1 Kings 19:9-18

Elijah at Horeb.

Elijah went in the strength of the refreshment he had received from the Angel-Jehovah a forty days' journey to Horeb. He was now on holy ground. It was the "mount of God" on which Moses had seen the Angel-Jehovah in the bush, and was within sight of Sinai, memorable for the giving of the law. On Horeb he lodges in a cave, perhaps the very recess from which Moses witnessed the Shechinah (see Exodus 32:22 ), and here becomes the subject of Divine communications and revelations. Consider now—

I. HIS INTERCESSION AGAINST ISRAEL .

1 . Observe the occasion .

2 . The matter of the accusation .

II. THE ANSWER OF GOD UNTO HIM .

1. This was first given in symbol .

(a) First, "a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord." Here was a sign of wrath upon the rulers and people, through invasion . (Compare Jet Hebrews 4:11-15 ; Ezekiel 6:2 ; Amos 4:1 ).

(b) "And after the wind an earthquake." This is a sign of revolution, whether in things civil, ecclesiastical, or both. (Compare, Psalms 68:8 ; Revelation 6:12 ; Revelation 16:18 ).

(c) "And after the earthquake a fire. This is the symbol of judgments more immediately from God (see Deuteronomy 4:24 ; Psalms 18:12-14 ; Psalms 66:12 ; Jeremiah 48:45 ).

2 . It was afterwards expounded in words .