1 Kings 19:9-14

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Lord Teaches Elijah a Lesson

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The ways of the Lord are more than spectacular.

  2. The works of the Lord are more than judgment.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. What are you doing here?

  2. Let’s listen for God’s still, small voice.

QUESTIONS

  1. Our passage begins with Elijah hiding in a cave. What was he doing there?

  2. What is significant about the cave where Elijah hid?

  3. Describe the object lesson God gave Elijah.

  4. The ways of the Lord are spectacular. Review some of the spectacular things Elijah had seen God do.

  5. What is meant by “Let’s listen for God’s still, small voice.”?

ANSWERS

  1. Elijah had just experienced a great victory over the prophets of Baal. He saw the return of the rains after a long drought. Now he is running away in fear from wicked Queen Jezebel, who threatened his life.

  2. It may have been the cleft in the rock where God placed Moses when he revealed His glory to him.

  3. As Elijah was hiding in the mountain, God sent a strong wind, then an earthquake, then fire. Finally God spoke to him is a still, small voice.

  4. Elijah saw God stop the rains; the fire of the Lord come down from heaven; and the rains return suddenly after the three and a half year drought.

  5. This is an encouragement to take time to let God speak to you. Take time not only to read God’s Word, but to reflect on what He is telling you. Watch for God to work in small ways in your life.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. The ways of the Lord are more than spectacular. God can do the spectacular, but He also works in less spectacular ways. He also works in gentle ways. We love to see God’s dramatic answers to prayer; tremendously successful ministries. These are works of God. But God works in less dramatic ways as well. Praise the Lord that He is working in small ways in your life and in your church.

  2. Sometimes we may wish God would “get things over with” and judge this world. But we should praise the Lord that His works are more than judgment. He is graciously withholding His judgment today in order to allow more people to come to salvation.

CHALLENGE

  1. Elijah went to Mt. Sinai, hoping God would speak to him – and He did He sought to understand what God was doing. Instead of reprimanding Elijah, God patiently taught Him. He will do he same for you if you seek to understand His will.

KEY VERSES

  • “But the Lord was not in the wind… in the earthquake… in the fire.” 1 Kings 19:12-13

  • “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:13

1 Kings, Old Testament, TalksRon Reid1 KINGS 19:9-14