1 Kings 19:7 (NKJV): And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him (Elijah), and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”
Someone used to say, “The person who dominates your thoughts actually controls you.” Not only that, the words that dominate you (i.e. occupy your thoughts most of the time) can also control you! Words can either put a person in bondage, or sets a person free. That’s how powerful words can be! Today, you’ll see how fleshly or demonic words bound, but the Word of Christ sets you free! (see John 8:31-32)
After a great victory over the prophets of Baal (see 1 Kings 18:38-40), this same man Elijah was so affected by Jezebel’s words (see 1 Kings 19:2) that he ran for his life! Jezebel had said that in a day’s time, he would also end up like the prophets of Baal, i.e. death! By the way, ‘Jezebel’ here is a picture of ‘controlling words that bound, a bondage, a deception’. So, upon hearing those ‘curse’ words, Elijah escaped, went a day’s journey into the wilderness, expecting to die! He finally and somehow came to a broom tree (‘juniper tree’ in KJV), and there, he prayed that he might die (1 Kings 19:4).
But did Elijah die? No! Instead, and exactly in a day’s time (as spoken by Jezebel), an angel of the Lord came to him and touched him while he was lying down at the tree, saying, “Arise and eat.” (see 1 Kings 19:5-6) The ‘broom tree’ here is a ‘picture’ of the cross. In fact, this tree has a pole-like stem, very much like a cross. The Bible says, ‘Cursed is anyone who hangs on the tree’ (Galatians 3:13). Jesus has carried the curse (for Elijah) on the cross! The ‘bread and water’ Elijah was asked to ‘eat and drink’ therefore represented the ‘body and blood’ of Jesus Christ, broken and shed on the cross some 2,000 years ago. Now, here’s a beautiful ‘picture’ of Christ’s perfect work that sets you free from every curse! Do you see Jesus in the Old Testament? Indeed He is in the Old Testament concealed, and He is in the New Testament revealed! There was indeed a great exchange at the cross. He came down, so you can go up! He died, so you can live! And He carried your curse, so you can be set free!
Have there been words spoken against you that kept you in bondage? Maybe curse words? Or words that kept you ‘small’? Or even words from the demonic realm? Someone may also have said, “You amount to nothing good!”, and you are unknowingly bound by those words. But I have good news for you today. Your answer is at the cross. Come to Jesus and His perfect work at the cross! Here, your curse is broken, and your restoration begins! Not only that, as you keep feeding from the ‘bread and water’ (i.e. His Word), you’ll also receive His strength and His revelation to move ahead and do greater exploits, just as Elijah was. Notice that with the strength of this ‘spiritual food and drink’, Elijah then went forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God (see 1 Kings 19:8). By the way, number ‘40’ in Hebrew means ‘total rule’. Praise the Lord! You’ll also therefore begin to rule and reign in life from now on!
People of God, arise therefore; eat the bread, and drink the cup, for your journey is going to be great as well!
Also, upon your setting free, let your ‘ears’ be opened to hear God’s further revelation, instruction, and guidance for your life. Be open and allow Him to speak to you. Elijah did so (see 1 Kings 19:12-16), and at God’s word, he went on to be greatly used by the Lord as a prophet in his days, and in the process, anointed Elisha as prophet in his place. Just for the record, Jezebel’s curse words against Elijah never came to pass, ever! These words have already gone down in history as mere empty threats by then. On the other hand, as for Elijah, his ending was great. In fact, he never ever had to die! Upon fulfilling his God-given destiny on earth, a chariot of fire came down and took him up in glory! (see 2 Kings 2:11) What an honorable ‘graduation’ for him. And indeed, he passed with flying colors. Amen!
