Sunday Service #66 1 Kings 17-20 By Josh Monday

commenting as well. I was very excited because last week on Wednesday Service, was it Wednesday Service or last week I'm sorry, last week on Sunday Service we ended up having We're back to nine comments, which is so great. Thank you guys. Brad Gillis, thank you, JACN forty four twenty Thank you, Whiskers White, thank you again, and thank you again. Jacon. Thank you again, Brad, because you're always there. Angela, thank you so much. Mikayla, I think it's Mikayla Michaela,

thank you so much as well. Be I appreciate you. Nikki, thank you no poop Scoop, that's an awesome name. Appreciate you. And then MDMP twenty two, thank you so and Makayla, you said you suffered a loss this year from my job, my relationship. I needed to remind it that God's always provides. Amen. God does always provide an update on my job interview.

My goodness, guys. God is so great. And you know, here's the thing about being a podcaster that is like the utmost amazing thing that I found out just by doing this interview because I haven't I've been at my job for nine years. You know, I didn't podcast when I first interviewed at my job. You know, I did sales for when I was in my younger years, so I kind of still have that sales salesmanship in me.

So you know, when I when I did do my interview at my other job, when I first got my job at my current job, they told me you did excellent, interview, did great. So this time I go to this place and it's an awesome Uh it's a really good position. And man, I sit down and I honestly feel like like how I feel when I do a podcast interview, because I've been interviewed several times by different people, you know, different shows, and I'm just like, man, what an awesome thing.

God blessed me with, you know, to be a podcaster, because he blessed me with the ability to go to an interview and just sit down and I got three people in front of me, and it's just kind of just a whole different ballgame when you're a podcaster, when you go to interviews. I don't know if anybody else out there that's podcasting, if you listen to this, understand that's you know, all you got to do is in your mind, you just got to say, you know what,

this is exactly what I do every single week. So I got this. You know, I've interviewed Gary Wayne, I've interviewed doctors, I've interviewed theologians, I've interviewed people that are, you know, supposedly big in the industry. Everybody puts their pants on the same way though, you know what I mean. Everybody puts their pants one pant leg at a time, so we're all on an even playing field. So when I walked in there, I was like, all right, all I had. As long as I was, I was feeling

good because I dressed you know, nice. But here's the thing, this is the crazy part. It's funny because I had a jacket to put over with my tie, my shirt. My neck got so big. I was trying to I was trying to button my tie. I was like I couldn't even get the neck. I was like, babe, can you help me? She told me, hey, my wife told me, listen, you better make sure you try on that outfit because you got to make sure it fits. And I'm like, oh no, I'm good, man, I'm good. I've been lifting weights,

you know. But the thing is, I think I got a little bit bigger from lifting weights because when I put my jacket on, Oh my gosh, I was like a fat guy and a little coat, like Chris Farley, like fat guy and a little coat. Because when I put that thing on, I was like I can't even pull my arms down. I was like, oh my god, to take it off real quick. And I was like, I feel like I was gonna be late. So I just kind of went in there with the shit and tie.

And as soon as I met the manager there, you know, the district manager, I told him, hey, man, how you doing. I said, hey, I had a jacket in the car, but I can't even put it on. But I put it on it I was about to rip it and he started laughing, you know, you know, you start out with the with a joke and then the compliment. You know, hey, I heard a lot of great things about your company, and I'm really looking forward to this interview, you know.

And that's what I did, man, and it just went. Man, he tossed me the ball, Thank you, Lord, God is great. God tossed me that ball and allowed me to hit out the park. So yeah, So I have a second interview on Tuesday. And supposedly this interview is not going to be like you know, them trying to find out if I got the job. Supposedly I already have it, and this is supposed to be an interview to talk like kind of discuss numbers. So hopefully that's what it is.

And I know that God has my back. I could do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. And also if God is with you, who could be against you? Nobody? So that that's how I feel. I feel great. I feel so awesome. I feel amazing. So thank you guys for the prayers. If you guys prayed for me, Thank you guys so much for just any thoughts or anything like that. Thank you. I really appreciate it. And let's go ahead and check out too. On Wednesday service, we

had a couple of people leave some comments. We had MDMP twenty two Thank you, Angela Kelly, thank you, and catalysts. Jones, my brother, you're a podcast two man. So next time you do a job interview, if you end up doing one in the future, just no boom. I got this. I interview all day long, you know what I mean, got it so much. Love to you, brother, thank you so much. And we're starting out in First Kings seventeen, so let's go ahead and do the intro for First

Kings seventeen. And honestly, we have four chapters before we finish First Kings, okay, so we'll do our best. I mean, these might take a while because I got a lot of notes, like the Bible study notes and everything. I have a lot of them. So it's awesome. It's such an amazing blessing that God blessed me with to have these different Bible study booklets, you know, and notes, you know. Thank you Lord for the notes. So let's go ahead and do an intro. Fet King seventeen provides us with

an insightful account of the prophet Elijah's life. Let's go, particularly his experience during a period of severe famine. The chapter conveys the dynamics of faith, trust, miracles, and divine provision, showcasing Elijah's unyielding faith in God's promise and his ability to provide even in the most challenging circumstances. Okay, So

I really like to hear about Elijah. This this kind of stuff is is good, you know, because he's able to perform miracles, Okay, And it's just just amazing because he's quite the character. And we're going to read about it. And I don't want to get too much into him because I don't want to do any spoiler alerts. So what I want to do is, let's go ahead and start.

So it says Elijah proclaims a drought, and Elijah, the Tishbite of the inhabitants of Gilead, said Ahab said to Ahab, as the Lord God of Israel lives before whom I stand, there shall be no do nor reign these years except by my word. So right there, he's boldly claiming, boldly claiming and declaring to the king a have that's Ahab, that he's speaking to King Ahab that there will be no reign except that his word. This demonstrates the power

of God's word and the authority given to prophets. And you see the way he speaks except by my word, and he's speaking to a human king. Usually when you're talking to a human king, you gotta you gotta have a little more respect there. I mean, I'm not saying he's not he's disrespecting the king, but he's letting him know that you might be king, but it's by my word, because my God is stronger, you know. So, Uh, let's go ahead and check out what it says here and

if you dig a little deeper into that. Elijah, one of the most prominent prophets in the Old Testament, is renowned for his bold declarations and miraculous acts that demonstrated the power and sovereignty of the God of Israel. His prophetic ministry is primarily recorded in the Books of King of First Kings and Second Kings. Eliza's declaration declarations were often uh direct confrontations against idolatry apostlecy in Israel, particularly during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, which

we're going to get into. So, like I said, I don't want any spoiler alert, so let's go ahead and dig into the chapter and first Kings Uh one King seventeen, verse two. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, get away from here and turn eastward and hide by the brook of Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.

Very interesting because ravens are unclean. So what's gonna happen is the ravens are actually gonna be bringing him food. And if it's an unclean animal, a raven bringing him food, if you're not supposed to touch an unclean animal, it's kind of interesting that God chose a raven, right, So that's three through six, Okay, I'll go ahead and continue, and verse five says so he went and did according

to the word of the Lord. For he went and stayed at the brook of Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drink from the And it happened after a while that the brook dried up because there had been no rain. In the land. Let's pause there, so we have Elijah proclaiming the drought, and let's go ahead and see what's up

with this part. It says God instructs Elijah to hide by the brook of Cherith, where ravens bring him bread and meat. This illustrates God's ability to provide in miraculous ways, even using unlikely sources. Of course, it's unlikely now to us, any bird bringing us food is unlikely, you know. We think that that's a miracle, you know, and has to be God given or God sent, because we don't have birds going and grabbing meat for us and bringing it back to us, and not grabbing bread and bringing it

back to us. Right. But the miraculous part is that God's using an unlikely source of a raven to complete this mission. So it says this. The account of God's provision at the Brook of Cherith is found in One King seventeen won through This narrative is set during the reign of King Ahab in Israel, a tarm might a charm, a time marked by widespread idolatry and apostasy. Elijah the Tishbite, a prophet of the Lord, emerges as a pivotal figure

in confronting the spiritual decline of the nation. In response to the ram rampant worship of Bail, Elijah declares a divinely ordained drought, saying, as the Lord God lives, whom will I stand? They will neither be do or rain in these years except by my word, which is one king seventeen to one divine command and obedience. Following the bold proclamation, the word of the Lord comes to Eliza, instructing him to hide by the brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan. The Lord commands, you are to drink

from the brook. I've commanded the ravens to feed you there. Elijah's obedience to God's directive is immediate and unwavering, demonstrating his faith and trust in God's provision and protection. And of course he has only has trust in God because what some pharise you would probably say is I can't be eating from a raven. No way, That's an unclean animal. You're gonna have to choose a different one God, You see what I mean. No, whatever God says he's gonna do,

he's gonna do. If he tells you it's gonna be a raven Elijah's not questioning the Lord. Elijah's saying, if it's gonna be a raven that you need to use, then then it's gonna be a raven. You don't you don't see anywhere where Elijah's just like, uh, it's gonna be a raven. But Lord, it's unclean. I can't do that. Oh, according to this, I have to I can't. You know, he's not saying that. So it's very interesting. At the

Brook of Truth, this is miraculous provision. At the Brook of Truth, Elijah experiences God's miraculous provision at a time of severe drought and famine. The Ravens, creatures typically considered unclean according to the levitical law, are divinely appointed to bring Elijah bread and meat every morning and evening. This extraordinary means of sustenance underscores God's sovereignty over creation and his ability to provide for his servants in unexpected ways.

Eliza's reliance on the brook for water and the ravens for food highlights the theme of divine provision and care. Do you see how humans taking care of humans is above the law? Okay, the law is there, but when it comes to you starving and needing food. Then God's not going to be like, nope, I want you to starve to death because I don't want you to break

the law. You know, He's like, He's like, you know what we need to if you need to eat or you need to feed you, just like Jesus when the when he goes by the wheatfield and the and the the apostles were grabbing the wheat and Jesus was eating it. They were eating it on the Sabbath, and they came and they tried to check Jesus and they tried to check his disciples, I said, his apostles, but his disciples, they tried to check them. And Jesus was telling him.

