The Wilderness
The Wilderness
1 Kings 19:8-18
I. The Probing (9-10)
A. The Analysis (9, 13)
i. Occupation "What doest thou here?"
Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
ii. Location "What doest thou here?"
B. The Answer (10, 13)
i. Elijah's Condition
ii. Israel's Condition – 1. Forsaken God’s Word, 2.Thrown down the altars, 3. killed the prophets!
II. The Principle (11)
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
A. God's Lesson (fourfold demonstration)
i. strong wind (11), earthquake (11), fire (12), still small voice (12)
B. God's Presence is not guaranteed by Powerful Demonstration
i. We are often about a show!
C. God's Presence not ruled out because of small stillness
"The fact God was not in the wind, earthquake, and fire says God is not primarily in the business of turning heads but of moving hearts."
John G. Butler, Elijah: The Prophet of Confrontation pg 182