He Learned a Lesson in Mercy

 

JONAH would have plenty of time to think. Before him lay a journey of more than 500 miles (800 km), and overlasnd trek that would take him about a month, perhaps even longer.  To begin, he had to choose between the shorter routes and the safer ones and then steadily make his way through valleys, and over mountain passes beyond counting.  He likely had to  skirt the vast Syrian Desert, for such rivers as the mighty  Euphrates, and seek shelter among the foreigners in the towns and villages of Syria, Mesopotamia, and Assyria.  As the days passed, he thought about the destination that he so dreaded, the city that drew closer with each step he took-Nineveh.

One think Jonah knew for certain.  He could not turn around and run away from his assignment. He had tried that before.  As we saw in the preceding chapter, Jehovah patiently taught Jonah by means of a windstorm at sea and a miraculous rescue involving a huge fish.  Three days later, Jonah was vomited out alive onto a beach, an awed and more compliant man. - JONAH, chapt 1, 2. 

 When Jehovah ordered Jonah to Nineveh the second time, the prophet obediently headed east on this long journey.  (Read Jonah 3:1-3.)  However, had he allowed Jehovah's discipline to work a thorough change in him?  For instance, Jehovah has shown him mercy, saving him from drowning, holding back punishment for his rebellion. And giving him a second chance to carry out his assignment.  After all of this, had Jonah learned to show mercy to others?  Learning to show mercy is often difficult for imperfect humans.  Let us see wha twe can gather from Jonah's struggle.

Next time: He Learned a Lesson in Mercy - A Message of Judgment and a Surprising Response

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He Learned From His Mistakes - Jonah Finds Mercy and Delieverance - Conclusion

 

What about Jonah?  Did he learn to show his gratitude to Jehovah through obedience?  He did. After three days and three nights, the fish brought Jonah right to the shore and "vomited him out onto the dry land." (Jonah 2:10)  Imagine-after all that, Jonah did not even have to swim ashore!  Of course, he did have to find his way from that beach, wherever it was.  Before long, though, his spirit of gratitude was put to the test.  Jonah 3:1, 2 says: "Then the word of Jehovah occurred to Jonah the second time, saying: "Get up, go to Nineveh the great city, and proclaim to her the proclamation that I am speaking to you."  What would Jonah do?

Jonah did not hestitate.  We read:  "At that, Jonah got up  and went to Nineveh in accord with the word of Jehovah." (Jonah 3:3) Yes, he obeyed. Clearly he had learned from his mistakes.  In this too we need to imitate Jonah's faith. We all make mistakes. (Romans 3:23)  But do we give up, or do we learn from our mistakes and turn to a course of obedient service to God? 

Did Jehovah reward Jonah for his obedience?  Indeed he did.  For one thing, it seems that Jonah eventually learned that those sailors had survived.  The storm abated immediately after Jonah's self-sacrificing act, and those mariners "began to fear Jehovah greatly" and made a sacrifice to him instead of to their false gods. - JONAH 1:15, 16. 

An even great reward came much later.  Jesus used Jonah's time in the huge fish as a prophetic picture of his own time in the grave, or Sheol.  (Read Matthew 12:38-40.) How thrilled Jonah will be to learn of that blessing when he is resurrected to life on earth! (John 5:28, 29) Jehovah wants to bless you too.  Like Jonah, will you learn from your mistakes and display an obedient, selfless spirit? 

Next time:  He Learned a Lessib in Mercy

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He Learned From His Mistakes - Jonah Finds Mercy and Deliverance- Continue

 

This must be the end. Yet, Jonah sensed something astounding.  He was still alive! He was neither crushed, nor digested, nor even suffocated. No, the breath of life was still in him, though he was in what should rightly be his grave.  Slowly, Jonah became filled with awe.  Without a doubt, it was his God, Jehovah, who had "appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah." - JONAH 1:17.

Minutes passed, stretching into hours.  There, in the deepest darkness, He had ever known, Jonah composed his thoughts and prayed to Jehovah God.   His prayer recorded fully in the second chapter of Jonah, is revealing.  It shows that Jonah had extensive knowledge of the Scriptures, for it often referred to the Psalms.  It also show a heartwarming quality; gratitude.  Jonah concluded: "As for me, with the voice of thanksgiving I will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed, I will pay.  Salvation belongs to Jehovah." - JONAH 2:9. 

There, in the unlikeliest places-the "inward parts of the fish" -Jonah learned that salvation is something that Jehovah can bring to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Even there.  Jehovah found and saved his troubled servant.  (Jonah 1:17)  Only Jehovah could keep a man alive and well for three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish.  It is good for us to remember today that Jehovah is "the God in whose name your breath is." (Daniel 5:23)  We own our every breath, our very existence, to him.  Are we grateful?  Yes, I am.  Do we not, then, owe Jehovah our obedience?

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He Learned From His Mistakes

 

Jonah Finds Mercy and Deliverance

Jonah plummeted into the raging waves. Perhaps he struggled, floundering  a bit, and saw amid a chaos of foam and spray that the ship was swiftly moving away.  But the mighty breakers crashed over him and forced him under. He sank down and down, sensing that all hope was gone.

Jonah later described how he felt at  this time. Fleeting images crossed his mind. He thought with sadness that he would never again see the beautiful temple of Jehovah in Jerusalem.  He had the sensation of descending to the very depths of the sea, near the roots of the mountains where seaweed entangled him.  This, it seemed, was to be his pit, his grave. - Read JONAH 2:2-6.

