Burnout – 1 Kings 19

“8 years ago I experienced burnout for the first time. It was like I fell off a cliff and lost control of my heart, mind, energy and strength.” Those are the words of pastor Carey Nieuwhof in his article, 7 Painful Truths About Burnout and Leadership. His first painful truth is that denial that you are in burnout accelerates the process.

After one of the most incredible demonstrations of God’s power and a major feat of accomplishment in turning Israel from Baal worship, we are shocked by what follows in Elijah’s life. God wants us to see something.

Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 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.

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.

There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” 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. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him. (1 Kings 19, ESV)

Sometimes the greatest of us, despite serving the Lord faithfully and doing mighty works in His name, just give up. Something in us snaps and we are done. Elijah has just seen the fire of God fall on Mt. Carmel and burn up the offering. He has just slain 400 prophets of Baal with the people’s help. But one word from Jezebel’s messenger (same word as ‘angel’) and he becomes a frightened rabbit who skitters south and then, in fatigue, wishes to die. The very thing he was afraid of he now invites.

Yahweh seeks to restore him, sending his own messenger (the ‘angel’ of Yahweh), feeding him and commanding him to journey to another mountain, Horeb (also called Sinai) where Yahweh met with Moses and gave the Law to Israel and made covenant with them. He tells Elijah to stand before him but Elijah stays in the cave, until finally, after several demonstrations of His power, Yahweh speaks in a whisper. Elijah is not the only one left to carry out God’s will. And there are three men in particular whom Yahweh wants Elijah to anoint, king Hazael of Syria, Jehu of Israel, and Elisha the prophet to take Elijah’s place. Elijah is done and God is going to accomplish His will through more subtle means.

Elijah does not go and anoint Hazael, nor Jehu, and not even Elisha, though he gives Elisha his mantle. Elisha is the new leader God will use. He still has a fire in him and Elijah does not.

Will you let another take your place? Are you ready to give up? Will you not take God at His word? It might seem easier to quit, and perhaps from one standpoint it is easier, but it is not better. Listen to the whisper of God. He’s calling you.