Today, read again 1 Kings 17:1. Although we have no introduction to the prophet, Elijah, this is where he appears on the pages of scripture. So prior to this, he has been called by God to speak for Him. He has managed to wade through the probable bureaucracy and has an audience with King Ahab. What he says to this powerful king is remarkable - quite courageous - and could be viewed as foolhardy by someone looking on. Consider his words ...
The LORD
Elijah uses the covenant name for God - Yahweh. Using the covenant name speaks to the relationship that exists between God and His covenant people, whether they recognize it or admit it.
the God
Here Elijah uses the name Elohim. Elohim is the name God uses for Himself in Genesis 1:1 when He begins to speak this world into being. It addresses God as the creator, the divine one.
the God of Israel
Elijah stresses that this God is the God over Israel. Not Baal. And Israel includes both the people and the land and the produce of the land. All - under Yahweh.
the God of Israel lives
Unlike an idol of stone, or bronze, or wood ... the God of Israel is alive
whom I serve
Elijah makes his loyalties clear.
If you are reading in the NIV, these are the words you read, "whom I serve." However, if you are reading a more literal translation (like the NASB or NRSV) of these Hebrew words, the translation reads, "before whom I stand". That phrase indicates "where one takes his/her stand". It says that the person is vertical, not bowed or prostrate. Both bowing and standing communicate respect. However, there is a difference between the two body positions. Bowing and prostration have their focus on humbleness and submission. When you bow your head in prayer ... or kneel before the Father ... or stretch yourself out prostrate before Him ... you are saying with your body that you submit to the Lordship of Yahweh.
Standing has its focus on presenting oneself for service or presenting oneself as a gift. I can see why the translators of the NIV used the phrase "whom I serve." But I love the image the original phrase portrays.
The next occasion you have to stand in an assembly and sing - a song of praise, or a song of commitment - let that image settle in your mind and spirit. You are presenting yourself before Elohim for his service. You are presenting yourself to Yahweh as a gift - freely given.
Elijah then proceeds to tell King Ahab about the coming drought. It's not random - choosing rain to be the wake-up call. Remember, Baal is the god of the storm, the god of rain and fertility of the earth. The idolatrous Israelites have adopted a world view that ascribes rain and fertility to Baal. Jehovah is about to confront their world view!
This is the God of creation - the one who holds the lightening and the thunder and the storm in His hand. Listen to His words to His servant, Job ...
"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? ............... Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail, which I reserve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle? What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth? Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm,. to water a land where no man lives, a desert with no one in it, to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass?Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew?" (Job 38:4 - 7, 22 - 28)
God is about to show these Israelites, through Elijah, that the answer to these questions is NOT Baal!
This is the God before whom EVERY knee will eventually bow. Join me as I choose to both bow and stand before THE LIVING GOD willingly ... now.
Here I am Lord ... use me.
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