The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 404

since has caught its highest inspiration from the constraint of His love and the force of His example. 2. It is prophetic of the future glorioua resurrection. We see here one of the many witnesses that gleam out amid the obsourity of the olden times to the truth that God would surely one day " bring life and immortality to light," while it poiuts us on to the time when, "at the voice of the son of God, all t.lrnt are in their graves shall come forth." "Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory" (Isa. xxv. 8; 1 Cor. xv. 54). 8. It illustrates the joy of a soul that for the first time is made fully conscious of the gracious presence and power of God. "Now by this I know that thou art a man of God," &c. There is a tone of deep satisfaction in these words. It is the satisfaction that springs from the discovery of Divine truth and the vivid sense of God. Ther~ is n<;> satisfaction of which the soul ~f _man is capable that can be compared with this. The end of all forms of D1vme manifestation- prophetic visitations, miracles, providences, &c.-is this. We reach the highest joy possible to us upon earth when we can say with St. John, "We know that the Son of God is come, and bath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life" (1 John iv. 20).-W. Vers.1-6.-Elijah's Advent and Service. I. THE GREAT PROPHET. 1. His name: Elijah, my God (is) Jehovah. It was a, symbol of his spirit. It expressed his judgmcnt of Israel's idolatry and the choice which with his soul's whole strengt,h he had made of God. Light and fidelity are the only foundations of any true work for God or man. 2. His origin. The words(" of the inhabitants," &c.) seemed to indicate that he belonged to none of the tribes of Israel. (1) His mission wo.s prophetic of that of the Gentiles. Israel, forsaking God, were to feel that God was also forsaking them (Rom. x. 19). The very meanness of the origin of God's faithful ones lends power to their testimony. (2) It proved the infinitude of God's resources. Ahab a.nd Jezebel might slay His prophets ; they could not a.1Test the progress of His work. From the most unthought-of quarter there arises a mightier than a.ll whose lives had been taken. The power of a devoted life to make the world feel the impossibility of its prevailing in its contest with God. 3. His att-i- tude toward God. "Before whom I sta.nd.'' He was the Lord's servant. He lived for Him. His eye rested on Him. The whole man stood girded for prompt, unquestioning obedience. This is the spirit of a.11 true service. Is God a.a rea.l to us l' Do we thus stand before Him? II. Bis MESSAGE. 1. The judgment. It was that predicted from of old a,s the chastisement of Israel's idola.try (Deut. xi. 17). The la.nd was to be consumed by drought. The blessings which God withholds from the soul that forsakes Him are imaged in those withheld from the land. There is '' neither dew nor rain." The refreshment, the rich consolation, once imparteu. by the word or found in prayer, e.re no longer known. The stimulating of loving zeal after what is nobler and purer has ceased. 2. Through whom it fell: "According to my word.'' Those who reject God will be judged by man. God will still confront them in their fellows. God is magnified in His servants. The kingly power and priesthood of believers in their relation to the world, III. Bis RETIREMENT. L It served God. Ahab a.nd Israel were left face to face with Him. Man disappeared that the eye might rest on God a.Ione. There are times when He is best served by silence. Many words often undo the effect of the homethrust dealt by a few. 2. It was hia aafety. He was shielded from Ahab's anger. We may be hid by aflliction from the power of our grea.t foe. Temptation and danger may ha.ve been darkening the pa.th that lay before us when God led us aside and made us rest awhile with Him. 8. It prepared him for after service. He was taught God's unfailing power a,nd care. His wants were provided for though no man knew of his dwelling place; and that by the most unlikely instru- ments. He learned how fully he might trust God. He to whom God is thus revealed will not fear the face of ma.n.-U, on. xvu. 1-24.] THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. 415