“Take My Life, for I am No Better than My Fathers…”

The words of the prophet Elijah in Chapter 19 of the First Book of Kings. 

Have you ever  asked if you  could meet someone from history, who would it be?  I have my own list. With the exception of Jesus, I would say the prophet Elijah would be on the top of my mine.  He was, what we would call today, a real character.  In fact, one day, if you have a couple of hours to kill, read the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament.  It is truly fascinating. 

What makes Elijah so interesting is that he is a three-dimensional, real, live human being with human strengths and weaknesses.  For instance, he is involved in a terrible dispute with the king of Israel, Ahab, and his wife Jezebel, over  the worship of the true God.  Ahab sees Elijah and says, “Is that you O troubler of israel? “  Elijah shoots back, “Oh, it is not me that is the troubler of Israel.  It is you!” You can imagine that kind of comeback did not endear Elijah to the king.  

In another chapter of this book, Elijah is in a contest with the priests of Baal to see who can call down fire from heaven on a sacrificial altar.  This will demonstrate who the real God is. When the priests of Baal try and fail to do this, Elijah taunts them like a modern day sports fan at a game.   Elijah says “ Has your God gone Aside?”  That is a rather sarcastic way of asking if Baal left to go to the bathroom.  

Elijah also is also not above taunting Yahweh multiple times in the First Book of Kings, as in our reading today.  Elijah had to high tail it out of Dodge because he was a wanted man. He is being chased by Ahab and Jezebel, and he is tired of it.  He is in a desert, with no water or food.  And he gives up. 

Elijah’s story is a mirror to our own lives. We too, at times, find ourselves in spiritual deserts, places of weariness and doubt. The weight of life’s challenges can overwhelm us. We cry out, like Elijah, “Enough, O Lord; take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”  

 Elijah is of course referring to the Israelites that complained endlessly after they escaped from Egypt.  He too is now moaning and groaning.  Elijah is asking, why me?  A comment we often hear today and I am sure something we all say a lot.  

But God  comes through for Elijah.  Despite his complaining, God helps him. After all, Elijah is only human and  makes mistakes.  We all do.  God understands that, and in his mercy, provides for us.  Elijah was a great and powerful prophet but even he waivers in the face of tough times. Elijah shows doubt in today’s readings.  It is often said that God loves an honest doubter, and I happen to believe that.  God knows our weaknesses.  God works many miracles through Elijah, and God takes Elijah into heaven in a most unique way:  In a fiery chariot.  

We are a people of faith, a people of hope.  We believe that God will come through for us. There is not a more powerful demonstration of God’s love for us than the story of Elijah. And so, let us find courage in Elijah’s story. Let us remember that even in the wilderness, we are not alone. God’s tender care is always present. We may feel lost, but God knows the way. We may be weary, but God offers rest. We may doubt, but God is faithful.

We also have to stop complaining sometimes and listen for God’s message though.  I am sure many of you are familiar with the story of Elijah  witnessing a firestorm and  an earthquake.  He was listening for the voice of God in those but didn’t hear them.  He heard the voice of God as a whisper in the wind.  Sometimes, God manifests himself and his message in a quiet moment or in the gentle breeze.   We need to listen for God’s message there, to sometimes make that quiet time for ourselves.  

Other times, God is a lot more obvious.  God twice sends an angel to Elijah.  We have this view of angels being nice little chubby cherubs shooting arrows of love into people around Valentine’s Day.  In reality, they are fearsome creatures with what some people could say have a bad temper.  Remember the Angel of Death in the Exodus?  Of the Angel that struck John the Baptist’s Father mute because he didn’t believe the angel’s message?  Or the Angel that guarded the Garden of Eden with a fiery sword after Adam and Eve committed the first sin?  These are not particularly happy berings.   Both times the reading says the angel touched Elijah. The Greek and Hebrew words used here can also mean strike or grab ahold of.  I believe the Angel gave Elijah a couple of good, swift kicks to get him moving, to motivate him.  

In short, God knows what is best for us and uses the appropriate method to move us along.   Sometimes, we just need that. So friends, my prayer for you today, and your homework this week, is that you  listen for God’s message.  I hope it comes to you in a soft whisper, rather than in a sharp kick in the ribs. 

Praise be the Name of Jesus Christ!