A Proclamation of God’s Deliverance (Jonah 2)

A Proclamation of God’s Deliverance (Jonah 2)

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. Jonah 2:2 (ESV)

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. James 5:13 (ESV)

 -          The book moves from its narrative format to a poetic psalm comprise of several psalms.

-          Jonah                                       Psalms

-          2:2a                                         3:4; 120:1; 18:6

-          2:2b                                         18:4-5; 30:3

-          2:3a                                         88:6-7; 130: 1-3

-          2:3b                                         42:7

-          2:4a                                         31:22

-          2:4b                                         5:7

-          2:5a                                         69:1-2

-          2:6b                                         49:15; 56:13; 103:4

-          2:7a                                         107:5; 142:3

-          2:8a                                         31”6

-          2:9a                                         50:14; 69:30; 107:22

-          2:9c                                         3:8; 37:39

 Jonah’s perspective of God’s deliverance

For you cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas,

and the flood surrounded me; all your breakers and your waves passed over me. Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.’ Jonah 2:3–4 (ESV)

 5  . . .  for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) Joshua 1:5 (ESV)

 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? . . .  38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35–39 (ESV)

 Jonah’s predicament in God’s deliverance

The waters closed in over me to take my life; the deep

surrounded me; weeds were wrapped about my head.

To the roots of the mountains I went down, to the land

whose bars closed upon me forever. Yet you brought up my

life from the pit, O Lord my God. Jonah 2:5–6 (ESV)

 Jonah’s prayer for God’s deliverance

When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord,

and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple. Those

who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast

love. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to

you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the

Lord!” Jonah 2:7–9 (ESV)

 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (ESV); Kings 8:38–40

 Seek the Lord while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his  thoughts; And let him  return to the Lord, And He will have  compassion on him, And to our God, For He will  abundantly pardon.Isaiah 55:6-7 (NASB)

 10 And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land. Jonah 2:10 (ESV)

 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (ESV)

God's Sovereign Will (Jonah 1:11-16)

God’s Sovereign Will (Jonah 1:11-16)

The tragic picture of God’s prophet rebelling against God’s sovereign will

11 Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea grew more and more tempestuous. 12 He said to them, “Pick me up and hurl me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you, for I know it is because of me that this great tempest has come upon you.” Jonah 1:11–12 (ESV)

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

The trivial picture of worldly men in opposition to God’s sovereign will
13 Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more tempestuous against them. Jonah 1:13 (ESV)

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? Psalm 2:1 (ESV)

The terrified picture of men who recognize the power of God’s sovereign will
14 Therefore they called out to the Lord, “O Lord, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” Jonah 1:14 (ESV)

Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. Psalm 115:3 (ESV)

Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. Psalm 135:6 (ESV)

The transformed picture of men who submit to God’s sovereign will
15 So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. 16 Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. Jonah 1:15–16 (ESV)

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6–7 (ESV)

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” Mark 4:35–41 (ESV)

The Sign of Jonah: Jonah 1:17, Matthew 12:38-41

God’s sovereign choice
17  And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 (ESV)

23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Acts 2:23 (ESV)

God’s supernatural choice
17  And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 (ESV)

17 ‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV)

God’s sign of choice
38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. Matthew 12:38–41 (ESV)

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (ESV)

Jonah Exposed!!! (Jonah 1:7-10)

23 But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23 (ESV)

Jonah was exposed by the providential hand of God
7 And they said to one another, “Come, let us cast lots, that we may know on whose account this evil has come upon us.” So they cast lots, and the lot fell on Jonah. Jonah 1:7 (ESV)

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:33 (ESV)

19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.” 20 And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did: Joshua 7:19–20 (ESV)

Jonah was exposed by the questions of the lost
8 Then they said to him, “Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?” Jonah 1:8 (ESV)

22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Romans 2:22–24 (ESV)

Jonah was exposed by the confession of his heart

9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, “What is this that you have done!” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them. Jonah 1:9–10 (ESV)

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Luke 6:46 (ESV)

6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”
Hebrews 12:6 (ESV)

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. Romans 1:28 (ESV)

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4 (ESV)

11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:11 (ESV)

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 (ESV)

The Pursuit of God: Johan 1:4-6

God pursued Jonah through the storm
4 But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Jonah 1:4 (ESV)

2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:2–3 (ESV)

                7  Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all deeps,

                8  fire and hail, snow and mist,

stormy wind fulfilling his word! Psalm 148:7–8 (ESV)