You know the story of David when he went in and he got the bread out of the that were only the priests are supposed to eat it, but they were and it was a time that they needed to go and break that law. And do you think that he was you know, God was just like, oh, David, I'm not gonna ever roll with him again, or I'm not gonna listen to him anymore because he ate that meat or that that bread. No, Jesus was saying that because Jesus was like, hey, that you guys need to

understand what the law is there for. And if God tells you something like he did with these ravens, you got to be like Elijah, not question it and just go ahead and just go ahead and sorry, something is calling him my flip goodness, and go ahead and just follow God's commands whatever he's saying. And then what's the spiritual significance? The episode at the brook Charith serves as a powerful testament of God's faithfulness and his ability to

sustain his people in times of trial. It illustrates the principle that God often uses unlike the instruments of a philla's purposes and meet them the needs of his followers. Elijah's experience as a reminder of the importance of obedience and trust in God's promises even when circumstances appear dire. What is the theological implications? So the narrative emphasizes God's control over nature and his intimate involvement in the lives of his prophets. It reflects the broader biblical theme of

God's provision for his people as seen throughout scripture. The account also for settles the New Testament teaching of God's care for his children. As Jesus later assures, Therefore, I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body what will you wear? Is not life more than food, in the body more than clothes Matthew six, verse twenty five. And

then for the Lessons for believers. For contemporary believers, the account of God's provision at the Brook of charit offers encouragement and assurance of God's faithfulness. It calls Christians to trust in God's provision even in the face of uncertainty, adversity, and adversity. Eliza's example of obedience or alliance on God serves as a model for living a life of faith, confident in the knowledge that God is able to meet all needs according to riches in glory. Amen to that.

All right, so good stuff right there? Now, we have, you know, kind of an overview of Chapter seventeen, verses one through seven, So as we know, it starts out with Elijah announcing a severe draft to the King Ahab as judgment of Israel's idolatry, and being miraculously sustained by the ravens at the Kurrith Brook, demonstrating God's power over nature and his provision for his prophets even in barren, unlikely paces, teaching teaching lessons in obedience, trust in God's

sovereignty through unexpected means like ravens instead of angels, until the brook itself dries up, leading to a next phase of his ministry. So we see some of the key lessons that we've learned. We kind of already went over those, you know, God's judgment and sovereignty. The drought initiated by Elijah's word punishes Ahab and bil worships, showing Yahwai's absolute control over weather and fertility, a power bill supposedly held,

and then obedience and trust. Elijah's obedience to God's command to hide at Carith and his trust in God's provision. Raven's bringing food water from the brook highlights the necessity of following God's word even when uncomfortable and then unexpected provision.

God uses ravens, unclean birds, and Jewish law to feed Elijah, showing his ability to provide through the unlikely sources, like we talked about earlier, learning the barrenness the drying brooks signifies that even God's immediate provision can cause, teaching reliance on his sustaining word, not just temporary comforts. And then divine calling from obscurity Elijah. The tishbite from an unknown place emerges to confront the powerful king, emphasizing that God

calls and uses ordinary people for extraordinary purposes. Amen preparation for the next step, The drying brook forces Elizah to move on to Zerapath, setting up the next miraculous provision with the window A story of faith and resurrection. In essence, this passage is about God demonstrating his supreme power and his personal care for his prophets through hardship, teaching lessons

of radical trust and obedience. Let's go all right, one King seventeen Elijah and the widow on King seventeen, verse eight. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, arise, go to Zeraprath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See I have commanded a widow there to provide for you. So he arose and went to Ziapath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed, a widow was gathering sticks. And he called to her and said please bring me a little water in a cup that

I may drink. And as she was going to eat it, sorry, And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand. And she said, as for the Lord, your god lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar. And see I am gathering a couple of sticks that I can may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat

it and die. And Elijah said, do not fear go and do as you have said, but make a small cake from it first, and bring it to me, and afterward makes some for yourselves and son. Thus says the Lord, God of Israel, the bin of flowers shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth. So she went and did according to the word Eliza, and she and he and her household eight. For many days the bin of flower was not used up, nor

did the jar of oil dry. According to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Elijah, a man, let's go. So the widow of Ziapath. So God sends Elijah to a widow, promising that her jaraflower and juggo will not run dry. This encounter shows God's compassion and provision for those who trust Him, regardless of their circumstances. So let's learn a little bit about this. The widow of Zarapath is a significant figure in the Old Testament,

specifically in the narrative of the prophet Elijah. Her account is found in One King seventeen verses eight through twenty four. Or She plays a crucial role during a time of severe drought and famine in the land of Israel. This account highlights themes of faith, divine provision, and the power of God working through his prophets. So what's our historical and geographical context here? We got Zarapath was a Phoenician town locating between the cities of Tyree and Saddam in

the region of Sedonia. This area was outside the borders of Israel, indicating that the widow was actually a gentile. The choice of Zeropath as the setting for this miracle underscores the reach of God's compassion and power beyond the confines of Israel, foreshadowing the inclusion of gentiles in God's redemptive plan. Let's go. I love that, And then what's

the biblical narrative here? The narrative begins with the Word of the Lord coming to Elijah instructing him to go to Zeropath, where a widow would provide for him One King seventeen eight through nine. Upon arrival, Elijah encounters the widow gathering sticks and requests a drink of water and a piece of bread. The widow responds by explaining her dire situation. She has only a handful of flour and a little oil, which she plans to prepare as a last meal for herself and her son before they die

of starvation. So that's why she said that right there. That's why she said that we may eat it and die, because she feels like she's gonna make this food and it's going to be the last meal, and that they're both gonna die of starvation. First Kings seventeen ten through twelve. Elijah reassures her, do not be afraid, go and do as I have said. Both make a small cake of bread,

which we already read. It's a First King seventeen three, and then he delivers a promise from the Lord, the jariflower will not run dry and exhausted, and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day of the Lord sends rain on the face of the earth.

In faith, the widow obeys Elijah's instructions as promised, The flower and oil miraculously sustain Elijah, the widow, and her household throughout the duration of the famine, and then the miracle of resurrection is talked about in seventeen through eighteen. I don't want to talk about that yet because I do not want to give you a spoiler alert. So what's the cultural and literary aspects of this? The Widow of Zeropath's account is a compelling narrative that combines elements

of suspense, divine intervention, and personal transformation. It reflects the natural realities of ancient Nearest Eastern that reflects the cultural realities of ancient Near Eastern society, where widows were often vulnerable and dependent on the charity of others. The widows encounter with Elijah challenges to societal norms and reveals the

transformative power of faith and divine provision. In summary, the Widow of Zeropath is a pivotal figure that whose account illustrates the boundaries God, the boundless reach of God's mercy, and the profound impact of faith in the face of adversity. Her narrative continues to inspire and teaches valuable lessons about reliance on God's promise and the inclusivity of his love. Let's go all right, so let me give you a

little summary. Oops, go back, okay, So let me give you a little summary of One King seventeen eight through six. That was a pretty good summary I just went through. It tells the story of Prophet Elijah being sent by the God to a gentile widow zeb Path during a superior famine where she has only a little flower oil

for her her son's last meal. Both through her obedience and faith in Elijah's word, God miraculously this days their food supply until the drought ends, illustrating divine provision, the universal universality, universality of God's care, and the power of trusting God's promises even impossible situations. Some of the key

themes were God's unexpected provision. God sends Elijah to a non Israelite woman, showing his care extends beyond Israel, faith and obedience, The Widow's willingness to share her tiny portion despite her dire situation as a profound act of faith, demonstrating that obedience even costs. The obedience leads to blessing

and experiencing God's faithfulness. Trusting in God's word. Elijah's promise the jar of bial would not be empty to the jungle fail mirrors God's earlier promise to Hagar, empowering the widow to step into a new reality of God's provision and then God's sovereignty. The story highlights that God's power is superior to famine and political rulers, providing for his people even when human resources fail, as shown by the

endless oil and flower. Both Elijah, who risk appearing selfish, and the widow, who risks starvation, took leaps of faith, revealing that faith often involves vulnerability and trusting God beyond what seems possible. Very important there, Okay, so let's go ahead and start reading. In verse seventeen, Elijah revives the widow's son is what the title is now? What happened after these things? That the son of the woman who owned the house became sick, and his sickness was so

serious that there was no breath left in him. So she said to Elijah, what have I to do with you, Oh man of God? Have you come to bring my sin to remembrance and to kill my son? And he said to her, give me your son. So we took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was laying, and he laid him down on the bed. Then he cried out to the Lord and said, Oh Lord, my God, have you also brought tragedy on the widow of whom I lodged by

killing her son? And he stretched himself out on the bed three times and cried out to the Lord and said, Oh Lord, my God, I pray let this child soul come back to him. Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived wow. And Elijah took the child and brought him down to the upper room of the house and gave him to his mother and Elijah

and said, see your son lives. And the woman said to Elijah, now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord and your mouth is the truth. So that's awesome because she is a gentile woman, right, kind of like a pagan woman, probably worshiping other gods, and Bail is supposed to feed you, and that's what it says, like he's in control of famine. And she was probably you know, I know they had other gods that were probably praying to to try to help me out. And I'm sure

that she had other gods. He was maybe trying to pray to to have her son get helped, or maybe she was just praying to Yahweh because maybe Elijah came in. But she said, right there, man. Then the woman said to Elijah, now this, now by this that you are a man. Now by this, I know that you are a man of God speaking to Elijah, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth. How awesome we let God be true in every man a liar Romans three four. The word that Elijah did

have is the truth one hundred percent. All right, So let's go ahead and check out what I have in my notes. The raising of the widow's son. When the widow's son falls ill and dies, Elijah prays and God restores as the boy's life. The miracle underscores God's power over life and death and his responsiveness to earnest prayer. The raising of the widow son is a miraculous event recorded in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in seven. Why is it talking about Luke? Well, the raising of the

widow son is a miraculous event recorded the Gospel of Luke. So, I guess it's just comparing contrasts the Luke seven verse eleven through seventeen and then First Kings seventeen through twenty four. So let's go ahead and check that out. Let's see if it's gonna mention that nineteen eleven. Okay. So the reaction, Yeah, we're's kings at. I'm sorry, guys, I'm just trying to all right. So it says the raising of the widow son is a miraculous event recorded in the Gospel of Luke,

specifically in Luke seven eleven through seventeen. This is the account where Jesus Christ compassionate divine authority over life and death, serving as a testament to his messianic identity and the inauguration of the Kingdom of God. Biblical event. Biblical account. This event takes place in the town of nine, small village of Galley, as Jesus opposes the town gate. Okay, so I don't know why it just switched to that, but it's all good, no worries, because it does stay

down here response to the people, it says. The reaction the crowd is one of awe and reverence. Fear gripped them all, and they began to glorify God, saying a great prophet has appeared among us, and God has visited his people Luke seven, verse sixteen. People recognize the divine nature of the miracle, drawing parallels between Jesus and the great prophet Elijah, that's what and Alicia, who also performed resurrections.

This miracle, therefore, not only affirms Jesus identity as the Messiah, but also served as a catalyst to the spread of his fame through Judea and surrounding regions. This account of raising, the account of the raising of the widow's sons profound illustration of Jesus's mission to bring life, hope, and salvation to a broken word world. So what they're trying to do is they're just prepared to contrast of those two

stories and these notes. So let me just do a little quick review about One King seventeen seventeen through twenty four.

signifying her transformed belief in God's life giving power. The passage highlights themes of trust suffering in God's ultimate sovereignty, showing how difficult situations can reveal his glory and power to bring life from death, even foreshadowing Christ's resurrection. The story in brief, which I don't think I needed the story in brief because we kind of already read it. But the widow had moracacy sustaining Elijah and herself with

dwelling flower and oil. We already read about that. The accusation overcoming with the grief, the woman confronts Elijah, believing his presence brought God's judgment to her past sins, a common interpretation of suffering in that era. Eliza's power and action. Elijah takes the boy, prays fervently to God, stretching himself over the child three times, and God restores the boy's life.

The confession, seeing her son revived, the widow declared her faith in Elijah and the Lord, recognizing God's power over life and death. What are the key meanings of this well, God's power over death. This is a foundational Old Testament story showing God's ability to reverse death, a power later seen more fully in Jesus Christ in the Book of Luke. Like we just talked about faith in doubt, it illustrates the journey from doubt, the widow's accusation to profound faith,

her final confession, purpose and suffering. While the widow initially sees death as a punishment, the event reveals a greater purpose is to display God's power and strengthen faith and then the true God. The story contrasts the life giving power of Yahweh with the barrenness of idle worship like bail, solidifying Elijah's message human vulnerability. It shows that even in the righteous experience immense pain, and that God works in

desperate situations, preparing people for greater challenges. All right, good stuff, So all right, we went over that and we went over chapter seventeen. Now let's go over some practical applications for the chapter. First one, trusting in God's provision. Like Elijah, we can trust God to provide for our needs even in the dire situations. He is faithful and knows what we need before we even ask. But we still want to ask right, pray always right. Trusting God's provision. Obedience

to God's instruction is the next one. Elijah's obedience to God's commands led to miraculous outcomes. We should strive to follow God's guidance even when it seems unconventional. So we got one, two, and three Faith in God's promises, the widow's faith in Elijah's word resulting in God's provision. We are called to have faith in God's promises, knowing he is true to his word. And then power of prayer.

Elijah's prayer for the widow's son teaches us the importance of fervent prayer and the reliance on God's power in times of crisis. Amen, All right, now, let's check out some additional scriptures that connect to this. We have Matthew six twenty five through thirty four. Jesus teaches about God's provision and encourages us not to worry about our needs, reminding us of God's care for his creation. Then we have James five seventeen through eighteen. James references Elijah's prayer life,

emphasizing the power of a righteous person's prayer. And that's going to be excuse me, let's go ahead and go there real quick. James five seventeen through eighteen. Right, let's go ahead and check that out. James five seventeen through eighteen. Okay, it says Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, And it did not rain on the land for three years and six months, and he prayed again, and the heaven

gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. James references Eliza's prayer life, emphasizing the power of a righteous person's prayer. And then we have Then we have Philippians four, verse nineteen. Paul assures us that God will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Let's check out that one very important for you guys and me. Four verse nineteen, it says, and my God shall supply all your need according to his riches and glory by

Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and a men all right, ever and ever. Amen, there we go, So there we go. So we went ahead and went over chapter seventeen, moved quite smoothly through that. Oh you know what I have. We have Kings all the way to chapter twenty two. Oh okay, I thought it was only to chapter twenty. So we'll do seventeen, eighteen and nineteen today and then next week we could probably do twenty twenty one and twenty two. That's where

I have it over rule. So okay, we went ahead and finished chapter seventeen. Let's go ahead and go to chapter eighteen now and I will read the There we go one. Kings eighteen narrates a pivotal event in Israel's spiritual history, where God's prophet Elijah challenges King Ahab and the prophets of Bail in a monumental showdown. This chapter offers a fascinating exploration of faith obedience divine intervention and the true power of God. There we go Amen to that.

Let's go ahead and check out our teaching points. Yes, there's a lot here, all right, So let me go to eighteen, and it's going to be Elijah's message to Ahab. Let me go ahead and pull up. So we'll do one through nineteen and then I have some notes and some things to talk about it. We'll just do one

through nineteen, all right. One Kings eighteen, verse one. And it came to pass after many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, go present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth. So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. And there was a severe famine in Samaria, and Ahab had called Abadiah, who was in charge of his house. Now Abadiah feared the Lord greyly. For so it was while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the Lord that Abadiah.

Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them fifty to a cave, and he had fed them with bread and water. And Ahab had said to Obadiah, go into the land of all the springs of water into all the brooks. Perhaps we may find grass to keep the horses and mules alive, so that we will not have to kill any livestock. Divided the land between them to explore it. Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah

went the other way by himself. Now, as Obadiah was on the way on his way, suddenly Elijah met him, and he recognized him and fell on his face and said, is that you, my Lord Elijah? And he answered him, saying it is Go and tell your master Elijah is here. And he said, have I sinned that you are delivering your servant into the land of Ahab to kill me? As a lord your God lives. There is no nation or kingdom or my master has not sent someone to

hunt you. And they said he is not here. He took on an oath from the kingdom or nation that they could not find you. And now you say, go and tell your master Elijah is here. And it shall come to pass as soon as I am gone from you, that the spirit of the Lord will carry you into a place I do not know. So when I go and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the Lord

from my youth. Was it not reported to you, my Lord, that I did when Jezebel what I did when Jezebel had killed the prophet of the Lord. How I had one hundred men of the Lord's prophets fifty to a cave and fed them with bread and water. And now you say, go and tell your master Elijah is here, he will kill me. Then Elijah said, as the Lord of Hosts lives before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today. So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him that Ahab went to meet Elijah.

Then it happened when Ahab saw Elijah, and Ahab said to him, is that you o troubler of Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Bales. Now, therefore, send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel. The four hundred and fifty prophets of Bail and the four hundred prophets of Assaroth, who eat at Jezebel's table

oh man, look what we got here. So Elijah's stepping up to the plate here, he has some boldness when he's talking to King Ahab here, right, So it says Elijah confronts King Ahab and challenges the prophets of bel, demonstrating his unwavering faith in God. He's telling him to summon all, well, the profits of Bel to Mount Carmel. Right, they're gonna be going on a high mountain. You know that these these The reason why they're going to meet at Mount Carmel or Carmel is because that's what these

pagans think they have to do. They need they want to go to high places because they knew in Biblical cosmology where is the spiritual entities they're located where. Well, it says it in Ephesian six twelve. It says they're in high places, heavenly places, spiritual host of wickedness in heavenly places. This is not just a pagan idea that comes out of nowhere. They know that they're to a host of wickedness in high places. Right. So that's why Elijah is saying, you know what, we can go to

Mount Carmelo on your home field. You can have home field advantage. We're going to be right here. You can bring your four hundred and fifty prophets and your four hundred and fifty Bail prophets and four hundred prophets of Astaroth and meet me there. So he is bold. Let's go ahead and read about it real quick. Elijah the Tishbite, a prophet of the Lord from Jiliads now for his extraordinary boldness in the face of idolatry apostlecy in Israel.

His life and ministry has recorded in the books of First Kings and Second Kings, exemplify a profound commitment to the sovereignty of God and fearless proclamation of his truth

the confrontation with Aheb and the Prophets of Bail. His boldness is perhaps most vividly displayed in his confrontation with King Aheb and the prophets of Bail on Mount Carmel Carmel, during the time when Israel was steeped in the worship of Bail, Elijah stood alone as a prophet of the Lord in One Kings eighteen, verse twenty one, which we haven't read yet. So we're going to go ahead and go over that soon. So what is the legacy of boldness?

Elijah's boldness leaves a lasting legacy, serving as an inspiration for future generations. His fearless proclamation of God's truth and his unwavering stand against idolatry or celebrated in the New Testament, where he is mentioned as a model for fervent prayer and prophetic power James five seventeen through eighteen, which I

just read a little bit ago. The additional scriptures of the last chapter Elijah's life demonstrates that true boldness is grounded in a deep faith in God and commitment to his purposes, regardless of the opposition faced. Okay, so perfect, and yeah, we will read about verse twenty one, you know, twenty through twenty through forty soon. Okay, just yes, let me just finish this little review real quick, and then we'll and then we'll read it. And I said, it's

a it's very interesting what happens here. So that's thirty seven, that's verse twenty one. Okay, we'll get we'll get to that. So all right, let me just go over like a little brief description of what's going on in chapters one or verses one through nineteen. Uh, one. King's eighteen one through nineteen sets this stage for Elijah's showdown with Bail. With Bail prophets on Mount Carmel. Carmel revealing God's judgment drought and calling Israel to choose between Yahweh and idols.

It highlights Eliza's faith, Abehab's wickedness, Obadiah's fear mixed courage in God's power to end the famine, culminating in the people's call to decide who is God. The drought end after three years. God tells Elijah to appear to King Ahab, promising to send rain, signifying God's readiness to act after

Israel's prolonged disobedience. Ahab's blame. Ahab blames Elijah for Israel's suffering, and it's revealed Ahab's idolatry, influenced by Jezebel, brought the curse, showing that evil leaders blame God's people for their own sins, and then Obadiah's dilemma. The good governor. Obadiah fears both Ahab and Elijah, but hides one hundred profits, demonstrating that even faithful people struggle with fear and compromise, yet can still do good, and then the challenge issued. Elijah's boldly

tells Ahab, it's time to choose. How long will you go limping between two opinions, challenging all Israel to decide between Yahweh and bail. And then Mount Carmel, Carmel, dang, I keep seeing Carmel. It's Carmel. I'm so sorry. I guess The dramatic location has chosen from a public test of power, a fertile significant mountains, setting the scene for God to prove his supremacy over Bail. All right, and

then what's some deeper meanings idolatryes folly. The story contrasts the silent, unresponsive Bail with the living God who answers, you're gonna see soon, I don't want to. It's a call for radical, decisive faith, urging people to fully commit to God and rather than trying to serve two masters as notes, and then God's timing. God acts after a significant period of judgment the drought, showing his patient he is patient, but ultimately brings his word to pass. And

then faith under pressure. Obadiah's action actions show that even in corrupt times, individuals can use their positions to honor God, even in imp even if imperfectly in essence. The passage moves a severe judgment, moves from a severe judgment drought to a decisive confrontation, challenging Israel time to abandon bail and to return to the one True God Yahweh, who demonstrates his power through Elijah. Perfect. All right, so we

went ahead and went over that. And now next, let's go ahead and start in one Kings eighteen verse twenty Elijah Elijah's Mount Carmel victory. All right, We'll make sure I say that right. This is a first Kings eighteen verse twenty. So Ahab sent out for all the children of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. And Elijah came to all the people and said, how long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him, but if beil follow him. But

the people answered him not a word. Then Elijah said to the people, I am I am all, I am, I alone am left a prophet to the Lord. But Bel's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Therefore, let him give us two bulls and let them to one bull from themselves, cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood, and I will put no fire under it.

Then you call in the name of your gods, and I will call in the name of the Lord, meaning Yahweh and God, and the God who answers by fire, he is God. So all the people answered and said, it is well spoken. So for Elijah, wait, let me see. Let's see. Now. Elijah said to the prophet Bail, choose one bull for yourself, and prepare it first, for you are many, and call in the name of your God,

and put no fire under it. So they took the bull which was given to them, and they prepared it and called on the name of Bail from morning until from morning even till noon, saying, oh, Bail, hear us. But there was no voice. No one answered, and they leaped about the altar that they had made. Then they leaped about the altar that they made. And so it was at noon that Elijah mocked them and said, cry aloud,

for he is a he is a god. Either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened. So they cry out aloud and cut themselves, and as was the customs, with the knives and laces, until the blood gust got out on them, and that and then when midday passed. When midday was passed, they prophesied until the time of offering of the evening sacrifice. But there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention.

Let me stop there real quick, okay, because I have some notes. So it says a call to repentance. Elijah calls the people to choose whom they will serve highly in the necessity of the decision and commitment to God. So the call to repentance, it's a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the need for individuals to turn away from sin and return to God. This call is a is not merely an invitation, but a divine command that

carries significant spiritual implications. Repentance is portrayed as a transformative process that involves a change of mind, heart, and behavior, aligning oneself with God's will and purposes. An example would be in the Old Testament would be prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel were in Schamel and calling the people of Israel back to God. Isaiah fifty five, verse seven states, let the wicked man forsake his own way, and the

unrighteous righteous man his own thoughts. Let him return to the Lord that he may have compassion, and to our Lord, for he will freely pardons. Highlights the mercy and forgiveness available to those who repent. And then another good account is the account of Jonah and the city of Nineveh as a profound example of collective repentance. Jonah three verse five records and the people of Ninevah believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest

of them to the least. The repentance of Nineveh led to God's relenting from the disaster he had planned, demonstrating his readiness to forgive. And the New Testament, the call to repentance is intensified and given new depth through the ministry of John the Baptist. In Jesus Christ, John the Baptist message was clear. Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near Matthew three, verse two. His baptism of repentance

prepared the way for the coming Messiah. Jesus Christ continued this call, emphasizing repentance for essential as essential for entering the Kingdom of God. Mark one, verse fiveeen, Jesus proclaimed, the time is fulfilled, that the Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the Gospel. All right, So what's the conclusion. The call to repentance is a timeless and universal message that resonates throughout scripture. It is a call to experience God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness, leading to a

restored relationship with Him. As such, it remains a foundational aspect of the Christian faith and life. Okay, so now we've gone through looking for thirty seven. Oh we haven't gone through that yet. Okay, let's go ahead and continue. First Kings eighteen, verse thirty. Then Elijah said to all the people, come near to me. So all the people came near to him, and he repaired the altar of

the Lord that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, Israel shall be your name. Then with the stones he

built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench around the altar, large enough to hold two shees of seed, and he put the wood in order, cut the bull in pieces, and laid it on the wood, and said, fill fourth water pots with water, and pour it to the burnt and pour it on the burnt sacrifice in on the wood. Then he said, do it a second time, and they did it a second time, and he said do it a third time.

Then they did it a third time. So the water ran all around the altar, and he also filled the trench with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the Prophet came near and said, Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God and Israel, and I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Hear me, O, Lord, hear me, that these people may know that you are the Lord God, and that you

have turned their backs against you again. Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice in the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now, when all the people saw it, they fell in their faces and said, the Lord God, he is God, The Lord, he is God, the Lord, he is God. And Elijah said to them, seize your prophets of bail, do not let do not let one of them escape. So they seize them, and Eliza brought them down to the brook

of Kashan and executed them there. Wow, wow, all right, So we have the power of prayer. That's going to be a first Kings eighteen, verse thirty seven. Elijah's prayer is a simple yet powerful showing his reliance on God. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that the people will know that you, o Lord, are God, and that you have turned, and that you have turned their hearts back again. Amen. And you know. Power prayers fundamental aspect in the and the Christian faith. It's serving as a

means of communication between believers in God. It is both a privilege and responsibility, offering believers the opportunity to express their admiration, adoration, confession, and thanksgiving and supplication. The power of prayer as a reoccurring theme throughout the Bible, demonstrating its ability to affect and change, provide comfort and deep in one's relationship with God right. And then we have

in one Kings eighteen, verse thirty nine, God's response. The Lord answers Elijah's prayer with fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they were They fell face down and said the Lord or yah the Yahweh is he is God. And the Lord Yahweh he is God. Okay. And then God's response. So the concept of God's response is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting his interaction

with humanity. God's response is are depicted in various forms, including direct communication, intervention in human affairs, and through his divine will and providence. These responses are often contingent upon human actions, prayers, and the fulfillment of his divine of divine purposes. We have God's response. There's a lot of different examples of this, like first Kings nine, verse three, God responds to solomon prayer at the dedication of the temple.

Then we have Jonah three, verse ten. Word states when God saw their actions that they had turned from their evil ways, he relented from the disaster. He was threatn He threatened to bring upon them. Then we have Deuteronomy twenty eight. We God outlines the blessings that will follow obedience to his commandments. Verse two states, and all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you. You will

obey the voice of the Lord your God. God. God's response to obedience is characterized by abundant blessings in favor. Then we have Second King seventeen, verse eighteen, where we read about Israel's exile do the persistent disobedience. Then we had Daniel six, verse twenty two. It records Daniel's testimony, My God sent his angel and shut the mouths of the lions so that they have not so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before him.

Then we have Genesis nine, verse fifteen, where God promises, Noah, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all the living creatures in every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Then we have the New Testament examples, where we have Ephesians two, verse eight through nine. For it is by faith you have been saved through sorry, For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, And that it is

not from your is not from yourselves. It is a gift of God, not by works, so that no z one can boast. And then we have John fourteen, verse twenty six. But the advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you that of everything. I teach you all things, and remind you of everything I have said to you. And then we have intercession of Christ Hebrews seven,

verse fifteen. Therefore he is able to save completely those who draw near to God through him, since He always lives to intercede for them. And then the conclusion. The Bible presents a multifaceted view of God's response, emphasizing his justice, mercy, faithfulness, and love. Through prayer, repentance, obedience, and faith, individuals can experience God's active presence and intervention in their lives. Right,

so we have perfect cool. Let me just go over like a brief description of Versus twenty through forty says. In One Kings eighteen twenty through forty, Eliza challenges the prophets of bail in a contest out Mount Carmel to prove which God is true. After the prophets of Bail failed to produce a miracle. Elijah builds an altar, drenches the sacrifice in water, prays to God, and fire from

heaven consumes the offering, proving God's power. So it's just it's kind of let me just add some extra layers and soak the offering and soak everything so that the you know, the fire wouldn't be able to start, and God just to send the fire anyways, right, And then it says, the people then acknowledge God is the true God, and Elijah orders the killing of the prophets of Bail,

so Eliza's challenge. Elijah confronts the Israelites, who have been limping two different opinions about whether to follow let me back, whether to follow the Lord Yahweh or Bail, and urges them to choose. He proposes a contest. Elijah and the four fifty prophets of Bell each will build an altar with a bull on it, but without using any fire.

