Reading Portion: 1 Kings 19:1-4
When Jezebel heard what Elijah had done to the prophets of Baal, she became furious. Ahab had no stand to prove to Jezebel who the true GOD is, as he was influenced by the wrong practices that his wife led him to. The husband is the head of the family according to the Scripture, but as he gave up that divine appointment, he was led to pagan gods and its rituals by his wife. When we go against the order of divine institutions, sin creeps into the family and in turn, to every walk of our lives. Jezebel felt no repentance about all the bad that she and her family did to the chosen people. Instead of turning back to GOD after what happened at Carmel, she wanted to kill Elijah who made the people realize who the real GOD is. The contrast here is that, the people turned to GOD while the leaders still followed the pagan gods.
“So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” (Vs. 2)
Jezebel had no idea about what she spoke about. The people saw the power of GOD Almighty and she still held on to the ungodly practices. And Ahab, who saw the miracle did not try to correct her, to turn back to the true GOD. She sent a threatening message to Elijah. When the leaders fail to follow GOD with their whole heart, the people will fear the leaders rather than fearing GOD out of love. She was not ready to accept her fault and turn to GOD.
When Elijah heard about this, he became afraid. Elijah might have thought that Carmel would be the turning point in his ministry- a mass repentance, winning souls back for GOD, putting every block in its place, and the restoration of worship. He might have thought of relaxing for a while, as GOD had made him do a great thing. But he never expected that he would have to flee for his life. He began to fear Jezebel. The power, valor and the zeal that he had on Mount Carmel drained away. Proverbs 29:25 says that the fear of man will prove to be a snare. Before relying on GOD or His promises, Elijah trembled at the words of Jezebel. He wanted to protect his life and the life of his servant. So, he went to Beersheba and left his servant there.
When fear strikes us, we run for our lives. We give less preference to the word of GOD when we have heard the threats of the people. At times, we fail in life, due to our circumstances. Abraham failed to believe due to his physical condition. Peter denied JESUS when he was questioned and here, we have Elijah! Never let situations make one forget GOD and His wisdom. If GOD has called you for a purpose, He will fulfil it irrespective of your circumstances. Never let the words of Jezebel depress you, to stray away from GOD’s divine call.
Elijah fled to the wilderness in his depression. He wanted none to know or see him. All his hopes were gone. There might be situations in our spiritual life, when we want to take a break from everything, thinking to be alone so that our presence won’t hurt anybody; just to be alone, to find rest under a juniper tree. The one who prayed with might for rain and revival, is now praying for his own death. The running dry season makes us forget what we did for GOD. We count ourselves the least and we lack the strength to move on, towards the goal set by the LORD.