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For AT the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:7–11 (ESV)

God pursued Jonah through the sailors
5 Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. Jonah 1:5 (ESV)

11 He . . .  has put eternity into man’s heart . . . Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV)

                1  The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

                2  Day to day pours out speech,

and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 19:1–2 (ESV)

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:19–20 (ESV)

26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, Acts 17:26–27 (ESV)

God pursued Jonah through the captain
6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”
Jonah 1:6 (ESV); John 3:16 (ESV)

18    If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:18 (ESV)

12    For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12 (ESV);
Psalm 33:18–19

A Disobedient Heart: Jonah 1:2-3

The call of Jonah for God’s will

2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” Jonah 1:2 (ESV)

“Arise” (kom) or “up” reveals a sense of urgency. Along with (Lek) or “go,” the author reveals God is speaking in imperatives. This same call (UP!) was given to Elijah when God sent him on errands. (1 Kings 17:9; 21:18)

 The defiance of Jonah to God’s will

3 But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord . . .  Jonah 1:3 (ESV)

if we are faithless, he remains faithful— 2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV)

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 (ESV)

2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. Jonah 4:2 (ESV)

The plan of Jonah to oppose God’s will

3 . . .  He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:3 (ESV)

Perhaps the two saddest words in the book, “But Jonah.”

The verse is a chiastic structure focusing on the word Tarshish to magnify Jonah’s disobedience

To run away toward Tarshish from the Lord’s presence

He went down to Joppa

Found a ship

About to leave Tarshish

Paid the fare

And went aboard (down into it)

To go. . . to Tarshish form the Lord’s presence.

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? Psalm 139:7 (ESV)

42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. John 12:42–43 (ESV)

Johah: Wherever He Leads I'll Go: Johah 1:1

40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Matthew 12:40 (ESV)

What is the book of “Jonah” about?
Is it about a great fish? (only mentioned 4 times)
Is it about a great city, Nineveh? (only mentioned 9 times)
Is it about a disobedient prophet? (mentioned 18 times)
Is it about God? (mentioned 38 times)

Precepts we will see in the book of Jonah

- Salvation belongs to the Lord.

- At times it is painfully explicit that he was all too similar to the people toward which he was called to minister.

- The story is about the providential control of God working in and through His subjects to bring about His sovereign purposes.

- Jonah thinks he knows God and can disobey, but Jonah discovers that he does not know God and ultimately cannot just disobey.

The Character of God

5  The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as  he called upon the name of the Lord. 6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and  truth; 7 who  keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He  will by no means leave the guilty unpunished,  visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." Ex 34:5-7 (NASB)

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Jonah 1:1 (ESV)

The persistent message in the story of Jonah
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:1–2 (ESV)

The prophetic nature of the story of Jonah
“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets.
Amos 3:7 (ESV)

The prehistory for the story of Jonah
23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, began to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years. 24 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin. 25 He restored the border of Israel from Lebo-hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which he spoke by his servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was from Gath-hepher. 2 Kings 14:23–25 (ESV)

Jacob's Sacrifice at Galeed (Genesis 31)

Jacob flees Laban
14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father’s house? 15 Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. 16 All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.” 17 So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels. 18 He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac. 19 Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father’s household gods. 20 And Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee. 21 He fled with all that he had and arose and crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead. Genesis 31:14–21 (ESV)

Laban pursues Jacob
25 And Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen pitched tents in the hill country of Gilead. 26 And Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword? 27 Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre? 28 And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? Now you have done foolishly. 29 It is in my power to do you harm. But the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ 30 And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?” Genesis 31:25–30 (ESV)

34 Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them in the camel’s saddle and sat on them. Laban felt all about the tent, but did not find them. 35 And she said to her father, “Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of women is upon me.” So he searched but did not find the household gods. Genesis 31:34–35 (ESV)

Jacob berates Laban
36 Then Jacob became angry and berated Laban. Jacob said to Laban, “What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? 37 For you have felt through all my goods; what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my kinsmen and your kinsmen, that they may decide between us two. Genesis 31:36–37 (ESV)

Jacob and Laban make a pact
45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. 46 And Jacob said to his kinsmen, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me today.” Therefore he named it Galeed, 49 and Mizpah, for he said, “The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight. 50 If you oppress my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us, see, God is witness between you and me.” 51 Then Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap and the pillar, which I have set between you and me. 52 This heap is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, to do harm. Genesis 31:43–52 (ESV)

