Topical Bible: Murmuring: Elijah

◄ Murmuring: Elijah ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Introduction

Murmuring, often characterized by complaints or expressions of discontent, is a recurring theme in the Bible. It reflects a lack of faith or trust in God's provision and plan. The prophet Elijah, a significant figure in the Old Testament, encountered murmuring both in his own life and in the lives of those he ministered to. His experiences provide insight into the nature of murmuring and its spiritual implications.

Elijah's Context

Elijah, whose name means "My God is Yahweh," was a prophet during the reign of King Ahab in the northern kingdom of Israel. Ahab's marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess, led to the widespread worship of Baal, provoking the Lord's anger. Elijah's ministry was marked by miraculous events and direct confrontations with idolatry, yet he also faced moments of personal despair and murmuring.

Murmuring Against Elijah

Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) was a pivotal moment in his ministry. After God answered Elijah's prayer by sending fire from heaven, the people of Israel fell prostrate and declared, "The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39). Despite this victory, murmuring soon arose as Jezebel threatened Elijah's life. The prophet fled to the wilderness, where he experienced his own moment of murmuring.

Elijah's Personal Murmuring

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah's murmuring is evident as he retreats to the wilderness, overwhelmed by fear and exhaustion. He prays, "I have had enough, LORD. Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers" (1 Kings 19:4). This expression of despair reveals Elijah's struggle with discouragement and a sense of failure, despite his previous triumphs.

God's Response to Elijah

God's response to Elijah's murmuring is both compassionate and corrective. An angel provides Elijah with food and water, strengthening him for the journey to Mount Horeb. There, God speaks to Elijah not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12). This encounter reassures Elijah of God's presence and purpose, redirecting his focus from his own limitations to God's sovereignty.

Lessons from Elijah's Experience

Elijah's experience with murmuring highlights several key lessons:

1. Human Frailty: Even a prophet as mighty as Elijah was susceptible to fear and doubt. His murmuring underscores the human tendency to focus on circumstances rather than God's power.

2. Divine Provision: God's provision for Elijah in the wilderness demonstrates His care and understanding of human needs. The physical sustenance provided by the angel symbolizes God's readiness to support His servants in times of weakness.

3. God's Gentle Correction: The gentle whisper at Mount Horeb illustrates God's approach to correcting His servants. Rather than rebuking Elijah harshly, God reassures him of His presence and redirects his mission.

4. Renewed Purpose: Following his encounter with God, Elijah receives a renewed sense of purpose. He is instructed to anoint new leaders, including Elisha as his successor, signifying the continuation of God's work beyond Elijah's personal struggles.

Conclusion

Elijah's experience with murmuring serves as a profound reminder of the challenges faced by even the most faithful servants of God. His account encourages believers to trust in God's provision and to seek His presence in times of doubt and despair.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 19:4,10
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

All the Day Long
... Lord within us is disturbed with envious thoughts"which will lead on to murmuring
and to ... When the great Elijah knew that he was to be taken up, what did he do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/all the day long.htm

The Way of Life and the Way of Death.
... way of death;" [3344] and added, "Choose life, that thou mayest live." [3345] Elijah
the prophet ... The Prohibition of Murmuring, Insolence, Pride, and Arrogance. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the two ways.htm

The Meek and Lowly One
... am not stern, I am not harsh, I am no fire- killing Elijah; I am ... words and such sweet
promises therewith, that thou shalt swallow it all up without murmuring. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the meek and lowly one.htm

John Smith, Platonist --"An Interpreter of the Spirit"
... young, with a painful lingering illness, which he bore "without murmuring or
complaining ... everybody soon feels that a glory has departed""when Elijah goes away ...
/.../chapter xvi john smith platonistan.htm

Acts v. 34
... indeed was scourged for the word of God, and they threatened Elijah, and the ... when
the disciples were multiplying"also, it says, "there arose a murmuring." (ch ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xiv acts v 34.htm

The Cruse of Ointment
... various reports of that discourse, we should think of a recluse like Elijah or the ...
breaks in upon the tender story, so did indignation and murmuring spoil that ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 1-9 the cruse of.htm

Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ...
... Lastly, Elijah, whom the Lord was training to the perfection of virtue ... of the priesthood,
and therefore were causing dissensions; and were murmuring in censure ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle lxiii limenius bishop of.htm

Nuremberg Sept. 15, 1530. To the Honorable and Worthy N. , My ...
... Here King Ahab and others could have said, "Elijah, with talk like that you ... proven
that there has always been a great deal of secret murmuring and complaining ...
/.../luther/an open letter on translating/nuremberg sept 15 1530 to.htm

2 Kings iv. 25, 26.
... tis extremely probable, that she also recollected the Miracle which Elijah had wrought
a ... and such gracious Hands, that I would not allow one murmuring Word, or ...
/.../submission to divine providence in the death of children/2 kings iv 25 26.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... times, of whom the historical books make mention, especially Elijah and Elisha ... A
whole people, without contradicting or murmuring, still depend upon the prophet ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm