Cadle’s Home Fellowship
STUDY GUIDE
Spotlight on Israeli
(Gen 12:3 & Ps 122:6)
One year after the Abraham
Accords, other nations join in
normalizing relations with Israel.
In addition to the UAE and
Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco
have normalized relations. The
growing nuclear threat of Iran,
its proxy wars with Israel and the
destabilization of trade in the
Persian Gulf are moving other
nations to also normalize with
Israel.
Jordan - an existing peace
agreement has fostered an
agreement to trade water for
electrical power between the two
countries.
Saudi Arabia - cooperative
efforts focus on building new
trade routes. An overland rail
system linking Saudi port cities
in the Persian Gulf with Haifa.
Also, a canal has been proposed
linking the Gulf of Aqaba at Eilat
with the Med. Sea, just north of
Gaza. This new canal would
greatly increase the value of the
new city of Neom.
Egypt - President al-Sisi has
successfully ousted the Muslim
Brotherhood from political
power in Egypt. He attended the
inauguration of the Coptic
Christian Cathedral in the new
city. Amended ’79 agreement to
increase border security in Sinai.
November 12, 2021
Review
1 Kings 18:41-46
It’s interesting that God did not judge King Ahab at Mt.
Carmel. God could have disposed of him for his refusal to
repent of his idol worship and acknowledge Yahweh as the
one true living God. Instead, Ahab continues in his unbelief
and races Elijah back to his palace in city of Jezreel in
defiance. Another key point is to remember that all those
who showed up for the confrontation, repented of their sin,
put their faith in God, and acted on that faith by obeying
the law and killing the false prophets of Baal. God has used
the drought and famine to winnow out who his true
followers are.
1 Kings 19:1-3
Elijah Runs from Jezebel
After Ahab shared the news of Mt. Carmel with Jezebel, she
messaged Elijah telling him that she will do to him as he had
done to the prophets by the following day. In fear, Elijah ran
south into the Kingdom of Judah to its southern end at
Beersheba, the region of the Patriarchs about 85 miles due
south. In doing so, Elijah gains relative safety as King Ahab
does not have any jurisdiction in Judah. King Jehoshaphat
reigns in Judah.
1 Kings 19:3-7
Elijahs Depression
One can imagine what Elijah must have thought upon
reaching the Kings palace after racing across the Jezreel
Valley. The magnificent surroundings of the palace, its
fortifications and its military might must have had an effect
on Elijah’s mindset. He was certainly exhausted, physically
and emotionally, from the supercharged events at Mt.
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Carmel. He was no longer in his element and was surrounded by all that he stood against. He
must have concluded that his Godly mission was at an end. He had accomplished the purpose
God gave him 3.5 years earlier, to bring about a revival and restoration of the land and the people.
It did not, however, have any affect on the dark hearts of either King Ahab or Jezebel. His
victory had no effect on them. Jezebel was still content on ending the lives of the Lord’s prophets
and she still had the prophets of Ashtoreth at her disposal continuing their control over the
majority of people in Israel. No doubt, a combination of all these thoughts racing through his
mind must have put him in a state of fear, and running for his life. In all likelihood, Elijah is
running not at God’s direction but on his own fear. Up to now, Elijah’s movements were based on
God’s instructions. He’s now moving under his own internal guidance. Many of our favorite Bible
hero’s failed in the traits and characteristics that made them great. Abraham failed in faith at
times by lying about Sarah. Moses, a great leader, failed to follow God’s instructions in striking
the rock. Solomon failed in practicing wisdom through idol late in life. King David, whose heart
was like God’s, failed in a matter of the heart. Now Elijah, a great man of courage, fails to stand
against Jezebel.

