Assistance

1 Kings 19:3 ESV

Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

Reading through the text of scripture it hits me again, Elijah was not alone! This verse is taken from his flight out of Israel and to the “mount of God.” He has just conquered the Prophets of Baal and had them slaughtered, four hundred and fifty of them, now he is running from Jezebel because that was her church that got slaughtered. He is running to God to tell him that he is the only faithful prophet left. This despite having been told by Obadiah that there were 100 prophets safely hidden (1 Kings 18:13). He was not alone on Mount Carmel; his servant was with him. His servant went and told him that clouds were coming from the sea and his servant is now left in Judah, presuming he will be safe from Jezebel. After he cries out to God about the situation God sends him back and has him anoint Elisha as the next prophet. The chapter ends by declaring that Elisha “assisted him.”

This last Sunday I mentioned a little of the need for a helper, the word being paraclete used both for Eve in the created order and for the Holy Spirit. The wife is not to be a servant or slave that simply does as commanded, but an active help in fulfilling God’s call on the home. Having read through this text before and wondering about Elijah and the prophets that Obadiah saved, now the chasm of difference between a servant and someone assisting you. Other versions may translate it into "served him" but the Hebrew does use different words in the two locations, because the service is different and its impact on Elijah is different.

A few years back I read a biography on Robert E. Lee by Michael Korda. He noted the way that General Lee was with ineffective Generals. He would give the example of a General that would foolishly follow orders to the destruction of his unit. General Lee would come extremely upset and demand why he had done such a reckless act, “following orders” was the reply and so General Lee walked away and quietly removed the general to a less critical theater. This is true of all manner of life. As I would work as an Engineer the difference between men on a team and those that were simple “clock punchers” was not title or ability but the heart of the individual. Are they simply “obeying orders” or engaged in the effort? The reality being that men and women as part of the church need each other to assist them in the tasks that God has given us to do and simply serving often simply leaves others alone.

 You see, on Mount Carmel Elijah was alone because the servant “didn’t count.” He was a living breathing person that had served Elijah faithfully but he did not assist him. Elijah needed assistance, someone dedicated to the LORD and the mission field of Israel. Someone engaged in ministry with him because he could not do it with a mere servant. A task so large you need help, not only men and women willing to turn screws but who press themselves into the cause heart and soul.

This then is the goal of faithful ministry: an assembly of believers met together under the preaching of God’s word. That unfolds as we are called upon to serve God by assisting in the discovery of our brother’s and sisters that have not yet come to believe. Blessed to be the means God would use for the growth of his kingdom at home and abroad!

CRUCE, DUM SPIRO, FIDO