Whichever God answers with fire is the true God. The prophets of Belle carrying out their God, crying out for their God in morning until noon, and even cut themselves, but received no response. Elijah's prayer and fire from heaven. After the prophets of Belle finished, Elijah reports the altar of the Lord, gathers stones and has to sacrifice his drench in water multiple times. Then he prays to the Lord, asking him to reveal himself so that people will know

that he is God. God answers by sending fire from heaven and consumes the sacrifice the wood, the stones, the dust, and even the water in the trench aftermath, Upon seeing the miracle, the people fall in their faces and declare the Lord he is God. Elijah then orders the people to seize the prophets of Bale. Following Elijah's instruction the people, the people kill the at the Brook of Kashan. The chapter concludes with the end of a long drought as

Eliza praised for rain and it begins to pour. Okay, so there we go. All right, so we're gonna talk about the Yeah, we're gonna talk about Yeah. Actually, that that portion right there concludes, you know, Chapter forty concludes with him executing these these bales profits. Okay, so the drought part we didn't really get to talk about yet. We're gonna talk about it right now. And that's in verses forty one through forty six. All right, so let's

go ahead and start reading the drought ends. Then Elijah said to Ahab, go up, eat and drink. But there's the sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel. Then he bowed down on the ground and put his face between his knees, and he said to his go up, now, look toward the sea. So he went up and looked and said there is nothing,

And seven times he said go again. Then it came to pass the seventh time that he said, there is a cloud as small as a man's hand rising out of the sea, and he said, go up. Say to Ahab, prepare your chariot and go down before the rain stops you. Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away went to jess Reel. Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah, and he gurried up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the

entrance of Jezreel. All right, so that's the end of chapter eighteen. So to sum it up in First King's forty one through forty six, Elijah's perseverance in prayer. After defeating Bell's prophets, he prays for rain after three and a half year drought, sends a servant seven times he's a small cloud, and then, empowered by God, runs ahead of King Ahab's chariot of Jezreel, demonstrating God's power answering prayer and the importance of persistence, small beginnings leading to

a big result and intense faith. So after proving Yahweh is the one true God on Mount Carmel, this passage shows God answering Elijah's prayer for rain, ending the drought, and demonstrating his control over nature. Unlike Veil, Elijah prayed fervently and repeatedly, sending his servant to look for the rain seven times even when there was nothing to see, teaching believers to keep praying and not give up small

beginnings and big results. A small cloud of a size of a man's hand, a small sign grew into a massive downpour, illustrating how great blessings can how great blessings can start out small. Elizah's faith in humility, he prayed with his face to the ground, humility, but the power of faith, expecting God's God to answer base on his promise, not just his ability. And then God gave Elijah the strength to run miles ahead of Ahab's chariot, showing his

provision and power of his servants. The passing highlight. The passage highlights trusting God's plan even when the answer aren't immediate, and that he will provide what is needed when the time is right. Cool. So we went over. We went ahead and finished chapter eighteen kind of quick, and now I'm going to go over some practical applications. Stand firm

in the faith. Stand firm in faith. Like Elijah, we are called to stand firm in our faith even when it seems we are alone, trusting in God's power and presence. Number two. Pray with expectation. Approach God with bold prayers, believing that he hears and answers according to his will. Choose whom will you will serve. Make a conscious decision to follow God wholeheartedly, rejecting the idols of our time. Witness to God's power. Share testimony testimonies of God's work

in your life to encourage others to point them to him. Yes, very important to share your testimony of what God has done for you. Now, let's check out some additional scriptures. We have James five seventeen through eighteen. We've already gone over that one, so I'm not going to read it. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly. Okay, so we read that part Joshua twenty four, verse fifteen.

But if it is unpleasing to your sight to serve the Lord, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But as for me, in my house, we will serve the Lord. I have that in my room. That's one of the verses on my wall. I love that Hebrews eleven six. And without faith, it is impossible to please God. Okay, Without faith, it is impossible to please God. How do you build faith? Faith by hearing and hearing by the word of God Romans ten seventeen.

So it's impossible to please God without reading the word. It's impossible to please God without praying. It's impossible to believe God without believing, Okay, it says, but because anyone who approaches him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who are earnestly seek him, very important guys. So there we go. We went ahead and went over chapter eighteen. Moving right along here two chapter nineteen. Let's go ahead and do that. Chapter nineteen is going to

be intro first Kings. Nineteen presents a fascinating narrative of the prophet Elijah's journey from the depths of despair and fear to a divine encounter with God, leading to the commissioning of new key players in the Israelite story. The chapter demonstrates God's mercy, reveals his gentle whispers and in life's tumultuous storms, and showcases his plans continuity continuity, showcasing his plans continuity. All right, I'm gonna go ahead and pull up some of some of my teaching points here,

and let's go ahead and start. In chapter nineteen, Elijah escapes from Jezebel, and Ahab told Jezebel, all right, hold on, let me take a drink of water. Thank you for your patience. And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the profits with the sword that Jezebel said him to Elijah, saying so let the gods do to me. And more also, I do not make your life as the life of one of

them by tomorrow about this time. And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Bersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, it is enough now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my father's. Then he lay and slept under a broom tree. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, arise and eat.

Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals in a jar of water. So we ate and drank, and lie down again. And the angel of the Lord came came back the second time and touched him and said, arise and eat, because the journey too great for you. So we arose and ate and drank. And he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as horror

of the Mountain of God. And there he went into a cave and spent the night in the place, and behold, the word of the Lord came to him and said to him, what are you doing here, Elijah? So we said, I have been very zealous from the Lord, God of Hosts, for the children of Israel. Or sorry, I've been very zealous of the Lord. Or Yahweh, God of Hosts for the children of Israel. Have forsaken your covenant, torn down

your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life. All right, we'll go ahead and stop there. Check out the notes here, see what's going on. So Elijah fears, Elijah's fear and flight. After Queen Jezebel threatens his life, Elijah flees to the wilderness, demonstrating how evil and the

most faithful can experience fear and discouragement. So we have one of the most prominent prophets, Elijah, and the Old Testament is renowned bra It's zealous commitment to the worship of Yahweh during a time when Israel had stepped steeped in idolatry. His ministry took place during the reign of Ahab, king of Israel. We already know all that, and then let's just talk about the threat. So the threat of Jezebel.

After Elias Trumpet and Mount Carmel, where God answered his prayer with fire from heaven, he ordered the execution of the prophets of Bail. This act in cited the wrath of Queen Jezebel, who vowed to take Eliza's life. In One Kings nineteen two, Jezebel sends a message to Elijah, saying, so made the gods do to me, and even more by this time tomorrow, I will not make your life like the lives of those you killed, and then in

Eliza's fear and flight upon recovery. Upon receiving Jezebel's threat, Elijah, despite his recent victory, was overcome with fear. First King's nineteen verse three states and Elijah was afraid and ran for his life when he came to Bersheba and Judah. He left his servant there. This reaction highlights the human frailty even the most faithful servants of God. Elijah's fear led him to flee to the southern kingdom of Judah, distancing him distinct distancing himself from the immediate threat posed

by Jezebel. The wilderness experience. Elijah's journey took him into the wilderness, where he experienced a deep sense of despair and exhaustion. In First Kings nineteen verse four, Elijah sits under a broom tree in praise. Is it not enough? For Lord? Take my life? For I am no better than my father's. This moment of vulnerability reveals Elijah's struggle with feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness despite his previous succession.

And then in First Kings nineteen six through seven, describes how Elijah ate and drank and the Angel instructed him right. So God provided for Elijah through an Angel of the Lord right. And then the encounter with God at Horeb and Mount Horeb. We're going to talk about that soon. God's revelation to Elijah. We haven't I don't want to give you any spoiler alerts. So significance. Elijah's fear and flight serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced

by God's servant servants. Despite his momentary lapse into fear, Elijah's account illustrates God's faithfulness in providing strength, guidance, and purpose. His experience in the wilderness and encounter with God at horror, highlighting the importance of alliance on divine strength and the assurance of God's presence even in times of deep personal crisis. All right, so very good stuff. God provides the physical needs of food and rest, showing his compassion and understanding

for human fance frailty. So that was that was the fear, okay, so also in verses five through eight. The concept of God's provision and care is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting the belief that God is actively involved in the lives of his people, providing for their needs and guiding them through life's challenges. The entry explores the biblical basis for understanding God's provision and care howl in key scriptures

and theological insights. And you know, we have Genesis one twenty nine through thirty is a good one to go over. Genesis three twenty one. Even after the fall God God, God's care continues as he closes Adam and Eve. And then we have Exodus sixteen, four, seventeen, and six. Deuteronomy E. Three emphasizes that God humbled you and let your hunger and fed you with manna. And then we also have Psalms twenty three, verse one through two, which declares the

Lord is my shepherd. I will not want. He makes me lie down in the green pastors, he leads me beside quiet walk. This imagery of God as a shepherd underscortes his role as a provider and protector. All right, what's the conclusion? The Bible narrative consistently reveals a God who provides and cares for his creation, inviting his people to rely on a sufficiency and to participate in his work of provisions and care for others. Perfect and then let me just go over. A brief description of verses

one through ten. Kings nineteen one through ten describes the propheta Liz's deep discouragement and flight after his victory over

Bail's prophets. Fearing Queen Jezebel's death threat, he runs into the wilderness, despairs and praised to die, feeling alone ineffective, only to be met by God's provision of food, rest, and guidance in Mount horeb, highlighting themes of divine care amidst human frailty, the reality of spiritual burnout in God's presence, and quietness just a spectacle so what is Jezebel threat?

After Elijah calls down fire on Mount Carmel, Queen Jeesuel avows to kill him, causing him to fille in terror, illustrating that even great spiritual leaders face intense fear and pressure, despair and prayer. Exhausted and feeling his and feeling his mission failed, Elijah wants to die, hiding in the wilderness and praying for an end to his life, showing profound

spiritual and emotional exhaustion. Divine provision and Angel provides food and water, sustaining Elijah on a forty day journey to Mount horeb Syinai is what it is, It's actually Mount Siinai, demonstrating God's compassion compassionate care for his weary servant, And then in verses nine to ten, in a cave, God asked, what are you doing here, Elijah, prompting Elijah to confess his fear, isolation, and belief that his last faithful prophet,

revealing his human vulnerability, and then burnout and discouragement. Even after major victories, profits get tired, scared, and feel like giving up God's presence and quietness. God meets Elijah not in when earthquake or fire, but in a still small voice, showing he works in subtle, quiet ways, just not just dramatic ones. Honesty with God. Elijah's raw, honest confession of his feelings through despair was crucial to his encounter with God.

