A life that points to Christ
Elijah
From Elijah we learn bold faith that stands alone for God, and also that even the strongest servants get exhausted and discouraged, and that God meets them with gentleness rather than rebuke. His life teaches courageous faith and honest weariness, and it points to the God who speaks in a still, small voice.
“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”1 Kings 18:21
“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.”1 Kings 19:4
“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”1 Kings 19:12
“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”James 5:17
Their story, honestly
Elijah was a prophet who confronted wicked King Ahab and the worship of Baal. On Mount Carmel he stood alone against hundreds of false prophets and called Israel to choose, how long halt ye between two opinions, and God answered with fire from heaven. Yet right after that mountaintop triumph, threatened by Queen Jezebel, Elijah fled into the wilderness, sat under a tree, and asked to die, saying he had had enough. God did not scold him. He let him sleep, fed him, and then, at the mountain, spoke not in wind or earthquake or fire but in a still, small voice, gently recommissioning him and reminding him he was not as alone as he felt.
What their life teaches us
First, Elijah teaches courageous conviction; he stood for God against a whole culture and called people off the fence. Second, and tenderly, he teaches that spiritual highs are often followed by crashes, and that even great believers can sink into exhaustion and despair. Third, his story teaches how God treats the discouraged; He met Elijah's burnout not with a lecture but with rest, food, presence, and a quiet word. God's tenderness with a suicidal prophet is one of the most comforting scenes in Scripture, teaching us that God is gentle with His weary servants.
How their life points to Christ
Elijah was carried up to heaven and later appeared with Moses on the mount of transfiguration, talking with Jesus about the death He would accomplish. Elijah's whole ministry pointed forward, and John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Christ. The prophet who called Israel to choose the LORD points to Jesus, the one we must choose, who is Himself the fire and the still, small voice of God. And the God who tenderly restored an exhausted Elijah is the same Jesus who says, come unto me, all ye that labour, and I will give you rest.
Questions people ask
What does Elijah teach us about discouragement?
That even the boldest believers crash, and that God is tender toward them. After his great victory, Elijah despaired and wanted to die, and God responded with rest, food, presence, and a gentle word, not rebuke. It teaches that God cares for our bodies and spirits when we are burned out.
What is the meaning of the still, small voice?
After dramatic wind, earthquake, and fire, God spoke to Elijah in a gentle whisper. It teaches that God is not only in the spectacular; often He comes quietly and personally. To a shattered prophet, that quiet voice was a reassurance of God's nearness and care.