Elijah’s Journey to Horeb

19 Ahab told Jezebel^(A) everything that Elijah had done^(B) and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.^{(C) 2} So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me and do so severely^(D) if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!”

³ Then Elijah became afraid^[a](E) and immediately ran for his life.^(F) When he came to Beer-sheba^(G) that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there,^{(H) 4} but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree^(I) and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life,^(J) for I’m no better than my ancestors.” ⁵ Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.

Suddenly, an angel touched him.^(K) The angel told him, “Get up and eat.” ⁶ Then he looked, and there at his head was a loaf of bread baked over hot stones, and a jug of water.^(L) So he ate and drank and lay down again. ⁷ Then the angel of the Lord^(M) returned for a second time and touched him. He said, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.” ⁸ So he got up, ate, and drank. Then on the strength from that food, he walked forty days and forty nights^(N) to Horeb, the mountain of God.^{(O) 9} He entered a cave^(P) there and spent the night.

Elijah’s Encounter with the Lord

Suddenly, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ^(Q)

¹⁰ He replied, “I have been very zealous^(R) for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant,^(S) torn down your altars,^(T) and killed your prophets^(U) with the sword. I alone am left,^(V) and they are looking for me to take my life.”^(W)

¹¹ Then he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.”^(X)

At that moment, the Lord passed by.^(Y) A great and mighty wind^(Z) was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake,^(AA) but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake there was a fire,^(AB) but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.^{(AC) 13} When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle^(AD) and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

¹⁴ “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies,” he replied, “but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life.”^(AE)

¹⁵ Then the Lord said to him, “Go and return by the way you came to the Wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael^(AF) as king over Aram. ¹⁶ You are to anoint Jehu^(AG) son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha^(AH) son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.

Our Great High Priest

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.^{(A) 15} For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are,^(B) yet without sin.^{(C) 16} Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

Trials and Maturity

² Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,^{(A) 3} because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

⁵ Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.^{(B) 6} But let him ask in faith without doubting.^[a] For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, ⁸ being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.^[b](C)