The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 426

x. 20) to righteousness; it was a turning" from idols to serve the living and trne God" (1 These. i. 9). II. How WAS THIS CONVERSION BROUGHT ABOUT? 1. By the ministry of a prophet. The appeal of Elijah (ver. 21) had some influence ; the works he wrought-he was a prophet of deed-had mnch more. He was God's messenger to tll1'Il the disobedient to the wisdom of the just (Luke i 17). We are reminded here of the place which the ministry of the word occupies in the New Dispensation. "How shall they hear without a preacher ? " "We preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities,'' &c. (Acts xiv. 15). No one says that a preacher is indispensable, but no one can deny that he is God's ordinary instrument for the conversion of men (1 Car. i 18, 21). 2. By the chastening of God. The drought and the famine prepared their stubborn hearts for Elijah's appeal, and disposed them to decision. At another time he might have addressed Israel in vain. And sorrow and pain, privation and bereavement are still not unfrequently found to dispose the rebellious mind to hear the message of God. " When thy judgments a.re in the earth, the inhabi- tants of the world will learn righteousness'' (Isa. :xxvi. 9; cf. ver. 16). 8. By the terrors of the Lord. It is the " still small voice " wins most for Goel ; but the wind and earthquake and fire have their preparation work to do. The law preceded the gospel, and even the gospel has its stern threatenings. Apostolic preaching did not overlook the terror of the Lord (2 Cor. v. 11). We can hardly doubt that fear played some part in the conversion. As on a former occasion, the giving of the law (Exod. xx. 18), so at this solemn vindication of the law, "the people were afraid by reason of the fire" (Deut. v. 5), Why, then, should we call that common which God hath cleansed? Why discard an instrument which God has sanctioned ? 4. By a supernat'l/,,Tal token. For the fire was the turning-point in this conver- sion. It was at the awful '' sign from heaven," this evidence of a. Divine Presence, tha.t the great cry arose, " The Lord, He is the God." The bones were dry until the breath came into them. And may not this remind us that there is a supernatural element in our conversion too? Man cannot change himself. Only by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit which descended infire (Acts ii. 3; Matt. iii. 11), ca.n the eyes be opened, the heart softened, repentance wrought, or true and lasting conversion to God be accomplished. This is the dispensation of the Spirit. It is His to convince of sin (John xvi. 8), to testify of Christ (John xv. 26), to renew the heart (Titus iii. 5), to give peace and joy (Gal. v. 22). 5. Afte1· prayer to God. Not only the prayer of vers. 86, 87, offered before tho restored altar of God (ver. 80) ; Elijah had prayed for many years. The discipliuo of drought was an answer to his prayer. Nor can we think that he was aloue in his petitions. The seven thousand would assuredly pray for the regeneration of their country. The triumph of Carmel is the answer to those cries of God's elect (Luke xviii. 7). And pmyer is still one of the instruments of our conversion. It is signifi- cant how prayer is mentioued in connection with the example of Elias, and with conversion in James v. 17-20. Nor is the mention of prayer in connection witli St. Paul's c,mversion less instructive (Acts iL 11). It 1s one step the soul to..kes towards God ; and by persevering in prayer the goal is reached, for " Every one that asketh, receiveth" (l\fatt. vii. 8). Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts ii. 21). A prayer of half a dozeu words once sufficed for justification (Luke xviii. 14). 6. It was the resu.lt of a sudden decision. "How long halt ye?'' &o. He will have them make up their minds one way or the other. It is better to be cold than lukewarm (Rev, iii. lG). We cannot serve two mnsters. How mauy conversions are deferred because men will not look facts in the face I That is all the preacher asks of them. "If there is a God, then serve Him. If there is a. ju<lgmcnt, thou prepare for it." Decision of cha.meter is necessary to the great change. ·when Lho prolligal says,'' I will aris-e," the first step hns beon ta.ken. Aul "it is only tho first step that costs.'' • 438 THE FIRST BOOlt OF RINGS. [en. XVIII. 1-46.