The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 469

VI. ENFORCED INACTIVITY. Elijah's opportunity for vigorous action 11eemed over. He was cast in upon Iris own thoughts. Few could bear it less patiently than he. The man who can dare and do anything finds it specially hard to wait and to suffer. Similar temptation to despondcnoy comes to those who are laid aside by illness, or removed from a happy sphere of service. But that is the time to wait on the Lord, and so "renew our strength," CONCLUSION. In all hours of despondency remember that He who knew t11t6 a,g_ony of_ Gethsemane and Calvary pities us, and feels for us. "We have not a High Pnest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities," &c.-A. R. Ver. 9.-.A Questionfrom God/or the consideration of Man. Elijah was :fleeing from peril and from work, but he could not flee from God. The Father seeth in secret. No man is out of His sight, no feeling eludes His vigilance (Psalm cxxxix.) Christ knew the plans of His foes (Matt. xii. 25). He understood the unexpressed wants of the sinful (rilatt. ix. 2). He heard the secret conversations of His followers (Mark ix. 33), and lovingly answered their unspoken questions (John xvi. 19). In this story God's pity is as conspicuous as His knowledge. Refreshed by the provision given by unseen hands, Elijah went to Horeb, a place sacred in its asso- ciations and lonely in its grandeur. There, hidden in a cave from the wrath of J ezcbel, the voice of Jehovah reached him, saying, " What doest thou here, Elijah?" I. THE QUESTION CAME TO A PROPHET IN ms HOUR OF DESPAIR. This Divine inter- position on Iris behalf teaches us the means God uses to bring us out from our despondency. The prophet was delivered from his depression by learning the following lessons : 1. That God was near. W11atever the sin that needs pardon, the weakness that wants conquering, the doubt that wants unravelling, there is no fear of the issue if we can consciously bring it to God. Elijah was saved because he dared tell Jehovah all that was in his heart. Moses sometimes was compelled to leave I.ris work to the elders, that he might speak to God face to face. The disciples "went nnd told Jesus" their grief and their triumph. Aye, ancl the Master Himself nerved Himself for work and for suffering by prayer-on the mountain or in the garden. Satan says, Give up prayer till your difficulties nre removed. Christ says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour, and. nre heavy laden, and I .rill give yon rest." 2. That aucceaa was aasured. Elijah thought he stood alone. but the Lord said, "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel," &c. Success wns not where the prophet had looked for it. The crowds on Cannelhad not been radically changed, but the secret worshippers of God had been strengthened by hi_s heroism. So in the Lord's ministry, the nucleus of the Church was not found m the ap- plauding multitudes on Olivet, but in the few faithful ones in the garden of Geth- semane. Our work may be greater than we think. No word or work for Christ fails of its reward. " For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from henven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater : so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accom- plish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." 8. That work was waiting (ver. 15). Elijah was not to remain in the cave, an:y more than the disciples were to dwell on the mount of transfiguration. For his own sake and for the good of others he was to be up and doing. If you would be enved from brooiling, despondency, nnd doubt, throw yourselves into th~ wor~ of God. Do with all your might what your hands find to do: and your service will rest?re tone to your mind, and bring hope to your heart, and prepare you to hear the "\\ di done, good nnd faithful servant." II. THIS QUESTION CAME TO A :MAN IN A FALSE POSITION. "What doest thou herB, Elijnh?" The inquiry should pursue others who have :fled to caves in which th~y would fain hide t.bemselves from responsibility. 1. It come, to thB impenitent, i11 the cave of concealment. They say, " Doth God know? ' 1 He sees the s~oret sin; He knows the iniquity of that which society applauds, and the day is oomi?g when Axcusee shall be stripped off, and wickedness disoovere~ :Oefore thnt terrible day, en. XIX, 1-21.] 'IIIE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. 479