Jacob sacrificed to YHWH
53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac, 54 and Jacob offered a sacrifice in the hill country and called his kinsmen to eat bread. They ate bread and spent the night in the hill country. Genesis 31:53–54 (ESV)

Hope and Despair or Light and Darkness: The Conclusion of First Kings (1 Kings 22:41-53)

The Hope of Light from Good King Jehoshaphat
 . . . He walked in all the way of Asa his father. He did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. Yet the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. 44 Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel . . .  And from the land he exterminated the remnant of the male cult prostitutes who remained in the days of his father Asa. 1 Kings 22:41–46 (ESV)

36  . . .  that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name. 1 Kings 11:36 (ESV)

  . . . And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 2 Chronicles 17:3–6 (ESV)

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. John 4:23 (ESV)

An Event that Marks no Compromise Between the Light of Hope and Despair of Darkness
47 There was no king in Edom; a deputy was king. 48 Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold, but they did not go, for the ships were wrecked at Ezion-geber. 49 Then Ahaziah the son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my servants go with your servants in the ships,” but Jehoshaphat was not willing. 50 And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father, and Jehoram his son reigned in his place. 1 Kings 22:47–50 (ESV)

2 But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. 2 Chronicles 19:2 (ESV)

37 Then Eliezer . . . prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have joined with Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy what you have made.” And the ships were wrecked and were not able to go to Tarshish. 2 Chron 20:37 (ESV)
Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 2 Corinthians 6:17 (ESV); John 17:15

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Philippians 3:20 (ESV)
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. Proverbs 9:9 (ESV)

The Despair of Darkness from Evil King Ahaziah
51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab . . . did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of his father and in the way of his mother and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 53 He served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger in every way that his father had done. 1 Kings 22:51–53 (ESV); Romans 1:18

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4–5 (ESV)

The Battle of Ramoth Gilead: The Will of God Exhibited (Part 2): 1 Kings 22:29-40

The purpose to fight the Word of God

29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself and went into battle. 1 Kings 22:29–30 (ESV)

2 Why do the nations rage
and the peoples plot in vain?
2     The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3     “Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.” Psalm 2:1–3 (ESV)

Jehoshaphat’s compromise:

19 Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned in safety to his house in Jerusalem. 2 But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.” 2 Chronicles 19:1–3 (ESV)

The providential force of the Word of God
31 Now the king of Syria had commanded the thirty-two captains of his chariots, “Fight with neither small nor great, but only with the king of Israel.” 32 And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “It is surely the king of Israel.” So they turned to fight against him. And Jehoshaphat cried out. 33 And when the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him. 34 But a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel between the scale armor and the breastplate. Therefore he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and carry me out of the battle, for I am wounded.” 35 And the battle continued that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Syrians, until at evening he died. And the blood of the wound flowed into the bottom of the chariot. 36 And about sunset a cry went through the army, “Every man to his city, and every man to his country!”
1 Kings 22:31–36 (ESV)

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36 (ESV)

The prophetic fulfillment of the Word of God
37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria. And they buried the king in Samaria. 38 And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes washed themselves in it, according to the word of the Lord that he had spoken. 39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab and all that he did, and the ivory house that he built and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? 40 So Ahab slept with his fathers, and Ahaziah his son reigned in his place. 1 Kings 22:37–40 (ESV) 

19 And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you killed and also taken possession?” ’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.” ’ ” 1 Kings 21:19 (ESV)

24    The Lord of hosts has sworn:
       “As I have planned, so shall it be,
       and as I have purposed, so shall
it stand, Isaiah 14:24 (ESV)

The Battle of Ramoth Gilead: The Will of God Proclaimed (Part 1): 1 Kings 22:1-28

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 2 Corinthians 6:14–15 (ESV)

The counterfeit prediction of God’s will
5 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord” . . .   
1 Kings 22:5–12 (ESV)

26 “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. Luke 6:26 (ESV)

A firstborn bull—he has majesty, and his horns are the horns of a wild ox; with them he shall gore the peoples, all of them, to the ends of the earth; they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.” Deuteronomy 33:17 (ESV)

The correct proclamation of God’s will 
13  . . .  But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I will speak.” . . .  
1 Kings 22:13–18 (ESV)

For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, “Violence and destruction!” For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long. If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. Jeremiah 20:8–9 (ESV)

