So he came and knocked on the door and asked 'do you need any milk because by the time it takes me to get my wheel fixed all the milk that I have is going to go off'. Elijah was not running away, he was being removed. How do we build on it. A normal person can walk around 3 miles per hour, so that would be 30-36 miles a day. As I was thinking about this, I noticed the simplicity of it. This passage details the majesty and sovereignty of God, highlighting that not only will He not forsake His people but also that God is in complete control amidst chaos and confusion. It is a declaration that he is working our His eternal purposes, There is nothing in Scripture to indicate this on the contrary the implication is that he, Last week we saw there were lessons Elijah had to learn in going to the brook Cherith, and here we see them being put into practice as Elijah waited: (i), When our brook seems to dry and we are tempted to cry out. Take heart. When God saw that there was suffering in the world but Elijah was unaware of it, He told him to go to Zarephath, the widow (BT Sanhedrin 113a). Now it is while Elijah is by the Brook Cherith, in a deep ravine in the wild and rugged terrain of Gilead, being cared for by creatures who clearly show more obedience to God than that greedy and self-serving Ahab, that something unexpected happens. Information and translations of cherith in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. What if we see the hard times coming in advance? God has always given me what was needed. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. Ahab and Jezebel were the most wicked and evil rulers Israel had ever known. There are so many distractions that demolish our best plans. Christianity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for committed Christians, experts in Christianity and those interested in learning more. God knows that faith only develops under pressure. So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. Eventually one day it dried up! We first meet Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1 when he suddenly appears to challenge Ahab, an evil king who ruled the northern kingdom from 874 to 853 BC. Due to King Solomon not listening to God during his reign as king and obtaining multiple wives, pursuing fleshly passions, and worshipping other gods, God told Solomon that he would stripped the nation of Israel from his family and He did so through Solomon's son Rehoboam (1 Kings 11:1-13). He raised a boy from the dead and called down fire from heaven. This Bible lesson is targeted for an older elementary Sunday School . Easy. Elijah was a Prophet. He just went and did what he was told. Last time we looked at the state of Israel at the time Elijah came on the scene. Keil and Delitzsch call this the "most simple and natural" understanding: The time given, "the third year," is not to be reckoned, as the Rabbins, Clericus, Thenius, and others assume, from the commencement of the drought, but from the event last mentioned, namely, the sojourn of Elijah at Zarephath. What we see in Elijah is that even though he didnt know what was going to happen next. Did Jesus know from the outset that He was the Son of God or did Mary tell Him? See, for example: After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying [ESV], And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying [KJV], Now it happened after many days that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying [NASB], After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah [NIV]. After he said it, God told him, "Now, go to the brook." He didn't tell Elijah what was going to happen at Cherith; he just said, "Go to the brook and hide yourself." Elijah didn't know the future, but he did have God's promise: "I'll provide for you there." Dont run ahead of Me, rather follow behind looking primarily to Me not to the work. The numbers of the victims of human trafficking and the stories behind the numbers are why Blissful Faith is partnering with nonprofit organizations to help fund rescues and recovery programs for those entrapped in bondage. It is actually at the crisis point when there is nothing left that the Word of the Lord came to him. 1 /5. He was here because of Gods direction which was supported with a promise of provision. 