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Elijah went into a cave at Horeb,
and stayed there. He was still fearful and unhappy; but God had work
for him to do, and he was not to be longer idle. God's people love
to pray, and to think of him in secret. They like to be far away
from the wicked world, and from all their enemies, and their troubles; but
they must be willing to be active and busy too, if God commands them. God
spoke to Elijah and said, "What doest thou here?" Then
Elijah said, "I have been very unhappy, because the people of Israel
have forsaken Thee, and worship Baal. Many of Thy prophets are slain
with the sword. I am left alone, and they seek me, to put me to
death too." Then God told Elijah to go and stand upon the
mountain before the Lord. Elijah obeyed; and while he stood there,
the Lord Himself passed by. First there was a great wind. The
wind tore the mountains, and broke the rocks to pieces; but God was not in
the wind. Then there was an earthquake. The ground shook where
Elijah stood, and he felt very much frightened; but God was not in the
earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire. It burnt up
all the trees and grass; it was a very fearful sight; but God was not in
the fire. Then all was quiet. God had shown Elijah His great
and wonderful power; now, He spoke to him in love. Elijah heard a
voice, a kind, gentle voice; it was the voice of God. Elijah knew
it, and he covered his face, and went and stood humbly before God, to hear
what He would say. Then the voice said again, "What doest thou
here?" Elijah answered, "I have been very much troubled,
because of the sin of the people of Israel. They have forsaken Thee,
and killed Thy prophets, and thrown down Thy altars. I am left
alone, and they seek my life, to take it away." Then God said,
"Go now to Damascus. Anoint Hazael to be king of Syria; and
anoint Jehu to be king of Israel. And I will raise up another
prophet to serve me when thou art gone. His name is Elisha. Go
and anoint him too. And do not be troubled about the people of
Israel. There are many of them who still love and worship me; 7000
who have not bowed down to Baal." Then Elijah was
comforted. He had seen and felt God's power and God's love:
and he knew he need not fear, if this powerful and gracious God was his
friend. Elijah went away
from Horeb, and soon found Elisha the new prophet. Elisha was
ploughing with his oxen; he was not thinking of the honor of being God's
prophet. But Elisha loved God, and God knew his heart; and now he
sent Elijah to call him. Elijah passed by, and cast his mantle on
him. Elisha understood it, and ran to Elijah, and said, "I will
go and kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow thee."
Elijah said, "Go." So Elisha went home, and killed two
oxen, and boiled the flesh, and gave food to the people, and they ate; and
afterwards Elisha followed Elijah, and waited on him. Elisha was
very glad to be with this good master. Elijah could teach him much
about God and heavenly things, and Elisha loved to hear of these things,
and was very attentive to all Elijah said. Elisha had now given up
all for God. He had chosen Him for His friend: he was to be
his minister all his life. This was a great honor and a great
blessing for Elisha.
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