Gods Sabbath

T HE C ONSEQUENCES OF G OD ’ S P LANS

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seized him. He had been exalted to Pisgah’s top; now he was in the valley. While under the inspiration of the Almighty, he had stood the severest trial of faith; but in this time of discourage ment, with Jezebel’s threat sounding in his ears, and Satan still apparently prevailing through the plotting of this wicked wom an, he lost his hold on God. He had been exalted above meas ure, and the reaction was tremendous. Forgetting God, Elijah fled on and on, until he found himself in a dreary waste, alone.” Prophets and Kings , 161.1. With what tremendous relief must Satan have viewed this panic-stricken flight of the prophet. After the strain of seeing God’s plans proceed so smoothly for the previous three years, thereby threatening his cause, the devil must have been might ily pleased when he at last succeeded. Without His faithful workman, Jehovah’s plan could proceed no further. As a result, Jezebel did not die, the golden opportu nity to impress the king and his people passed, and the reforma tion largely failed. The wicked queen lived for many more years, during which she continued to control the king and deepen the darkness that hung over the land. The course Elijah should have taken is clearly mapped out in the following paragraph: Dire Consequences

Elijah

The mighty reformation could not take place

God’s problem solving

Own problem solving

Seeming relief

Once Elijah turned to his own problem solving, the mighty reformation could not take place.