After the fire a still small voice (1 Kings 17-19)
Attention Activity:
Today in our lesson we will be discussing the following questions as we review the life of Elijah.
Has there been a time when you have needed to stand alone in doing what you know is right? (Thomas S Monson - dare to stand alone)
How did you know what is/was right and what you should do?
Are we committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ? or are we halt between two opinions...
President Monson has said: "As we go about living from day to day, it is almost inevitable that our faith will be challenged. We may at times find ourselves surrounded by others and yet standing in the minority or even standing alone concerning what is acceptable and what is not. Do we have the moral courage to stand firm for our beliefs, even if by so doing we must stand alone? As holders of the priesthood of God, it is essential that we are able to face—with courage—whatever challenges come our way. Remember the words of Tennyson: “My strength is as the strength of ten, because my heart is pure.”" Dare to Stand alone - Oct 2011 Monson
Are we ever actually alone?
Introduction:
In our lesson today we are going to review the prophet Elijah and his experiences and ministry.
Historical background:
As was previously discussed in our study of the old testament - Jeroboam led the kingdom of Israel into idolatry, and he and his descendants were eventually destroyed. After him there was a succession of idolatrous kings that continued to go after their own way and follow in the path of Jeroboam in the forsaking of God and his commandments.
One of these kings was Ahab. What type of man was Ahab?
"And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him."
Ahab and his wife Jezebel ascended to the throne of Israel. They implemented the policy of Jeroboam and began forcing the people to worship Baal. They attempted to kill the prophets of the Lord, and established their own state religion and prophets. Jezebel maintained and supported the prophets of Baal and implemented groves and idols instead of the temple of God. Eventually Ahab embraced the secret combinations of Cain in that he would murder to get gain and became as a Gadianton Robber. 1 Kings 21:4-16
Elijah comes upon the scene
Elijah Curses Israel that there is no more rain.
Consider the faith of this man - and the way he said it. As the lord liveth before whom I stand! there shall be no rain!
What do you think it means before whom I stand? What does it mean to stand in the presence of the Lord?
Where do we stand? Are we committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
President Gordon B. Hinckley: "I draw strength from a simple statement made concerning the Prophet Elijah, who warned King Ahab of drought and famine to come upon the land. And Ahab scoffed. And the Lord told Elijah to go and hide himself by the brook Cherith, that there he should drink of the brook, and he would be fed by the ravens. And the scripture records a simple and powerful statement: 'So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord.'
"There was no arguing. There was no excusing. There was no equivocating. Elijah 'went and did according unto the word of the Lord.' And he was saved from the terrible calamities that befell those who scoffed and argued and questioned." (Ensign, Dec. 1971)
What can we learn from the example of Elijah?
Have we ever been told what to do... and just without justification obeyed? What was the result?
The ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening and he drank from the brook.
Although he was protected because of his obedience from the famine/drought that was to follow he was alone. No one was with him... he was alone.
Have you ever felt sustained by the Lord although experiencing a trial?
How do we maintain our faith, although we may feel alone in our trials?
Elijah Alone
Then when the brook dried out he was sent to Zarephath to a window in Zidon for help. He was not sent to anyone in his own land... he was sent alone to a stranger of another country to receive help. Surely I'm sure he thought if anyone in Israel would have been available I would have been sent there? Furthermore this was the native land of Jezebel the queen of Israel who was facilitating the apostate condition of Israel! Luke 4:24-26 (No prophet is accepted in his own country!!) Surely he felt alone and that he was the only one of all of Israel who had maintained their integrity and not become idolatrous.
What do you think Elijah learned from having to leave Israel for help?
What an amazing story!!
Consider the following:
- What did the widow do when asked for water?
- she went and fetched it
- What did the widow do when asked for food?
- she replied she had none to give - for she and her son were preparing to die
- Elijah promises her that the barrel of meal shall not waste, neither the cruise of oil fail
- she did according as he had told her - and gave to him to eat first!
Elder Jeffery R. Holland said that the widow's response was "an expression of faith--as great, under these circumstances, as any I know in the scriptures.... Perhaps uncertain what the cost of her faith would be..., she first took her small loaf to Elijah, obviously trusting that if there were not enough bread left over, at least she and her son would have died in an act of pure charity." (Ensign, May 1996, p29)
How did the woman know what to do in this case?
How did she know that Elijah was a prophet and that she should do as he asked?
In what ways are we blessed if we put God and the words of his prophet first in our lives even when it seems difficult?
Just when everything seems to be going great!
Are you kidding me... ? Have you ever thought that? Just when you think your finally out of a trial/affliction and then wham... something even worse happens.
What do you think Elijah felt?
look closely at vs 24... now by this I know that thou art a man of God. She still had doubts?
Do we sometimes doubt even though we should accept the evidence the lord has provided us?
Why do we doubt... even after receiving evidence and in many cases great evidence?
What can we learn from this story?
Obadiah and his response to Elijah(optional)
What was Obadiah's response in comparison to the widow and Elijah's when he was asked to do something scary?
What was the final result - did he obey after receiving confirmation?
Do we need clarification and confirmation before we obey?
Elijah and the Priests of Baal
Who did Ahab blame for the troubles Israel was having?
What was the truth of the matter?
