Sermon for June 29, 2025 (1 Kings 19:9b–21) by Rev. David Domanski
The opening verse of this text is intimidating. Elijah is running for his life—trying to hide from God, like Adam in the garden and Jonah sailing from Joppa—all because Jezebel has threatened to take his life. Now, in the midst of his attempt to escape to a safe haven, we are told, “The word of the Lord came to [Elijah]”! And the question the Lord asks is, without a doubt, one of the most unnerving questions we humans ever face, namely, “What are you doing?” The addition of the word here—“What are you doing here?”—only makes things worse for Elijah.
It’s easy for us as observers to recognize that even God’s question is just a way of God reminding Elijah that he is not staying to preach against Ahab and Jezebel and take a stand for God’s truth. But let’s face it—more often than not, we’re terrified by the evils of this world too, even though we’ve seen firsthand the almighty power of the Lord in daily life.
Elijah had experienced at least three significant acts that demonstrated the power of the Lord, and yet he’s still fearful of a wicked woman who is no match for God.
Elijah had seen the miracle of the unending oil and flour with the widow at Zarephath. He had also played his part in the resurrection of her son, whereupon the mother announced, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth” (1 Kings 17:24). And, of course, Elijah had witnessed the dynamic revelation of the Lord’s power when the Lord vanquished the prophets and worshipers of Baal atop Mount Carmel with the fire that “consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench” (18:38). And yet, these three miracles are not enough to take away Elijah’s fears as Jezebel hunts him down.
Consumed by his fears, Elijah is brought back to reality by the Lord Himself, when the opening verse of the text says, “The word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ ”
Far from being bold and confident in responding to God’s question, Elijah’s response is a sniveling kind of self-indulgence as he replies, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away” (19:10). Now what Elijah says may be true, but it’s all about Elijah, not about the God who has delivered him. Because we’re aware that Elijah has experienced firsthand of the Lord’s power, we are amazed at his lack of confidence in the Lord’s calling.
But what is remarkable here is the Lord’s unending patience with Elijah and even a kind forbearance regarding his complaint. The Lord could have justifiably given up on Elijah because of his lack of confidence, but God doesn’t give up on him. In fact, the Lord goes to great lengths to “resurrect” Elijah and his faith, not by reprimand, but by demonstrating that He comes to him, not only in power, but also in a soft, gentle whisper.
And in this particular instance, the Lord’s grace toward a prophet who thinks he’s all alone is shown by allowing him to anoint two kings (Hazael over Syria and Jehu over Israel), and a prophet, Elisha, to succeed him.
But when God comes to Elijah in reassurance, He mirrors how Moses experienced God’s presence in having him hide in the cleft of the rock and show his glory. The Lord tells Elijah, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by” (v. 11). To demonstrate the many ways in which God visits His people in their need, Elijah hears “the sound of a low whisper” (v 12), which ironically follows three earth-shattering metaphors of the power of the Lord: “And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper” (vv. 11–12). How wonderful it is to know that when we need something grand to help us in our unbelief or in our weakness, God can put on quite a show and can “wow” us into renewing our faith in Him. But what I treasure more than anything is that in our weakness and in our vulnerabilities, God soothes us with a tender whisper. In those times when God comes to us quietly and with great patience and love, we, like Elijah, answer God’s call in humility. Our text tells us that Elijah “wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave” (v. 13).
It’s at this point that the Lord repeats His original question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Although Elijah repeats his original answer, it isn’t really the same answer at all. There seems to be a whole new tone—one of confession—suggesting that Elijah now understands that what he is about to hear from the Lord lifts him above and beyond the petty annoyances of Jezebel and others that seemed so life-threatening the first time around. When he is done being reassured and strengthened by God, the text tells us, “So [Elijah] departed from there and found Elisha” (v 19). And as if for added confidence, the Lord reminds Elijah, “Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (v 18). God definitely knows how to provide comfort to a troubled heart.
The lesson of “Elijah’s Complaint and the Lord’s Presence” is that God will use whatever means necessary to demonstrate His care and concern for you—and that’s true whether one is as famous as the prophet Elijah, or as obscure as the widows, orphans, and common sinners that Christ championed. May God graciously grant that you always see His power and gentleness today and forever. And may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.