1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” ……. 15 Then the Lord said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria.
1 Kings 19:1-10,15
Q & A：
- How does the situation where Elijah, the mighty man of God with powerful prayers slipped into despair and depression after receiving the life-threatening word from Jezebel tell you about the vulnerability of an individual towards hearing people’s harsh or unkind words irrespective of his/her position, achievements or social status? (1 Kings 19:2; 2 Tim 1:7)
- Have you come across anyone you know who may be struggling with mental health issues or depression as a result of harmful words, pressure from parents, peers or worldly expectations, including third culture kids, youths, young adults or successful career people and what are the key issues that can be addressed? Discuss your experience from hearing the 3 categories of words (monotonous, affirmative, destructive) and the different effects on your emotion, self-esteem or self-pity. (Prov 15:4; 1 Kings 19:10)
- Knowing the power of word can either bring damage or assurance to the life of the listener, discuss by choosing to listen to the positive voice, what scriptures (Word of God) helped to comfort you or bring you out of fear or despair whenever you felt down, lonely or even forsaken. How can you practically help or journey with those who are suffering from despair or depression, seeing how God would never forsake us but looked after to restore His servant, Elijah from the lowest point in his life with provision of food by the angels? (1 Kings 19:7-9, 15)