You do not need to be a Bible
scholar to know Elijah, the fire-breathing, rain-holding prophet who
consistently gave Ahab and the prophets of Baal grief-until Jezebel gave him an
ultimatum. It has always been a discussion trigger in Christendom, how such a
mighty man of God can quiver in fear at a woman’s words. One would assume that
someone who had experienced such deep depths of God and delivered such remarkable
exploits would be above random comments and empty threats.
However, a closer study of that
scripture clearly reveals that Jezebel or her vain threats were not responsible
for Elijah’s end. As a matter fact, verse 3 of that account in 1st
Kings 19 read in King James Version revealed that Elijah took off ‘when he saw
that’. This begs the question, what did he see? The answer is graciously
provided later when he finally got God’s attention and God asked him twice-
what do you want? Elijah didn’t mention Jezebel even once. He kept on repeating
how all the other prophets had been slaughtered and he was the only one left. It became apparent that what Elijah saw was
his own aloneness, he saw how defenceless and lonely he was, how he had no one
to stand with him or by him and how easily he could be prey to any evil,
standing by himself.
And loneliness does not need an explanation, the most powerful of men can be reduced to nought if consumed by
loneliness. There was no one made who can survive his own excellence or
greatness if there is no one to share it with. That fact was confirmed by God
Himself when He declared that it is not good for man to be alone. Why then was
Elijah so alone? Why was he abandoned to take on the deep iniquity in the land
alone? Why was he left without comfort, company, or succour? Another look at
that account of scripture reveals succinctly that there was a provision for his
edification. Bible graciously records that the first stop on his journey to the
wilderness was at a place called Beersheba where he dropped off his servant.
What is interesting is that
Beersheba was actually in every sense imaginable a place of comfort.
Historically, great men of God had found resolution and peace at Beersheba. It
was there Abraham had finally found peace and signed a cohabitation contract
with Abimelech and his troublesome people. Many years after, Isaac after coping
with the futility of his efforts at owning a well also came into peace when he
arrived at Beersheba. There, many men had found the Lord and built alters.
Beersheba was in fact so blessed that Judah shared it with Simeon because it
was abounding and too much for just him. Yet, Elijah arrived at Beersheba and couldn’t
find any comfort. In his estimation, Beersheba was only good enough for his
servant-nobody there could understand the enormity of his plight.
One also wonders why he left the
servant behind? A servant who had been with him through his wins and highs, why
couldn’t he also share his lows? It suggests that Elijah probably had
relational issues and didn’t actually pour himself into the making of that
servant. It brings to fore the truth that children and protégées we do not
invest in cannot avail for us in our times of need.
The bombshell exploded when God
eventually gave Elijah audience and instructed him to go back the way he came.
God reeled off names of people with good enough standing to take over the
mandate and I was amazed that Elijah did not seem surprised at the mention of
their names. He did not request an introduction or description- he knew them
well. He knew Jehu and Elijah and all the others. So, why did he feel so alone?
Men and brethren, may we never
get so big, so deep, so amazing that the people around us are too little to ‘get’
us. So your challenges are so peculiar, only God can get it, your thoughts so
phenomenal that the people around you cannot fathom it - you are on the straight
path to self-inflicted loneliness. And it would not have mattered, except that God
in His wisdom has delivered the answers you require, the solutions you are
praying for -into the hands of people. And if you do not flow into those
people, help cannot flow into you as well.
It brings to mind the concept of
the cities of refuge as explained in Deuteronomy 19. God knew that life would
get tough, so he made provision for places where His people could run to for
refuge. He made provision for their encouragement, edification, and comfort.
That God is interested in communities is obvious all over scripture, scripture
explains that one way he answers prayers is to place the lonely in families. Those
people around you- your family, your church community, friends, and all are
cities of refuge. Do not take them for granted, do not consider them too shallow-
they will understand.
Finally, God’s instruction to ‘go
back the way you came’ was as much for Elijah as it is for us. Elijah had to
return to those people he had not considered to be in his corner and he had to
commit that ministry that was so dear to him into their hands. It is
interesting that one of those guys eventually finished off Jezebel
unceremoniously.
You also might want to go back the way you came to identify
those relationships that made you. That your aunty that taught you time
management, that friend that supported you through university, that squad you
prayed with back in the day, those people who have now become a memory- they might
just be the solution to your current bewilderment and loneliness.
It also bestows on us the
responsibility of checking on the people in our lives. Jehu and Elijah probably
revered Elijah, considering him from afar, concluding he had it all. Meanwhile,
the man was dying of loneliness. Forget social media and our on-fleek demeanour,
that person needs you. Keep knocking till they open, make it a point of duty to
stop by and check on them.
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