Why Are You Here?

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [1 Kings 19.13]

When God asks a question, it is not because He does not know the answer. Otherwise He would not be God, would He?

When God asks a question, it is because we need to know and consider the answer He already knows.

This was the case in the Garden of Eden when God asked Adam, "Where are you?" God had not lost Adam and Eve. God knew exactly where they were. It was Adam and Eve who did not fully understand where they were (but needed desperately to know)!

The interesting thing about God's question to Elijah is that He repeated the same question again after Elijah answered it the first time. Even though Elijah felt pretty good with his answer (enough so to answer the exact same way the second time), God finally had to spell it out for Elijah.

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!” [1 Kings 19.15-18]

God did not question Elijah so He (God) would understand why Elijah had come to Mt. Sinai. His question to Elijah was to point out that Elijah was in disobedience (just like Adam and Eve in the Garden). That is why God told Elijah, "Go back the same way you came..." Elijah, in fleeing Jezebel had left where he needed to be and ended up in the wrong place. God was not through with Elijah where he had come from.

Interestingly enough though, when Elijah returned to where he had come from, he was to do what God said including secure his replacement.

Hmm. I wonder if Elijah's ministry would have ended had he stayed put and not run from Jezebel?

I wonder.

Father, help me to stay where You put me until You specifically direct me otherwise. Help us all to see the lesson in Elijah's story that applies to our lives today as it pertains to running in fear.