But wait! There was something moving nearbey-an immense, dark shape, a living thing.  Looming close, it darted at him.  A great maw opened over him, engulfed him, swallowed him down!

Next time: He Learned From His Mistakes - Jonah Finds Mercy and Deliverance -Continued

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He Learned From His Mistakes - Jehovah Disciplines His Wayward Prophet - Conclusion

 

Jonah told the sailors everything.  He was a servant of the almighty God, Jehovah. This was the God he was running from and had offended, putting them all in this terrible danger.  The men were aghast; Jonah could see the terror in their eyes.  They asked him what they should do to him in order to save the ship and  their lives.  What did he say?  Jonah may have shuddered to think of himseslf drowning in that cold, wild sea.  But how could he send  all these men to such a death when he knew he could save them?  So he urged them: "Lift me up  and hurl me into the sea, and the sea will become still for you;  because I am aware that it is on my account that this great tempest is upon you." - JONAH 1:12.

Hardly the words if a coward, are they? It must have warmed Jehovah's heart to see Jonah's brave, self-sacrificing spirit in that dire moment.  Here we seen Jonah's faith at its best.   We can imitate it today by putting the welfare of others ahead of our own. (John 13:34, 35) When we see someone in need, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, do we give of ourselves in order to help out? How we please  Jehovah when we do so ! 

Perhaps the sailors were moved too, for at first they refused to comply!  Instead, they did everything they could to work their way through the storm-but to no avail.  The tempest only grew worse. Finally, they saw that they had no choice.  Calling out to Jonah's God, Jehovah, to show them mercy, they lifted the man up and hurled him over the side, into the sea. - JONAH 1:13-15.

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He Learned From His Mistakes

Jehovah Disciplines  His Wayward Prophet

We can just imagine Jonah getting himself situated on that vessel, likely a Phoenician cargo ship.  He watched as the captain and his crew bustled about to get their craft under way and  out of port.  As the shoreline slowly receded and disappeared, Jonah may have hoped he was escaping the danger he so dreade.  But suddenly, the weather changed.

Strong winds churned up the sea into a nightmarish rage, with waves that might dwarf even modern-day vessels.  How long did  it take for that wooden craft to seem terribly small and frail, lost in a watery wilderness of towering waves and plunging canyons?  Did Jonah know, at that point, what he later wrote-that "Jehovah himself hurled forth a great wind at the sea"?  It was  about to be wrecked." (Jonah 1:4)  And how could Jonah pray to the God he was running from? 

Feeling powerless to help, Jonah  went below the deck of the ship and found a place to lie down. There, he went fast asleep." The captain found Jonah, woke him up, and urged him  to pray for his god, as everyone else was doing .  Convinced that there was something supernatural about this storm, the seamen cast lots to see which of the people on board might the cause of their trouble  No doubt Jonah's heart sank as the lots eliminated one man after another.  Soon the truth was plain.  Jehovah directing the storm, as well as the lots, towards one man - Jonah! - Read JONAH 1:5-7.

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He Learned From His Mistakes

 

"Get Up, Go to Nineveh"

Jehovah told Jonah: "Get up, go to Nineveah the great city, and proclaim against her that their badness has come up before me." (Jonah 1:2)  It is not hard to see why this assignment might have appeared daunting.  Nineveh lay some 500 miles (800 km) to the east, and overland journey that would likely take about a month on foot.  However, the hardships of such a trek might have seemed the easy part of the job.  At Nineveh, Jonah was to deliver Jehovah's judgment message to the Assyrians, who were notoriously violent, even savage. If Jonah had seen little response among God's own people, what could he hope to see among those pagans? How would a lone servant of Jehovah fare in Nineveh, which would come to be called "the city of bloodshed"? - NAHUM 3:1, 7.

Such thoughts may well have occurred to Jonah. We do not know. What we do know is that he ran. Jehovah had directed him to go east; Jonah headed west, and as far west as he could go.  He went down to the coast, to a port city named Joppa, where he found ship  headed to Tarshish.  Some scholars say that  Tarshish was in Spain. If so, Jonah was heading some 2,200 miles (3,500 km) away from Nineveh.  Such a voyage to the far end of the Great Sea might have taken as long as  a year.  Jonah was that determined to get away from the assignment Jehovah had given him! - Read Jonah 1:3.

Does this mean that we can dismiss Jonah as a coward? We should not be too quick to judge him. As we shall see, he was capable of remarkable personal courage.  Like of us, though, Jonah was an imperfect human struggling with a great many faults.  (Psalms 51:5) Who of us has never grappled with fear.

It may occasionally seem that God asks us to do what strikes us as difficult, even impossible.  We may even find it daunting to preach the good news  of God's Kingdom, as Christians are required to do.  (Matthew 24:14)  It is all too easy for us to forget the profound truth that Jesus uttered:  "All things are possible with God."  (Mark 10:27)  If at times we lose sight of that truth, perhaps we can understand Jonah's difficulty.  What, though, were the consequences of Jonah's flight?

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He Learned From His Mistakes

 

A Prophet From Galilee

When people think of a man Jonah, they often seem to focus on negative traits, such as his lapses into disobedience or even his hardheadedness .  But there was far more to the man than that.  Remember, Jonah was selected to serve as a prophet of Jehovah God.  Jehovah would not have picked him for such heavy responsibility had he been unfaithful or unrighteous.

