Gentle whisper
1 Kings Chapters 19-20
So often we consider that the loudest voice must be right—whether that’s the one speaking with the greatest volume, or the greatest number of voices, or the highest ranking speaker.
With the death of the prophets of Baal we saw that God can speak loud and emphatically—but today we see him speaking to Elijah in a gentle whisper: a still, small voice.
The context is that the queen, Jezebel, has sworn to kill Elijah in retaliation for the death of the prophets of Baal. Elijah feels that he alone remains faithful to God.
God responds by ordering him to anoint new kings for Aram (modern Syria) and for Israel, and a new prophet to take his own place. In addition to reminding him that God still has people who can lead, he says there are 7,000 faithful people in Israel who have not worshiped Baal.
That’s not a large number of people but, as with the word of God coming in a gentle whisper, God doesn’t have to rely on overwhelming volume to make his word known.
When Elijah first calls Elisha, Elisha displeases him by asking to first go back and kiss his father and mother goodbye. That anticipates the passages in Matthew when Jesus says anyone who loves father and mother more than him is not worthy of him, or when he is critical of the one who wants to bury his father before following.
Friday meditation
Proverbs 23:29-35
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
Those who linger over wine, who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.
Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!
In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things.
You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.
“They hit me,” you will say, “but I’m not hurt! They beat me, but I don’t feel it!
When will I wake up so I can find another drink?”
Prayer focus
Lord, when we feel alone in our faith, remind us that you do not need to speak loudly or in large numbers to communicate your love.
-Rev. Mark Fleming