1 Kings 18:46-19:21 and Luke 23:1-24:53 (revised a bit)

[Ben Avraham]

I KINGS 18:46-19:21

In this study, we see a second example of “zeal” for Adonai. Israel was again, bowing down and worshipping Baal, and Eliyahu (Elijah) really had enough and decided to do something about it. He initiated a contest between YHVH and Baal. Whoever answers the prayers and brings down fire to devour the animal sacrifices, that “god” would be GOD, who the Israelites would worship from then on.

Of course, we know who won the contest. Yet as soon as Jezebel, the queen and wicked wife of King Ahab, heard this, and was told that Eliyahu had the 450 priests of Baal slain, she sent a “death threat” to Elihayu. Well, he ran all the way to Mt Horeb in Saudi Arabia, hundreds and hundreds of miles away. There he hid out for a while.

There are times when a “man of God” or a “woman of God” can pretty much be tired out, exhausted, and they really need a rest. Eliyahu was no different. Adonai understood that. He allowed him to rest and sent an angel to cook for him, and reassured him that there were 7000 Israelites that did not bow the knee to Baal! Elihayu’s mission wasn’t quite over yet, he still had a job to do before being taken up to Heaven in a chariot of fire. Now that was quite a hot exit!

When we serve the LORD, we work to the best of our anointed abilities, yet we need to know when to rest. Not quit mind you. Quitting and resting are two different things. Serving Adonai in ministry is a life calling, ending only at death! So, continue to serve YHVH, in this way, we show our zeal.

LUKE 23:1-24:53


We have seen in the above cases, “zeal” for YHVH, yet in this case, we see YESHUA himself, who the zeal was directed to, in his case, he was the “lamb to the slaughter”. Remained silent in front of his accusers, before Pilatus and Herod.

Pilate asked him; "Are you the king of the Jews?" and we read that Yeshua answered; "You say that I am." Yet the title was given by many of the people. Yeshua never claimed that title, although it was fitting him. He was an uncrowned king who came as a servant, as a healer, as a teacher, and finally our redeemer. He came to serve, to heal, to teach the essence of the Torah, and to take our sins upon himself.

There is a time for a believer to protest, to speak out, and there is a time to remain silent. Peter protested with a sword, to defend his Master in the Garden, yet the Master told his follower; "put your sword away." For this reason, Yeshua came into the world. Not to claim kingship then, yet the whole earth was his to rule. His mission was to teach Torah, heal the sick, and die for our sins.

Yes, there were times when he got incensed and angry, and there were times when he showed his power, yet on the final day of his earthly life, it was a time to be silent, yet a time to forgive his accusers, to accept the nails, and to say; “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!’ “Aba, Sh’vook l’hoon la ge’ir yadeen mana av’deen” (Aramaic) and “It is finished” “ha m’shalam” (Aramaic) In this final statement it seems like the translation is saying “the peace’ (is restored)

Zeal can come in two forms, aggressive, and passive, we need to know when to use them. Shalom to all. Have a blessed day.

Ben Avraham