1 Kings
19:9b–21—On the lam to escape
wicked Queen Jezebel, Elijah fell into despair: few people in Israel wanted to
have anything to do with the Lord or His prophets, and the queen had sworn to
kill him (1 Kings 19:2). In the midst of his despondency, the Lord strengthened
Elijah both physical (1 Kings 19:4–9) and, in the reading for Sunday,
spiritual. The Lord instructed Elijah to step out of his cave while the He
showed him three tremendous displays of natural forces—a great and strong wind,
an earthquake, and a fire. Then He came in patience and love, with gentleness
and mercy—in a low whisper. He told Elijah that he had not been a failure;
there were still seven thousand faithful in Israel. To encourage Elijah, God
also gave him a threefold assignment. He was to head north and anoint the next
king of Aram, who would be God’s scourge on Israel. He was also to anoint a new
king over Israel, who would wipe out the dynasty of Ahab and destroy Baal
worship in Israel. Finally, Elijah was to anoint the man who would succeed him
as prophet. The mission of Elijah was to be continued in Elisha.
Collect for
Proper 8: Lord of all power and might, author and giver of all good things, graft
into our hearts the love of Your name and nourish us with all goodness that we
may love and serve our neighbor; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who
lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen [2]
[1] The Cross of Christ, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[2] Collect for Proper 8, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis
[3] Collect for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 3, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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