And then God's faithfulness. God doesn't abandon Elijah, but provides him with a and prepares him to guide him back to his mission, showing God's continued work and provision even when he felt alone. Let's go now, We're going to go ahead and read God's revelation to Elijah, Verses eleven all the way to eighteen. God's Revelation to Elijah. Then he said, go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, and behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tornto the mountains and broke the

rocks into pieces. Before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, and earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake, and after the earthquake of fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire, a still small voice. So it was when Elijah heard it that he wrapped his face in the mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came

to him, saying, what are you doing here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very zealous for the Lord, God of Hosts, because the children of Israel has forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life. Then the Lord said to him, go and return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, annoyed Hazel as king over Syria.

Also you shall annoy Jehu the son of Nimshi, as king over Israel, and Alisha the son of Samfat, and Abelmnok Mahala, you shall annoy as prophet in your place. It shall not be whoever escapes the sword of Hazel Jay who will kill, and whoever escapes the sword of Jayhu Alicia will kill. Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to bail in every mouth that has not kissed him. All right, so very interesting there we have. The gentle whisper of God.

Is something I want to go over real quick. So we're done with eleven through eighteen. Let me just go ahead and go over the gentle whisper of God. God reveals himself not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in the gentle whisper, teaching us that his presence is often found in the quiet moments. So let's go ahead and look this up. The concept of the general whisper of God is often associated with the way God communicates

with his people, emphasizing his intimate and personal nature. This idea is most prominently illustrating the account of the prophet Elijah in First Kings nineteen eleven through thirteen. After Elijah's dramatic confrontation with the prophets of bel Mount Carmel, he fled to Horeb, which is Mount Sinai, the Mountain of God, where he experienced God's presence in a unique and profound way. In One Kings nineteen eleven through thirteen, the narrative describes

Elijah's encounter with God. Then the Lord said, go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord. Behold, the Lord is about to pass by, And a great mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind was After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a

still small voice. Okay. This still small voice, often translated as a gentle whisper or thin silence, signifies this subtle and quiet manner in which God chooses to reveal himself to Elijah. Unlike the dramatic and powerful manifestations of wind, earthquake, and fire, God's voice came in a gentle whisper, highlighting his desire for a personal and relational connection with his prophet.

He could have been like yelling or being you know, like he already these these events already happened right with the fire of the earthquake and wind. So he could have came with vengeance, you know, But he didn't. He came with a still small voice. Theological significance the general whisper of God underscores the idea that God is not always found in the granduis or the spectacular. Instead, he often communicates in quiet, intimate ways that require attentiveness and

receptive and a receptive heart. This mode of communication reflects God's character as one who is close to the broken hearted and near to those who seek him in humility and sincerity. Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as a personal being who desires a relationship with his creation. The general Whisper serves as a reminder that God's presence is not limited to extraordinary events, but is accessible in the everyday

moments of life. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's eminence, his nearness to his people, and his willingness to engage with the theme on a personal level. What's the practical implications for believers? The General Whisper of God encourages a posture and quietness and alternative and attentiveness in their spiritual lives. It calls for a discipline of listening where one's uh, where one sets aside the noise

and distractions of the world to hear God's voice. This can be cultivated through practice practices such as prayer, meditation on scripture, and solitude. The General Whisper also serves as a comfort to those who may feel overwhelmed by life's challenges. It reassures that God is present and speaking even when he seems silent or distant. In times of distress or uncertainty, believers are reminded to seek God's voice and the stillness, trusting that He is near and ready to guide them.

The general whisper of God related to other biblical themes we'll see so God's eminence, the idea that God is present and active within his creation, as seen in passages like Psalms one thirty nine, seven through ten, where the

solemness acknowledges God's omni presence. Divine communication the various ways God communicates with his people, including dreams, visions, prophets, and ultimately through his son Jesus Christ in Hebrews one, verse two, and then also that's also talked about in Numbers twelve, verses four through eight, where God comes to prophets and visions and dreams, but to Moses he speaks to him face to face. Also Deuteronomy thirty three, where it says he speaks to to Moses like a friend. The role

of silence. The importance of silence and solitude in the spiritual life is exemplified by Jesus practice of withdrawing to solitary places to pray. Luke five, verse sixteen the heart's posture. The necessity of a humble and contrite heart to hear God's voice has emphasized in passages like Isaiah sixty six, verse two, where God esteems those who are humble and

contrite in spirit in some way. The gentle whisper of God is a profound expression of his desire for a personal relationship with his people, inviting them to listen and respond to his voice in the quiet moments of life. Okay. And then in verses fifteen through eighteen, God reassures Elijah by giving him a new mission, reminding us that He has plans for us even when we feel useless or defeated. Obviously, Elijah was feeling some type of way right, and this

is a renewed purpose okay. It refers to a revitalizing sense of direction and meaning in one's life, often resulting from a spiritual awakening or a deeper understanding of God's will. This concept is deeply rooted in the Christian faith, where believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance and align their

lives with this divine plan. Renewed purpose is not merely a change in goals or ambitions, but a transformation of the heart and mind, leading to a life that reflects God's glory all right, and then examples from scriptures, several biblical figures exemplify the theme of renowned purpose renewed purpose. We have Moses, after fleeing Egypt, living in Midian, encouraging God in the burning bush, encountered God in the burning bush and received a renowned purpose to lead the Israelites

out of bondage Exodus three, verse ten. And then we have the Holy Spirit plays a crucial wile in guiding believers towards renewed purpose in John sixteen, verse thirteen, where Jesus promises, however, when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and he will declare to you what is to come.

And then the transformative transformation and renewal. The concept of renewed purpose is closely linked to the idea of transformation and renewal in the Christian life. Romans twelve, verse two. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you will be able to discern what is good pleasing and the perfect will of God. All right, So what is the conclusion?

While the journey of renewed purpose may involve challenges and sacrifices, it ultimately leads to a more fulfilling, and meaningful life in Christ. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the transformative power of God's Word, believers can find and embrace the purpose for which they were created. All right, very important, So all right, we went through that. So let's just go over a little brief description of Versus A eleven through eighteen, the ones we just went over.

It describes Elijah's encounter with God at Mount Horeb where or Mount Sinai is what it is. After dramatic when earthquake and fire, God appears not in power, but as a small, still voice, a gentle whisper, revealing his presence, rebuke in Elijah's despair and commissioning him to anoy successors Alicia, emphasizing God's quiet faithfulness in the existence of a faithful remnant seven thousand in Israel. Not just dramatic power, but it's a story of finding God in quietness after turmoil,

dealing with burnout, and God's persisten self to work. God's presence beyond spectacle. God wasn't in the noisy, powerful displays when earthquake and fire, but in the silence that followed, showing his presence isn't always loud or overwhelming. This general whisper signifies God's tender, persistent and personal communication, often more powerful than ground than grand displays, leading to guidance and comfort.

God's faithfulness and remnant. God assures Elijah he has an abandoned Israel seven thousand, having bowed to bail, and he affirms his covenant, showing his enduring faithfulness despite apparent failure Elijah's burnout in despair. The passage addresses prophet burnout, despair and the temptation to quit, offering encouragement that God meets people in their lowest moments God and then commissioning its succession.

God commands Elijah to return to his work and anoint new leaders Hazel, Jehu and Alisha, signifying a new phase and God's ongoing plan has seen when he calls Alisha a new Moses. Elijah's journey to Horeb echoes Moses' experience with God or horror of his Mount Sinai. God renewing

his covenant and work through his prophet. So in Somebody the pastest teaches that God often works subtly, subtly sustains his faithful people, even profits in despair, and calls them back to duty, even through quiet reassure, even though quiet reassurance rather than overwhelming force, reminding us that God's quiet presence is always present even when we feel alone. Okay, so perfect, all right, good stuff. Now, let me just go ahead, and we have renewed purpose, general whisper of God,

God's provision. We went over all that. All right, Now we are going to go ahead and read verses nineteen through twenty one. So he departed from there and found Alicia, the son of Safat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. Before him. He was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by and threw his mantle on him, and he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, please let me kiss my father or my mother, and then I will follow you. And he said, go back again,

for what for what have I done to you? So Alicia turned back from him and took a yoke of oxen, slaughtered them and boiled them. Flesh using the oxen's equipment and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and became his servant. Very interesting.

So so in versus forty one through forty six, which we just read, we have elijah It's perseverance in prayer after defeating Bell's prophets, he prays for rain after a three and a half year drought since his servant seven times sees a small cloud and then empowered by God and runs ahead of King Ahab's chair. Hold on, what am I doing? I'm in nineteen Sorry, guys, what happened? Was it? It went a little too far down there

we go? Nineteen through twenty one? Okay, nineteen one. Kings nineteen nineteen through twenty one describes Eliza's column of Elisia as his prophetic successor, symbolizing a divine transfer of responsibility and mentorship, highlighting God's initiation of calls, the need for total commitment and finding God's work in everyday life, even in farming. As Alisha leaves his comfortable life plowing with twelve yokes of oxen to follow Elijah, signifying a radical

break from a higher purpose. The core meaning is about succession, discipleship, and complete dedication to God's will, showing that God equips God's God equips and calls people for his work, often unexpectedly God's initiative. God, through Elijah initiates the call, not Alicia seeking to seeking it out in religious settings, but in his field, showing God's call can come in daily life.

