(Through the Bible) 1 Kings 17-22 — Chuck Smith

Elijah Introduced During Israel's Apostasy

Let's turn to the 1 Kings, chapter 17. The 17th chapter of 1 Kings introduces us now to a very interesting character, Elijah the Tishbite. Whatever Tishbite means. Now Elijah came from the area of Gilead, which is what you would call today Transjordan if you were in Israel.

It was across Jordan in the area of Gad. And so he came from the area of Gilead. It is thought that it is possible that Tishbite means that he was not really an Israelite. That he was some other nationality.

But that is only a conjecture. We don't know for sure. But he certainly had a very interesting career. And he comes to the apostate northern tribe at really sort of its lowest point. When Ahab is the king with his wicked wife Jezebel.

And they have just about eliminated the worship of Jehovah. They have introduced bell worship to Israel. They have broken down the altars of God. They have slain the prophets of God. And they have just about eliminated the worship of God from the northern kingdom of Israel.

And so at this dark period of history. Elijah comes on the scene with the message of God. And the warning of God for the people. And so he is a very interesting character indeed. It is prophesied in Malachi that before Jesus comes again.

That Elijah will come and will be turning the hearts of the children to their fathers. And God is going to send Elijah back to the nation Israel. To really bring a great revival to Israel before the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Elijah, John the Baptist, and the Coming of Christ

Now when Zechariah the priest recorded in Luke chapter 1. Was in the temple fulfilling his course of ministry. The angel Gabriel stood beside the altar. And informed Zechariah that his wife Elizabeth in her old age was to bear a son.

And he said and he shall go forth in the spirit and in the power of Elijah. To turn the hearts of the children unto their fathers. The key there I think is the spirit and the power of Elijah. We then follow when in the first chapter of John.

When John the Baptist was fulfilling his ministry. They came to John and they said unto him. Who gave you the authority to do these things? Are you Elijah? And he said no. Are you that other prophet? No.

Then who are you? He said I'm the voice of one crying in the wilderness saying make straight the path of the Lord. Now John denied that he was Elijah. However. After the death of John the Baptist. Jesus was talking about John.

And he said of all men born of women. There is not risen a greater prophet than John the Baptist. Yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. The disciples then said to the Lord. How is it then?

He's giving John the Baptist this credit for being one of the greatest prophets. He said how is it then that the Bible says Elijah must first come. And Jesus said. Elijah shall first come. In other words the prophecy of Malachi will be fulfilled before Jesus comes again.

Elijah will first come. But he said if you are able to receive it. This is Elijah. Referring to John the Baptist. Now. We realize that there are two aspects of the coming of Jesus Christ. His first coming was to give himself as God's lamb a sacrifice for our sins.

His second coming is to reign and to establish God's kingdom upon the earth. But there are two aspects to the coming of Christ. And thus there are two aspects to the prophecy of Elijah being the forerunner.

And thus John the Baptist in the spirit and then the power of Elijah. Was the forerunner at the first coming. But Elijah will return to be the forerunner before Jesus comes again. John the Baptist was in the spirit and in the power of Elijah.

Now Elijah did appear with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. When Jesus went up into the high mountain with his disciples Peter James and John. And he was transfigured before them. Elijah appeared there on the Mount of Transfiguration with the Lord.

No doubt in Revelation chapter 11 verse 2. Where it speaks of the Lord sending the two witnesses. His two witnesses unto the nation Israel. That one of the two witnesses will indeed be Elijah. And the fulfillment of the prophecy of Malachi.

So Elijah is a very interesting character because he is interwoven. This is the beginning of his career. But he showed up on the Mount of Transfiguration. And he's going to show up once more before Jesus comes again.

Now because of the prophecy that Elijah will first come. That is why the Jews at every Passover. When they celebrate Passover they always set the empty chair and leave the door open. They're waiting for Elijah to come.

The door is open. He's welcome. And they've got the chair set for him at the table. And it is a sign of their anticipation of the Messiah's return. But they know before he returns. Their anticipation of the Messiah.

They are not really looking for him to return. But their anticipation of the Messiah. And the chair set for Elijah before the return. So very interesting character. And now we get into the study of this fellow Elijah.

Elijah Announces Drought and Receives God's Provision

Who came into Israel at this dark period of their history. When there is such a great spiritual decline. And he comes in very dramatically. With a dramatic announcement. And then he disappears. He came to Ahab.