The concealed proceedings of God’s will
19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; 20 and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 23 Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.” 1 Kings 22:19–23 (ESV)

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. James 1:13 (ESV)

14 . . . and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him. 1 Samuel 16:14 (NASB95)

The chronicled proof of God’s will
  . . .  And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!” 1 Kings 22:24–28 (ESV)

21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him. Deuteronomy 18:21–22 (ESV)

10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. James 5:10 (ESV)

God's Control in an Unjust World: 1 Kings 21:15-29

Being complicit in injustice warrants God’s retribution
15 As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” 16 And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. 17 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 18 “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. 19 And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you killed and also taken possession?” ’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.” ’ ” 1 Kings 21:15–19 (ESV)

For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked . . . But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. Psalm 73:3–17 (ESV)

Confrontation of injustice reflects God’s righteousness
20 Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord. 21 Behold, I will bring disaster upon you. I will utterly burn you up, and will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. 22 And I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the anger to which you have provoked me, and because you have made Israel to sin. 23 And of Jezebel the Lord also said, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel within the walls of Jezreel.’ 24 Anyone belonging to Ahab who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone of his who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat.” 1 Kings 21:20–24 (ESV)

“If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity; Leviticus 5:1 (ESV)

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (ESV)

Conquering sin occurs through repentance
25 (There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. 26 He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.) 27 And when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly. 28 And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring the disaster upon his house.” 1 Kings 21:25–29 (ESV)

8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” Luke 19:8 (ESV)

6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you . . .
2 Thessalonians 1:6–10 (ESV)

The Reality of an Unjust World: 1 Kings 21:1-14

1. Ahab's Appetite: Desire and Discontent

2 And after this Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.” 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” 4 And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food.
1 Kings 21:1–4 (ESV) 

23 “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me. Leviticus 25:23 (ESV); Numbers 36:7

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5 (ESV); Matthew 6:24

2. Jezebel's Influence: Voices of Temptation

5 But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” 6 And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ” 7 And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.” 1 Kings 21:5–7 (ESV)

26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Proverbs 12:26 (ESV); Proverbs 16:29

3. Sinister Schemes: Deception and Destruction

8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. 9 And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. 10 And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” 11 And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, 12 they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. 13 And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. 14 Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.” 15 As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” 1 Kings 21:8–16 (ESV);
Deuteronomy 17:6–7

9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:9–10 (ESV)

 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8–9 (ESV)

The Call of Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21)

The sudden prompt of Elisha’s call
19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 1 Kings 19:19 (ESV)

9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. Matthew 9:9 (ESV)

The suggested pledge of Elisha’s call
20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”
1 Kings 19:20 (ESV)

18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18 (ESV)

61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:61–62 (ESV)

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25–26 (ESV)

The symbolized promise of Elisha’s call
21 And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him. 1 Kings 19:21 (ESV)

35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” Mark 10:35–37 (ESV)

43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43–45 (ESV)

Send the Rain: 1 Kings 18:40-46

The radical purging of purity:1 Kings 18:40

20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ Deuteronomy 18:20 (ESV)

13 . . .  “Purge the evil person from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:13 (ESV)

The confident pronunciation of faith: 1 Kings 18:41

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

8  He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; . . .  Psalm 147:8 (ESV)

17 then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the Lord is giving you. Deuteronomy 11:17 (ESV)

The surprising picture of penitence:1 Kings 18:41–42

The humble posture of prayer:1 Kings 18:42

6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 (ESV)

27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Genesis 18:27 (ESV)

35 “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them, 36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance. 1 Kings 8:35–36 (ESV)

10 Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds, and he will give them showers of rain, to everyone the vegetation in the field.
Zechariah 10:1 (ESV)

The petitioner’s persistence in prayer: 1 Kings 18:43

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart . . . 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Luke 18:1; 7–8 (ESV)

The divine provision to prayer: 1 Kings 18:44–45

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
James 5:16-18 (ESV)

The hopeful portrayal of the ideal

46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:46 (ESV)

The Showdown: Part 1 - 1 Kings 18:20-29

A challenge of spiritual complacency (20-21)
20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:20–21 (ESV)

26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. Exodus 32:26 (ESV)

15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (ESV)

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24 (ESV)

A challenge of divine authenticity (22-25)
22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. 23 Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. 24 And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.”
1 Kings 18:22–25 (ESV)

A challenge of idolatrous impotency (26-29)

