Elijah at Horeb

After traveling forty days and arriving at Mount Horeb, Elijah went into a cave and stayed there. Since he was now far away from Jezebel, who had threatened to kill him, he probably felt himself to be safe and secure there. But he was still unhappy. Perhaps he had hoped that the Lord would be honored after what took place on Mount Carmel, and that he, as God's servant, would be highly esteemed. But that had not taken place.

However, God did not leave him there alone. God had work for Elijah to do, and he was not to remain idle. God's people would like to be far away from all their enemies and their troubles, but they must be willing to be active and busy, too, if God commands them.

God spoke to Elijah and said, “What doest thou here?” We do not read that the Lord had sent him to this place, and therefore the question was necessary.

Then Elijah said, “I have been very unhappy because the people of Israel have forsaken Thee and are worshipping Baal. Many of Thy prophets are slain with the sword. I am left alone, and they seek me, to put me to death, too.”

Then God told Elijah to go and stand upon the mountain before the Lord. Elijah obeyed. While he stood there, the Lord Himself passed by. First there was a great wind. The wind tore the mountains and broke the rocks to pieces, but God was not in the wind. Then there was an earthquake. The ground shook where Elijah stood, and he felt very much frightened; but God was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire. It must have been a very fearful sight, but God was not in the fire.

Then all was quiet. God had shown Elijah His great and wonderful power; now He spoke to him in love. Elijah heard a voice, a soft, gentle voice. It was the voice of God. Elijah knew it, and he covered his face. He stood humbly before God to hear what He would say. Then the voice said again, “What doest thou here, Elijah?”

Elijah answered, “I have been very much troubled because of the sin of the people of Israel. They have forsaken Thee, killed Thy prophets, and thrown down Thy altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

Then God said, “Go now to Damascus and anoint Hazael to be king of Syria. Also, anoint Jehu to be king of Israel. I will raise up another prophet to serve Me when thou art gone; his name is Elisha. Go and anoint him, too. Do not be overly troubled about the people of Israel. There are many of them who still love and worship Me. There are seven thousand who have not bowed their knees to Baal.”

Then Elijah was comforted. He had seen and felt God's power and God's love. He knew he need not fear when this powerful and gracious God was with him.

Elijah went away from Horeb and soon found Elisha, the new prophet. Elisha was busy plowing with his oxen; he was not thinking of the honor of being God's prophet. But Elisha loved God, and God knew his heart. As Elijah passed by, he cast his mantle on Elisha. Elisha understood by this that he was called to go with Elijah. He ran to Elijah and said, “I will go and kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow thee.”

Elijah said, “Go.” So Elisha went home and killed two oxen; he boiled the flesh, gave food to the people, and they ate. Afterwards Elisha followed Elijah and waited on him. Elisha was very glad to be with this good master. Elijah could teach him much about God and heavenly things. Elisha loved to hear of these things, and he was very attentive to all Elijah said.

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