Elijah’s Exodus

Mark Twain once quipped, “History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” In our passage for this Sunday, we will hear a distinct rhyme of Biblical history. As the prophet, Elijah is running from Jezebel, and Ahab the Lord directs his path to Mt. Horeb. There Elijah meets with the Lord and is commissioned for the next stage of his ministry. Yet the details of his journey have the distinct note of a journey we have seen before. 

Elijah is provided with miraculous bread and water on his way to Mt. Horeb. He endures a 40 day fast leading to his encounter with the Lord. Elijah experiences the Lord through wind, earthquake, and fire. He is hidden in a rock to protect him from the presence of the Lord, which passes by him. He prays that the Lord would take his life because the burden of ministry has become too much. Elijah is denied this request; following his encounter with the Lord, he is recommissioned for a divine task. 

Biblical history is not repeating itself, but Elijah’s exodus sure does sound as though it were rhyming with Moses’. And the rhyme reveals to us something very important about the Lord’s judgment of sin and the grace of his salvation. To come prepared for the sermon, take time this week to read and to meditate upon 1 Kings 19:1-18, Exodus 34:1-9, Numbers 11:15, Mark 8:11-12, Luke 9:29-31, and Westminster Confession of Faith 33.

As we gather to worship our loving Father this Lord’s Day, we will join our hearts in song, singing the Hymn of Praise “Rejoice the Lord Is King”, the Acclamation of Praise “And Can It Be That I Should Gain”, and the Hymn of Response “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.”  Let us come to worship this Sunday prepared to hear God’s Word, to receive it in faith, to love and treasure it in our hearts, and to practice it in our lives that we may continue to glorify and enjoy Him!  

Sermon Information 

Text: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Title: Elijah’s Exodus 

Outline: 

1. Jezebel’s Threat (vv.1-2)
2. Elijah’s Flight (vv. 3-8)
3. Elijah’s Accusation (vv. 9-14)
4. The Lord’s Gracious Judgment (vv. 15-18)

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