Why would God speak to Elijah - and us - in a “still, small voice”?
Why would God speak to Elijah - and us - in a “still, small voice”? 9 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for 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. 11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 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?
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Asked August 11 2021
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
To me, the imagery appearing here is indicative of God not forcing or compelling people to follow or obey Him by displays of raw power (although he undeniably possesses that ability), but -- having made that power evident (as He also did at Mount Sinai) -- choosing instead to deal with people in a more subdued, loving manner based on mercy, calls to repentance, and faith (as He did ultimately and finally through the incarnation and ministry of Christ).
Jack Gutknecht
There are times when the glory of God is too much for any human being to take. His power is a terrible reality, and sometimes we simply want to know that he is our friend. This is what God revealed to Elijah: ‘And after the fire the sound of a low whisper' (1 Kings 19:12).” God speaks the same to us. Rarely, God speaks through a thundering display of His power. But most of the time he does it through the ordinary. We’re not called to play “hide-and-seek” with the LORD. He’ll see fit to speak to us in ways in which we can definitely hear and respond. It’s usually not the hearing that’s the problem, but the responding. Thankfully, in the story of Elijah, these words of God met him and the prophet responded by completing the task that God had set for Him. Whether God is speaking through His power or His quiet presence, our call is to respond. May we do that today. (Mike Leake) To look for God in something big (rallies, churches, conferences, highly visible leaders) may be to miss Him because He is oft found gently whispering in the quietness of a humbled heart. LASB Hark! There comes a whisper Stealing on thine ear: ’Tis the Savior calling, Soft, soft and clear. Refrain “Give thy heart to Me, Once I died for thee”; Hark! Hark! Thy Savior calls: Come, sinner, come!
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