The wicked king. And he said as the Lord God lives. Before whom I stand. There is not going to be dew or rain. For these years until I say so. And then he took off. And he was gone for three and a half years.

And for three and a half years there was a drought. Not a drop of rain. No dew from heaven. Until the land became very dry and parched. Now he took off first of all. Over to the brook Cherith. Which is back towards Gilead from which he had come.

And the Lord instructed him to go to the brook and drink of its water. And the Lord said I'll feed you there. And God commissioned a couple of ravens. To bring him food to eat. Every day actually. In the morning and in the evening.

They brought him bread and they brought him meat. And so he was there by the brook Cherith. Morning and evening the ravens would show up with his food. And he was just staying there. Until the brook dried up.

Because of the lack of rain. And so the Lord then commanded him. To get to Zarephath. Over near Sidon. So it would be in the area of the Lebanon today. Sidon is about ten miles north from Akko. And there is a widow woman there.

The Lord said and she will take care of you. So he went and he came to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city. Behold he saw this widow woman. And she was gathering sticks. Now in the more primitive cultures.

The ladies go out and gather sticks for their fires. You can go down to Guatemala. And see the ladies today. Out gathering sticks for their fires. And over in Israel. In the primitive culture. And it still does exist in many areas there.

The ladies out gathering sticks. And they of course cook over the open fires. And it's quite interesting. And so she was gathering these sticks. And he said to her. Would you bring me a drink of water?

And so while she was going to get him a drink of water. He said oh while you're bringing me the water. How about bringing me some bread too. And so she poured out her heart. She said I'm sorry sir. I don't have any bread.

In fact I'm gathering a couple sticks now to build a fire. And I have just a little oil. And a little flour left. Enough to make a couple of pieces of bread for my son and I. And we're going to eat those.

And then we're just going to die. I'm just. We're depleted. We have no flour no oil. So Elijah said. First make me. Some bread. And then make it for you and your son. And according to the Lord and the word of the Lord.

The flour. Shall not cease nor the oil. Until this whole drought is over. And so the widow lady went in. And she made Elijah. Some bread. And she found out that there was still flour left in the barrel.

Still oil. And she. Kept feeding him. And during this whole period of the drought. The flour did not fail nor the oil. It was always enough to make just one more. It's really a miracle indeed. And there's no taking away from the miraculous aspect of it.

How that God supplied. Miraculously. But it is interesting. The prophet said make it for me first. And then for yourself. There is sort of a. Spiritual. Kind of a thing here. As far as giving to God the first fruits.

Putting God First in Every Relationship

Of our lives. Jesus said. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these other things will be added unto you. Now if I. Twist this priority. And I start seeking first other things.

Then my life will be so involved. In seeking other things. That I don't have time for God. But. If I seek first. My relationship with God. Then all of my other relationships come into balance. They all just.

Work on in. You see my life exists on two planes. The vertical axis upon which my life revolves. And the horizontal plane. This outer area. My relationship with other people. Now. If the vertical axis of my life is correct.

If my relationship with God. Is. What it should be. Then the horizontal plane of my life. Is in balance. My relationship with those around me is in balance. And I am living. A well balanced life. If the vertical axis is.

Correct. If my relationship with God. Is all that it should be. However. If the vertical axis of my life. Is not correct. If my relationship with God. Is it all that it should be. Then the horizontal plane of my life.

Is also going to be out of kilter. And I find myself on this crazy topsy-turvy. Kind of an experience. Where I'm always trying to balance my life. And I'm spending all my time trying to get life into balance.

And things into proper focus. And I just never can seem to quite make it. Just about the time I get up here to try and balance this side. Then I come overboard this way you know. And I'm constantly working.

To get my life into balance. Never seeming to be able to do it. My relationships are all messed up. Now. If. I spend my time. In just trying to balance my life. I am only treating. The symptoms. It's like trying to.

Treat. A brain tumor with aspirin. You know just to sort of deaden the pain. So you don't feel it so bad. Then you don't feel these headaches quite so severely. But you're only treating symptoms. You're not getting to the heart of the problem.

Now any doctor who only treats symptoms is a quack. Stay away from him. You want a doctor that's going to find out what the cause is. That's creating the symptom. Why are you getting dizzy? Why do you have this severe pressure in the head?