2 arm shields, 2 face shields, 1 hat + 1 paracord bracelet PLUS free Alpha Defense decal, just $34.99! Yet it did. God had spoken to this nation. Human Rights Awareness | Christian Outreach Ministry. Joseph was in prison, falsely accused and isolated. Doesnt Exclude the possibility of a sudden crisis. That Elijah learned his lesson well is seen in what he said to the widow in v.13,14. Go show yourself is easy to hide yourself is hard! God provided for the whole lot. Had the brook not dried up, he would have stayed there. But Elijah didn't have to be fully trained before God called him into ministry; God developed Elijah as he went along. This is one of the great lessons from the life of Elijah. It wasnt just for a little while that he stayed there, he continued day after day. He would have been high on adrenalin and on grace. Elijah is kept safe by the brook Cherith, until it dries up. For God did not give him a word of rebuke, rather Gods Word came as a reward to him to guide his next step. Sometimes a Cherith experience is there to get the world out of us. God has prepared a place for Elijah. There he remained until the brook dried up from lack of rain. God knows where Elijah is. - 1 Kings 17:2-6 : 869 BC: God instructs Elijah to go to a widow in Sidon. Mark. Cherith is a place where our pride is removed. Is this how we look at the trials in our Christian life as tests in Gods school of faith aimed to see if we have learned faiths lessons taught up to this point in our Christian life and are able to put them into practice? We think we need a GPS system which would tell us the quickest way to get where we want to be but God doesn't actually give that to us. zar'-e-fath (tsarephath; Sarepta): The Sidonian town in which Elijah was entertained by a widow after he left the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:9).Obadiah refers to it as a Canaanite (probably meaning Phoenicia) town (Obadiah 1:20).It appears in the Greek form Sarepta in Luke 4:26 (the King James Version), and is said to be in the land of Sidon. Heb 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, Elijah - The background and introduction to his times, The Widow at Zarephath and the Provision of God, Elijah, resurrection and the fear of Ahab. OBEDIENCE AND THE WILL OF GOD A) Prompt Obedience B) Perfect Obedience 3. More importantly, here he would be alone with God. Over the course of the 22 years covered in 1 Kings, Israel has 20 kings that are wicked in God's sight. So Elijah here is put in a 'Cherith' situation and he has to be completely dependent on God - he has got water but he doesn't have anything to eat. Look at 1 Kings 17:2-3. Can I (an EU citizen) live in the US if I marry a US citizen? Below are links that will lead to different products serving veterans, active duty members, law enforcement, and security forces alike. It is a spiritual law of thermodynamics: the increase of heat upon faith produces a parallel increase expansion of faith. God knows that faith only develops under pressure. Even in the letters to the 7 churches of Revelation this warning is given, a warning we do well to take seriously as a church, Elijah had just had a very heady experience. (6) The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. - 1 Kings 17:9-11 . Cherith. And the stories that you read about him are outstanding. In this God was teaching Elijah to trust Him contrary to sight. When the streams of provision turn into trickles 1 Kings 17:7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. The prophet Elijah hid himself on the banks of the Cherith and was fed by ravens during the early . The funds will help assist in rescue operations, providing shelter, and recovery programs to those in bondage. The dog I have at the moment, no matter which room I am in, will wait outside the door for me. It is not detailed how Elijah traveled (whether on foot or by animal), but it is detailed that Elijah followed God even to the heart of this city where Jezebel was murdering the prophets of God--knowing full well that he could be next. Being in Gods will always provides us with experiences of the blessings of the Lords presence and love. US English. For Israel, this time of testing would be over the course of three years when the prophet Elijah is told by God that there would be a drought in Israel. She began with pluralism, which meant that it was alright to worship more than one God - both Yahweh and Baal it didn't seem to matter. It was here that God had said that 'I have commanded the ravens to feed him.' So be careful about pushing something or some person aside because we think they are 'unclean', we need to realise that God can use them in a situation to provide for us. There is no doubt a measure of foresight behind this for as the reality of the drought increasingly set in and began to cost king and nation it would be matched by an increasing hatred of Elijah. In a dry season, in a time of drought, a brook is a source of life sustaining water and refreshment. Enjoy! Has that not been the portion of the Lords people when instead of rebelling of their isolation through the bed of sickness or cell of persecution? For Elijah every raven visit was a reminder not only of Gods loving provision but of Gods loving presence with him as well. However, before long Jezebel tried to wipe out Yahweh's name from the land. The Brook Has Dried Up. The downward slide - from faith to fear to depression, Blindness, self focus and the replacing of Elijah, Elijah, Ahab and the arrow shot at random. If we have too much of the world in our lives we will be put into a position where we have to be cut off from things that control us. If we are where God wants us to be then we can be assured that God will work and direct miracles rather than see