The Bible reveals a little about Jonah's background. (Read 2 Kings 14:25.)  He was fro Gathhepher, just two and half miles (4 km) from Nazareth, the town where Jesus Christ would grow up some eight centuries later.  Jonah seved as a prophet during the reign of King Jeroboam II of the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel.  The time of Elijah was long past; his successor, Elisha, had died during the reign of Jeroboam's father. Although, Jehovah had used t hose men to wipe out Baal worship. Israel was  willfully going astray again.  The land was now under the influence of a king who "continued to do what was bad in Jehovah's eyes." (2 Kings 14:24)  So Jonah's servuice could not have been easy or pleasant. Yet, he carried it out faithfully.  

One day, though, Jonah's life took a dramatic turn.  He received an assignment from Jehovah that he found to be extremely  difficult.  What was Jehovah asking him to do?

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He Learned From His Mistakes

 

JONAH wished he could shut out the terrible sounds.  It was not just the fierce wind, which was shrieking through the ships rigging; nor was it just the mountainous waves, which were thundering against the sides of the vessel, making her ever  timber creak and groan. No, far worse to Jonah were the shouts of the mariners, the captain and his crew, as they struggled to keep the ship afloat.  Jonah felt sure that those men were about to die-all because of him! 

What had put Jonah in such dire straits?  He had made a serious mistake in his dealings with his God, Jehovah. What had he done?  Were matters beyond repair?  The answer can teach  us much. For example, Jonah's story helps us to see how even those with genuine faith can go astray-and how they can make amends.

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Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God-How Jehovah Comforted and Strengthened His Prophet- Conclusion

 

After the fire was gone, a hush fell and Elijah heard "a calm, low voice."  It invited Elijah to express himself again, and he did so, pouring out his concerns a second time.  Perhaps that brought him further relief.  Undoubtedly, though, Elijah found even more comfort in what the "calm, love voice" told him next. Jehovah reassured Elijah tat he was far from worthless.  How so? God revealed much of his long-range purpose regarding the war against Baal worship in Israel.  Clearly Elijah's work had not been in vain, for God's purpose was moving inexorably forward.  Furthermore, Elijah still figured in that purpose, for Jehovah sent him back to work with some specific instructions. - 1 KINGS 19:12-17. 

What about Elijah's feelings of loneliness?  Jehovah did two things about that.  First, he told Elijah to anoint Elisha as the prophet who would eventually succeed him.  This younger man would become Elijah's companion and helper for a nuimber of years.  How practical that comfort was! Second, Jehovah revealed this thrilling news: "I have let seven thousand remain in Israel, all the knees that have not bent down to Baal, and every mouth tha thas not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:18)  Elijah was far from alone. It must have warmed his heart to hear of those thousands of faithful people who refused to worship Baal.  They needed Elijah to keep up his faithful service, to set an example of unshakeable loyalty  to Jehovah in those dark times. Elijah musrt have been deeply touched to hear those words through Jehovah's messenger, the "calm, low voice" of his God. 

Like Elijah, we may be awestruck by the immense natural forces evident in creation, and rightly so.  Creation vividly reflects the power of the Creator.  (Romans 1:20) JEhbovah still loves to use his limitless might to help his faithful servants.  (2 Chronicles 16:9) However, God speaks most fully to us through the pages of his Word, the Bible.  (Read Isaiah 30:21) In sense, the Bible can be like that "calm, low voice" If we let it guide us today.  In its precioius  pages, Jehovah corrects us, encourages us, and reassures us of his love.

Did Elijah accept the comfort Jehovah gave him on Mount Horeb?  Without a doubt!  Soon he was back in action, once morethe bold, faithful prophet who stood up against the wickedness of false worship.  IF we likewise take to heart the inspired words of God,  "the comfort from the Scriptures," We will be able to imitate the faith of Elijaj. - ROMANS 15:4.

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Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God

 

How Jehovah Comforted and Strengthened His Prophet

At Horeb, Jehovah's "word"-evidently delivered by a spirit messenger-posed this simple question:"What is your business here Elijah?"  That question was likely spoken in a gentle way, for Elijah took it as an invitation to pour out his feelings.  And pour them out he did!  He said: "I have been absolutely jealous for Jehovah the God of armies; for the sons of Israel have left your covenant,  your altars they have torn down, and your prophets they have killed with a sword. so that I only am left; and they begin looking for my soul to take it away." (1 Kings 19:9, 10)  Elijah's words reveal at least three reasons for his low spirits. 

First, Elijah felt that his work had been in vain.  Despite years if being "absolutely jealouse" in serving Jehovah, putting God's sacred name a worship above all else, Elijah saw that conditions seemed only to have grown worse.  The people were still faithless and rebellious, while false worship was running rampant. Second, Elijah felt alone.  "I only am left," he said, as if in that nation he were the last man who still served Jehovah.  Third, Elijah was scared.  Many of his fellow prophets had alreadt been killed, and he was convinced that he was next. It may not have easy for Elijah to admit those feelings, but he did not let pride or embarrassment hold him back.  By opening his heart to his God in  prayer, he set a good example for all faithful people. -PSALMS 62:8. 

 How Jehovah address Elijah's fears and concerns?  The angel told Elijah to stant at the mouth of the cave.  He obeyed, not knowing what was in store. A mighty wind sprang up! It must have emitted a deafening roar, for it was so powerful that it tore mountains and crags apart.  Picture Elijah trying to shield his eyes while clinging to his heavey, rustic garment of hair as the gusts whipped it about him.  Then he had to struggle to keep his footing, for the very eath began to heave and toss-an earthquake shook the region!  He had barely recovered when a great fire swept through, forcing him back into the cave to shield himself from the searing heat. - 1 KINGS 19:11, 12. 

In each case, the account reminds us that Jehovah was not to be found within these spectacular displays of nature's power.  Elijah knew that Jehovah wa snot some mythical nature god such as Baal, who was hailed by his deluded worshippers as "the rider of the clouds," or bringer of rains. Jehovah is the real Source of all the awesom power found in nature, but he is also vastly greater than anything he has made. Even the physical heavens cannot contain him! (1 Kings 8:27)  How did all this help Elijah?  Remember his fearm With a God like Jehovah on his side, a God who had all that overwhelming power at His disposal, Elijah had nothing to fear from Ahab and Jezebel. - Read PSALM 118:6.

Next time: Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God - Conclusion of  Jehovah Comforted and Strenghtened His Prophet

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Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God - Jehovah Sustained His Prophet-Conclusion

 

Jehovah sustains his servants today as well, not with miraculous physical meals, but in a far more vital way.  He provides for his servants spiritually. (Matthew 4:4) Learning about God from his Word and from publications that are carefully based on the Bible sustains us spiritually. Taking in such spiritual nourishment may not make our problems go away. but it can help us to endure what might otherwise be unendurable. It also leads to ""everlasting life." - JOHN 17:3.

Elijah walked nearly 200 miles (320 km)  until he finally reached Mount Horeb. It was a place of great significance, for there Jehovah God through an angel had long before appeared to Moses in the burning thornbush and there Jehovah had later made the Law covenant with Israel.  Elijah found shelter in a cave.

Next time: Chapter Twelve/ He Took Comfort in His God -  How Jehovah Comforted and Strengthened His Propet

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Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God

 

Jehovah Sustained His Prophet

How do you think Jehovah felt as he looked down from  heaven and saw his beloved prophet lying under a tree in the wilderness and begging for death to take him?  We do nnot have to guess.  After Elijah sank into sleep, Jehovah sent his angel to him. The angel gently woke Elijah with a touch and said: "Rise up and eat." Elijah did so, for the angel had kindly set out a simple meal for him-fresh,wearm bread along with water. Did he even thank the angel? The record saysonly that the prophet ate and drank and went back to sleep.  Was he too despondent to speak? At any rate, the angel woke him a second time, perhaps at dawn. Once more he urged Elijah, "Rise up and eat," and he added these remarkable words, for the journey is too much for you." - 1 KINGS 19:5-7.

Thanks to God-given insight, the angel knew where Elijah was headed.  He also knew that the journey would be too much for Elijah to carry out in his own strength.  What a comfort to serve a God who knows our goals and  our  limitations better than we do! (Read Psalm 103:13, 14.) How did Elijah benefit from that meal?

We read: "He rose up and ate and drank,and he kept going in the p ower of that nourishment for forty dys and forty nights as far as the mountain of the true God, Horeb."(1 Kings  19:8) Like Moses some six centuries before him and Jesus nearly ten centuries after hinn, Elijahj fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. (Exodus 34:28; Luke 4:1, 2) That one meal did not make all his problems go away, but it sustained him miraculously. Imagine that older man trudging through the trackless wilderness day after day,week after week, for nearly a month and a half!

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Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God

 

"It Is Enough!" 

Driven by fear, Elijah fled southwestward some 95 miles (150 km) to Beer-sheba, a town near the southern border of Judah.  There he left his attendant behind and struck out into the wilderness alone.  The record says tha the went "a day's journey," so we may picture hm starting off at sunrise, evidently carrying no provisions with him.  Depressed, spurred ever onward by fear, he struggled over the rough and tough wild terrain under the blazing sun. As that glaring disk gradually reddened and sank to the horizon, Elijah's strength gave out.  Exhausted, he sat down under a broom tree-the closes thing to shelter in that barren landscape. - 1 KINGS 19:4. 

Elijah prayed in utter desperation.  He asked to die.  He said: "I am no better than my forefathers." He knew that his forefathers were then mere dust and bones in the grave, unable to do any good for anyone.  (Ecclesiastes 9:10) Elijah felt just as worthless.  No wodner he cried out: "It is enough!" Why go on living?

Should it be shocking to learn that a man could become so low in spirits?  Not necessarily. A number of faithful men and women in the Bible record are described as feeling so say that wished for death-among them Rebekah, Jacob, Moses, and Job. - GENESIS 25:22;37:35; NUMBERS 11:13-15; JOB 14:13.

Today, we live in "critical times hard to deal with ," so it is not surprising that many people, even faithful servants of God, find themselves feeling low at times. (2 Timothy 3:1)  IF you ever find yourself in such a dire situation, follow Elijah's example in this respect:  Pour out uyour feelings to God.  After all, Jehovah, is the God of comfort." (Read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.) Did he comfort Elijah?

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Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God

 Overcome by Discouragement and Fear

If Elijah cherished any notions that the war against Baal worshp was all but over, his hopes came crashing down at that moment.  Jezebel was undeterrred. A great many of Elijah's  faithful colleagures had already been executed on her orders, and now, it seemed, he was to be next.  What effect did Jezebel's' threat have on Elijah?  The Bible tells us: "He became afraid."  Did Eljah picture in his mind's eye the terrible death that Jezebel had in store for him?  If he dwelled on such thoughts, it is  no wonder that his courage failed him. At any rate, Elijah "began to go for his soul!" - He ran for his life. -1 KINGS 18:4; 19:3.

Elijah was not the only man of faith ever to be overcome by fear.  Much later, the apostle Peter had a similar problem.  For instance, when Jesus enabled Peter to join Him in walking on water, the apostle began "looking at the windstorm." He thing lost is courage and started to sink. (Read Matthew 14:30) The examples of Elijah and Peter teach us a valuable lesson. If we have to maintain our courage, we must not let our own mind dwell on the dangers that frighten us. We need to keep our focus on the Source of our hope and strenth. 

Next time: Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God - "It Is Enough!" 

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Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God

 

An Unexpected Turn of Events

When Ahab reached his palace in Jezreel, did he give any evidence of being a changed man? We read: "Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done and all about how he had killed all the prophets with the sword." (1 Kings 19:1)  Notice that Ahab's account of the day's events left out Elijah's God, Jehovah, a fleshly man, Ahab saw the day's miraculous events in strictly human  terms-what "Elijah had done."  Clearly, he hd not learned to respect Jehovah God. And how did his vengeful wife react? 

Jezebel was furious!  Livid with rage, she sent his message to Elijah:  "So may the gods do, and so may they add to it, if at this time tomorrow  I shall make your soul like the soul of each one of them!" (1 Kings 19:2) This was a death threat of the worst kind.  in effect, Jezebel as vowing that she  herself should die if she could not have Elijah killed  within the day to avengeher Baal prophets.  Imagine Elijah being awakened from slee in some humble lodging in Jezreel on that stormy night-only to heart the queen's messenger deliver those awful words. How was he affected?

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Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God

 

Elijah ran through the rain as the darkness deepened.  He had a long way to go before he would reach Jezreel, and he was no young man. Yet, he ran on tirelessly, for "the very hand of Jehovah " was upon him.  The energy coursing through his bodyt was surely unlike any he had ever known.  Why, he had outpaced the team of horses that was pulling King Ahab in his royal chariot! - 1 KINGS 18:46.

Now the open road lay before him. Imagine Elijah blinking the raindrops from his eyes as he ran, thinking back over the most eventful day of his life. Without question, it was a glorious victory for Elijah's God, Jehovah, and for true worship. Far behind him, lost in the gloom of the storm, lay the windswept heights of Mount Carmel, where Jehovah had used Elijah to stike a mighty and miraculous blow against Baal worship.  Hudreds of Baal prophets were exposed as wicked frauds and justly executed.  Then Elijah prayed to Jeghovah for an end to the drought that afflicted the land for three and half years.  The rains fell! - 1 KINGS 18:18-45.

As Elihag splashed along those 19 miles (30 km) to Jezreel, hopes might have been high. It may have seemed to him that a real turning point had come at last. Ahab would have to change! After what he had witnesses, surely he had no choice but to abandon Baal worship' to restrain his queen,  Jezebel and to stop the persecution of Jehovah's servants. 

When things seem to be going our way, it is only natural that our hopes rise.  We may imagine that our lot in life will continue to improve, perhaps even thinkin that our worst problems are finally behind us.  If Elijah thought that way, no wonder, for he "was a man with feelings like ours." (James 5:17)   Actually, though, Elijah's problems were far from over.  In fact, within two hours Elijah would be so fearful, so low in spirits, that he would wish to die. What happened, and how did Jehova help his propet to renew his faith and his courage?  Let us see.

Next time: Chapter Twelve/ He Took Confort in His God - An Unexpected Turn of Events

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Cgaoter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited -Jehovah Brings Relief and Blessings: Conclusion

 

"The very hand of  Jehovah proved to be upon Elijah, so that he girded up his hips and went running ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel." (1 Kings  18:46) Clearly, "the very hand of Jehovah was acting on Elijah in a supernatural way.  Jezreel was 19 miles (30 km) distant, and Elijah was no youth.  Just picture the prophet girding up his long garments, tying them at his hips so that his legs would freedom of movement,  and then running along that rain-drenched road-running so fast that he caught up with, and outpaced the royal chariot! 

What a blessing that must have been for Elijah!  To feel such strength, vitality, and stamina-perhaps even  more than he had ever felt in his youth-ust have proved a thrilling experience. We might recall the prophecies that guarantee health and vigor to faithful ones in the coming earthly Paradise. (Read Isaiah 35:6; Luke 23:43) As Elijah raced along that wet road, he surely knew that he had the approval of the Father, the only true God, Jehovah!

Jehovah is eager to bless us. Let us reach out for his blessings; they are worthy of every effort we can make.  Like Elijah, we need to be watchful, carefully weighing the powerful evidence showing that Jehovah is about to acgt in these dangerous and urgent times.  Like Elijah, we have every reason to place complete confidence in the promises of Jehovah, "the God of truth." - PSALMS 31:5.

Next time: Chapter Twelve/He Took Comfort in His God

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Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited

 

Jehovah Brings Relief and Blessings

The account tells us: "It came about in the meantime that the heavens themselves darkened up with clouds and wind and a great downpour began to occur. And Ahab kept riding and his way to Jezreel." (1 Kings 18:45)  Events began to unfold at remarkable speed.  While Ejijah's attendant was delivering the prophet's message to Ahab, that little cloud became many, filling and darkening the sky.  A great wind blew. At last, after three and hafl years, rain fell on the soil of Israel.  The patched ground drank in the drops.  As the rain became a downpour, the river  Kishoon swelled, no doubt washing away the blood of the executed Baal prophets. Th wayward Israelites too were being given a chance to wash away the terrible stain of Baal worship on the land. 

Surely Elijah hoped that it would be so! Perhaps he wondered how Ahab would respond to the dramatic events that were unfolding.  Would Ahab repent and turn away from the pollution of Baal worship! The events of the day had furnished powerful reasons to make such changes.  Of course we cannot know what was going through Ahab's mind  at the moment. The account simply tells us tha the king "kept riding and made his wayt to Jezreel." Had he learned anything? Was he resolved to change his ways? Later events suggest that the answer is no.  Still, the day was not over for Ahab-nor for Elijah.

Jehovah's prophet began to make his way along the same road Ahab had taken. A long dark, wet trek lay ahead of him.  But something unusual happened next. 

Next time: Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited - Jehovah Brings Relief and Blessings: Conclusion

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Chapter Eleven /He Watched, and He Waited -Confident and Watchful: Continued

 

Next, notice how watchful Elijah was.  He sent his attendant back, not once or twice, but seven times!  We might imagine the attendant tiring of such a repetivitive task, but Elijah remained eager for sign and he did not give up.  Finally, after his seventh trip, the attendnt reported: "Look!  There is a small cloud like a man's pallm ascending out to the sea."  Can you picture that attendant  holding his arm outstrectch  and using his palm to gauge the size of one little cloud coming up out of the horizon of the Great Sea? The attendant may have been unimpressed.  To Elijah, though, that cloud was significant.  He now gave his attendant urgent  directions:"Go up, say to Ahab, 'Hitch up! And go down tha the downpour  may not detain you!'" - 1 KINGS 18:44.

Again, Elijah set a powerful example for us.  We too live at a time when God will soon act to fulfill his purpose.  Elijah awaited the end of a drought; God's servants today await the end of a corrupt  world system of things. (1 John 2:17)  Until Jehovah God acts, we must keep ever on the watch, as Elijah did.  God's own Son, Jesus, advised his followers:  "Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."  (Matthew 24:42) Did Jesus mean that his followers would completely in the dark as to when the end would come?  No, for he spoke at length about what the world would be like in the days leading up to the end. All of us can observe the fulfill,memt pf tjos detailed sign of "the conclusion of the system of things." - Read MATTHEW 24:3-7. 

Each facet of that sign furnishes powerful, convincing evidence.  Is such evidence enough to move us to act wiht urgency in our service to  Jehovah? One little cloud from the horizon was enough to convince Elijah that Jehovah was about to act.  Was the faithful prophet disappointed?

Next time: Chapter Eleven/ He Watched, and He Waited - Jehovah Brings Relief and Blessings

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Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited

 

Confident and Watchful

Elijah was sure that Jehovah woul dacty to end the drought, but he was not sure when Jehovah act.  So, what did the prophets do in the meantime? Note what the account says: "He said to his attendant:  'Go up please. Look in the direction of the sea.' So he went up  and looked and then said"  'There s nothing at all.'  And he went on to say,  'Go back,' for seven times." (1 Kings 18:43) Elijah's example teaches us two lessons.  First, note the prophet's confidence.  Then, consider his watchfulness. 

Because Elijah had confidence in  Jehovah's promise, he eagerly sought evidence that Jehovah was about to act.  He sent his attendant up to a high advantage point to scan the horizon for any signs of impending rain.  Upon his return, the attendant delivered this unenthusiastic report:  "There is nothing at all."  The horizon was clear, and the sky, evidently cloudless. Now, did you  notice something unusual?  Remember, Elihah had just told Ahab: "There is the sound of turmoil of a downpour." How could the prophet sauy such a thing when there were no rain clouds to be seen?

Elijah knew of Jehovah's promise. As Jehovah's prophet and representative, he was sure that his God would fulfill His word.   Elihah was confident-so much so that it was as if he could already hear the downpour.We might be reminded of the Bible's description of Moses:  :He contiued steadfast as seeing the One who is invisible." Is God that real to you?  He provides ample reason for us to put that kind of faith in him and his promises. -HEBREWS 11:1, 27.

Next  time: Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited - Conclusion of Confident and Watchtful

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Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited

 

A Prayerful Attitude

Elijah approached Ahab and said:  "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the turmoil of  downpour." Had this wicked king learned anything from the day's events?  The account does not say specifically, but we find there is no words of repentance, no request that the prophet help him approach Jehovah and seek forgiveness. No, Ahab simply "proceeded to go up to eat and drink." (1 Kings 18:41, 42)  What about Elijah?

"As for Elijah, he went up to the top of Carmel and began crouching to the earth and keeping his face put betwen his knees."  While Ahab went off to fill his stomach, Elijah had an opporutunity to pray to his heavenly Father.  Note the humble posture described here-Elijah on the ground with his head bowed so low that his face was near his knees.  What was Elijah doing? We need not guess.  The Bible at James 5:18  tells us that Elijah prayed for the drought to end. Likely he was offering such a prayer on top of Carmel. 

Earlier, Jehovah had said: "I am determined to give rain upon the surface of the ground." (1 Kings 18:1) Elijah prayed for the fulfillment of Jehovah's stated will, much as Jesus taught his followers to pray some one thousand years later. - MATTHEW 6:9, 10. 

Elijah's example teaches us much about prayer. Foremost in Elijah's thoughts was the accomplishment of God's will.  When we pray, it is good to remember:"No matter what it is that we ask according to [God's] will,  he hears us." (1 John 5:14)  Clearly, then,, we need to know  what God s will is in order to pray acceptably-a good reason to make Bible study a paert of our daily life.  Surely Elijah also wanted to see an end to the drought because of all the suffering among the people of his homeland. His heart was likely full of  thanksgiving after the miracle he had seen Jehovah perform that day.  We likewise want our prayers to reflect heartfelt thanksgiving and concern for the welfare of others. - Read  2 CORINTHIANS 1:11; PHILIPPIANS 4:6. 

Next time: Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited - Confident and Watchful

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Chapter Eleven/He Watced, and He Waited

 

ELIJAH longed to be alone with his heavenly Fatgher.  But the throngs around had just seen this true prophet call down fire from heaven, and many of the people were no doubt eager to curry favor with him.  Before Elijah could ascend to the heights of Mount Carmel and approach Jehovah God in private prayer, he faced an unpleasant task.  He had to speak to King Ahab.

The two men could hardly have been more different.  Ahab, bedecked in royal finery, was a greedy, weak-willed apostate.  Elijah wore the official garb of a prophet-a simple, rustic robe, possibly of animal skin or of woven goat hair.  He was a man of great  courage, integrity, and faith.  The day tha twas now drawing to a close had revealed much about the character of each man.

 It had been a bad day for Ahab and other Baal worshippers.  The pagan religion that Ahab and his wife, Queen Jezebel, championed in the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel had been dwelt a severe blow.  Baal had been exposed as a fraud.  That lifeless god had failed to light a simple fire in response to the fantic pleas, dances, and ritual bloodletting of his prophets. Baal had failed to protect those 450 men from their well-deserved execution. But the false god had failed in something else, and that failure was about to be made complete.  For over three years, the Baal prophets had impored their god to end the drought afflicting the land, but Baal had proved unable to do so.  Soon, Jehovah would demonstrate his supremacy by ending the drought. - 1 KINGS 16:30-17:1; 18:1-40/

When, though, would Jehovah act?  How would Elijah conduct himself until then? And what can we learn from this man of faith?  Let us see     as we examine the account. -Read KINGS 18:41-46.

Next time: Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited - A Prayful Attitude

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Chapter Ten -Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worship

 

How Long Was the Drought in Noah's Day?

Jehovah's prophet Eliha announced to King Ahab that the long drought would end soon.  That happened  "in the third year "- evidently  counting from the day Elijah first announced the drought. (1 Kings 18:1)   Jehovah sent rain soon after Elijah said that He would .  Some might concluded that the drought ended during the course of its third year and that it was therefore less than three years long.  However, both Jesus and James tell us that the drought lasted "three years and six months." (Luke 4:25; James 5:17) Is this a contradiction?

Not at all. You see, the dry season in ancient Israel was quite long, lasting up to six months. No doubt Elijah came to Ahab to announce the drought when the dry season was already proving to be unusually long and severe.  In effect, the drought had begun nearly half a year early.  Thus, when Elijah announced the end of the drought "in the third year" from his previous announcement, the drougt had already existed three and a half years.  The full "three years and six months" had elapsed by the time all the people assembled to witnesss the great test on Mount Carmel. 

Consider the timing of Elijah's first visit to Ahab.  The people believed that Baal was "the rider of the clouds," the god who would bring rains to end the dry season. If the dry season was unusually long, people likely wondered: 'Where is Baal?  When will he bring the rains?'  Elijah's announcement that neither rain nore dew would occur until he said so must have been devastating to those Baal worshippers.- 1 KINGS 17:1. 

Next time: Chapter Eleven/He Watched, and He Waited

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Chapter Ten - Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worship

 

The Answer 

Jehovah is the true God!  Jehovah is the true God! they cried out, all of them.  (1 Kings 18:39)  At last they saw the truth. However,they had not yet shown any faith. Frankly, to admit that Jehovah is the true God after seeing fire fall from heaven in response to a prayer is not an impressive demonstration of faith.  So Elijah asked more of them.  He aske them to do what they should have done years earlier-obey the Law of  Jehovah.  God's Law said that false prophets and idolaters should be put to death.  (Deuteronomy 23:5-9)  These  Baal priests  were committed enemies of  Jehovah God, and they deliberately worked against his purposes.  Did they deserve mercy? Well, what mercy was ever granted to those innocent children who burned alive as sacrifices to Baal?   (Read Proverbs 21:13; Jeremiah 19:5)  Those men were well beyond the reach of mercy!   So Elijah ordered that they be executed, and executed they were. - 1 KINGS 18:40.

Modern-day critics may decry the conclusion to this test on Mount Carmel.  Some people may worry lest religous zealouts use it to justify violent acts of religious intolerance. And sadly, there are many violent religious fanatics today.  However, Elihah was no fanatic. He was acting on Jehovah's behalf  in just execution.  Furthermore, genuine Christians know that they cannnot follow Elijah's course in taking a sword to the wicked.  Rather, they follow the standard for all disciples of Jesus as found in Christ''s words to Peter: "Return your sword to its place, for all those who take the sword will perish by the sword." - (Matthew 26:52)  Jehovah will use his Son to carry out divine justice in the future. 

The responsibility of a true Christian is to lead a life of faith. (Johm 3:16)  One way to do so is to imitate faithful men  like Elijah.  He worshipped Jehovah exclusively and urged others to do the same.  He boldly exposed as fraudulent a religion that Satan used to lure people awah from Jehovah. And he trusted Jehovah to settle matters instead of relying on his own abilities and will.  Elijah stood up for pure worship.  May all of us imitate his faith!