You want something more than aspirin. Now people. Are so often. Treating only the symptoms. The relationship. And trying to get this relationship correct. And oh I've got to work on this. And I've got to work on that.

And oh this is all messed up now. You know and we're so busy. In the. Horizontal plane. Trying to get it in balance. When in reality. The solution is very simple. Get the vertical axis correct. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and.

His righteousness. Elijah said. Make me first the cake. Now had she gone in to make first of all. The cake for herself and her son. That had been it. The barrel had been empty of flour. The oil had been gone.

They would have died. Make me first the cake. And then for you and your son. Put the Lord first. Get your priorities correct. And God will take care of you. God will take care of the other aspects of your life.

So the most important relationship that I have. In all this world. Is my relationship with God. And nothing. Should get before it. And if I'm going to work on any relationship at all. I should be working on this relationship with God.

Above. Every other relationship. Because if this. Gets correct. Then the others are all going to fall. Into balance. If this. Relationship with God is out of kilter. Then there is no way. I'm going to be able to balance my life.

It'll always be. In this crazy topsy-turvy way. There's no way you can have a well-balanced life. Until your life is centered in God. And that is the vertical axis upon which your life is rotating. And until then.

It's always going to be. Out of balance. Out of kilter. So Elijah. Set forth really a principle for this gal. For God to work. Put God first. And God will take care of you. He'll take care of the seconds and the thirds and the fourths.

But it's priority. And it's simple. It's basic. And yet it's. It's one of the most important. Truths that you need to learn. In your whole experience of life. Is that your relationship with God. Must supersede every other relationship.

Make sure that you have. A right relationship with God. Because that'll see you through everything else. So. The little. Woman did what Elijah said. And. God took care. Verse 16. The barrel of meal wasted not.

Neither did the cruise of oil fail. According to the word of the Lord. Which he spake by Elijah. Now it came to pass. That the. Son of this woman. Became very sick. And actually he was so sick. He quit breathing.

And so she said to Elijah. What have I to do with thee. O thou man of God. Are you come to call my sin to remembrance. And to slay my son. Now it is interesting that she was sort of. Thinking that the death of her son.

Was somehow related to her own sin. And Elijah said unto her. Give me your son. And he took him out of her bosom. And he carried him up into a loft where. He stayed in a loft. There next to her house.

And she laid. He laid him on his own bed. And he cried unto the Lord and said. O Lord my God. Have you brought this evil. Upon this woman that I'm staying with. In slaying her son. And he stretched himself out of the child three times.

And he cried unto the Lord and said. O Lord my God I pray thee. Let this child's soul. Or consciousness come into him again. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah. And the soul of the child came to him again.

And he revived. And Elijah took the child. And brought him down to his mother. And presented him to her. And he said. Look your son is living. And the woman said to Elijah. Now by this I know. That you are a man of God.

And the word of the Lord is in your mouth in truth. So our introduction to Elijah. Now. It came to pass after many days. That the word of the Lord came to Elijah. In the third year saying. Go show yourself to Ahab.

Prayer Grounded in God's Promises

And I will send rain upon the earth. This is very important. To the further part of the story. The word of the Lord came to Elijah. Saying. Go show yourself to Ahab. I'm going to send rain upon the earth.

So he has the promise of God. That rain is going to come. Now later on. We're going to find Elijah. Up on Mount Carmel. Praying. Bowing himself. And praying. God send rain. And sending his servant out.

Toward the Mediterranean. To see if there were any clouds coming. And he sends his servant out seven times. But his prayer. And sending the servant out. Looking for a cloud. Is related to this. First verse.

Where the Lord promised. I will send rain. In other words. The prayer was premised. Upon the fact that he had heard from the Lord. And received the promise of God. Prayers that are based upon God's promises.

And God's word. You can be sure. Are going to be answered. So here's the promise of God. He heard. The word of the Lord. And on the basis. Of the hearing ear. Came the prayer. We'll get to that. A little later.

I just want you to. Make note of that at this point. And we'll come back to it. So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. And in the area of Samaria. The northern kingdom. There was a horrible famine. Because they've been now for three years without rain.

And so Ahab had called Obadiah. Who was the governor. Over his house. Now. A little personal note on Obadiah. He was a man who really feared God. And during the time that Jezebel. Was cutting off. All of the prophets of God.