us perish for lack! You see, before Elijah was able to stand on Mount Carmel and challenge the 800 false prophets, he first had to learn certain principles. Jesus was the same. But in this scripture, he was locked down at the Brook Cherith . If you treat a dog properly it will actually respond to you and it will want to please you. When our actions are regulated by the Word of God and our lives are lived in the centre of His will, we have nothing whatsoever to fear. Such times are often a time of confusion for believers, and become a real challenge to faith. As we are reminded in John 15 where Jesus said Abide in Me and I in you this fellowship of mutual abiding is ever our portion, and how more clearly are such times to explore and enjoy it. Encyclopedia. See His absolute sovereignty and power that even birds contrary to natural instincts do His bidding on behalf of His people. Karen. I can imagine Elijah sitting alone by the brook when suddenly a flock of birds approaches him. The other point is that ravens were an unclean bird. Jezebel, the wicked wife of Ahab, wants Elijah dead and so God tells him to hide himself by the Cherith book, east of the Jordan River. We are not forsaken. Browse other questions tagged, Like any library, Christianity Stack Exchange offers great information, but, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company. The brook dries up. But it was potentially also a real spiritual crisis, for by faith Elijah had followed Gods directions and enjoyed Gods blessings. It only takes a minute to sign up. But its impact is also felt by Elijah, by which we see that God had in mind for Elijah to learn another lesson of faith. Thus, if he lived at Cherith for some months, and this time is added to the 2+ years he lived in Zarephath, the time mentioned by Jesus and James (3 years, 6 months) is not necessarily contradictory to the 1 . by Robert Weston. Jesus did the same with His disciples at the end of a tour of ministry, so full were they of the joy of success of their ministry, what they had been involved in: Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while (Mk 6:31). Because what she was doing there has led her to what she is doing now. Due to Abraham sinning against God and not waiting for God to give him and his wife Sarah a child, God allowed the ongoing strife of Islam and Judaism that is seen still today in the Middle East. If dogs are treated properly they are man's best friend. Remember Saul as he talked with the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus? This is the very land that Jezebel was having the prophets of God killed for not worshiping the demon Baal. Gods purpose throughout all of time has been to redeem for Himself a people that are His very own. Elijah's 'cutting away' at brook Cherith Bible Study. As we are reminded in John 15 where Jesus said, The answer lies in the fact that God is not just interested in imparting faith; He is interested in its development, in its improvement. God's provision and blessing was at Cherith. Well Elijah didn't - he stayed put. It is a place of humbling before the mighty hand of God. Having passed one grade in the school of faith, it was now time for the next. Is every feature of the universe logically necessary? The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Not the answer you're looking for? He never shared the needs but just committed everything to prayer and believed that God would provide! What we have in view, of course, in the first place, is the servant of the Lord. The Lord told Elijah, the man of God, to go down to the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan, where he could drink of the brook, and the ravens would bring him food. Jesus instructs us to consider the birds of the air and how they are provided for. The second thing that Elijah had to learn here was His provision. The Lord provides Elijah with a brook named Cherith, that keeps flowing and sends birds (ravens) that fly down to bring him meat each morning and evening. Here in the isolated region he would be safe from the searching and potentially murderous wrath of the king. If Elijah had yielded to such things his faith wouldve also dried up, and his confidence wouldve disappeared like the brook. It is one of the hardest trials that can possibly come upon us when, having been placed in the middle of comforts and just beginning to enjoy them, that we suddenly lose them. Or 'Why the brook Cherith?' God's provision was with Elijah and though hard times came and the provision in that location started to dwindle, God still had other means available for His servant if he would simply wait and be obedient upon the word of God. The brook that had provided him so much nourishment and tranquility had dried up and God was pressing him forward. He waited for God to speak to him. Just as God spoke to Elijah in the Bible for the benefit of many, His Spirit of truth . Zarephath was the second waiting place for Elijah, where the training, testing, and refining would be even more intense. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15, Church Mail: PO Box 9007, South Yarra 3141, It is against this background that now we consider v.2-6, in which we see Elijah in response to Gods instruction leaving the kings presence and going to the Brook Cherith. 1. Again, just the simplicity of what obedience really is. God was calling him forward, out of his silence. As long as I am still breathing. Before Elijah could stand on Mount Carmel, he needed to sit by the brook. So he brought in the three batches of bread. This widow's faith would once more be deeply testedand affirmedwhen her son was struck with a serious illness. God can bring a blessing through an unclean vessel because the entire world is His. The word of the Lord came to him 'Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith which is east of the Jordan'. Our natural inclination would be to begin to think of the next task. He realised that there was actually too much of self in what they had just been doing. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.'"1 Kings 17:2-4. That stream turned into a trickle, which would have then turned into a puddle, which then turned into a handful and then into a small sip. This blogs purpose is to be an evangelical outreach to further the kingdom of Christ. It is described as being "before," that is "east," of Jordan. By this method God makes us dependent upon Him rather than upon ourselves. ( 1 Kings 17:2,5) God led him to Cherith, and then God led him out of Cherith. The fact that the text says Elijah travelled day and night would presumably indicate at least 10-12 hours a day, leaving time for breaks and sleep. Jesus did the same with His disciples at the end of a tour of ministry, so full were they of the joy of success of their ministry, what they had been involved in: We ought not be surprised if our Father says. OBEDIENCE AND THE WORD OF GOD A) Able to Hear God's Voice B) Available to Hear God's Voice 2. No doubt in time it would work to his safety as we just noted, but there is no hint that Ahab was immediately seeking to deal with Elijah. Our relationship with God is not like the army where we are told what to do so we obey, otherwise we are going to be doing 40 press ups or running around a field forever. And He is doing it in the same general way as He did with His Son. As Christians, our duty is to trust God even when the brooks dry up and to keep moving forward, trusting that God will provide for and sustain His people. Now she can look back and say 'I can see God's hand in that'. This was a time of severe drought. Annette Vincent Daily Bible Study & Questions, First Person Story. He didnt have many outward comforts except that supplied by twice daily visits by ravens and the gurgling of the brook but it didnt seem to matter for he was with God. "Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 'Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. Let's look at another character study on Elijah. This is the second message on Elijah and we are in 1 Kings chapter 17. The God who gives water can also withhold it. But because of the drought in the land he was going to be affected as well. Elijah had just declared there would be no rain in Israel until he said so, and Ahab wasn't a very forgiving ruler. I really can't go anywhere without him following me! This is the crying need of our times for there is a great deal of talking but little walking according to Divine precepts and directions. "Now Elijah, the Tishbite, who said to Ahab, "As the LORD the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word" (1 Kings 17:1, NASB). In other words he was to return home, but not to the comforts of home for he is told to hide . Putting faith to action keeps it from becoming stagnant. So it was in the third year of the drought that the rains came ending it. Since that single stream of water was his lifeline, he checked it carefully. God always speaks when it is needed, not beforehand. How do cessationists interpret James 5:13-18? But God also commanded ravens to bring him his food. Hence, in having Elijahs presence and hearing Elijahs word, they were being given the ministry of God, hearing the Word of God. The Ministry of Elijah (1 Kings 17) By T. Austin-Sparks. 1) God commanded and the ravens came. God instructs Elijah to hide near the brook Cherith, where the ravens would feed him. How we should make use of the opportunities God gives us lest they be taken from us. Elijah 's message and the meaning of his name go together like a fresh glass of milk and warm cookies. Last week we noted that by sending Elijah to the Brook Cherith God was doing several things - He was declaring to Ahab and the nation an act of judgment, such that the Word of God which had been despised was now removed, a famine of the Word; and he was declaring to Elijah that he could fully depend on God and His Word, and daily finding opportunity to . Provides us with experiences of the great lessons from the outset that was. 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