I Kings 15:16–I
Kings 18:8
GO HIDE
YOURSELF
I Kings
17:2-4
". . .the word
of the LORD came unto ELIJAH, saying, Get thee hence,
and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook
Cherith, that is before Jordan."
Bold Elijah, came
before the powerful, king of Israel declaring in no
uncertain terms that there would be no rain in Israel
for three years. Not only no rain, but no dew! This was
a dreadful proclamation. How long can a people exist
without rain or dew?
The evil king lived in
Samaria, ruling over the land for twenty-two years. In
his day, the foundation of Jericho was laid. AHAB’S
father’s name was OMRI–another evil ruler. AHAB was
"a chip off the old block"! He married the dreaded
JEZEBEL, the daughter of the king of Zidonia. They
worshiped BAAL together. He built an altar in the House
of Baal for his filthy god. Perhaps that was the altar
that the heathen priests used to call down their gods in
I Kings 18:26. The Bible says that AHAB provoked the
LORD God of Israel more than any other king before him
It was a bold move, on
ELIJAH’s part, to face this king with the news of NO
RAIN! Have you ever had to confront a strong person
whose ideas and values differed from yours? Have you
ever stood alone when no one in the room agreed with
you? Have you ever declared unwelcome news to a man who
could assassinate you? This is what Elijah did. He stood
face to face with the worst heathen in the land and
said, "It is not going to rain for three years!"
After the delivery of
such a message, the PROPHET ELIJAH was spent. All of his
energy was sapped from his body. He felt limp and weary.
God knew this. He knows man’s frame. So the word of the
LORD came to Elijah and said, "Get thee from this
place and go EAST." The instructions continued,
"Go hide yourself!" God gave specific instructions.
Hide out by the BROOK CHERITH. That was near the Jordan
River. I believe Elijah was well-aware of the territory.
God even informed the exhausted prophet that ravens
would feed him.
The Bible says "So
Elijah went and did according unto the word of the LORD.
. ." Those are comforting words to me as a
Christian. Elijah obeyed. I don’t suppose he ever hid
out like that before with no food or a known-place to
sleep. But he obeyed. He went. He slept. He rested. He
ate bread twice a day and drank water whenever thirsty.
Have you ever been in
a place where you were more than "tired?" You had
worked hard. You had taken a stand for the LORD JESUS
CHRIST. You had defended His Words. You had given of
yourself so that there was little life left in you. You
went to your room and lay down on your bed completely
spent for God. You got in your car and drove to the
shore for a day or two of recuperation. How good to be
alone with God--away from the pressures of life, No one
knew you were there. You could rest. You ate simple
foods. You walked the beaches. God was renewing your
mind.
If you have been in
such a place in your life, you know how ELIJAH felt. You
know, too, how needed was your rest at the BROOK
CHERITH. You thought, "I could stay here forever."
That is how ELIJAH felt. He never wanted to leave
Cherith. The water was sweet. The bread was delicious.
He hoped it would go on forever! But ELIJAH had work to
do that he knew not of. BUT GOD KNEW IT! The brook dried
up. (Remember–there had been no rain.) The LORD moved
Elijah on. The woman in Zarephath needed him. So with
you and me. We must arise from our rest. Someone around
the corner is waiting for us to help them. Don’t miss
the opportunity to fill a barrel with meal and a cruise
with oil. (ysw)
"I WILL CRY
UNTO GOD"
(Psalm 5:, 7:2)
"I will cry unto
God. . .that performeth for me"
Lord, to whom
else shall we go?
Only Thou
performeth for me!
"No one
understands like Jesus"
Dear ones care,
but do not really comprehend.
GGS