This fellow Obadiah. Took a hundred prophets. And he hid them. In two caves. Fifty in each cave. And he brought them food. And he fed them. And took care of them. As they were hiding from. Jezebel. Who had.

Of course ordered all of the prophets of God slain. So. Ahab said to Obadiah. Now you go this way through the land. And see if you can find any pools of water. Where there might be some green grass around them.

So that we can. Feed. Our mules and horses. And keep them alive. That we don't lose all of our animals. And you go this way through the land. And I'll go this way through the land. And we'll meet again.

And we'll find all of the pools of water that we can. Where there might be some green grass. To keep at least a few of our animals alive. So as Obadiah was going out looking. Elijah came to meet him. And Obadiah knew Elijah.

And he fell on his face. And he said. Aren't you my lord Elijah? And Elijah said. I am. Go and tell your lord. King Ahab. That I am here. And he said. Hey. What have I done to hurt you man? You want me to go tell Ahab you're here.

And as soon as I do. Then the spirit of the lord will probably catch you off someplace else. And you know how Ahab is after you. He's been looking for you all over the place. There's no place he hasn't searched for you.

And I go and say. Come on over here. Elijah's going to meet you. And then I bring him over here. And the lord has carted you off someplace else. He's going to kill me. Now look. I'm a family man. And I don't mean you any harm.

Why would you ask me to do something like that? And Elijah said. I will surely be here. And I will meet him. And so. He told him again. Now go and tell your lord. Behold Elijah's here. So Obadiah went to meet Ahab.

And he told Ahab. Elijah is over here. So. Ahab came. And it is interesting. Ahab said unto him. Are you the one that has troubled Israel? You know. It is interesting to me. That people. Live such wicked lives.

Blaming God for the Consequences of Sin

And then. When. The fruit of their wickedness. Comes. They want to then. Blame God. For the calamities in their lives. Years ago when I was in Tucson. We had a. Lady come to visit our church. Whose husband was an army captain.

Or an air force captain. And so. I was making a routine call on her. Because. She had attended the church. And as I. Went over to their house in the evening. That I might meet her husband and all. The fellow met me at the door.

And I introduced myself. I said I'm Chuck Smith. And. Your wife was in church last Sunday. And I just came over to meet you. Say hi. The guy began to curse me. And he said get out of here. I don't want to see you.

And he was just. Very mean. He didn't even know me. And he said. I have just. Come from the hospital. Where the doctors have told me. That my little girl has polio. Well I knew. That he had a little boy.

That was crippled from polio. He had come with his mother. To church. And he said this is my second child with polio. And any God. That would allow my children. To have this crippling disease. I hate.

I want nothing to do with anybody. That has anything to do with him. And he began to curse me again. And I said tell me something sir. Have you been serving God? And that really made him mad. And he went on with his oath.

Telling me. You know that he hadn't been serving God. He said I know what it's all about. My dad's a Presbyterian minister. I grew up in a Christian home and all. But then he had just so bitter against God.

And I said well. Answer me this. If you hate God so much. And you haven't been serving him. Why should God be obligated. To take care of your children. I mean after all. What does God owe you. Well he was silent.

But I didn't go in. But it is. It is interesting how that. Somehow. We want to live our own lives. We want to ignore God. We don't want any part of God in our lives. Until calamity comes. And then somehow.

We want to blame God for the calamity. Why would God do this to me. As though God actually owed me something. When I've been totally ignoring him. So Ahab. Is now trying to blame the prophet of God. For the calamity that has come to the land.

The drought. Now just because Elijah said there's not going to be any rain. Until I say so. He is blaming Elijah for the judgment of God. Are you the one that troubles Israel. And Elijah is not about to take the blame.

He answered. I haven't troubled Israel. But you and your father's house have forsaken the commandments of the Lord. And you followed Balaam. Now therefore. Send and gather me together all Israel to the Mount Carmel.

And bring in the prophets of Baal. All 450 of them. And the prophets of the groves. The 400 prophets of Ashtoreth. That you've been supporting. So Ahab sent. Unto all the children of Israel gathered the prophets together to Mount Carmel.

Elijah's Challenge to Baal on Mount Carmel

And Elijah came unto the people and he said. How long. Halt ye between two opinions. If the Lord is God follow him. But if Baal. Then follow him. And the people didn't answer a word. Then said Elijah unto the people.

