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Prophets and Kings
if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this
time.”
It would seem that after showing courage so undaunted, after
triumphing so completely over king and priests and people, Elijah
could never afterward have given way to despondency nor been awed
into timidity. But he who had been blessed with so many evidences
of God’s loving care was not above the frailties of mankind, and in
this dark hour his faith and courage forsook him. Bewildered, he
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started from his slumber. The rain was pouring from the heavens, and
darkness was on every side. Forgetting that three years before, God
had directed his course to a place of refuge from the hatred of Jezebel
and the search of Ahab, the prophet now fled for his life. Reaching
Beersheba, he “left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s
journey into the wilderness.”
Elijah should not have fled from his post of duty. He should have
met the threat of Jezebel with an appeal for protection to the One who
had commissioned him to vindicate the honor of Jehovah. He should
have told the messenger that the God in whom he trusted would protect
him against the hatred of the queen. Only a few hours had passed since
he had witnessed a wonderful manifestation of divine power, and this
should have given him assurance that he would not now be forsaken.
Had he remained where he was, had he made God his refuge and
strength, standing steadfast for the truth, he would have been shielded
from harm. The Lord would have given him another signal victory by
sending His judgments on Jezebel; and the impression made on the
king and the people would have wrought a great reformation.
Elijah had expected much from the miracle wrought on Carmel.
He had hoped that after this display of God’s power, Jezebel would
no longer have influence over the mind of Ahab, and that there would
be a speedy reform throughout Israel. All day on Carmel’s height he
had toiled without food. Yet when he guided the chariot of Ahab to
the gate of Jezreel, his courage was strong, despite the physical strain
under which he had labored.
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But a reaction such as frequently follows high faith and glorious
success was pressing upon Elijah. He feared that the reformation
begun on Carmel might not be lasting; and depression seized him. He
had been exalted to Pisgah’s top; now he was in the valley. While under
the inspiration of the Almighty, he had stood the severest trial of faith;