From Jezreel to Horeb
101
Father, claiming all that He has promised. The honor of His throne is
staked for the fulfillment of His word.
The shades of night were gathering about Mount Carmel as Ahab
prepared for the descent. “It came to pass in the meanwhile, that the
heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.
And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.” As he journeyed toward the
royal city through the darkness and the blinding rain, Ahab was unable
to see his way before him. Elijah, who, as the prophet of God, had
that day humiliated Ahab before his subjects and slain his idolatrous
priests, still acknowledged him as Israel’s king; and now, as an act
of homage, and strengthened by the power of God, he ran before the
royal chariot, guiding the king to the entrance of the city.
In this gracious act of God’s messenger shown to a wicked king is
a lesson for all who claim to be servants of God, but who are exalted
in their own estimation. There are those who feel above performing
duties that to them appear menial. They hesitate to perform even
needful service, fearing that they will be found doing the work of a
servant. These have much to learn from the example of Elijah. By
his word the treasures of heaven had been for three years withheld
from the earth; he had been signally honored of God as, in answer to
his prayer on Carmel, fire had flashed from heaven and consumed the
sacrifice; his hand had executed the judgment of God in slaying the
[159]
idolatrous prophets; his petition for rain had been granted. And yet,
after the signal triumphs with which God had been pleased to honor
his public ministry, he was willing to perform the service of a menial.
At the gate of Jezreel, Elijah and Ahab separated. The prophet,
choosing to remain outside the walls, wrapped himself in his mantle,
and lay down upon the bare earth to sleep. The king, passing within,
soon reached the shelter of his palace and there related to his wife the
wonderful events of the day and the marvelous revelation of divine
power that had proved to Israel that Jehovah is the true God and Elijah
His chosen messenger. As Ahab told the queen of the slaying of
the idolatrous prophets, Jezebel, hardened and impenitent, became
infuriated. She refused to recognize in the events on Carmel the
overruling providence of God, and, still defiant, she boldly declared
that Elijah should die.
That night a messenger aroused the weary prophet and delivered
to him the word of Jezebel: “So let the gods do to me, and more also,