I. Even I only remain a prophet of the Lord. But Baal's prophets are 450 men. Now give us two bullocks. And let them take the choice. Whatever bullock they want. And cut it in pieces. And lay it on wood.

And don't put any fire under it. And I will dress the other bullock. And lay it on wood. And put no fire under. And let them call on the name of their gods. And I will call upon the name of Jehovah. And the God that answers by fire.

Let him be God. And all the people said. Good enough. Fair enough. It's well spoken. So here is Elijah making an open challenge. To the prophets of Baal. And so Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal. Choose one of the bullocks for yourself.

Dress it first. For you've got a lot of you guys. Call on the name of your gods. But don't put any fire under it. They took the bullock. That was given to them. They dressed it. They called on the name of Baal.

From morning until noon. Saying. Oh Baal hear us. But there was no voice. Nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar. That was made. Now it came to pass at noon. That Elijah decided to. Just mock them and.

Have a little sport. And he said. You guys ought to be crying louder. For now look. He's a god. Thus maybe he's in conversation. Or maybe he's on vacation. Or he could be asleep. And you need to wake him up.

So why don't you scream a little louder. And so they cried. All the louder. They cut themselves. In great religious zeals. With knives. With lancets. Till the blood was gushing out all over them. Leaping on the altar.

Crying for Baal to send fire. And of course nothing happened. Now about the time of the evening sacrifice. That there was neither a voice. To answer. Nor any that regarded their cries. So Elijah said to all the people.

Come on over here now near me. And the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord. That was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones. According to the number of the tribes of Israel.

And he came. And he built with these stones the altar in the name of the Lord. He made a trench about the altar. Enough to contain about. Two measures of seed. And he put wood in order. And he cut up the bullock in pieces.

And laid them on the wood. And he said fill four barrels with water. And poured on the burnt sacrifice in the wood. He said do it a second time. Do it a third time. And the water ran all about the altar.

Filled the trench also with water. Came to pass. At the time of the evening offering. Elijah the prophet came near and he said. Jehovah God of Abraham, Isaac and of Israel. Let it be known this day that you are the God in Israel.

And that I am your servant. And that I have done all of these things at thy word. Hear me oh Lord. Hear me that this people may know that you are Jehovah God. And that you have turned their heart back again.

And the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice. And the wood and the stones and the dust. And licked up all the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it they fell on their faces.

And they said Jehovah he is the God. Jehovah he is God. And Elijah said unto them take the prophets of Baal. Don't let any of them escape. And he took them down to the Brook Kishon. Which is in the valley there beneath Mount Carmel.

Flowing out of Megiddo. Into the Mediterranean. And he killed all 850 of them there. And so Elijah said to Ahab. Get up and eat and drink. For there is a sound of an abundance of rain. So Ahab went to eat and to drink.

And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel. And he cast himself down on the earth. And he put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant go up and look towards the Mediterranean. And he went up and looked.

He said there is nothing. He said go again. And he sent him seven times. And it came to pass the seventh time. That he said behold there is a rising. A little cloud out of the sea. About the size of a man's hand.

And he said go up and say to Ahab. Prepare your chariot. And get down. In order that the rain doesn't stop you. And so it came to pass in the meantime. That the heaven was black with clouds. And the wind.

And there was a great rain. And Ahab rode. And went to Jezreel. The other end of the valley of Megiddo. And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah. And he girded up his loins. And ran before Ahab. To the entrance of Jezreel.

Hearing God in Prayer and Stillness

So God answered by fire. And now God sent the rain. In answer to his prayer. But remember. The confidence in prayer. Came from the fact of the listening ear. And this is always true. Real confidence in prayer.

Comes from the fact that I have heard from the Lord. The listening ear is an important thing in prayer. Now so often. We're so overwhelmed with our particular problem. That we just rush right into God.

And start blurting out the whole. You know scene. Rather than coming in. And just waiting to maybe listen to God. Maybe he has something to tell me. With many people. Prayer is only thought of in terms of a monologue.

They never think of prayer as a dialogue. But real prayer should actually be a dialogue. I should be listening to God. I should be listening to see what God instructs and directs me. And therefore that time of quietness before the Lord.

Is very important. Where I just go in. And I just sit down and relax him. And quiet before the Lord. That he might have an opportunity to speak to me. Then I speak to him. And then I believe it's always important for me to wait for him to answer me.

