The Broken Prophet

Bible Text: I Kings 19:1-8 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 1 Kings, 2006

Northwest Bible Church – Aug. 20, 2006 – 1&2 Kings Series – Worship Service – Alan Conner

1 Kings 19:1-8

The Broken Prophet

 

INTRO

 

 

THE NATURE OF ELIJAH’S TROUBLE (19:1-3).

 

AHAB’S STORY (v. 1).

 

Notice how Ahab’s focus is on Elijah and not God.

 

 

JEZEBEL’S REACTION (v. 2).

 

1) Jezebel is unaffected by what happened. She threatens Elijah’s life with a curse on her own head. She swears by the “gods” that Elijah will die within 24 hours.

 

 

2) Now we learn who is really in control of the kingdom of Israel. It is not king Ahab, but his queen, the pagan Gentile, the blind worshipper of Baal.

 

 

ELIJAH’S FLIGHT (v. 3).

 

1) NOT FEAR.

 

a) Verse 3 is a questionable reading. KJV is best.

 

b) God does not reprimand him for being fearful.

 

 

2) DEPRESSION.

 

a) Ahab was not going to reinstate the worship of Yahweh.

 

b) Jezebel was the real mover and shaker of the kingdom

 

c) Because of this, Elijah seems to lose hope, to give up. He was not prepared for this, his faith falters. He is confused, bewildered, disillusioned, he does not understand what God is doing. From his mountain top experience of victory he descends down into the valley of discouragement and depression.

 

d) However, at least he was depressed over something important – – – the glory of God was compromised in Israel. So Elijah was upset and broken over God’s glory in that the covenant was being broken by Israel, because His altars were broken down, His prophets were being killed.   Elijah was at least God-centered in his depression. WHAT DEPRESSES YOU?

 

 

ELIJAH’S RESPONSE

 

Escape (v. 3).

 

Contrast with 17:2, 8, 18:1.

 

His depressed spirit makes him want to leave the ministry. He is ready to quit. He is burned out from disappointment and discouragement.

 

BEERSHEBA – city in southern Judah about 100 miles south of Jezreel.

 

 

Isolation (vv. 3b-4).   Ends up under a Juniper tree.

 

 

He wanted to die (v. 4).

 

 

He dwelt on his own failure (v. 4). “I am not better than my fathers.”

 

 

His focus is on himself (vv. 10, 14).

 

 

 

III. ELIJAH’S SIN.

 

He thought he had God’s plan all figured out.

 

 

He took responsibility for what was not within his power to do.

 

 

His focus was on the circumstances rather than on God

 

 

CONCLUSION