80
Prophets and Kings
to the living God, Elijah’s message of judgment would never have been
given. But the warnings that might have been a savor of life unto life
had proved to them a savor of death unto death. Their pride had been
wounded, their anger had been aroused against the messengers, and
now they regarded with intense hatred the prophet Elijah. If only he
should fall into their hands, gladly they would deliver him to Jezebel—
as if by silencing his voice they could stay the fulfillment of his words!
In the face of calamity they continued to stand firm in their idolatry.
Thus they were adding to the guilt that had brought the judgments of
Heaven upon the land.
For stricken Israel there was but one remedy—a turning away
from the sins that had brought upon them the chastening hand of the
Almighty, and a turning to the Lord with full purpose of heart. To them
had been given the assurance, “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain,
or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence
among My people; if My people, which are called by My name, shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their
wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:13, 14
. It was to bring to pass
this blessed result that God continued to withhold from them the dew
and the rain until a decided reformation should take place.
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