And so I like to spend quiet time. Listening. Talking. Listening again. That I might get. Directions or instructions or guidance from the Lord. A response. To my request. And it's always an exciting experience.

When God responds to my questions or to my request. And begins to give me direction and answers. Because I take time to wait for the response. A lot of times I hear people say, Well, God never responded to me.

Well, did you give him a chance? You see, did you really listen? Did you wait? For the response from God? So. Ahab told his wife Jezebel. The whole story of what had happened. What Elijah did. And how he killed all of her prophets with a sword.

Elijah's Discouragement and God's Still Small Voice

And Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah and. She said, so let the gods do to me and even more also. If I don't make your life like the life of those prophets by tomorrow. This time. And when he got the message from Jezebel.

He got up and he began to run for his life. And he came all the way to Beersheba. Which is about 80 miles, 85 miles south from this area. And he left his servant there. Probably so bushed he couldn't go on any further.

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. And he came and sat down under a juniper tree. And he requested that he might die. He said, it's enough now, Lord. I've had it. Take away my life.

Slay me. I'm through. Now, this is, you know, out of a diswrought. Condition. You're all upset. And it's interesting how that when we are so upset, we oftentimes say things we don't really mean. You know, you get real upset and you just say things you don't really mean.

Afterwards, you're even sorry that you said them many times. But I was just upset. So I just, you know, didn't really engage my brain. I just let my mouth run. And I said these things. But I really didn't mean them.

You know, a lot of times we say things that we don't really mean. We ought to be really more careful with our speech. You know, you say to your child, get back in this house or I'll knock your head off.

Oh, you really don't mean that. The prophet's saying, Lord, slay me. I've had it. I'm through. Just kill me, Lord. I don't want to go any further. If he wanted to die, he didn't have to run. He could have stayed right back there in Jezreel.

And Jezebel would have taken care of it very gladly. So the very fact that he was running showed that he wanted to survive. That was the whole purpose of the flight, is to get away from the threat of Jezebel to kill him.

And so he went to sleep. And when he woke up, the angel was there, had prepared a meal for him and said, you know, come on and eat because you're going to go a long way on this food. So he had angel's food and it lasted for 40 days.

Good stuff. Very nutritious. He went 40 days on the strength of that meat. And he came to Horeb, the mountain of God, down in the Sinai. Way down. Man, he's really fleeing from her. Down in the barren wilderness.

Mount Sinai. Or Mount Horeb. Both names given to this mount. The mountain where Moses met God and received the law. And he came to a cave and he stayed there. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him there in the cave and said unto him, what are you doing here, Elijah?

Now, Elijah didn't really understand the question. The question was, what are you doing here, Elijah? And Elijah answered why he was there. Not what he was doing there, but why he was there. He said, I've been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts.

Because Israel has really turned against God. They have forsaken his covenant. They have broken down his altars. They have slain his prophets. And I'm the only one left. And they're even looking for me to kill me.

How bad can things get? The nation Israel in total apostasy. They have forsaken the Lord. Broken down his altars. Killed his prophets. Only one prophet left and they're looking for him. Now, that is Elijah's overstatement of the case because he is so upset and discouraged.

And that's one thing about discouragement and despair. It causes you to overstate the case so it actually looks worse than it really is. You know, we get so discouraged and so despondent. We don't want anyone to cheer us up.

I just want sympathy at this point. This is so bad. No one's ever had it this bad, you know. And we always are overstating then the case as Elijah was actually overstating the case of the problems in Israel.

They've killed all of your prophets and I, only I am left and they're looking for me to kill me. God, you don't have a single one left in Israel. That isn't quite right, Elijah. But you're upset. And I understand, you know.

You get so down that you just can't see any glimmer of hope, any light. The Lord said, Elijah, come on out here and stand here on the mount. So Elijah came out the entrance of the cave and he stood there.

And there came this fierce wind whipping through there, tearing rocks loose, rolling down the hillside. But God wasn't in the wind. Then there came this earthquake, just shook the whole place. God wasn't in the earthquake.

Then there came a fire just raging through. God wasn't in the fire. Then there came the still small voice. You know, quite often we miss the voice of God because we are anticipating God to speak in such, you know, great thunderous tones or in such a mystic way.