Do we often blame others for the problems that we cause ourselves? Do we blame the Lord?
What do you think it means to be Halt between two opinions?
How many priests of Baal were there?
"I even I only remain a prophet of the Lord!" How alone did Elijah feel?
The Challenge
1 Kings 18:23-25 - notice how many times he says put no fire under it.
It was a common practice of the time to hide fire under the altar and make it seem as if magical fire appeared burning the sacrifice. Thus the emphasis on put no fire under it.
Remember also that this is a time of great drought and famine - water is scarce in the land.
1 Kings 18:26-28 - notice there was no response - their god did not answer them.
Notice their antics and attention seeking behavior - leaped upon the altar, cut themselves, prophesied, etc.
Elijah mocks them - is your god talking, pursuing, on a journey, sleepeth - one thing for sure he isn't listening to you!
Notice the attention to detail!!
- at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice
- repairs the altar of the lord - in the proper way (according to the number of tribes)
- Put the wood in order - cut the bullock in pieces as was proper
- Then he had them pour water on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood and the altar!!
Why did he have them pour water on the altar and the wood - this was a time of famine and drought!!
What do you think the people thought of the wasting of this water and pouring it out onto this sacrifice!?
What statement was Elijah making to the people and the priests of Baal?
What a simple prayer - no antics no jumping no leaping no yelling - a simple pure prayer
What can we learn from this story?
- The Lord is a God of order and sacrifice
- The Prophet of the Lord speaks in his name - and through his authority
- Miracles justify and confirm they do not convert
- We cannot be Halt between two opinions - we must choose the Lord and accept him and obey him
- The lord supports his prophets and his people - but the devil does not support those that follow him
Jezebel's Response
Who did Jezebel blame for what had happened?
Why didn't she blame her priests? Surely Baal should have responded?
It is enough... please just kill me - I am no better than my fathers!
Why was Elijah so discouraged - did he feel alone?
What is our response to discouragement and epic failure in our attempts at doing what the Lord commands?
Have you ever felt like you have failed at a calling, a stewardship, a responsibility or a task that you have been given?
- What are you doing here Elijah
- I have been jealous for the Lord - but even I alone am left they seek my life
- Stand upon the mount
- A strong wind came - the lord was not in the wind
- An earthquake came - the lord was not in the earthquake
- A fire came - the lord was not in the fire
- A still small voice - this was the voice of the Lord!
- What are you doing here Elijah
- I have been jealous for the Lord - but even I alone am left they seek my life
Notice the Poetic form of this couplet - and the crescendo of this event.
How does the lord speak with us? (through a powerful miraculous event - as in the burning of the altar?) NO!! The lord speaks to our heart in a still small voice
A news reporter asked President Hinckley how he communicates with God. The prophet's response was, "I think the best way I could describe the process is to liken it to the experience of Elijah as set forth in the book of First Kings. Elijah spoke to the Lord, and there was a wind, a great wind, and the Lord was not in the wind. And there was an earthquake, and the Lord was not in the earthquake. And there was a fire, and the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire a still, small voice, which I describe as the whisperings of the Spirit." (Ensign, Nov 1996, p51)
President Ezra Taft Benson: "Do you take time to listen to the promptings of the Spirit? Answers to prayer come most often by a still voice and are discerned by our deepest, innermost feelings. I tell you that you can know the will of God concerning yourselves if you will take the time to pray and to listen." (Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p428)
How does the lord speak to you? Have you applied yourself to the receipt of the gift of revelation? Do you know when you hear the voice of the lord?
I would recommend reading a talk in the October 1994 Ensign about Personal Revelation - the Gift the Test and the Promise by Boyd K Packer
Brother Neil L. Andersen in October 2015 said:
"Addressing honest questions is an important part of building faith, and we use both our intellect and our feelings. The Lord said, “I will tell you in your mind and in your heart.” Not all answers will come immediately, but most questions can be resolved through sincere study and seeking answers from God. Using our mind without our heart will not bring spiritual answers. “The things of God knoweth no man, but [through] the Spirit of God.” And to help us, Jesus promised us “another Comforter” and called Him “even the Spirit of truth.”
Faith never demands an answer to every question but seeks the assurance and courage to move forward, sometimes acknowledging, “I don’t know everything, but I do know enough to continue on the path of discipleship.”
Using your heart without your mind is also incomplete. It is the merge of both that provides the means to understand and know truth.
Boyd K Packer has said in October 1994:
The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear. It is described as a “still small voice.” And while we speak of “listening” to the whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, “I had a feeling …”
The Prophet Joseph Smith explained:
“A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas, so that by noticing it, you may find it fulfilled the same day or soon; … those things that were presented unto your minds by the Spirit of God, will come to pass; and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.”
Fortify our foundations of faith - Talk
Does the lord support his people and their prophets? Yes!!
I have left me seven thousand in Israel who have not bowed to Baal and not kissed their Idols. No Elijah you are not alone!
Conclusion:
The receipt of revelation is a gift that is learned. Elijah taught us the principles of revelation and of faith. It is through faith that the Lord works through men, both in the appearance of miracles as well as in the revelation given to the heart of man. The lord has promised us that where two or more are gathered together in unity there will I be in your midst. We are never truly alone.