Ordinary Time Week 5

Psalm: Psalm 42 and 43 or Psalm 22:19-28

Old Testament: 1 Kings 19:1-4, 5-7, 8-15a

 or Isaiah 65:1-9

Gospel: Luke 8:26-39

Epistle: Galatians 3:23-29

Today we continue the story of Elijah and Ahab. These two could star in a superhero comic book I think. Elijah would be the superhuman larger-than-life hero who can do no wrong. Ahab would be his archnemesis supervillain who even has the quintessential sidekick, Jezebel. Jezebel also plays the stereotypical beautiful seductress who does the supervillain's dirty work. It's hard for this imagery not to come across, for example, when Jezebel killed Naboth to get his vineyard for Ahab. (Ch. 21) But in today's episode, Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah because of the humiliation Elijah had just brought to the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. (We read that last week, but just in case you forgot, that was when Elijah built an altar and poured water all over the sacrifice and the Lord burned it up, while the sacrifice to Baal remained fire-free.) Supervillains always make the mistake of giving people warning before their evil plans in the comics and so did Jezebel. This warning allowed Elijah time to escape to Mt. Horeb. It is there that one of the most famous theophanies occurred: Elijah is met by God in the gentle "gentle blowing," rather than in the windstorm, earthquake, or fire. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Mt. Horeb is an interesting place because it appears to be the same as Mt. Sinai, which gets a lot more notice. There is some debate over the relationship between the two, but for example, both mountains are called "the Mountain of God." and it does appear that they are at least closely related. (Ex. 3:1; 1 Kings 19:8) I at least never realized that these two mountains were the same, but it does bring a new understanding of this episode with Elijah. He is brought, and I do think the Lord compelled him to go there, to the place where the nation of Israel was brought into existence. Both the incident with Moses, and now with Elijah, mention the time in the wilderness. In both instances the two prophets fasted for 40 days. And in both cases they were met by the Lord. Interestingly also, in a separate incident Moses saw the "glory" of God as it passed by a cleft in the rock on Mt. Horeb. (Ex. 33:12-23) This is very similar to the narrative here where Elijah saw "the Lord passing by" out of a cave. (19:11) Elijah also took the prudent step, perhaps learning from Moses, and covered his face with his cloak before he looked outside the cave.

This leaves one last matter of comparison: the messages. Obviously on Moses’ visit he received the Ten Commandments and the Law that would set the stage for Israel's future life. However, by the time of Elijah that was basically being ignored and the people were following after Baal and other idols. There had been a total breakdown at all levels (king, prophets, priest, people) in terms of Covenant faithfulness. Elijah's message was an attempt to restore Israel back to the Lord and the Covenant. He was to anoint Hazael king over Aram. This is Interesting in the fact that Aram is a foreign power and not under the Covenant. Yet the Lord still had plans to use them and showed his sovereignty in this appointment.

Second, he was to anoint Jehu king of Israel. This was a change in the royal  family of Israel and judgement on Ahab, Jezebel and their son Jehoram, the current king to be replaced. Jehu did some good things, like killing the prophets of Baal, (2 Kings 10:19-28) but he was also hassled by Hazael and the Lord declared he would punish Israel for the sins of the house of Jehu. (2 Kings 10:32; Hosea 1:4-5)

Finally, Elijah was to anoint Elisha as prophet of Israel in his place. This was a declaration of the end of Elijah's ministry and the start of something new in Israel. Elijah was taken up into heaven after Ahab's death and it fell to Elisha to continue calling Israel back to the Lord and Covenant faithfulness.

I think I have gone into enough background information here, but I sometimes find that I forget a lot of details about the Old Testament and even some of the basic facts like the connection between Mt. Sinai and Horeb. So often when this passage is preached it is to emphasize the Lord revealing himself in the quiet breeze. The implication is often that God meets us in quiet, unassuming ways and often in a "still, calm voice" rather than in hug acts and clanging cymbals. This may usually be true, but of course God can meet us in any way he chooses. But I think there is much to be learned from the history of Israel and their falling away from the Lord, and the continual attempts to call them back to God and the Covenant. There is a lot in their history about sin, grace, mercy, judgement, and ultimately restoration and salvation for us to draw from. We are a part of the same story as well in the Church and we don't want to repeat the same mistakes. So let us take the time to learn about the past and draw both wisdom and inspiration.

Grace and Peace.