1 Kings 19:11-21 And he said, Go forth, and stand on the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by… I. THE MAN HIMSELF. A great craggy soul that towers above the men of his age — his head wreathed in the glories of heaven. But though standing out from the age in which he lives as one of God's Elect — yet a man with a human heart capable of rejoicing and despondency even as others. II. HIS DREAD MISSION. To be the agent of Divine judgments. He was filled with righteous indignation at seeing the old worship of his country — the trust in the one living God — superseded by a religion which was but a form of paganism. And the God of Israel, who was a jealous God — jealous of the affections of His people being turned aside to another — empowered the prophet to do the terrible work of destruction. III. THE VISION OF GOD. When Elijah had done the terrible deed of blood, the reaction of spirit was so great, the dejection so overwhelming, that he was glad to get away from all society into a desert place to pray that he might die. Elijah's anger had been the flaming forth of deep passionate love. The love of God sometimes flames forth in flashes of anger which make the very earth to reel and stagger. What is God's justice but His love flashing out in angry retribution? Never argue, as so many do, that because God is love, therefore He will not punish sin. Learn — 1. That in terrible crises of life the faithful man may look for some special vision of God. 2. To distinguish between blind zeal which destroys, and intelligent zeal which edifies. 3. That while the might of Jehovah is used to crush wrong, the voice of love is needful to build up men in righteousness. (R. Thomas, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks 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: |
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