6.4. GOD REVITALISES HIS DRAINED, DESPONDENT SERVANT (1 Kings 19:1-21)

Jezebel's folly and threat (1 Kings 19:1-2 ). In spite of the unanswerable demonstration that Baal worship was false, and that Elijah's God is the only true God, Jezebel persisted in her folly of idolatry, and her determination to destroy Elijah. Demon power behind error blinds and makes reason sluggish, and natural discernment inoperative (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:11; Ephesians 4:18 ).

The Carmel victory - the intercession that brought the rain - brought, no doubt, spiritual exhaustion to Elijah, that was followed by a sense of being drained. At this time he heard Jezebel's threat (1 Kings 19:2 ) that led him to flee Jezreel. Arriving in the wilderness via Beersheba, he gave way to profound despondency. Seeing the great Elijah like this is good for all of us, and reminds us of the truth of:

James 5:17 "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, ..."

and that:

2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."

Notice how God dealt with his physical and mental state:

	He did not condemn him.
	He gave angelic ministry.
	He allowed Elijah to express himself.
	He gave nourishment so that Elijah: 1 Kings 19:8 "... went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God."
	He spoke to him in gentle whispers.
	He sent him back to work with new assignments.
	He assured him he was not alone.

God becomes our example of how to minister to the drained, despondent, depressed worker.

Hazael of Syria (Aram) became the chief foe of Israel (2 Kings 8:7-15 ). Jehu destroyed the family of Ahab and the Baal cult in Israel, for political reasons, not for God. Elisha became Elijah's true and worthy successor working to bring the people back to YAHWEH. What encouragement it must have been to Elijah to know his mantle was upon the man of God's choice. By killing his oxen Elisha demonstrated that for him there was no turning back on God's call.

Beh-hadad miscalculated by threatening Israel's existence. The thirty two kings (1 Kings 20:1 ) were petty tributary rulers over cities in his neighbourhood. His first and second demands upon Ahab showed his desire to spoil Israel (1 Kings 20:3-7 ). Upon Ahab listening to his leaders and the people (1 Kings 20:8 ), the real intention of Ben-hadad was revealed, that of Israel's destruction (1 Kings 20:10 ).

God's intention of deliverance is made known by His prophet. It was not for Ahab's sake, but to preserve Israel. God's goodness and providential purpose is revealed in 1 Kings 20:13, and that the deliverance would be by the young leaders (1 Kings 20:14 ), as was the outcome (1 Kings 20:15-21 ). The second victory was greater (1 Kings 20:22-30 ). The challenge that God was limited geographically was met by God, to the overwhelming defeat of Ben-hadad. Ahab's letting Ben-hadad go was as disloyal to God as Saul in the case of Agag (1 Samuel 15 ). The parabolic manner of the prophet exposed Ahab and condemned him to die. There is a warning in verse forty not to be so busy with trifles that the important issues of life are neglected.

Grey rightly says, "that Naboth's refusal to Ahab was not disregard for him, nor for selfish reasons, but from obedience to God (Compare1 Kings 21:3 with Leviticus 25:23; Numbers 36:8. ) Covetousness made Ahab ready to accept Naboth's vineyard as the result of his evil wife's murder plot (1 Kings 21:5-16 )." Dr James M. Grey - Christian Workers Commentary On the Whole Bible- Fleming H. Revell Company

Elijah confronts Ahab with the message of his doom as well as that of his evil wife (1 Kings 21:17-29 ). Because of Ahab's bitter repentance, part of his sentence was delayed; but finally the retribution fell upon this couple who agreed together in evil. The lesson is clear:

Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

This history bears witness to paid prophets telling their master what he wants to hear. Jehoshaphat wants to hear from a true prophet and Micaiah is called (1 Kings 22:4-14 ). Micaiah's initial backing up of Ahab's prophets drips so heavily with sarcasm that Ahab demands to hear what is truly the situation. Micaiah's explanation is that a lying spirit has moved Ahab's prophets to prophesy victory, whereas God does not intend Ahab to survive the battle (1 Kings 22:15-28 ).

God does not lie and did not permit Ahab's prophet to lie in His name. In fact God through His true prophet Micaiah, fully revealed the source of Ahab's prophets' predictions and the truth of the outcome of the battle. Ahab's death resulted from refusing to believe the truth, not from a failure to know the truth. God's spokesmen speak the truth even when outnumbered and imprisoned for telling God's Word. Jehoshaphat nearly lost his life by associating with an evil king.

Jehoshaphat followed God - so provided good leadership as king of Judah. But he failed to destroy the heathen shrines in the hills (2 Chronicles 20:35 ). This marred the good he did for his people. Good leadership takes courage and determination to do what is wholly right in God's eyes.

Ahab's son Ahaziah is described in the worst possible way (1 Kings 22:51-53 ). God will not tolerate the leading of His people into sin. His anger will bring judgment. Failure to follow God leads to life's ruin.

---

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Are you surprised that a servant of the Lord, mightily used, should experience fatigue and despondency? (1 Kings 19:3-6 ).
2. What do you learn from the way God dealt with Elijah's fatigue and despondency? (1 Kings 19:6-18 ). How would you minister to such a leader?
3. Why did God deliver a wicked king like Ahab, from Ben-Hadad's evil intention? (1 Kings 20:10 ).
4. Are you diligent in minor responsibilities entrusted to you? (1 Kings 20:40 ).
5. Can you give examples of the destructive force of covetousness you have witnessed? (1 Kings 21:1-29 ).
6. What was the explanation of Micaiah as to why Ahab's paid prophets lyingly prophesied victory? (1 Kings 22:22 ).
7. Can Jehoshaphat be taken as an example that wrong associations can be costly? (1 Kings 22:31-33 ).
8. Would you define good leadership as courageously doing what is right in God's eyes? (1 Kings 22:41-50 ).
9. What kind of pressures could hinder a leader wholly doing what God required?
10. How is Ahaziah's reign in the sight of the Lord, summarised? (1 Kings 22:51-53 ) . What sin of leadership do you think God will not tolerate?