So depressed, was Elijah, that he said something he really didn’t mean - “take my life” - 1 Kings
19:4. Thankfully, and ironically, God never honored his request. We discover later that Elijah is
taken away into heaven without ever dying. In his physical condition and mental state he had
reached the end of his own strength and was giving up on life. Apparently, Elijah thought his
mission was complete and that he failed as he did not succeed in turning Ahab nor Jezebel. If
Elijah can so quickly be moved from a state of spiritual victory to a state of total despair, then we
too must constantly be on our guard against trying to walk through life in our own strength and
wisdom - Prov 3:5-6. This danger is even present today in our own christian culture. Those
struggling with anxiety, worry and even worse depression and despair are often taught there is
power in positive thinking. The danger here is that we can too easily depend on our own strength
and to think our way out of our troubles. Trials, from God, come our way as a means for us to
seek him, depend on him, walk with him through the many challenges of life. If we solely depend
on our own strength and wisdom, then eventually, we will run out of it and find ourselves, like
Elijah, in a pit of despair. If the message of christian prosperity teachers were correct, then they’d
have worked themselves out of their job. We’d all be free of our troubles and life’s challenges just
by rearranging our mindset to positive thinking. The life of a victorious christian is not found in
positive thinking but in the positive results of a life filled by the Spirit and walking in the ways of
the Lord and turning our troubles over to him through prayer - Matt 11:29-30 & Gal 5:1.

We have too many people in the world today, just like him. 800,000 people die each year because
of suicide. This is more deaths annually than from war and homicide combined. This works out
to be one suicide every 40 secs. Mental health is a world-wide crisis and in the US we do very
little to help those who are going through difficult times and find it hard to cope. Much of our
mental outlook lies in its direct connection with our physical and environmental well being. God

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ministered to Elijah by meeting his physical needs. Sleep, a hot meal and water were given to him
by a ministering angel. Those who are destitute in low income areas have a much greater rate of
suicide than any other demographic. This is simply because many of their basic needs for shelter,
food, and other physical needs are not met. It has been demonstrated that people recover from
homelessness at a much higher rate when given a quality place to live and opportunity to
improve. What could the Church accomplish if it focused on and ministered in meeting the
physical needs (shelter, food, love) of the impoverished in our society?

1 Kings 19:8
Elijah Journeys to Mount Horeb (Mt. Sinai)

God not only provides for Elijah’s physical recovery in a supernatural way, but God also directs
his path forward, giving him guidance on what he is to do next. The angel tells him he must eat
because he is going on a long journey to Mount Horeb which is 200 miles south through the
wilderness. Mount Horeb was the place where God presented himself and gave the Ten
Commandments to his people. This is God’s mountain; and it served as a sanctuary and the
training ground for his people. This is in stark contrast to the spiritual rebellion at Mount
Hermon far to the north.

Elijah’s 40 day journey is very symbolic in that it represents a difficult time of testing and a
rejuvenation of his faith in God’s provision. The number 40, in scripture, is used to represent a
period of testing which results in an improved outcome.

Gen 7 - The flood rain lasted 40 days and nights testing the faith of those onboard the
Ark and cleansing the earth of sinful man and defiled animals.

Ex 34 & Deut 9 - Moses spent 40 days and nights on Mount Horeb waiting on the Lord
to present the Ten Commandments (twice) without food or water.

Matt 4 - Jesus is Baptized and then is sent into the wilderness for 40 days and nights by
the Spirit to be tested before his 3.5 year minister begins.

The wilderness was seen by the Hebrews as a place where evil resides. Read about Azazel and the
scapegoat in Lev 16:10. This journey by Elijah was a testing and a rejuvenation of his faith.
Success in coming out the other side of the wilderness was only possible through faith in the
Spirit to sustain him.

