ELIJAH THE PROPHET WAS DEEPLY DEPRESSED. 1 Kings 19
Why? Many circumstances contributed to Elijah’s deep depression. We shall examine his dejection as recorded in the Scriptures, exactly as your physician does.
Firstly, that evil king Ahab told infamous, scheming, and devilish Jezebel ‘all that Elijah had done also how he had executed all the (phony) prophets with the sword.’
They had defied the living God and had led the people of Israel far from the Lord.
Her satanic fury burned within her; desiring to avenge herself on God’s special servant. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah saying, ‘So let the gods (fallen demons) do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow, (dictating judgment) about this time.’ Her blood pressure soared.
Elijah shot through. ‘And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba.’ He had stayed near Mount Carmel after the mighty victory when the Lord had answered by fire and the people cried, ‘The LORD He is God; the LORD he is God.’ Now he is a hunted fugitive, having scampered 75 miles (120 kms) to Beersheba in the south. Trauma always produces depression; Jezebel threatened to take Elijah’s life; he had fled several days’ journey to escape the wrath of this devilish woman. He was famished after this flight, and especially after losing his servant. Tens of thousands on Carmel witnessed Elijah courageously challenge the fake prophets: now Elijah is lonely in the wilderness.
Without help, he seats himself under a broom tree, crying that he might die. ‘It is enough. Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.’ He has lost his self-worth, not normal for the great prophet. Contrast this with the courageous forecaster. This change occurred suddenly. We too must beware lest we are swept into a jumbled upheaval and lose our reason: even as Elijah. Are you in such a one?
Then the Son of God, long before HE was born of the virgin Mary, appeared to him: ‘And as he lay and slept, suddenly an angel (the Lord Himself ) touched him, and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’ Heavenly provision for him. ‘He looked and there by his head, was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and lay down again. Ravenously hungry, suffering hypothermia (our hospital was in the Sahara desert in WW11, when it was freezing at night), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and dehydration. Marvelous what warmth, food and fluid (and tender love) can do. Again the heavenly Visitor spoke, ‘The second time, and touched him’ (he needed a healing caress), ‘Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.’
The eternal Son of God ministered to the great prophet Elijah in his hour of deepest depression. He also graciously touches our lives in our deepest need. I was rescued from the jungles of PNG during WW11. My Lord rescued and restored me, opening up study and a career in missionary medicine. To our God be the glory.
A heavenly source provided Elijah earthly food; ‘He arose and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.’ Forty is significant in scripture, signifying a time of trial or preparation, especially when our Lord spent that time tempted by the devil in the desert. Elijah, simply obedient to the call, was supernaturally helped by the Lord, in coming to the mountain where the Lord had given the Ten Commandments.
Elijah hid in a cave, ‘He spent the night there, and behold, the word of the Lord came to him,’ ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ No heavy-handiness, rather a gentle request from the divine Counselor. Our Lord deals compassionately with his servants who need tender reassurance and restoring grace. That’s how the Lord deals with us. Now the Lord knew why Elijah had run from Jezebel, but lovingly enquired from him. ‘Gentle Jesus, meek and mild’ our children and grandchildren sing. A true picture of the Lord of Lords.
Elijah exploded, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and they seek to take my life.’ A fiery zeal had burned in him for the living God. He does not imply that the Lord has let him down? He deplores the hurt the people of Israel have done to God’s covenant: he was ashamed that they had despised the altars; and that many prophets had died for their faith. Elijah suffered trauma in many areas. You, too, may feel the Lord has deserted you; allowed abuses to the work of the Lord; or has assented for many to die as martyrs. The Lord can lift the mist of woeful despair.
Elijah heard the comforting voice of his God, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ Exactly what he had done on Mount Carmel. ‘Behold the Lord passed by, and a great, strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rock in pieces 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; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice. The Lord was not in the roaring wind, the rocky cleavages, and the shattering earthquake or in the searing fire. So physical means cannot heal the depressed life; rather the gentle, healing voice of the Holy Spirit, pointing to Christ as Saviour.
Elijah wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood on the entrance of the cave. A voice spoke to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ The Lord searched for Adam in the garden; Jonah in Nineveh and now the great prophet. He repeated his grievance. The Lord did not rebuke or chastise him: but recommissioned him. ‘Go, anoint Hazael as king of Syria; anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king of Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat as your successor. ‘Elijah would anoint two kings and his heir apparent. Then the astonishing news, ‘I have reserved 7,000 in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.’
Triumphantly, ‘Elijah departed,’ unburdened: sought the voice of the Lord; obeyed his Sovereign: was consoled with the knowledge of 7,000 saints; his self esteem was restored; resigned his life to the living God, who removed the deadening weight of depression. Elijah was healed. Indeed, ‘He heals all our soul’s diseases.’ Bless HIM.