The mantle is a symbol Elijah throwing his cloak or mantle on Alisha symbolizes the transfer of prophetic office already in spiritual power, signaling Alisha as the next profit. And it's not Alisha, it's Elisha, but it's just hard for me. It's Elijah. It's like Elisha, all right, it's not Alisha, but it's just easier for me to say it that way. So you guys know that Elijah. It's gonna get real confusing if I start saying Alisha and Elijah. So I

just say Elisha instead of Elijah. Okay, it's hard for me to say it that way, so it says Elishah's or Alisha's response. Slaughtering his own oxide, burning the plowing equipment, and serving the people shows a complete, immediate and sacrificial break from his former life to follow God's call passing the torch. This act assures Elijah that God's work won't end with him, providing continued continuity, continuity, and purpose from

Elijah after his despair servant leadership. It demonstrates that true calling involves humble service and readiness to leave comfort for divine purpose. A model for Christian discipleship, this passage is about transition and faithfulness, showing God's plan for his kingdom to continue through chosen individuals who are willing to leave everything behind for his service, just as Alicia did for Elijah. All right, A mean to that? So we went ahead

and knocked that out pretty quick. I'm just gonna check what twenty's looking like here. Ahab defeats the Syrians verse twenty. Yeah, they got some alrighty, all right, so let me just go over some practical applications for verse nineteen. Seek and seek rest and renewal recognize the importance of rest and nourishment both physically and spiritually, especially during times of stress

and exhaust That sounds really good right now. Yeah, I feel like I'm I haven't been stressed, but definitely exhausted, but I'm very happy, right now, God is so great, He's blessing me with this, blessing me with so much. So it's so great. But exhaustion, it happens to us, you know. But this is so true, you know, recognize your portance of rest and nourishment. That happens too. I

mean sometimes you know you're me. I mean, for example, I sometimes I just do too many podcasts in a row, Like I did a podcast this morning at five point thirty and then now I'm doing one tonight at you know, nine o'clock at night. So what's happening is sometimes if you do too much of that, like I was doing

a lot. I was doing it a lot, you know, way too much in the last year where I was like I'd have two interviews set up, I have to do one Sunday service, and then I also have to do Wednesday service that week, so I have four interviews going and some of the shows where I'd be interviewing somebody and then or I'd be getting interviewed. So what I did is I'm what I'm doing right now is on my regular show, Josh Monday Chris Nan Conspiracy Podcast, I am going to not do interviews anymore. I'm just

gonna do straight Bible studies. I'm gonna take the Bible studies that I have from here and slowly release them there, which I've been doing already. But these interviews that I'm that I had set up, I mean, I just can't fit it all in, you know, because this new job I have is gonna have me. They want me to get a Class A license. They want me to get a Class A with a I don't know what it was anyway, class A license, So that's something I'm gonna

just gonna take some time up. They want me to get a collections certificate, which I already have a distribution three and a treatment to Now I got to get a collections certificate. That way I can be on call for them for collections and drive this big old truck. And then they also want, you know, I'm gonna want to get a treatment three and a distribution four. So if you guys could do me a favor right now,

let's go ahead and bow your heads. I'm just gonna pray over this because I just mentioned it, you know, and since it's since I'm in the show, I'm gonna pray over it real quick. So, by the God in the name of Jesus, I just pray that you assist me and assist everybody that's listening with any goals that they have. I have goals, Lord, and I know I'm saying them out loud for you to hear them, so that you are part of these goals, and that it

happens by your will, Lord, let it be done. I want to get my Class A license, Lord, and I want to have I want to pass that with ease. Lord, give me all my military experience and everything when I passed that when I was driving trucks. Lord, assist me in passing the permit and then assist me in passing to get my Class A license. Lord, I want to get my collections one also. Lord, I know you can help me and assist me in doing that. Please let me get my D four and my treatment three. Lord,

Distribution four and treatment three. This will be one year. This will be one heck of a year. Lord, if you could just allow me to do all that. Please allow me to do that. Lord, and anybody that's listening that has these goals that they've set forth, Lord, and they said it out loud, when you knock, the door shall be open. We need the door open. Lord, please

and assist me in getting this job. I know Tuesday is my last interview, and I just want to make sure Lord that you assist me with every word that I speak. Lord, allow me to take a deep breath before I even speak, because sometimes I talk so fast, So please allow that, Lord, and I really appreciate everything you do. I love you in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you, guys. I just wanted to pray real quick because I might

as well. I need it. Listen for God's whisper Cultivate a habit of quietness and solitude to hear God's gentle voice amidst the noise of life. Okay, Next, embrace God's plan. Trust that God has a purpose for you, even when circumstances seem overwhelming or unclear. Yes. Amen, And then let's go ahead and check out some additional scriptures. Connect We have Psalms forty six, verse ten, be still and know that I am God. This verse echoes the importance of

stillness and recognizing God's presence. And then in Matthew eleven twenty eight through thirty, Jesus invites the weary defind rest in him, paralleling God's care for Elijah, and then we have Philippians four verse six encourage his believers to bring their anxieties to God in prayer, promising peace that guards our hearts and our minds. Perfect. So, yeah, I'm gonna just give me one second. Let's go, guys, yep, let

me just get back on there. I wasn't expecting to do twenty, so I just want to get all my ducks in a row before we start, all right, So let me just do first Kings twenty. I'm gonna do the the intro. So in one Kings twenty we encounter a chapter of juxta position. Juxta positions. I never saw that word before. So the lowly Israelites, led by King Ahab against the mighty Armenians lead to ben Hadi humility versus arrogance, mercy versus justice, and divine guidance versus human defiance.

Any series of unexpected urns. We see God's power and mercy intervening for Israel, an ungodly nation led by an unworthy king, a have against a seemingly unsurmountable enemy. All right, so let's go ahead and start. Let me get to my teaching points here. Perfect. Wow, this seems like a very Yeah, we have about twenty five minutes left, so hopefully we can get through this chapter because it seems

like there's a lot a have defeats the Syrians. So we're gonna go ahead and read one all the way through twenty two and then we're gonna do a little summary about it. I'm going to do a summary and then and we'll try to get through this fairly quickly. It says now Ben Hadid, the King of Syria, gathered all his forces together. Thirty two kings were with him, with horses and chariots, and he went up and besieged

Samaria and made war against it. Then he sent messengers into the city of Ahab, King of Israel, and said to him, thus says Ben Hadid, your silver and gold are mine, Your loveliest wives, your loveliest wives and children are mine. And the King of Israel answered and said, oh, my lord, O King, just as you say, I and all that I have are yours. Then the messengers came back and said, thus speaks Ben Hadid, saying, indeed I have sent you saying you shall deliver to me your

silver and gold, your wives, and your children. But I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time, and they shall search your house and the houses of your servants, and it shall be that whatever is pleasant in your eyes, they will put it in their hands and take it. So the King of Israel called all the elders of the land and said, notice, please, and see how this man seeks trouble. For he sent to me, sent to me for my wives, my children, my silver,

and my gold. And I did not deny him. And all the elders of the people said to him, do not listen or consent. Therefore he said to the messengers of ben Hadid, tell my lord the King, all that you sent for your servant, and the first time I will do. But this thing I cannot do. And the messengers departed and brought back word to him. Then bed Hadid sent to him and said, the gods do so to me. And more also, if enough dust is left of Samaria, for a handful for each people will follow me.

So the King of Israel answered and said, tell him, let not one who puts on his armor boasts like the one who takes it off. And it happened when ben Hadid heard this message that he and the kings were drinking at the command post, and he said to his servants get ready, and they got ready to attack the city. Suddenly a prophet approached Ahab, King of Israel, saying, thus says the Lord, have you seen all the great multitude? Behold that will deliver it into your hand today? And

you shall know that I am the Lord. So Ahab said, by whom, And he said, thus says the Lord, by the young leaders of the provinces. And then he said, who will settle the battle and who will set the battle in order? And he said, he answered you. Then he mustered the young leaders or provinces, and there were two hundred and thirty two. And after them he mustered all the people, all the children of Israel, seven thousand.

So they went out at noon. Meanwhile, Ben Hadid and thirty two kings helping him, getting drunk at the command post. The young leaders of provinces went out first, and Ben Hadid sent out a patrol, and they told them men are coming out of Samaria. So he said, if they have come, if they have come out for peace, take them alive, and then they will come out. They came out for war. If they came out for war take

them alive. And these young leaders or provinces went out to the city with the army which followed them, and each one killed. This man killed his men. So the Syrians fled, and Israel pursued them, and Ben Hadid, the King of Syria, escaped on a horse with the cavalry. Then the King of Israel went out and attacked the horses and chariots and killed the Syrians with a great slaughter. And the prophets came to the King of Israel and

said to him, go strengthen yourself. Take note and see what you should do, for the spring of the year of the King of Syria will come up against you. All right, So let's go ahead and stop there, and we'll read a little brief description of this. So we have in First Kings twenty verse one through twenty two. It means God, through a prophet.

makes outrageous demands. Gold wives children on Ahab, viewing God as a local mountain God, not universal. Ahab initially agrees and then rejects demands, but the prophet tells God tells him God will grant victory, a chance for Ahab to prove God's might. The famous lion let him, let not him the girdeth on his harness, boast himself as he as he putteth it off. Means means don't celebrate before the fights. One means do not celebrate before the fights.

One God's deliverance, a young prophet tells Ahab to attack now with a large army, but with servants providing, proving God's fight for Israel, wins decisively, showing Yahwei's power Ahab's failure. After the miraculous victory, the prophet warns Aha to prepare for Ben Hadid's return to the next year, as God is showing his power beyond mountains plains, and will judge Ahab for sparing the enemy. Deeper themes God's grace versus

Ahab's disobedience. God gives undeserved victory, but Ahab fails to obey the spirit of a holy war, showing mercy to a cruel enemy instead of punishing him, setting up future conflict true versus false worship. The story contrasts a limited regional.

Real quick, then this is the Syrians again defeated. Then the servants of King of Syria said to him, their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we. But if we fight against them in the plane. Surely we will be stronger than they. So do this thing. Dismiss the kings, eat from his position, put captains in their places, and you shall muster an army like the army that you have lost, horse for horse and chariot for chariot. Then we will fight against them in the plane.

