Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Old Testament, 1 Kings 19:1-8 

1 Kings 19:1-8 

It’s one of the most harrowing and fantastic “tales” of all the Bible. And I don’t use the word “tales” in a way that detracts from its historicity. But I take it as being akin to one of the great episodes of Tolkien or Lewis. The main character is the prophet Elijah, who is perhaps the principal figure in all the prophetic line though we have no recorded tomes bearing his name. His is the model voice that rings out, and with his successor, Elisha we have a full package.

The reading is a familiar one where we find the prophet in somewhat of a retreat following his escapades bringing slaughter on the prophets of Baal. The wicked rulers Ahab and Jezebel have it in for the prophet and it is the horrific wife of the King that will have her way with the prophet and she tells him so.

Elijah retreats in a way that always leaves me thinking, “Is this the prophet I so recently encountered standing for the glory of the true God?”  Think perhaps of Peter from Gethsemane to the maiden at the courtyard fire. In his cowardice, Elijah calls to God to bring him to his end and that he represents a continuation of his fathers for whom he had little respect. Not so fast. God is not done with this hiding herald.

God speaks and in His speaking makes provision for the prophet to be strengthened. He supplies bread for the eating and encourages his spokesman to rise and eat, to drink a bit of water and have his body brought back to strength. But perhaps not body only. For the provision of bread points to a bread of which the New Testament Israel partakes for strength of soul and body. Elijah eats and is refreshed. So too, the “Elijahs” of the community of Christ take and eat and are refreshed. True enough, man does not live by bread alone. Earthly bread, that is. But oh, the glorious provision through bread and the Word of the same God who spoke to our ancient brother. We too hear , “Arise and eat.” And we are made sufficient for the journey ahead. God be praised!