1Kings:18

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* Verse 1-16 - The severest judgments , of themselves , will not humble or change the hearts of sinners ; nothing , except the blood of Jesus Christ , can atone for the guilt of sin ; nothing , except the sanctifying Spirit of God , can purge away its pollution . The priests and the Levites were gone to Judah and Jerusalem , 2Chronicles strkjv @11:13 ,14 ,. but instead of them God raised up prophets , who read and expounded the word . They probably were from the schools of the prophets , first set up by Samuel . They had not the spirit of prophecy as Elijah , but taught the people to keep close to the God of Israel . These Jezebel sought to destroy . The few that escaped death were forced to hide themselves . God has his remnant among all sorts , high and low ; and that faith , fear , and love of his name , which are the fruits of the Holy Spirit , will be accepted through the Redeemer . See how wonderfully God raises up friends for his ministers and people , for their shelter in difficult times . Bread and water were now scarce , yet Obadiah will find enough for God 's prophets , to keep them alive . Ahab 's care was not to lose all the beasts ; but he took no care about his soul , not to lose that . He took pains to seek grass , but none to seek the favour of God ; fencing against the effect , but not inquiring how to remove the cause . But it bodes well with a people , when God calls his ministers to stand forth , and show themselves . And we may the better endure the bread of affliction , while our eyes see our teachers . * Verse 17-20 - One may guess how people stand affected to God , by observing how they stand affected to his people and ministers . It has been the lot of the best and most useful men , like Elijah , to be called and counted the troublers of the land . But those who cause God 's judgments do the mischief , not he that foretells them , and warns the nation to repent . * Verse 21-40 - Many of the people wavered in their judgment , and varied in their practice . Elijah called upon them to determine whether Jehovah or Baal was the self-existent , supreme God , the Creator , Governor , and Judge of the world , and to follow him alone . It is dangerous to halt between the service of God and the service of sin , the dominion of Christ and the dominion of our lusts . If Jesus be the only Saviour , let us cleave to him alone for every thing ; if the Bible be the world of God , let us reverence and receive the whole of it , and submit our understanding to the Divine teaching it contains . Elijah proposed to bring the matter to a trial . Baal had all the outward advantages , but the event encourages all God 's witnesses and advocates never to fear the face of man . The God that answers by fire , let him be God : the atonement was to be made by sacrifice , before the judgment could be removed in mercy . The God therefore that has power to pardon sin , and to signify it by consuming the sin-offering , must needs be the God that can relieve from the calamity . God never required his worshippers to honour him in the manner of the worshippers of Baal ; but the service of the devil , though sometimes it pleases and pampers the body , yet , in other things , really is cruel to it , as in envy and drunkenness . God requires that we mortify our lusts and corruptions ; but bodily penances and severities are no pleasure to him . Who has required these things at your hands ? A few words uttered in assured faith , and with fervent affection for the glory of God , and love to the souls of men , or thirstings after the Lord 's image and his favour , form the effectual , fervent prayer of the righteous man , which availeth much . Elijah sought not his own glory , but that of God , for the good of the people . The people are all agreed , convinced , and satisfied ; Jehovah , he is the God . Some , we hope , had their hearts turned , but most of them were convinced only , not converted . Blessed are they that have not seen what these saw , yet have believed , and have been wrought upon by it , more than they that saw it . * Verse 41-46 - Israel , being so far reformed as to acknowledge the Lord to be God , and to consent to the execution of Baal 's prophets , was so far accepted , that God poured out blessing upon the land . Elijah long continued praying . Though the answer of our fervent and believing supplications does not come quickly , we must continue earnest in prayer , and not faint or give over . A little cloud at length appeared , which soon overspread the heavens , and watered the earth . Great blessings often arise from small beginnings , showers of plenty from a cloud of span long . Let us never despise the day of small things , but hope and wait for great things from it . From what small beginnings have great matters arisen ! It is thus in all the gracious proceedings of God with the soul . Scarcely to be perceived are the first workings of his Spirit in the heart , which grow up at last to the wonder of men , and applause of angels . Elijah hastened Ahab home , and attended him . God will strengthen his people for every service to which his commandments and providence call them . The awful displays of Divine justice and holiness dismay the sinner , extort confessions , and dispose to outward obedience while the impression lasts ; but the view of these , with mercy , love , and truth in Christ Jesus , is needful to draw the soul to self-abasement , trust , and love . The Holy Spirit employs both in the conversion of sinners ; when sinners are impressed with Divine truths , they should be exhorted to set about the duties to which the Saviour calls his disciples . Henry ' _1__19 **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary **** _

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