6/11/13
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WHY HE LEFT
In 1Ki 18 & 19, we find the account of Elijah on Mt. Carmel singlehandedly facing down 450 priests of Baal in front of King Ahab and all the men of Israel. Elijah prevailed, the false priests were slain, and Israel pledged to repent. Queen Jezebel was not present at this confrontation but heard the results shortly afterwards; whereupon she threatened to kill Elijah.
It has been said by commentators that Elijah ran away because he was afraid of Jezebel, even after performing such great miracles. I believe this is incorrect.
I think that as a result of Ahab allowing Jezebel to continue to exert her influence against what he knew was the true religion, Israel’s “second chance” was lost. Ahab’s choice was accepted on behalf of the entire nation. Thus discouraged that his best efforts had proven futile, Elijah ran from the people who would not be saved.
Ahab was Israel’s rightful ruler, not Jezebel. Yet he didn’t prevent her from usurping his authority. Further, she was leading the entire nation ever deeper into idolatry to Baal and systematically destroying all followers of the true God. Elijah thought if he could only get Ahab to lead again, maybe the rest of the country would follow.
The events on Mt. Carmel that fateful day were to be a final call for King and Country to repent of their false religion and return to God. Unmistakable and miraculous signs were given so there could be no question about what was right. The display proved effective temporarily. Ahab and the people pledged to return to God. Unfortunately it was only short-lived.
Knowing the weakness of Ahab’s character, Elijah did all he could to help Ahab establish his new resolve. Great signs were given, including fire from heaven. The false priests were all executed, so they couldn’t work to undermine the revival. Ahab was given his greatest desire at that moment — rain. And he was reassured that his authority was true and his decision correct. All that remained was to stand up to the queen and stop her abuses. Even in this Elijah sought to help Ahab as much as he could by returning with him to the palace, so that Ahab would have the moral support of knowing that Elijah was close at hand. No doubt Elijah remained in a state of prayer as he watched to see the result of this final part of the battle.
So when a messenger came out and rather than relating that the king had prevailed, instead announced the queen was seeking his life, Elijah knew Ahab had caved in again. With Jezebel still effectively in power, the revival which had been brought so close to completion would be undone and the nation would quickly return to idolatry.
This was too much for Elijah to take. He didn’t want to stay by and watch as Jezebel renewed her plan. So depressed and discouraged he ran away, afraid of seeing any more of it.
Although Elijah could have stayed and confronted Jezebel, the only outcome of that would have been her death. And this wouldn’t change anything. Jezebel wasn’t the real problem; she was just using an opportunity. The underlying issue was that Ahab, like the people, wasn’t truly converted from his old ways. As soon as his decision to follow God came under attack, his true feelings appeared and he gave it up.
Elijah also finally realized that Ahab was merely a reflection of what the people really wanted to do. Ahab and Israel weren’t being led astray by Jezebel. She was just fulfilling for them their true desire — to be like all the other countries around them.
Elijah knew that God respects each one’s free will and thus would accept Ahab’s and the people’s desire to not truly follow Him. With this question answered there was nothing to wait around for.
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