But why this journey to Mount Horeb? God wanted to reconnect Elijah, and therefore Israel,
with himself by reminding him of what took place at Mt. Horeb during the time of the exodus.
This is the placed in Ex 19, where God told Moses to gather the people to the base of the
mountain. Up to now the promises of God were made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God has
gathered his people to himself to present himself and to make a betrothal, a mutual promise,

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directly to them in Ex 19:5-6, “if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall
be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a
kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

God said to Moses in Ex 19:10-19, he will come in a cloud, on the third day, after the people
consecrate themselves by washing their garments, as though they are white as snow as it will be
in heaven. This is reminiscent of the groom coming for his bride, in waiting, who has prepared
her wedding gown for the wedding feast. They must make a buffer zone around the mountain,
just as the throne guardians in heaven guard the throne of God to protect those who approach to
closely. As we know, not all spirit beings are following the will of God. A trumpet will sound
(rapture) and the people will leave their tents and be gathered up to the mountain. God descends
in thunder, lightning, in fire and an earthquake shakes the mountain. Similarly, at the end of days,
the Lord will descend on the clouds and gather his people (elect) to himself just as it is described
in Rev 6:12 and Matt 24:30.

1 Kings 19:9-14
Elijahs Cave

God gives Elijah shelter in a cave while at Mount Horeb. Today, there exists a shallow cave on the
mountain of Jabal-al-Lawz in Saudia Arabia in ancient Midian. See video at minute 29 for a view
of this cave … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQLHXq4BmX4

God converses with Elijah in the cave and allows him to vent all that has been troubling him. As
we realize ourselves, this venting has tremendous recuperative powers. God is showing us in a
very personal way, that he cares about us, knows of struggles and gives us permission to vent to
him. In his venting, Elijah protests. He tells God that he has done what has been asked of him
and in returnee is hunted and the only prophet left. It is interesting that God does not defend
his actions or refute what he is saying. Instead, God demonstrates to Elijah who he is. In the
same way, this is how God reacted to Job’s protests on how he was being treated even though he
was innocent. Our ways are not his ways. Do not rely on your own understanding - Prov 3:5-6. In
his protest, Elijah is feeling sorry for himself and says, inaccurately, that he is the only one left.
However, this is not the case. We have no indication that the 100 prophets of God who were
being hidden had been killed. Our feelings often times lead our thinking astray. We come to
wrong conclusions which only serve to make our matters worse. The Bible warns us not to trust
our feelings or emotions. Prov 29:11 says, “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man
quietly holds it back.” We often times, in anger, say things we don’t really mean. We have to
remind ourselves to be in control by the Spirit so that we don’t make these kinds of mistakes.
However, as is the case with Elijah, God shows us who he is, quieting our hearts and humbling us
into repentance. God knew that what Elijah needed was a personal revelation of who he is. Elijah
was already familiar with God’s power through the miraculous events that he has lived through.
God’s demonstration of wind, earthquake and fire, as in Ex 19, wasn’t what God wanted to reveal
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about himself to Elijah. At the time of the exodus, God wanted his people to fear him and his
judgment. However, this is not the full extent of who God is. God wanted Elijah to understand,
see and hear the Spirit of his soft, quiet voice amidst still and calm surroundings. “Not by might,
nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts” - Zech 4:6. God was showing him that
people seek after signs but his Truth is found in the quiet calling of God on a persons heart. All
the people of Israel were called to Mt. Carmel but only those who heard the quiet call of God
came.

You see, Elijah set the wrong expectation of what God was going to do at Mt. Carmel. He
thought all Israel would repent and turn from their ways when they saw the power of God.
When this did not happen, he was despondent. He did not understand what we learn from Paul
in Rom 9, that not all Israel is true Israel. This false expectation led him to question God and his
praises. Elijah forgot the Mosaic covenant at Mt. Horeb. That is if the people listen and obey,
then God will treat them as a treasured possession ensuring that things would go well with them.
God had to bring Elijah to Mt. Horeb to remind him of this covenant and its application to his
own life. Elijah obeyed God and defied King Ahab and his court by telling him there would be no
rain until he said so. In return God took care of him at Wadi Cherith with water and food from
Ravens. God told him to go to a gentile widow in Zarepath. He did and fed them both for 3.5
years and resurrected the widows son from death. Elijah should have known that God was going
to take care of him after his obedient stance at Mt. Carmel. So, God brought him to Mt. Horeb
to be reminded at the place where the covenant with his people began.