Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch.19-20 NLV, Ch. 21-22 CEB

Podcast Introduction

It’s  History Tuesday, and we’ll read 1 Kings 19-22. I’m calling this episode “Hearing From God.”

Design: Jason Paschall | Photo: Midjourney

Comments on 1 Kings 19

When we last saw Elijah, God had answered his prayers to rain down fire on the sacrifice in order to show that Baal was a false god. God did that and more, remember?

And here we see Elijah cowering at a threat from Jezebel. Seem strange? Maybe just a bit.

At least we know that Elijah was aware that this great thing that God did in consuming the sacrifice and the water and the dirt was a God thing and not an Elijah thing. He stayed humble and aware of his own humanity. That’s a good thing.

And he didn’t presume on God’s favor, which I happen to think is a good thing, too. We sometimes have the idea that since we are “kids of the King” that we don’t have to be concerned about things…that God will just magically take care of us. We forget what Jesus said to satan when He was in the desert and satan was tempting Him. 

Satan told Jesus to jump from a high spot because God’s angels would surely keep Him from harm. But Jesus told satan that we must not put the Lord to the test.

So Elijah took Jezebel’s threat to heart. 

Remember that earlier, God told Elijah to hide when his life was in danger? So Elijah just naturally assumed that this would be a good thing to do here, as well.

And while Elijah was in the desert, we see that he was greatly discouraged. He even said to God, “Just let me die here.” 

Isn’t that strange, too? You would think that after witnessing God’s great display before the false prophets of Baal, and the celebration of the people of Israel, Elijah would be on cloud nine. But we see a man who is worn out. The running, the hiding, the threats have all weighed on him. And we now know that after a great emotional high, it is natural to fall into a funk shortly thereafter. So there might have been a bit of that in play here, as well.

Regardless, God wasn’t through with Elijah, and he sent an angel to care for him there in the desert. He sent food and water. And after eating two meals, with a time of sleep in between, the food sustains Elijah for forty days as he traveled to Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God.

This was the same mountain where God appeared to Moses and gave Moses the tablets. This is where God first spoke to Moses from the burning bush, and where he actually revealed a bit of himself to Moses.

And God spoke to Elijah here. He wasn’t in the terrible wind. He wasn’t in the earthquake. He wasn’t in the fire. But he was in the sound of gentle blowing…a still, small voice.

When is it that you’re able to hear a gentle, quiet, still, small voice? When you are listening. When *you* are still. 

Do you want to hear the voice of God? Do you really? Are you ready for it? Do you desire it more than anything? Then stop. Be still. Listen. Wait.

If you are really thirsting to hear Him, I believe He will speak to you, as He spoke to Elijah, and as He has spoken to me. 

As Elijah said in today’s reading, and as I echo, “I am not better than my fathers.” You don’t have to be some great prophet. You only have to be willing to humble yourself and desire to know God more. 

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Transcript

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Transcript corrected by Sister Denise

Steve Webb 0:00The running, the hiding, the threats have all weighed on him.

Steve Webb 0:11This is the Lifespring! One Year Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, and podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb.