Bible Soundbites
Monday, 31 March 2008 00:00 | and posted in Elijah
Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” 1 Kings 17:1
It wasn’t a good time to be a prophet of God. Kings normally feared them, but Ahab was allowing his wife, Jezebel, to systematically hunt them down and kill them. Her plan was to see Israel worship only Baal.
It therefore, took a lot of courage for Elijah to prophesy to the King.
Oh, did I mention that Baal was the god of the weather… Oops!
Tuesday, 01 April 2008 00:00 | and posted in Elijah
Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” So he went to Zarephath. 1 Kings 17:8-10
Where are the last two places you would want to be in a drought? The desert? Staying with someone with no money to buy food? Well, these are the two places where God sends Elijah!
Each time Elijah goes where God sends him, like a little boy trusting that his daddy is looking out for him.
You and I can have faith like this.
Wednesday, 02 April 2008 00:00 | and posted in Elijah
Elijah went before the people of Israel and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people remained silent. 1 Kings 18:21
How long will you attempt to date two guys at the same time? If you want to spend your life with me, choose me and dump the other guy. But if you would rather spend your life with him, don’t pretend you’re still in a relationship with me.
But the girl remained silent.
Can you feel God’s heart here?
Thursday, 03 April 2008 00:00 | and posted in Elijah
At the time of the sacrifice, Elijah stepped forward and prayed… “Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 1 Kings 18:37
The 450 prophets of Baal shouted all day long, even cutting themselves in a bid to get Baal to act. In contrast, Elijah just spoke a simple prayer and God acted.
When we wander away from God he seeks to turn our hearts back to him again; a verse in Hosea even talks about God trying to woo us back!
God acts because he loves us.
Friday, 04 April 2008 00:00 | and posted in Elijah
Elijah was afraid and ran for his life… 1 Kings 19:3
The Bible never shirks away from presenting the humanity of its protagonists. Every “hero of faith” has his or her human weakness highlighted in the telling of their story. It’s like God is inviting us to see them as real people who are not so far removed from our own experiences.
Saturday, 05 April 2008 00:00 | and posted in Elijah
After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper... Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:12-13
Elijah’s hiding in a mountain cave in a foreign country feeling depressed, discouraged and afraid. He perhaps even feels like a failure; will God want anything more to do with him for having run away from Israel when they needed him most?
At this low point God comes and speaks in an intimate whisper…
What are you doing here, Elijah?
Let’s go back…
Sunday, 06 April 2008 00:00 | and posted in Elijah
The Lord said, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 1 Kings 19:15-16
Our God is a God of hope and new beginnings.
One of the men Elijah is told to anoint would become King of Israel after Ahab signalling a time of hope and a new future for Israel. Another of the men, Elisha, would replace Elijah as Israel’s prophet, but who would provide Elijah with friendship and companionship until that time of handover came.