1 Reis 19
G. Campbell Morgan · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Reis 19
Morgan - Arise and eat.—1 Kings 19.5. The story of Elijah is very human, and appeals to us because it is so true to the experience of life. The account of his encounter with the prophets of Baal is full of majesty. With calm dignity he stood against the combined evils of a corrupt court and a pagan religion. His vindication by the fire of God was perfect. The slaughter of the prophets of Baal aroused the ire of Jezebel to such a degree, that she sent a direct message, full of fury, to Elijah Then came reaction. The man who had stood erect, confronting all the forces of evil, now fled for his life. Full of beauty is the story of God's method with His over-wrought and fearful servant. Before entering into that communion with him which was for the correction of his false attitude of fear, He commanded him to eat, thus ministering to his physical weakness. The words which are suggested by the story are those of the psalmist: "He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust." How often the way to spiritual strength and mental restoration is that of physical renewal! While we are serving our King in this sphere of earth there can be no divorce between physical and spiritual health. Over and over again the breakdown of spiritual vision is the result of physical weariness. Let us never forget that the word of Jehovah to His servant of old under these conditions was, first: "Arise and eat." He had much to say to Elijah afterwards, and much to reveal to him; but He prepared him by renewing his bodily strength. A wonderful, understanding God is ours! Depression And Despair - Facts of the Matter - N D Hillis Those dark undercurrents of desperate emotions that drag us down into the murky shadows of hopelessness and despondency. The bad news is that every follower of Christ seems to be subjected from time to time to this state of gloom … this so-called “Dark Night of the Soul:” Job, while languishing near death cried out, “May the day of my birth perish … I despise my life … my days have no meaning.” (Job 3:3a; 7:16) Elisha, after a great spiritual victory lamented, “I have had enough, Lord … take my life.” (1 Kings 19:5) Paul, while suffering intense hardship in Asia, wrote, “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death …” (2 Corinthians 1:8, 9a) Today, if you are in the midst of one of these “Dark Nights of the Soul,” consider and claim God’s promises from His Word. Keep in mind however, that with most promises there is a condition for us to fulfill: Promise: “Even in darkness light dawns for the [Condition:] upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.” (Psalm 112:4) Promise: “I am the Light of the world. [Condition:] Whoever follows Me [Promise:] will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Condition: “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed: [Promise:] then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” (Isaiah 58:10, 11) Because DEPRESSION and DESPAIR are tools the Enemy often uses in his attacks against Christ’s followers, it is imperative that we fight back with God’s spiritual arsenal, which includes the Word of God. So claim His promises, fulfill the Word’s conditions, and then see Him win the victory on your behalf. (See Ephesians 6:10–20) NOTHING LEFT TO DO BUT DIE Now, O Lord, take away my life… And the Lord said unto him, Go … anoint Hazael … and Jehu … and Elisha 1 Kings 19:5, 15, 16 The words, "There's nothing left to do but die," spoken by a twenty-year-old girl who attempted suicide after a drug-taking episode, still ring in my ears. She was a picture of abject hopelessness and despair as she sat across the desk from me for our interview. She declared that she had committed every kind of sin imaginable, and had never done anything commendable that she could recall. Her moments of exhilaration had come only while under the influence of forbidden and habit-forming drugs. Now, confined to prison for her misdeeds, she said she expected soon to die, but admitted she was desperately afraid. I assured her that God still loved her, that Jesus died for her sins, and that the Lord would save her and make the rest of her life worth-while if only she would receive Christ. I pointed out that if she came to know the Lord, she would become a new and vibrant person, full of eager anticipation for the future. After counseling with her, giving her some additional Scriptures to read, and praying with her, I left. Since then I have been praying that God will reach her by His grace and claim her for himself. As yet she has not responded to the Holy Spirit's wooings. Don't be downhearted, look up, look up, For Jesus is on the Throne, And He will supply every need from on High; Cheer up, cheer up, cheer up! -Old Chorus No life is hopeless unless Christ is ruled out! Life’s Darkest Moments Read: 1 Kings 19:1-8 An angel touched [Elijah], and said to him, “Arise and eat.” —1 Kings 19:5 Charles Whittlesey was a hero’s hero. Leader of the so-called “Lost Battalion” in World War I, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery when his unit was trapped behind enemy lines. When the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated, Charles was chosen to serve as pallbearer for the first soldier laid to rest there. Two weeks later, it is presumed that he ended his own life by stepping off a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. Like Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-7), Charles was publicly strong, but in the