Old Testament - 1 Kings 19 - July 6, 2022

 7/6/2022 – 1 Kings 19

When Jezebel learned that Elijah had slayed all the prophets of Baal, she sent a servant to kill Elijah. Elijah fled into the wilderness and prayed, asking the Lord to let him die, saying “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.”  (v 4) And then he lay down and went to sleep. After some time, he awoke to an angel who had baked a cake and brought him water.  After 40 days Elijah moved on, and then he went and lodged himself in a cave. The Lord asked him what he was doing in the cave. Elijah answered that he had done all that the Lord had asked him to do, and yet “the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life to take it away. “ (v 10)

Elijah is totally discouraged and dejected over his work for the Lord, but he then finds there is still much left that he is to do. (v 11) This is when the Lord spoke directly to Elijah—but first the Lord let Elijah know that the Lord did not speak from a great wind, or from an earthquake, or from a great fire---but that the Lord speaks in a “still small voice” (v 12)

Boyd K. Packer: “That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does as a sound. Pure intelligence can be spoken into the mind. The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses [see 1 Corinthians 2:14; D&C 8:2; 9:8–9]. This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions [see D&C 11:13; 100:5]. . . . “This process is not reserved for the prophets alone. The gift of the Holy Ghost operates equally with men, women, and even little children. It is within this wondrous gift and power that the spiritual remedy to any problem can be found. . . . “You can know the things you need to know. Pray that you will learn to receive that inspiration and remain worthy to receive it. Keep that channel— your mind—clean and free from the clutter of the world”

Elijah answered the Lord with his dejected feelings, and the Lord answered him by giving him more work to do. He is to anoint new kings over Syria and Israel. He then tells Elijah that out of all Israel there are only 7,000 people left who have not followed Baal.  Elijah was then told to find Elisha and “cast his mantle upon him” (v19).  When Elijah found Elisha, Elisha said his said his farewells to his family and not only followed Elijah, but he also ministered to Elijah.


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