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April 9 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 99

There's a bit of a break in the fighting of kings in today's reading.  Today we're focusing on some of the prophet Elijah's work.  It's good to read today's chapters in light of the fact that the people had turned to worship of Baal.  Elijah does everything he is commanded by God to demonstrate something about the people's choosing.

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DAILY READINGS

1 Kings 17-19 & Psalm 99

DAILY NOTES

1 Kings 17

  • The prophet Elijah declares there will be no rain in the land "these years."  Elijah is taken care of first by ravens and then by a widow.  Later he'll be fed by an angel.
  • Elijah demonstrates this God, through Elijah's words, has power over the circumstances the widow (and everyone else) faces because of the drought.
1 Kings 18
  • Obadiah is introduced.  He works under King Ahab, though he is faithful to the Lord.  Obadiah's faith is demonstrated by his protection of 100 prophets.  
  • Elijah meets Obadiah and asks him to relay a message to Ahab that Elijah has returned.  Obadiah is fearful because Ahab has been looking for Elijah.  If Elijah does not return, Ahab will kill Obadiah.
    • Notice that when Elijah comes to the king, Ahab follows his instructions.  
  • Elijah arranges for a battle of the gods showdown.  There are different ways of expressing his "limping" comments in Verse 21, but the idea is clear.  The people are unable to make up their mind about who is truly God.  Elijah provides them an opportunity to make a clear decision. 
    • Elijah kills all the prophets once the ordeal is complete.  This is important because it sets up what happens in the next chapter.
1 Kings 19
  • Jezebel hears about what Elijah has done to the prophets of Baal and vows that she will kill him next.  We know she is the real deal because the prophet is fearful and flees.
  • Elijah asks God to die.  He's running for his life, but asks God to be the one that takes it.
  • God appears to Elijah.  Notice where this all happens.
  • Elisha becomes Elijah's disciple.  Initially, it seems that Elisha doesn't have the kind of passion Elijah has demonstrated and that Elijah is not all that impressed so far with him.  But Elijah has proven himself faithful to God's commands many times already.
Psalm 99
  • A hymn of praise.  God is holy and just.  Therefore, God deserves the praise of his people.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

There's a lesson I learned years ago through these chapters that motivate me even still today.

Elijah says a couple of times that he is the only prophet left.  It's obvious that he has been working on overdrive for a while.  He has been responsible for some profound acts and words.  Of course, God has been with him.  Other than that, he has done these things by himself.  

We've seen before where prophets gather, perhaps prophecy, in groups.  At least lately, Elijah has not been a part of any prophetic group.  

But he's wrong when he says he's the only prophet left.  Maybe he was speaking out of frustration, fear or desperation.  Maybe he wanted to stir the hearts of other prophets.  Maybe, with his life being in so much danger, he just felt alone.  But we know he was wrong.  

Obadiah hid 100 prophets and God tells Elijah to anoint Elisha.  

Whenever we feel like we're fighting a battle by ourselves, we're wrong.  We aren't the only ones who see what God wants to do.  We aren't the only ones trying to be faithful to God.  Maybe we haven't surrounded ourselves with those other people.  But they're there.  

Be encouraged.  You're not fighting the good fight by yourself!

Stay blessed...john

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