(24) And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.
Poor woman! notwithstanding the long series of miracles, which she and her household were supported by, ought to have convinced her that Elijah was a man of God; yet, it should seem, the death of her child staggered her faith. Alas! what poor creatures the best of us are. It is only for Jesus to throw down one of our props, and like Jonah, we think we do well to be angry. Dearest Lord! increase our faith!
REFLECTIONS
IN contemplating the character of Elijah, as represented to our view in this chapter, what an illustrious example doth he stand forward, of the noblest faith! With what confidence do we see him going in before the idolatrous king of Israel, to tell him, that for his impiety, God had shut up the heavens, and their influences! With what confidence in his God doth he proceed to hide himself by the brook, where there could be no sustenance, but what should be sent to him miraculously! With what cheerful resignation doth he remove to Zarephath, when the brook became dry; still depending for his daily supply from the same resource of faith! And while he knew, that Jezebel was feasting the false prophets with luxuries, at her table daily, how delightfully doth Elijah feast himself on the product of the barrel of meal, and the cruse of oil, under the favor and smiles of the Lord? And yet, if possible, still more, when by the alarming visitation of his hostess' son's death, the Lord seemed, for the moment, by this breach, to have made a breach in her affection to him, and all his peace and comfort; how truly glorious doth the man of God then appear, in the exercise of a faith almost unparallelled. And,
Reader! what shall be our improvement in this view of the prophet? What indeed, should it be, what ought it to be, but to look more stedfastly than ever we have yet done, unto all-precious Jesus, who is the Author and Giver of faith! Was it not the Spirit of Christ which was in the prophets, which did signify to them the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow? The Holy Ghost, by his servant the apostle Peter, hath graciously taught the church that this was the case! And may we not, from the same blessed authority, conclude that it must have been the same Spirit of Christ in the prophets, which led them on to such glorious deeds, as are recorded of them in his holy word? And shall we not then, under this precious assurance, look up to Jesus, all-gracious Jesus now, and beseech him to give us the like precious faith, through the righteousness of God our Saviour? Yes! thou Almighty Author and Finisher of our faith, to thee would I direct mine eyes, beseeching thee to grant me such measures of this blessed principle, in the view of thy servant the prophet here set forth, that when called upon in public, I may be bold for thy truth, and when retiring into private, I may live by faith upon thee, thou Son of God, when all creature comforts, like the brook, shall dry up. And, Lord Jesus! grant that I may be the follower of them, who now, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. And being compassed about with so great a cloud of wit nesses, may we lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset thy people, and run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus!