Rubbing My Nose In It

1 Kings 19 picks up right after Elijah has just had his encounter with the prophets of Baal. God showed up and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He not Baal, is God. Directly after this in chapter 19, King Ahab went home and told his wife Jezebel what had happened. In verse 2 Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah by the days end. Word of this gets back to Elijah. So what does this strong and mighty prophet of God do? He runs! He runs away and has for lack of a better phrase, a pity party. Despite this, it’s God response that is the most powerful and exposes a truth about Him we can cling to today. God doesn’t rub our nose in our mistakes.

In this portion of scripture, is where God comes to Elijah after he traveled 40 days and nights to Mount Sinai. God had just shown up by fire with the prophets of Baal, so it might be assumed that He would repeat that method again. In verses 11 and 12, God sends a windstorm that caused a mountain to explode, a violent earthquake, and lastly fire. Yet, God came to Elijah in a whisper. This is what we as believers hear many focus on as they teach this portion of scripture and there is no denying it’s power. However this morning as I reread this story I realized something I’ve overlooked.

Elijah was in the throws of a pity party after hearing of Jezebel’s threat. He repeatedly says he should just die. He harps on how Israel has turned their back on God and he is the only surviving prophet left. Elijah had a case of the “me’s”. Those moments when we can’t see past ourselves. Those times when we believe we are the only ones struggling or suffering. Those times when our despair blinds us to what is truly happening. I’ve definitely had those moments and have pitched a tent there. Even though I am definitely mistaken at the time, God responds to me just like He did to Elijah.

When the still small voice of God shows up, He gives detailed instructions to Elijah. In verses 15-18 it says “Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha!Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”

God dispels Elijah’s false truth with the truth. Elijah falsely believed he was the only one left. God sends in truth and purposefully mentions there are 7,000 others in Israel that have not turned on God. The way we stamp out lies is with truth! John 8:32 says the truth sets us free. Truth releases us from the bondage that lies hold us in. God spoke the truth that Elijah was not alone. That truth released him from his pity.

Moreover did God not only speak truth to Elijah, but He did not rub his nose in it. God did not add to Elijah’s grief. He did not kick him while he was down. He spoke the truth and called Elijah to now move on.

People say when you want dogs to not go inside the house anymore, you rub their noses in it. It’s literally rubbing their mistake in their face. I think many times we feel that’s what God will do to us. Even more so we may believe that God will take delight in it. This is not true. This would go against God’s very nature and all that the bible teaches about Him. God is love and God is merciful. True love and mercy doesn’t seek to add condemnation before that love and mercy is given. Romans 8:1 clearly says “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” When I look back to times I’ve messed up, screwed up, and fallen flat on my face, God has never been the one rubbing it in my face. I have. The devil has. But never God!

As I reread the story of Elijah running away in 1 Kings 19, I see a loving God. I see a God of patience and mercy. I see a God that never rubs our noses in our failures. I see a God that brings truth to cast out falsehood and restore us. God does not delight in our failures. He delights in our restoration!