quiet, post-public moments, his feelings of despair set in. People today frequently face situations bigger than they can handle. Sometimes it’s temporary despair brought on by fatigue, as in Elijah’s case. He had been part of a great victory over the prophets of Baal (18:20-40), but then he feared for his life and ran into the wilderness (19:1-3). But often, it’s more than despair and it’s more than temporary. That’s why it is imperative that we talk about depression openly and compassionately. God offers His presence to us in life’s darkest moments, which enables us, in turn, to be His presence to the hurting. Crying out for help—from others and from God—may be the strongest moment of our lives. Father, grant us the candor to admit to each other that sometimes life overwhelms us. And grant us the courage to help others find help—and to seek it when we need it. Hope comes with help from God and others. A Neglected Remedy He gives His beloved sleep. — Psalm 127:2 Today's Scripture : 1 Kings 19:1-18 I am often asked to speak on the subject of stress. I’m not an expert on stress, just an experienced sufferer! I simply share counsel from God’s Word that helps me live less stressfully and more restfully. Many listeners are desperate for any new insight I might offer. What blank looks I sometimes get when I make this particular recommendation: “Get more sleep!” In their longing to deepen their experience of God’s peace, they were hoping for something more spiritual than that. But I’m not alone in linking spirituality to sleep. A godly Bible teacher was asked to share the key ingredient in his own life for walking in the Spirit. He studied the Bible and prayed regularly, but his surprising reply was this: “Get 8 hours of sleep each night.” This reply is less surprising in light of God’s initial remedy for Elijah’s stress and depression (1 Kings 19:1-18). Twice God gave him food and undisturbed sleep before gently confronting him at Mt. Horeb with his error. When life is so busy and hectic and humming, You're uptight and frazzled and stressed; Slow down for a while and spend time with the Savior, And be sure to get adequate rest. —Fitzhugh We can sleep in peace when we remember that God is awake. (See Pr 6:20-23) Related Resources: Safe & Secure What Can I Do With My Worry? 1 Kings 19:6 Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. cake: 1Ki 17:6,9-15 Ps 37:3 Isa 33:16 Mt 4:11 6:32 Mk 8:2,3 Joh 21:5,9 1 Kings 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DIVINE PROVISION FOR ELIJAH One could subtitle this passage "Divine Care Catering Service." Then he looked and behold (pay attention! - hinneh; Lxx - idou), there was at his head a bread cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water - The detail of baked on hot stones is fascinating as if God had just "baked" it for Elijah! This third miraculous provision should have jogged Elijah's memory of his days when Yahweh miraculously daily provided raven catering and a widow's flour and oil. God is once again demonstrating His sufficiency to take care of the needs of His downcast prophet. One is reminded of Paul's words in Php 4:19+ "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." So he ate and drank and lay down again - His hunger was satiated but he was still physically and emotionally exhausted. Remember James says "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours." (Jas 5:17). Peter Pett: God had seen the need of His servant for sustenance, and would not leave him to die. It was both an act of infinite compassion, and a pointed reminder to Elijah that God still had a purpose for him. (ED: BELOVED THE SAME GOD SEES OUR NEED.) 1 Kings 19:7 The angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise, eat, because the journey is too great for you.” angel of the LORD: 1Ki 19:5 because the journey: De 33:25 Ps 103:13,14 1 Kings 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Genesis 16:7+ Now the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. ANGEL OF THE LORD SPEAKS TO ELIJAH The Angel of the LORD came again a second time - The designation suggests that this was not just any "angel" but was a theophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (Christophany). J
1 Reis 19
Morgan - 1 Kings 19:18 (NKJV) All to Jesus: A Year of Devotions - Page 73 The rugged Elijah, man of prayer and passion, collapsed under the strain of work and asked the Lord to take his life. "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Hosts," he prayed, "but the Israelites have... killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they're looking for me to take my life" (1 Kings 19:14). In his dejection and self-pity, Elijah thought he was the last man standing, the final prophet in Israel. Patiently the Lord gave Elijah a new set of instructions, speaking to him in still, small tones. He told Elijah to return by the way he came and to resume his work with renewed power. He also gave him a human friend, a young man named Elisha. "Oh, yes, by the way," the Lord added (my paraphrase). "This business about your being the last prophet standing? Well, for your information I have seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him." Elijah was seven thousand times more pessimistic than he should have been, and the Lord was seven thousand times more powerful than Elijah thought. The lesson for us: Sometimes things seem to be going badly, and sometimes we collapse in discouragement and exhaustion. But remember—where God is concerned, things are never as bad as they seem. He has resources of which we know nothing. Converts 