Surely we will be stronger than they. And he listened to their voice and did so. So it was in the spring of the year that Ben Hadid mustered the Syrians and went up to apex Aphex to fight against Israel. And the children of Israel were mustered and given provisions, and they went against them. Now the children visual and camp before them like two little flocks of goats, while

the Syrians filed filled the countryside. Then a man of God came and spoke to the King of Israel and said, thus says the Lord, because the Syrians have said the Lord is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys. Therefore, I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord. And they encamped opposite each other

for seven days. So it was even on the seventh day the battle was joined in and the children of Israel killed one hundred thousand foot soldiers of the Syrians in one day, but the rest fled to Apek, into the cities, into the city, then a wall fell on twenty seven thousand of the men who were left, and Ben Hadid fled and went into the city, into the

inner chamber. Okay, so now with this we have First Kings twenty twenty three through thirty shows the Syrian king Ben Hadid's advisors mistakenly believe in their God's only control. Their God only controls hills, not plains, leading to another crushing Israelite victory, proving to Israel and Syria that Yahweh, the God of Israel, is the supreme, all powerful God over all places, not limited to local pagan deities, demonstrating God's grace and might and might even to rebellious Israel

and their enemies. Through ahabs mercy to Ben Hadid will later bring judgment, though Ahab's mercy to Ben Haadi woul later bring judgment. Misunderstanding God's nature, the Syrians thought that Yahweh was a god of the hills, a localized deity, and planned to fight on the plains where they assume their gods were stronger. This highlights pagan polytheism versus the

singular universal God of Israel God's sovereignty. The repeated decisive Israelite victory, especially on the plains where the Syrians expected advantage, prove Yahwei's power isn't geographically limited. He is the God of all places and circumstances. As explained in verses twenty

eight and twenty nine, divine purpose and grace. God allowed Israel to win again, showing his mercy and granted and granted, granting an opportunity for repentance, even through Ahabs subsequent lenient treatment of Ben Hadid verse thirty one would invite future trouble, as prophesied by another prophet instruction for nations. The victory served to teach Israel and other nations that God is the ultimate sovereign, not their local idols. But he fights

for his life. Okay, So yeah, so that's good there. Now we have verses thirty one through thirty four, which we're kind of going through fairly quickly, but it's okay. It's because we only have like about ten minutes, so I just want to kind of get through this. Ahab's treated with Ben Hadid. Then his servants said to him, look, now we are we have heard that the kings of the House of Israel are merciful kings. Please let us put sackcloth around our waist and ropes around our heads,

and go out to the King of Israel. Perhaps he will spare your life. Then they wore sackcloth around their waist and put ropes around their heads, and came to the King of Israel and said, your servant Ben Hadid says, please let me live. And he said, is he alive? He is my brother. Now the men were watching closely to see whether any sign of mercy would come from him, and they quickly grasped at his word and said, your

brother ben Hadid. So he said, go bring him. Then Adid came out to him, and he had him come up into the chariot. So Ben Hadid said to him, the cities which my father took from your father, I will restore, and you may set up marketplaces for yourselves in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria. Then Aphab said, I will send you away with this treaty. So he made a treaty with him and sent him away. So

basically in verses third one thirty four. It describes Ben Hadid's desperate, humble plea for mercy to the Israelite king Ahab, using sackcloth and robes to signify surrender, a tactic based on reports of israel Israelite mercy. Ahab flattered, spares him,

calling him brother and making a treaty. But this active clemency against God's command to destroy him sets up a divine judgment showing human mercy overriding divine justice, which God later punishes through a prophet's parable, which we're going to go through. Let me see it's going to be next in thirty five through forty three. We'll hear that parable. A subtle submission, humble submission. After the Syrian defeat, ben

Hadid's officials advise him to appeal to Ahab's mercy. They dress in sackcloth, mourning penitence, and put robes on their next symbolizing servitude and death, and big Ahab to spare

the king, claiming Israel's kings are merciful. Ahab's response as flat to show the submission, and he is my brother, and spares ben Hadid, even inviting him to his chariot the treaty, ben Hadid offers a return the cities his father took and grant trade rights in Damascus, leading Ahab to make a treaty and release him, meaning a significant meaning and significance human versus divine will. The core meaning

lies in Ahab's disobedience. God had commanded destruction in previous verses, implied in the context as the pet Prophet's rebuke, but Ahab's human compassion and pride led him to spare his enemy, failing God's command. So ben Hadid's desperate humility highlights the power of seeking mercy, while ahabas easy forgiveness driven by flattery, shows how success can corrupt rulers, a theme echoed in

the letter Parable of the Prophet. This act of spraying ben Hadid is presented as a grave heir, foreshadowing judgment of a have for disobeying God's specific instruction, even if it seemed merciful. Merciful spiritual parallel commentaries see this as a lesson for believers. Seeking God's mercy humbly brings hope, but misusing God's grace like Ahab did, leads to consequences, reminding us to align our actions with his commands as shown by Jesus's teachings. Okay, so there we go. Now

we have verses thirty five through forty three. Now a certain man of the sons of the Prophet said to his neighbor, by the word of the Lord, strike me please, And the man refused to strike him. Then he said to him, because you have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, Surely, as soon as you depart from me, a lion shall kill you. And as soon as he left him, a lion found him and killed him. And he found another man and said, strike me please. So

the man struck him, inflicting a wound. Then the prophet departed and waited for the king by the road, and disguised himself with age over his eyes. Now, as the king passed by, he cried out to the king and said, your servant went out in the midst of battle. And there is a man who came over and brought a man to me, and said, guard this man, but if by any means he is missing, your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay talent of silver.

While your servant was busy here and there he was gone. Then the King of Israel said to him, so shall your judgment be and yourself be decided. And he hastened to take the bandage away from his eyes, and the King of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets. Then he said to him, Thus says the Lord, because you have, because you have let slip out of your hand a man whom I have appointed under destruction. Therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people

for his people. So the King of Israel went to his house sullen and displeased, and came to Samaria. So there you go. So, yeah, we got about five minutes. So First Kings forty three five through forty three is a prophetic parable where a prophet uses a dramatic story about a prisoner and a lion to show King Ahab his sin, sparing the saying King ben Hadid after God commanded his destruction, resulting in a divine judgment where Ahab's

life will be taken for ben Hadid's. The core meaning emphasizes God's absolute authority, the severe consequences of disobedience, even seemingly small ones, and the crucial lesson that obedience to God's direct word is more important than human's judgment or mercy the parable events the command. A prophet tells another prophet to strike him, saying, by the word of the Lord,

strike me disobedience and consequences. The second prophet refuses and killed and is killed by a lion, disobeying God's direct command. And then the first prophet asks a third man, who strikes and wounds him. The injured prophet waits in the road disguised as a soldier who is filled to guard or vulnerable prisoner. When Ahab sees him and a prophet tells his story. Ahab declares the man who deserves death for failing his duty. The prophet removes his bandage, revealing

the judgment. Because you have let go of your hand. Because you have let go of your hand, a man whom I have appointed to utter destruction, your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people. God's will versus human will. Ahab's mercy on ben Hadid was a humanitarian act but a divine failure. Humanitarian act but a divine failure, showing his preference for human agreement

over God's command. The lion's death for a disobedient prophet highlights the disobeying that disobeying God, even for a seemingly good reason, like the second Prophet's fear, brings serious consequences, as seen in King Saul's story Prophetic Truth. The story demonstrates how prophets use symbolic actions parables to convey God's message even when it's harsh, challenging kings to face their sin,

and then Ahab's hypocrisy. Ahab, who spared ben Hadid, judged that the disguised prophet for his fictional failure, revealing his own hypocrisy and lack of understanding of God's justice. In essence, the passage serves as a stark warning that God's commands must be followed without compromise, and failure should do so bring severe inescapable judgment, as prophesied by Ahab. All right, so let's go ahead and look at some practical applications.

Trust in God's power when facing challenges. Remember that God is able to deliver us, no matter how dire the situation may seem. Next, recognize God's sovereignty. Acknowledge that God is in control and his plans are higher than ours. Obedience to God. Follow God's commands fully, understanding that partial obedience can lead to consequences, humility before God, avoid and self reliance. Recognizing that victory comes from the Lord. Yes, amen,

it comes from the Lord, not from us. So some additional scriptures that connect is Proverbs twenty one, verse thirty one. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the Lord divine strength and weakness Tewod Corinthians twelve, verse nine. But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness. And then Deuteronomy seven, verse nine. Know therefore that the Lord your God is good. He is faithful.

He is a faithful God. He is the faithful God, keeping his covenant, loving devotion for a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commandments. And then in Second and First Samuel fifteen twenty two through twenty three, to obey is better than sacrifice, to heed is better than the fat of the rams. First Samuel fifteen twenty two through twenty three. A men, a, men, Amen, we are done with chapter twenty right. LIBS is going to stop the screen share. Thank you guys so much for

tuning in. I really appreciate it. And that was a really good study and I really appreciate everybody that's commenting. Please comment, Please leave emojis, leave a prayer emoji, whatever you want to leave more comments, the better. It makes me feel like I'm doing my job and also showing cold the conspiracy that I'm doing my job, you know, and that's what I need. I need them to see that so we can keep the Bible study rolling. Okay, So let me just go ahead and end this in

prayer like I always do. So, Father God, in the name of Jesus, thank you so much for this beautiful time. Thank you for allowing us to learn these lessons you know that you know through Elijah and then also these lessons through King a Haveb and the way that he handled certain situations where he was not following your word. And we see there's consequences of that. Lord, So assist us to follow your word. Lord, help us when we're

in spiritual battles. Lord, help us when we're in spiritual warfare. Lord, Please, we really need you supernaturally just be in our lives. Lord, Thank you for everything you do for me my family. Thank you for everything you do for anybody that's listening right now. Lord, thank you for assisting us in everything that you assist us with. Lord, thank you. I love you and appreciate you in Jesus name. Amen. So there we go, guys. If you want to check out my show,

Josh Monday Christian Conspiracy Podcast, please check it out. If you want to subscribe to my YouTube is Josh Monday Music and Podcast. And like I said, I appreciate you guys commenting and I appreciate all of you guys. Thank you and God bless you.