria (1 Kings 19:15)
b) To anoint Jehu as king of Israel (1 Kings 19:16a)
c) To anoint Elisha as a prophet in his place (1 Kings 19:16b)
2. The reasons for anointing these men
a) To fulfil God’s plan
i) Syria is included
ii) Israel is certainly included
b) To execute Divine justice
3. Corrigendum
a) Elijah is NOT the only person faithful to God
b) There were 7000 others who had not bowed the knee to Baal
(VI) THE CALLING OF ELISHA
1. The mantle of Elijah was thrown upon Elisha (1 Kings 19:19a)
2. Elisha asked for permission to bid farewell to his parents (1 Kings 19:20b)
3. Elijah’s cryptic reply (1 Kings 19:20c)
4. Elisha becomes a servant to Elijah (1 Kings 19:21)