Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him. 1 Kings 19:18
Elijah Flees to Horeb
Elijah’s fear: 19:1-9. The furious queen, Jezebel, grimly promises to kill Elijah. Elijah is suddenly terrified and flees to Mount Horeb.
4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.”
God appears to Elijah: 19:9-21. Finally God speaks to Elijah, that there are still 7,000 in Israel who have not bowed to Baal. And God gives Elijah a companion who will become his successor.
9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 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 am left; and they seek to take my life.”
18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
–> Elijah thought he was the only one left who had not forsaken God’s covenant. Yet, God let him know that there were still 7,000 people in Israel whose knees have not bowed to Baal.
[Study] Fear and depression may come at surprising times. How does God respond when this happens? What in God’s attitude toward Elijah might you want to recall the next time you feel fearful or depressed?
–> When things get really dark and scary, or when we feel all bummed out, it’s okay to cry out to God. He knows. He cares. He will do something.
