“What Are You Doing Here?”

This chapter is based on 1 Kings 19:9-18.

Elijah’s hideout on Mount Horeb was known to God, and He did not leave the discouraged prophet to struggle alone with the powers of darkness. At the cave where Elijah had taken refuge, God met with him through a mighty angel to inquire into his needs and to make plain God’s plans for Israel.RR 59.1

Elijah could not complete his work until he learned to trust entirely in God. The triumph on Carmel had opened the way for still greater victories, yet Jezebel’s threat had turned Elijah away from the wonderful opportunities opening before him. The man of God needed to understand the position of strength the Lord wanted him to have.RR 59.2

“What are you doing here, Elijah?” I sent you to the brook Cherith and to the widow of Zarephath. I commissioned you to stand before the idolatrous priests on Carmel and to guide the chariot of the king to Jezreel. But who sent you into the wilderness? What errand do you have here?RR 59.3

In bitterness Elijah complained, “I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”RR 59.4

The angel told the prophet to stand and listen to the Lord’s word. “And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”RR 59.5

By “a still small voice” God chose to teach Elijah that the most successful work is not always the one that makes the greatest demonstration. Elijah’s anger was silenced, his spirit subdued. He now knew that relying firmly on God would always find him help in time of need.RR 59.6

Hearts are not reached by eloquence or logic, but by the Holy Spirit. The still, small voice of the Spirit of God has power to change the heart.RR 59.7

“What are you doing here, Elijah?” the voice inquired; and again the prophet answered, “The children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”RR 60.1

The Lord answered Elijah that the wrongdoers would not go unpunished. Men were to be chosen to punish the idol-worshiping kingdom. There was stern work to be done. Elijah must return to Israel and share with others the burden of bringing about a reformation.RR 60.2

“Go,” the Lord commanded Elijah, “anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also ... anoint Jehu ... as king over Israel. And Elisha ... you shall anoint as prophet in your place. ... Whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.”RR 60.3

The One who reads the hearts of all revealed to the prophet that there were many others who had remained true to Him through the long years of apostasy. “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal.”RR 60.4

The apostasy today is similar to the one that overspread Israel in Elijah’s day. By exalting the human above the divine, by praising popular leaders, by worshiping money, and by placing science above the truths of revelation, multitudes today are following Baal. Many are substituting human theories for the Word of God. People teach that human reason should be exalted above the teachings of the Word. They declare the law of God to be of no effect. The enemy is working to cause men and women to forget God’s provisions for the happiness and salvation of the human family.RR 60.5