Next time: Chapter Ten - Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worship - How Long Was the Drought In Elijah's Day?

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Chapter Ten -Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worship

 

The Answer

Late in the afternoon came Elijajh's turn to offer a sacrifice. He repaired an altar to Jehovah that had been torn down, no doubt by enemies of pure worship.  He used 12 stones perhaps reminding many in the 10-tribe nation  of Israel that the La given to all 12 tribes was still binding on them.  Then he laid out his sacrifice and had everything doused with water, possibly obtained  from the Mediterannean Sea nearby. He even had a trench dug around the altar and filled it with water. Just as he had given the prophets of Baal every advantage, he gave Jehovah every advantage-such was his confidence in his God. - ! KINGS 18:30-35.

When everything was ready, Elijah said a prayer. Eloquent in its simplicity, the prayer showd clearly where Elijah's priorities lay.  First and foremost, he wanted it known that Jehova, not this Baal, was "God in Israel." Second, he wanted everyone to know his own role was that of Jehovah's servant; all glory and credit should go to God. Finally, he showed that he still cared about his people, for he was eager to see Jehovah turn "turn their  heart back." (1 Kings 18:36, 37)  Despite all the misesry that they had caused by their faithlessness, Elijah still loved them.  In our own prayers to God can we manifest similar humility, concern for God's name, and compassion for others who need help?

Before Elijah's prayer, the crowds there might have wondered if Jehovah would turn out to be an empty lie, as Baal had proved to be. After the prayer, though, there was no time for wondering.  The account says: "At that the fire of  Jehovah came falling and went eating up the burnt offering and the pieces of wood and the stones and the dust, and the water that was in the trench it licked up."  (1 Kings 18:38) What a spectacular answer! And how did the people respond? 

Next time: Chapter Ten -Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worshp - Conclusion of The Answer

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Chapter Ten - Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worship

 

A Climatic Test

Elijah next proposed a test. It was simplicity itself.  The Baal priests were set set up a altar and lay out a sacrifice on it; they were to pray to their god to light the fire.  Elijah would do the same.  He said to the "God that answers by fire is the true God." Elijah well knew who was the true God. So strong was his faith tha the did not hesitate to give his opponents every advantage. He let those Baal prophets go first. So they chose their bull for sacrifice and approached Baal. - 1 KINGS 18:24, 25.

We do no live in an age of miracles.  However, Jehovah has not changed. We can be just as confident in him as Elijah was.  For instance, when others disagree with what the Bible teaches, we need not fear to let them go ahead and have their say.  Like Elijah, we can look to the true God to settle the matter. We do that by relying, not on ourselves,  but on his inspired Word, which is designed "for setting things straight." - 2 TIMOTHY 3:16. 

The Baal prophets proceeded to set up their sacrifice and call on their god.  "O Baal, answer us!"  They cried again and again.  They kept at it as the minutes and the hours passed by.  "But there was no voice, and there was not one answering,"  the Bible says, At noon Elijah began to mock them, asserting sarcastically that Baal must be too busy to answer them, that he was relieving himself  in the privy, or that he was napping and someone needed to wake him up.   "Call at the top of your voice." Elijah urged those charlatans.  Clearly, he saw this Baal worship as ridiculous fakery, and he wanted God's people to see it for the fraud tha tit was. - 1 KINGS 18:226, 27. 

In response, the Baal priests became even more frenzied, "calling at the top of their voice and cutting themselves according to their custom with daggers and lances, until they caused blood to flow out upon them." All to no avail!  "There was no voice, and there was no one answering, and there was no paying of attention."  (1 Kings 18:28, 29) Indeed, there was no Baal.  He was an invention designed by Satan to lure people away from Jehovah.  The truth is, choosing any master other than Jehovah leads to disappointment, even shame.  Read PSALM 25:3; 115:4-8. 

Next time: Chapter Ten -Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worship - The Answer

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Chapter Ten -Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worship

The Heights of Mount Carmel commanded a sweeping view of the torrent valley  of Kishon below to the Great Sea (Mediterranean Sea) nearby and to the mountains of Lebanon on the far nothern horizon.  But as the sun rolse on this climatic day. the vista was grim.  A deathly pall  hung over the once fertile land tha that Jehovah had given the children of Abraham. It was now a land baked hard by the merciless sun, ruined by the folly of Jehovah's own people!   As those people thronged, Elijah approached them and spoke: "How long will you be limping upon two different opinions? If Jehovah is the true God, go following him; but if Baal is, go following him." - 1 KINGS 18:21.

What did Elijah mean by the expression "limping upon two different opinions"? Well, those people did not realize that they had to choose between the worship of Jehovah and the worship of Baal.  They thought  that they could have  it both ways-that they could appease Baal by their revolting rituals and still ask favors of Jehovah God. Perhaps they reasoned that Baal would bless their crops and herds, while "Jehovah of armies"  would protect them in battle. (1 Samuel 17:45)    They had forgotten a basic truth-one that still eludes many today. Jehovah does not share worship with anyone. He demands and is worthy of exclusive devotion.  Any worship of him that is mixed with some other form of worship is unacceptable to him, even offensive!  - Read EXODUS 20:5.

So those Israelites were "limping" along like a man trying to follow two pathways at once.  Many people today make a similar mistake, allowing other "baals" to creep into their life and push aside the worship of God. Heeding Elijah's clarion call to stop limping can help us to reexamine our own priorities and worship. 

Next time: Chapter Ten-Elijah Stood Up for Pure Worship - A Climatic Test 

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