THE SECOND TIME -- Monday:
After mighty Elijah had slain the prophets of Baal (450 of them!), word got back to wicked Jezebel "how he has slain ALL the prophets with the sword" (1 Kgs 19:1). Satan so dominated her that she had no fear whatsoever of opposing the prophet. Instead, she sent word to him saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time." Upon hearing this, Elijah arose and ran for his life. Coming to Beersheba, he left his servant and went a day's journey into the wilderness. There he sat under a Juniper tree and asked the Lord to take away his life: "I have had enough, LORD . . . Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors" (v 4). The sophists of our time have criticized Elijah, viewing him as a quitter like themselves. But his critics have not challenged the forces of evil while standing alone, nor have they called down fire from heaven. Neither, indeed, have they slain, so to speak, false prophets – 450 times more numerous than themselves. They are mere pygmies of thought and action next to this mighty prophet, and greatly sin in taking accusations against him into their mouths, assuming he is like them.
Fatigued, Elijah did not lay under the juniper tree moaning and crying, but went to sleep. While he slept, the Lord sent a messenger from heaven, not to rebuke the prophet for discouragement, but to strengthen and help him on his way. Suddenly, the mighty prophet was awakened by the touch of a holy angel, who said, "Arise and eat!" Looking about, Elijah saw a "cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water" (v 6, NIV). He ate and drank, and laid down again, being refreshed by the miraculous meal.
Whether immediately or after a while, the angel touched Elijah "THE SECOND TIME." It is interesting to see how considerate the angel was. He did not shake Elijah violently, but gently touched him. It is also interesting to see how sensitive Elijah was, not falling into a deep sleep, but one from which he could be awakened by a touch.
This time, the angel told him to eat again, and told him why the additional nourishment was required. "Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you" (v 7, NRSV). His journey would not stop under the juniper tree! The Scriptures do not say the angel told Elijah where to go. But he then began a forty day journey to "Horeb, the mount of God," where the Ten Commandments had been given (Ex 3:1; Mal 4:4). The food served to him by the angel was of such a nature Elijah did not have to eat again during that forty-day journey. It is written that he "went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God" (v 8).
When he had arrived at the holy mount, he "went into a cave, and spent the night." While there, God asked him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" The prophet replied he had been jealous for the Lord, while Israel had forsaken Him, torn down His altars, and killed His prophets. Now, Elijah said, he alone was left, and they were seeking his life also. This time, however, the prophet did not request to die. God told him to go and stand upon the mount before the Lord. While there, the Lord passed by, and a great wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks. After the wind there was a mighty earthquake, and after the earthquake a mighty fire. But no communication from God came out of the wind, earthquake, or fire. Only after the shattering aftermath of the Lord's passing did Elijah hear a "still small voice," again asking why he was there. After answering precisely as he did the first time, God instructed Elijah to return to the wilderness of Damascus and anoint "Hazael to be king over Syria." He was also to anoint Jehu to be king over Israel, and Elisha to be the prophet taking his place (v 11-17). All of this followed the SECOND touch!
There is much to be learned from this account, not the least of which are the benefits proceeding from being touched "the second time." Joseph dreamed "the second time" (Gen 41:5). The garment of a cleansed leper was washed "the second time" (Lev 13:58). The children of Israel were circumcised "the second time" (Josh 5:2). God appeared to Solomon "the second time" (1 Kgs 9:2). God said He would recover the remnant "the second time" (Isa 11:11). And, Jesus will come again "the second time" (Heb 9:28).
The "second time" is always the better time, with the largest blessing. But God's people must remain sensitive and close enough to be blessed "the second time." They must not be content with the first meal, but get the second also. Just as with Elijah, the journey is too lengthy for a single meal, a single blessing, or a single epochal event. It is vital that we get to the mount of God – but it takes a "second time" for this to be accomplished. You cannot make it on an initial experience with God.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I long for a greater portion – the fulness of the blessing that can only come from another gracious touch from You.