1 Kings 19:18; John 12:23–26 It took Ellis Deibler fifteen years to translate the New Testament for the Guhuku people of Papua New Guinea. After all that time the evidence of church growth was not encouraging. He was aware of only one or two people who were believers, and they didn’t seem very committed. His friends back home couldn’t understand why he had invested so much time in the Guhukus. All that work! All those years! Only two believers? Yet Ellis felt he had been obedient to what God had called him to do. When he finished the Guhuku New Testament, he moved to Ukarumpa, the translation center, to help other translators with their work. Meanwhile, every Saturday he drove the sixty miles back to the Guhuku market town to try to sell the copies of the Scriptures. At times he was tempted to be discouraged because he found there were few buyers and very little interest. One Saturday, a Guhuku woman stopped Ellis in the market and asked, “Are you Ellis Deibler?” “Yes.” “I’ve been wanting to find you for a long time and thank you for translating the New Testament into my language.” She told him she was a schoolteacher from another area. She related, “One day, I was in a bookstore and picked up a book. I was shocked that it was written in my language. I had never seen anything written in my language before.” It was the Guhuku New Testament. She said she started reading it and couldn’t put it down. “While I read it, the Spirit of God came over me, and I knew I was different.” She showed Ellis her New Testament. She had nearly worn it out with use. She told Ellis how she began reading it to others, and the Spirit came over them too! Later Ellis asked, “How many people became believers because of this?” “There must be at least two hundred,” she said. J R Miller - him." 1 Kings 19:18 Things were not so bad as Elijah had thought. He supposed he was the only one left; but there were seven thousand more, scattered here and there through the land, who were still loyal to God. God's cause in this world is never hopeless. He has others, where we think we are the only one. There is an experience of Luther's which is suggestive: "At one time," he says, "I was sorely vexed and tried by my own sinfulness, by the wickedness of the world, and by the dangers that beset the church. One morning I saw my wife dressed in mourning. Surprised, I asked her who had died. 'Do you not know?' she replied; 'GOD is dead.' 'How can you talk such nonsense?' I said. 'How can God die?' 'Is that really true?' she asked. 'Of course,' I said, not perceiving her aim.' How can you doubt it?' 'Yet,' she said, 'though you do not doubt that—yet you are so helpless and discouraged.' " Vance Havner - RALLYING THE REMNANT Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 1 Kings 19:18. It is easy to get under the juniper and fancy, "I am the sole surviving saint." But God has His faithful remnant and our biggest business is to rally it. There are more than seven thousand who do not bow to Baal. God keeps the books and knows them that are His. Here is the real witness today. We cannot organize it, but we can challenge and revive it and out of this kindling wood start a fire. You're Not Alone [God] has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." --Hebrews 13:5 If you're in a situation where you feel that you're the only one standing true to God, take heart! There's encouragement in the story of Elijah. The prophet had experienced the Lord's protection and miraculous provision, and he had just won a great victory over those who had led God's people astray (1 Kings 17-18). But then we find Elijah running for his life and sinking into despair, convinced that he was the only one of God's prophets who hadn't been destroyed by the enemy (1 Kings 19). After having exhibited great courage, he suddenly was overcome with fear. We may have a similar reaction. It may occur in the early stages of an unknown venture or after a great success. Suddenly we feel isolated, vulnerable, alone, afraid. God came to Elijah in his darkest moment and gave the fearful prophet a word of encouragement. The Lord told him, "I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal" (1 Kings 19:18). Though all around me is darkness And earthly joys are flown, My Savior whispers His promise-- Never to leave me alone. --Anon. 1 Kings 19:19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. Elisha: 1Ki 19:16 while he was plowing with twelve pairs: Ex 3:1 Jdg 6:11 Ps 78:70-72 Am 7:14 Zec 13:5 Mt 4:18,19 his mantle: 1Ki 19:13 1Sa 28:14 2Ki 2:8,13,14 1 Kings 19 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Elijah Anoints Elisha As His Cattle Look On! THE PASSING OF THE MANTLE So - Term of conclusion. No questions. No grumbling. No hesitation. Elijah concludes that God has commanded him and that settles it. His feelings of "woe is me" must have quickly faded away! He departed from there - Elijah backtracks about 150 miles from one wilderness to another as he goes to God's destination in the Damascus Wilderness. And found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth - Twelve pairs of oxen indicates he was from a wealthy family. Elijah finds one of the 7000 faithful that God had mentioned. THOUGHT - One of the best ways to get out of depression or discouragement is to get busy and set new goals. Don't spend time alone. Fellowship with others. God knew that Elijah needed Elisha's fellowship. You need fellowship too! Are you backslidden? Get back on track! Listen for God's still, small voice in the quiet times and do what He says. (Rod Mattoon) Bob