Pastor Nate Brosher
Mar 16, 2025
1Kings 19:2-4 NLT - 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: "May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them." 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died."
1. Equipped but Intimidated
Broom/Juniper tree – The Hebrew word "rōtem" is often translated as "juniper" in the King James Version, but it actually refers to a species of broom known as the white broom (Retama raetam). Not a juniper tree in the botanical sense.
The retama raetam produces Scotch broom (Cytisusscoparius) which is toxic to humans and some animals, particularly when ingested. If taken in larger amounts, the toxins can weaken the heart and cause heart and circulation problems.
1 Kings 19:10-14 NLT... 10 Elijah replied, "I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too." 11 "Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 He replied again, "I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too."
■ Elijah was at a place of desperation and turmoil within himself.
■ NO limits with God!
1 Kings 19:18 NLT - ... 18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!"
Jehovah Jireh – The Lord will provide.
2. Be Still and know that I am God!
Psalms 46:8-11 NLT - 8 Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction (Shammah – astonishment, wonderful thing) upon the world. 9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." 11 The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
The Hebrew word translated as "be still" (רָפָה, rāpâ) can mean "to slacken, let down, or cease". It suggests a call to stop striving, worrying, and fighting, and to surrender to God's control.
■ Know that I am God
■ The Promise