There is an End

“And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.” (1Ki 19:13-18 AV)

We often read this passage and take it to mean that Elijah had quit on God.  Upon further examination, that may not be true.  Elijah was exhausted.  He was discouraged.  He felt all alone.  But no time in his discourse did he ever ask the LORD to relieve him of his responsibilities.  He had run to the wilderness of Judah because of a death threat from Jezebel.  He had temporarily left his place of calling because his life was in jeopardy.  He did not leave because he was done preaching.  He left because that was the only thing he could think to do at the moment of trial.  What we want to notice is the LORD never rebukes him for this.  He asks Elijah why he is in Judah when he belongs in Israel.  But that is only for the purpose that Elijah might process his emotional state.  This is not a rebuke.  We know this because what follows is the LORD’s ministry to encourage Elijah to finish well.

The LORD tells him to anoint others that will take up where he. Elijah, will leave off.  Perhaps Elijah felt as though all his ministry amounted to a big fat nothing burger.  He called down fire from heaven and devoured thousands of Baal worshippers.  For what?  That Jezebel still sits on her throne and is able to take his life?  What Elijah needed to see was his ministry laid a foundation that others would build thereon.  Jehu and Elisha would take up the mantle were Elijah would leave it and take it all that much further.  Elijah needed to see the end of his ministry and that his ministry mattered.  He needed to see all that he struggled through would lay a foundation for those who follow to do greater and mightier things that he was able to do.

When we do not think our efforts make a difference, we are discouraged.  Perhaps not enough to quit.  But enough to lose the flame we once had.  What is needed is to take stock in what has been accomplished and look not on the present.  Rather, to look on the future.  What will become of those with whom we have had ministry?  We they continue on?  Will they take up the mantle?  Will they have equal or more passion than we ever did of the things of God?  More than likely so.  If we have been faithful in discharging our duties, our hope is not in the present.  It is in the future.  So, fight on!  Don’t quit!  There is a coming generation that needs to see you go off in a chariot of fire!  They need to see you off into eternity still swinging!