And every mouth which hath not kissed him— This verse seems to be inserted to correct Elijah's mistaken opinion, that he alone remained a worshipper of Jehovah. Kissing the image of a false god, or kissing the hand and stretching it out towards the image, was esteemed an act of adoration. See Job 31:27.
REFLECTIONS.—We have here Elijah lodged in a cave, at the foot of mount Sinai, or Horeb: either taking refuge there as a place of safety, or hoping there to meet God, where he had once so eminently manifested his glory.
1. God there appears to him, to reprove and to encourage him: What dost thou here? is the Divine inquiry; (where he was buried from usefulness, and through coward fear acted so unlike the zealous Elijah.) Note; (1.) Whom God loves, he rebukes. (2.) When we step out of the way of duty, we should hear this voice of God addressing us, What dost thou here? (3.) Wherever God's people are driven, no place can exclude his gracious manifestations.
2. He answers the inquiry by intimating the cause of his flight. His zeal for God against the prophets of Baal had exasperated Jezebel to take away his life; and the hardened impenitence of the people, who had renounced God's covenant, had deserted his worship with insult against his altars, and slain the few faithful which remained, made him despair of success, while he had reason to fear that they would readily join their queen, in conspiring his death, who was now left alone, without so much as one to support or countenance him. Note; (1.) We are apt to be discouraged under want of success, as if the sufficiency of the power was of ourselves, and not of God. (2.) Woe to that people against whom their rejected ministers turn accusers of their obstinacy. (3.) They who would be faithful to God in evil days, must put their lives in their hand; and, as they dare speak for God, be ready to die for him.
3. God bids him come forth from the cave, and he will meet him in the mount, and make his glory pass before him. The prophet obeys, and God appears. Before him went the furious whirlwind, rending the rocks, and casting down the mountains; the trembling earth shook with reverence at his approach, and the fierce devouring flames bespoke his glorious presence. A still small voice succeeded, and now the prophet perceives the present Deity. Wrapped in his mantle, his face is hid, ashamed, afraid to look upon God, yet standing in the mouth of the cave, attentive to the words of the eternal Jehovah. Note; (1.) Though God is terrible to his enemies as a consuming fire, his voice is melody and love to his children; and to them he says, fury is not in me. (2.) When we appear before a holy God, shame may well cover our face. (3.) The law, like this tempest, breaks the stony heart of man; but it is the office of the blessed Gospel, in gentle accents, to soothe the broken heart, and softly, with kind words of peace and pardon, to bind up the wounded spirit.