Israel's Rejection Not Total

Though Israel rejects the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, God casts Israel not away, but reserves Himself a remnant that trusts Christ. Verses 1-6 Paul explains how God didn't cast His people away: Paul himself is an Israelite and an elect of God. He put his trust in Christ's righteousness as we read in Phil 3:7-8 were he says that he counts his achievements as nothing in comparison to the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ. God is not inconsistent. He does not cast away His people which He foreknew, just as He reserved for Himself 7000 Israelits in Elijah's ungodly days. Verses 7-10 Israel missed the righteousness of God by faith in attempt to establish their own righteousness through keeping the law and were therefore darkened (Rm 10:3). But the once God elected of Israel obtained the righteousness of God by faith. Amazing grace of God! He reserved for Himself people form a nation that rejected Him over and over again. Also, amazing grace to me and my brothers and sisters in the faith! We are the elect of God, despite of who we were and often still act like.

Main point summary

Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah. Elijah flees and wishes to die. The Lord strengthens Elijah and sends him back to work.

1 Kings 19:1-18

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done,

also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword.

Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying,

“So let the gods do to me,

and more also,

if I do not make your life

as the life of one of them

by tomorrow about this time.”

And when he saw that,

he arose and ran for his life,

and went to Beersheba,

which belongs to Judah,

and left his servant there.

But he himself went a day’s journey

into the wilderness,

locative

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!”

inference

Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree,

suddenly an angel touched him,

and said to him,

“Arise and eat.”

Then he looked,

and there by his head

was a cake baked on coals,

and a jar of water.

So he ate and drank,

and lay down again.

And the angel of the Lord came back the second time,

and touched him, and said,

“Arise and eat,

because the journey is too great for you.”

So he arose, and ate and drank;

and he went in the strength of that food

forty days and forty nights

as far as Horeb,

the mountain of God.

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?”

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.”

Then He said,

“Go out, and stand

on the mountain before the Lord .”

And behold, the Lord passed by,

and a great and strong wind tore

into the mountains

and broke the rocks in pieces

before the Lord ,

but the Lord was not in the wind;

and after the wind an earthquake,

but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

and after the earthquake a fire,

but the Lord was not in the fire;

and after the fire a still small voice.

So it was, when Elijah heard it,

that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.

Suddenly a voice came to him, and said,

“What are you doing here, Elijah?”

And he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts;

because 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.”

Then the Lord said to him:

“Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus;

and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria.

Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel.

And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.

It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael,

Jehu will kill;

and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu,

Elisha will kill.

Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel,

all whose knees have not bowed to Baal,

and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

actionresult

Despair vs. Boldness The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Prov 29:25 Jezebel was a furious woman and Elijah's reaction was natural. Who would not fall into despair when threatened like that? There is no chance as a prophet to defend himself against the military of a nation, unless God defends him. Elijah lost sight of almighty God and looked at the threads of Jezebel and got snared in self-pity. We have received the Holy Spirit as the Apostles did. When they were threatened, and beaten, they were rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name (Acts 5:41). These were divine attitudes and actions through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are called and equipped to walk in the same Spirit (Gal 5:25). Stand therefore, and keep looking up, Christians! God will not leave you. He is with you and fights for you ( Deut 31:6 ) . As dark as your situation may be, trust Him (Jer 29:11)! Don't just get through difficulty, but strive in it; be strong in the Lord (Eph 6:10). He is for you and ultimate victory is yours already in Christ. It is just a matter of time till it is fully worked out in you.

The Lord asked that question twice. "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Elijah would not have been at that place, had he trusted the Lord. Elijah lost focus and looked at his seemingly hopeless situation and fall into despair. He forgot his God. So he was asked what he was doing there. He had a job to do...but he just ran away. The easy way out is not always the best. Trust God in hard times. Look away to Him.

The Lord send Elijah back to work. Elijah got scared by Jezebels thread and sank in over-concern for himself. He forgot his job and made wrong assumptions. A person in despair is usually surrounded by lies. Elisha assumed to be the only one left who seeks the Lord, but God kept Himself 7000 people of whom Elisha did not know of. We need to keep our eyes open for people in difficulty. It is an invaluable treasure to be surrounded by people who know the gospel and are able to relate it to difficult situations to disarm lies. God is ultimately the one who strengthens and disarms lies through the truth of His word.

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