“I alone am left …” (1 Kings 18:22, NKJV)
We took long, interesting detours since breaking off from the master narrative of Elijah and Elisha in Day 1121-1122, in a desire to learn more about the manifestation of spiritual mantles.
In that teaching we extensively referred to the prophets of Baal sitting at the table of Jezebel (1 Kings 18:10), and what the typological implications thereof hold for the Bride. The following two verses, 20 and 21, have already been covered in earlier discussions. We now focus on verse 22: “Then Elijah said to the people, ‘I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.’”
Two things are noteworthy in this verse. Firstly the fact that he is now standing alone and secondly the explicit stating of the number four hundred and fifty. We will start by focussing on the first statement – “I alone am left …”
On the lonely road of calling and election it is of great importance that the believer realise that his path will often be one steeped in isolation. Despite the fact that there may be people walking alongside you, it is the lonely road within yourself to get to your calling, to truly believe what God has spoken over you, and thinks and expects of you, which is so hard to accept. There are a lot of voices countering that which God has called you for, of which your own unbelief is probably the strongest instance.
The isolation is willed by God. Every hero of faith who had a great calling was isolated at the beginning of their path – think of Moses, Joseph, John the Baptist, Jesus, Paul. It is often in this time that the opponent has you doubting the legitimacy of what you believe about your calling. Jesus on the Mount of Temptation (Matt. 4:1-11) is a very good example of the enemy’s strategy to have you fall into self-doubt about what you believe your calling (and related mantle), is.
It is also in this time that you often feel that the people in your life do not necessarily understand who you are. Elijah also suffered from this. Later, in 1 Kings 19:10 (which he repeats, verbatim, in verse 14), he maps it out in more articulate terms: “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.” If one looks beyond the self-pity, self-elevation, and apparent despondency, there is a very deep sense of conviction which has taken root in Elijah, that which 1 Cor. 1:24 in the Message beautifully summarises as: “(being) personally called by God himself”. This conviction is necessary for the fulfilment of your calling – even though I am alone, I will remain walking on the path of my calling and election, even though I might walk alone.
- Selah: Are you truly convinced of the path you have been called to walk, even though you may be the only one who believes this?
- Read: 25; Matt. 6.
- Memorise: 6:22 (How does this link to the teaching?)
