A Life in Exile

Paul’s letter to the church in Rome is heavy. Full of theological teaching, it could be considered a seminary. He quotes many Old Testament passages to explain doctrine and the historical ties between the nation of Israel and God’s Kingdom founded in Christ Jesus. Today’s connection will reveal one such lesson that will take us all the way back to the days of Israel’s kings and a very famous prophet, so let’s look at the setting.

Elijah had just finished his great face-off with the prophets of Baal during the reign of King Ahab. Rain had miraculously returned to the land. Elijah was on a roll with the power of the Lord on his side, but then Ahab let his wife, Jezebel, know what had taken place—she was not pleased. Her message of doom to Elijah left him spinning and running for the hills. After a pit stop under a broom tree and being fed by an angel, Elijah ends up in a cave, now in a face-off with the Lord.

Elijah’s complaint.

While it might be hard for some to understand Elijah’s plight, many who serve in ministry understand how quickly the evil one can bring us down into the darkest valley after being on the top of the mountain in service. This is what Jezebel’s threat had done to the prophet, and he let the Lord know.

Suddenly, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.” (1 Kings 19:10 CSB)

The Lord then brought three great natural signs to get the prophet’s attention—wind, an earthquake, and fire. He wanted Elijah to remember the power he’d shown up on the mountain of Baal. Apparently, the days of running had erased his memory of that great moment. Having grasped his attention, the Lord then spoke to him in a whisper. I find it interesting that he repeats the same question: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (verse 13). The prophet gives the same answer.

The Lord’s response.

The Lord tells Elijah to go back the way he came. A risky move for a guy who’s being chased by the men of Jezebel. He gave him some instructions though, including the anointing of Elisha to be his successor as prophet. He was not in this task alone, no matter how alone he felt in the moment.

Then, the Lord reveals some other news.

“But I will leave seven thousand in Israel—every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19:18)

The Lord, through the wonderful behind-the-scenes work of a god-fearing man named Obadiah, had kept a remnant of seven thousand souls who remained faithful to God Almighty. He had not forgotten his people.

The Lord does not forget his people.

Centuries later, as Paul is writing his letter, he’s sharing his heart’s desire for all Israel to be saved (see chapter ten), but knows that throughout time, many among his people have rebelled against God and his appointed Messiah. Thus, the eleventh chapter begins with a question, much like that of Elijah: “Has God rejected his people?” (Romans 11:1)

He’s writing this, knowing that many Jewish believers and even some Gentile ones would be wondering about what the coming of Christ and their salvation means for the Israelites as a people. Did his covenant still stand? Paul uses the passage from 1 Kings to answer his own question.

Absolutely not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he pleads with God against Israel? Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and they are trying to take my life! But what was God’s answer to him? I have left seven thousand for myself who have not bowed down to Baal. In the same way, then, there is also at the present time a remnant chosen by grace. Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace. (Romans 11:1b-6)

While revealing just one of the many threads to God’s remnant, Paul also reiterates the role of God’s grace. The grace of God is for the Israelites as well as for the Gentiles. No one comes to salvation by works but by grace through faith. Elijah had done a great thing for God, yes, but he needed to see that it was God who saved the remnant, not his works on the mountain. That’s a good lesson of grace that will hopefully keep us from falling so far from our own mountaintop experiences.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Learning from the Past post, click HERE, or start the series from the BEGINNING.