God Manifesting Himself to Man
Preacher's Analyst
1 Kings 19:9-12
And he came thither to a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, What do you here…


We may learn three things from the passage before us.

I. GOD INVESTIGATES THE MOTIVES THAT GOVERN HUMAN CONDUCT. "The word of the Lord came to him, and said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?"

1. When God investigates the motives that governs human conduct He comes near to man. "The word of the Lord came to Elijah."

2. When God investigates the motives that govern human conduct He interrogates man. "What doest thou here, Elijah?"

(1)  Life is state of servitude. "What doest thou?" Man must serve.

(2)  Life necessitates personal service. "What doest thou?"

(3)  Life contains special spheres of service. "What doest thou here?"

II. HUMAN CONDUCT IS AFFECTED BY THE RELIGIOUS LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY. Three things affected the conduct of Elijah.

1. God's covenant had been forsaken.

2. God's altars had been destroyed.

3. God's servants had been slain.

III. GOD CONTROLS HUMAN CONDUCT BY THE MOST GENTLE AGENCIES.

1. Great achievements are accomplished in nature by gentle agencies.

2. Great achievements are accomplished in grace by gentle agencies.

(1) God works upon the understanding by gentle agencies. The Gospel is "a still small voice; but the power of God unto salvation to every one," etc.

(2) God subdues the restive will by gentle agencies. The life of Christ was "a still small voice." And Christ said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will," etc.

(3) God renews the polluted heart by gentle agencies. The Holy Spirit is "a still small voice."

(Preacher's Analyst.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

WEB: He came there to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"




Elijah in the Cave
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