26 And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. 27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” 28 And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. 1 Kings 18:26–29 (ESV)

“You are the sons of the Lord your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead. Deuteronomy 14:1 (ESV); (Lev 19:28)

Time offering of oblation:
39 One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight.
Exodus 29:39 (ESV

19 But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Psalm 66:19 (ESV)

3 He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:3–4 (ESV)

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 16 They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; 17 they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. Psalm 135:15–17 (ESV)

Misdirected Blame: 1 Kings 18:16-19

The period before misdirected blame
16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah. 1 Kings 18:16 (ESV)

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1 (ESV)

The accusation of misdirected blame

17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 1 Kings 18:17 (ESV); 1 Kings 18:10

22 And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. Exodus 32:22 (ESV)

21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the LORD your God in Gilgal.” 1 Samuel 15:21 (ESV)

2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. John 16:2 (ESV)

Jesus before Pilate:
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.” . . . 5 But they were urgent, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”
Luke 23:1-5 (ESV)

Take care before you make accusations:

15 “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. Deuteronomy 19:15 (ESV)

20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 29:20 (ESV); Matthew 7:15; .1 Timothy 5:19.

The correction of misdirected blame
18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals.
1 Kings 18:18 (ESV); Joshua 7:25; Psalm 33:17; 2 Samuel 24:17.

The solution to misdirected blame
19 Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 1 Kings 18:19 (ESV)

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Philippians 4:2-3 (ESV); Matthew 5:23-26

Obadiah: The Secular Servant of God: 1 Kings 18:1-16

The conditions in which we meet Obadiah
1 After many days the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria.
1 Kings 18:1-2 (ESV)

The description of Obadiah
3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly, 4 and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) 1 Kings 18:3-4 (ESV); Romans 13:1

22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:22-24 (ESV)

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 (ESV)

The assignment given to Obadiah
5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals . . . 7 And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 1 Kings 18:5-8 (ESV)

The fear experienced by Obadiah
9 And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10 As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. 11 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’ 12 And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the LORD will carry you I know not where. And so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the LORD from my youth. 13 Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, how I hid a hundred men of the LORD’s prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? 14 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here”’; and he will kill me.” 1 Kings 18:9-14 (ESV)

The obedience exhibited by Obadiah,
15 And Elijah said, “As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah.
1 Kings 18:15-16 (ESV); Matthew 21:28-31; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. Proverbs 29:25 (ESV)

28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (ESV)

Faith in the Face of Death: 1 Kings 17:17-24

14 For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’” 1 Kings 17:14 (ESV)

The reality that we all must face in death
17 After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 1 Kings 17:17 (ESV)

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:19 (ESV)

The emotion that we all must face in death
18 And she said to Elijah, “What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!” 1 Kings 17:18 (ESV)

The prayer that we must exhibit in death
19 And he said to her, “Give me your son.” And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. 20 And he cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” 1 Kings 17:19-20 (ESV)

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (ESV)

The faith that we must exhibit over death
21 Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the LORD, “O LORD my God, let this child’s life come into him again.” 1 Kings 17:21 (ESV); Genesis 17:19-21

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. Hebrews 11:17-19 (ESV)

The foreshadow of victory by the One who has power over death
22 And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives.” 24 And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.” 1 Kings 17:22-24 (ESV)

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71 (ESV)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, John 11:25 (ESV)

The living God, provider of life:
1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”
1 Kings 17:1 (ESV)

12 And she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 1 Kings 17:12 (ESV)

The God of Promise: The Widow of Zarephath

1 Kings 17:7-16

1. The circumstances that may cause us to question God’s promise
7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 1 Kings 17:7 (ESV)

2. The exceptional manner in which God fulfills His promise (8-9)
8 Then the word of the LORD came to him, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 1 Kings 17:8-9 (ESV)

5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. Psalm 68:5 (ESV)

24 And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. 25 But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, 26 and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. Luke 4:24-26 (ESV)

27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong . . . 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV)

3. The obedient request that exhibits faith in God’s promise (10-13)
10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 And she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”
13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 1 Kings 17:10-13 (ESV)

4. The confident assertion in God’s promise (14)
14 For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’” 1 Kings 17:14 (ESV)

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 . . . — 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8 (ESV)

5. The faith and reward for those who trust in God’s promise (15-16)
15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15-16 (ESV)

9 Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! Psalm 34:9 (ESV)

40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. Matthew 10:40-41 (ESV)