Today’s Devotion
Topic: A Passionate Prophet Vrs His Evil King (Part 15)
(Self Assessment 215)
Introduction: From all we have been learning about the past 14 weeks, one can easily conclude that the challenge that was between Elijah and Ahab is over.
Jehovah had demonstrated by fire that He is God and baal does not compare. Now, this was done in the full glare of Israel. The prophets of baal had all been slaughtered against the possibility of they corrupting the nation into idolatry again.
Earlier, Elijah prophesied there was going to be no rain till at his word. After intense prayer, he saw the clouds gather and had even warned the king to rush ahead because he was hearing the sound of abundant rain.
What can go wrong again after this? Shouldn’t Israel forsake idolatry and serve the Lord God already? Will Elijah be made the official prophet of the nation and personal adviser to the king for demonstrating faithfulness, both to God and to his nation?
For answers to these and more, let us zoom straight into today’s Bible study.
Text: 1 Kings 19: 1- 5
1. Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”
3 Elijah was afraid[a] and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat”. Amen.
Questions:
1. It is only natural that Ahab would brief his wife of everything that had happened with Elijah. It seems apparent, however, that Jezebel did not take kindly to it at all. Why, in your opinion, do you think she was not so pleased?
2. She invoked a curse; “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” What did she mean by this statement?
3. Still in verse 2. What does it mean, in your opinion, to begin a statement or invoke a curse with the clause, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely if…. “?
4. Elijah was afraid, he ran for his life. But what would make this powerful prophet through whom God demonstrates so much power and presence, ran from the threat of Jezebel? How can this relate to our Christian walk?
5. Elijah prayed to die claiming he had had enough and was no better than his ancestors. Dear family, how do we explain this?
6. Instead of God granting his request and take his life, an angel woke him up rather and offered him spiritual food to eat. Why could this rather be a much better option than taking Elijah’s life?
7. What have you learnt from today’s discussion?
Kindly share your answers with us through this same social media platform (WhatsApp/Facebook). We also learn a lot from what you share.
(www.yonghana.org; Like our Facebook page: Y OUTREACH NETWORK)
