“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.”
— 1 Kings 19:11-3, English Standard Bible
The New American Standard Bible translates “a low whisper” as “a gentle blowing.” Regardless of the translation, the sensation of quiet and comfort comes across. God appears to Elijah, not in power or might, but in a gentle whisper.
At first glance, the action seems odd. Elijah knows God as the God who brings the dead back to life (1 Kings 17) and defeats Baal and his prophets (1 Kings 18). He also knows God as the One who controls the elements and hastens people’s feet.
A Mighty Power
At the conclusion of 1 Kings 18, Elijah awaits a coming storm—and such a storm it is! It begins as “a cloud as small as a man’s hand” but turns the sky “black with clouds and wind.” Elijah sends his servant to warn King Ahab to retreat so that the storm doesn’t wash him and his chariot away, but Elijah…Elijah experiences the power of God in his body. God’s hand touches him, and he outruns Ahab to Jezreel.
The next chapter presents a stark contrast: Ahab’s oh-so-lovely wife Jezebel puts a price on Elijah’s head. Elijah flees the city knowing she makes no idle threats; he leaves and finds himself in the wilderness. He cries out to God, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4). Elijah wants to die; he desires to be finished with this whole prophet of God thing.
God, of course, has other plans. He first sends an angel to Elijah, and the angel provides food and drink. When Elijah consumes it, he receives strength for forty days and forty nights—enough sustenance to complete his journey to Mount Horeb.
Once at the mountain, Elijah retreats to cave. Ministering angel or not, Elijah knows he faces death if Jezebel discovers his location, so he hides. God knows where he is; he almost sounds like a parent when he asks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9).
A Pressing Fear
Elijah answers God, and he answers truthfully: He’s frightened. He might even feel a little neglected or angry with God—his reply slightly rings with accusation. He says, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and Killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kings 19:10).
Elijah seems to say, “I’ve done all these things for You, God, and look where it’s gotten me. These people want to kill me. I’ve been loyal and zealous for Your name, and it’s done nothing but put my life in danger.”
God could strike him down for his impertinence, but he doesn’t. He tells Elijah to stand on the mountain. God then appears to Elijah, but he doesn’t come in the wind, earthquake, or fire—all actions Elijah might customarily associate with the God of hosts. God, after all, just destroyed the prophets of Baal and sent the storm.
A Low Whisper
No, God appears in a gentle blowing, a low whisper. Elijah recognizes the presence of God; he covers his face as both a sign of respect and protection. Elijah knows the history: People who encounter the terrible majesty of God face-to-face tend to experience shortened lifespans.
Thus, Elijah covers his face and comes out to the entrance of the cave. God again speaks, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13). Elijah replies with the same words spoken earlier, but they somehow seem less angst-filled. God appears to respond that way in any case. In the following verses, God gives instructions, telling Elijah to go and anoint Hazael and Jehu as kings of Aram and Israel, and Elijah goes without further questions or complaints. He obeys.
Elijah encounters the true God, and this God not only breaks the cedars (Psalm 29) but also walks in the garden (Genesis 3). This God comes to his children, asking the difficult questions. God doesn’t punish the heartfelt answer; as with Elijah, he listens and responds.
This God is mighty and just, but he’s loving and kind, too. He gives his children exactly what they need to endure, and sometimes that exact thing is the “low whisper” rather than the earthquake. His children need his comforting presence, and he gives it for he is their good, good Father (Matthew 7:9-11).
Image: saipal (Creative Commons)