I. It was no wonder that after such a day as that on Carmel, so glorious and so exciting, there should be a violent reaction affecting the whole system of a man. It was no wonder that the mind of Elijah should be greatly discouraged because the instant result of the miraculous fire had not been the conversion, if not of the whole nation, yet at least of thousands of the people, to the true God. He was in circumstances the most depressing; he was alone, many miles away by himself, in the great white desert. His own conscience was reproving him for what he had done and was doing, and it may be that he was harassed and tempted by evil spirits. We have all felt the parallel in our own hearts. The very best men, the most earnest and most useful Christians, are liable to such times of deep depression.
II. The spiritual food which God gave Elijah answers to truth, the true and real in everything. It is a strange alchemy, but it is a literal fact, that the grace of God in the heart can turn stones to bread. There is an idea, a lesson, a picture, a caution, a comfort everywhere.
III. God has enshrined all truth in Christ. He is the true and living Bread, which is the "life of the world." We must appropriate this food, and we shall go in the strength of it many days.
J. Vaughan, Sermons,15th series, p. 77.
References: 1 Kings 19:8. Spurgeon, Morning by Morning,p. 279; E. Monro, Practical Sermons,vol. iii., p. 261. 1 Kings 19:9. W. Drake, Sermons for Sundays, Festivals, and Fasts,2nd series, vol. iii., p. 81; A. Mursell, Lights and Landmarks,p. 147; R. W. Evans, Parochial Sermons,p. 52; S. Martin, Westminster Chapel Pulpit,1st series, No. x. 1 Kings 19:9-13. J. R. Macduff, The Prophet of Fire,p. 171. 1 Kings 19:10. J. Keble, Sermons for the Christian Year: Sundays after Trinity,Part I., p. 373; Preacher's Monthly,vol. vi., p. 87.1 Kings 19:11. G. Bainton, Christian World Pulpit,vol. viii., p. 362.