1 Kings 19: 1-18
This week’s preaching text comes from 1 Kings 19:1-18, the story of Elijah the prophet. The title of the text indicates the persistence of the Hebrew prophet serving in the court where a marriage of “political convenience” is taking place between the Hebrew King Ahab and Jezebel Princess of King Ethbaal of Sidon. She supported “upwards of a thousand prophets of Baal and Asherah, male and female deities in the court of Samaria” in the area that would be known as the Northern Kingdom in later days.
This story of Elijah points towards persistence because he is a lone voice among 1,000 opposing voices. He calls to account both prophets of Baal and Asherah to serve the only God Yahweh. It is a long journey but this is one of the most riveting narratives in the scripture. The final confrontation, if you will, occurs on Mt. Carmel in the North Country not far from the modern Syrian border, “between the lone prophet and 450 prophets of Baal.” Elijah emerges victorious in a conflagration of the idols and altar of Baal. It is awesome stuff.
In worship, our Wesley and Cathedral Choirs will be sharing portions of this text from Felix Mendelsohn’s oratorical, Elijah. Two choruses in particular “He Watching Over Israel” and “Behold, God the Lord” are amazing pieces that will be familiar to both singers and congregants. Each tells a story of faith and inspiration. Faith sometimes calls us to be persistent in prayer – persistent in our assurance of the Lord God. Elijah has that frame of mind. Many times he could have given in, but he does not when others do. If the preacher is on his game, he might challenge you to reflect on your own experiences of faith and ease of persistence resulting in assurance, of the status quo for our lives, or the dive that requires a desire for depth.
“And after the earthquake came a fire.
But yet the Lord was not in the fire.
And after the fire came a still small voice.
And in that still voice, onward came the Lord.”
Peace,
Pastor Todd
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