It is not often that God asks a question. This week we’re noticing a few of the famous occasions when He did, however. What we’re learning is that when the All-knowing God does ask a question, He does so–not for His own benefit–but for man’s.
This week let’s consider another example of God (or Christ) asking a question.
The background to this question is 1 Kings 18, where the prophet Elijah stood atop Mt. Carmel against 450 prophets of the false god Baal. There Elijah demonstrated the power of God over the idols of men and embarrassed, not only the many prophets gathered there (before he killed them!), but the wicked woman Jezebel as well.
Upon hearing the news of Baal’s humiliation, Jezebel wrote some serious hatemail to the prophet, vowing to kill him. Now you might think that one crazy woman is not enough to frighten a man who had just risen above 450 prophets, but this is Jezebel. This woman was not just crazy. She owned her own brand of lunacy; she was whacked out of her mind bonkers, she was.
Elijah’s response: he ran like a coward. He hid in Beersheba, in a secluded place, under a tree (if there had been a bed he would have been under it too). Why? How does a man go from so courageous to so cowardly? What, have you never had a moment like that? Haven’t you ever suddenly lost your nerve? We all have. Elijah’s not a superhero, he’s not immune to fear and he’s not Jesus Christ. He got rattled and for a time was ready to give up.
But instead of scolding him, God speaks to him and asks a question:
And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
1 Kings 19:13
Basically, the question was: “Why are you here, Elijah?”
God wants Elijah to ponder his present situation. Why is he hiding under a juniper tree? Elijah would answer (1 Kings 19:14) and say that he was hiding because he assumed he was the only faithful prophet the Lord had left in His army.
Shame on him, first for his ignorance, second for his cowardice, and third for his arrogance!
It was ignorant to assume he was the only one left. God rightly corrected him and said that there were seven THOUSAND that had not yet bowed the knee to Baal.
It was cowardly to hide and forget that the God who won the day at Mt. Carmel is still around and will surely stand with His faithful people.
It was arrogant of him to think that, because he is the only one left, he should hide out of self preservation. We are not so important to God that we should hide to save our necks. We are expected to fight for God, and if we die in so fighting, so be it!
God’s question forced Elijah to confront his place in God’s eternal plan. Does the prophet have a role to play? Certainly, but he’s not the only one, hiding isn’t going to help, and he’s no more special than any other servant of God who is out there doing the Lord’s work.
We should stop and ask ourselves the same question: Where am I?
Am I in a place where I can do the most for the Lord? I may not do as much as others, or do it as well, but I can do the best I can. That’s all God asks of me.
So…where are you?
Think about it,
have a great day!
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