Go and Hide

Posted On March 20, 2021

I Kings 17: 2-7; 3 Kingdoms 17: 2-7

One of my seminary teachers once said, “God loves us just as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us just as we are”. That statement has stayed with me through all the years of ministry and personal experience. Although it is sometimes difficult to accept, we know that our Lord is intent upon bringing His people to reflect the image of Christ Himself. He is ever changing us for our good and His glory.

In our previous episode, the holy prophet, Elijah, stood before the king and boldly proclaimed the word of the living God: “As the Lord God of Hosts lives …. There shall not be any dew or rain during these years except by my word”.

We are not told what happened next. With nothing said about facial expressions, verbal responses nor hostile reactions, we might assume that there was a period of overwhelming silence and paralytic stillness. Without a doubt, King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were both stunned and infuriated.

“Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah saying, “Depart and go eastward and hide by the Brook Cherith which flows into the Jordan” (I Kings 17:3)

Apparently, upon hearing the word of the Lord (which may have come as a whisper within), Elijah left the king’s court without hesitation or explanation and made the 35-mile journey to the brook known as Cherith. The brook ran through a valley near Jericho and emptied into the Jordan River about 7 miles north of the Dead Sea. A desolate place for sure.

There was no reason given. The only information he had was: “You shall drink water from the brook, and I shall command the ravens to feed you there” (vs.4). He may wellhave wondered what this sudden call to “go and hide” could mean. As we will learn later, Jezebel certainly wanted to have him killed, so it was wise to flee.  However, might there be a greater purpose in God’s plan for Elijah to be exiled to such a place and to depend upon a trickling brook and morsels from some birds? What could be gained from this time of seclusion? The answers would soon come.

Elijah had stood tall and courageously delivered the word of the Lord in a hostile environment. Now, the retreat at Cherith would provide an opportunity for rest and preparation for more battles yet to come. Here at Cherith, he would be strengthened in his faith in God’s provision and promise.

Jesus said, “every branch that bears fruit He (the Father) prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2) and “without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Likewise, in order to further our spiritual growth and fruitful service to God, and be better prepared for what lies ahead, we may find the lessons at Cherith most rewarding.

The word Cherith means: a cutting, piercing, slaying or tearing asunder. This might imply that during his stay at Cherith, Elijah would experience a work of divine inner surgery which would remove (cut away, tear out) any weakness of soul (such as pride, self-love or vainglory). It would pierce to his heart to remove fear, anxiety, doubts, sloth, envy, etc.  The work would not be done to slay him, but to strengthen him; not to punish him, but to prepare him; not to chastise him, but to cleanse him.  “if anyone cleanses himself …… he will, be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2Timothy 2:21). There was yet much he would be called to do in serving God and he must be fit for the task.

St. Paul refers to this inward work, “those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24).

In order to be further effective for what lay ahead, Elijah must be freed from any entanglements of self and present himself as an instrument through whom God’s power could flow. “We have this treasure (God’s glory) in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us” (II Corinthians 4:7).

We, too, yield to God’s cleansing work as we humbly submit ourselves in prayer, fasting, repentance, confession and standing quietly in His presence. We beg to be emptied so that we may be filled.

Along with this cutting away of any sin, weakness or fault which may have been clinging to Elijah, the Lord taught a second important lesson for God’s servants. God will take care of those who trust Him.

Day after day (and perhaps weeks and even months) passed as Elijah sat in his wilderness retreat. The precious virtue of humility was being formed in every part of his being. As he received the bits of food from the visiting ravens and drank from the little brook trickling over the rocks, the prophet became increasingly aware of his need to thoroughly trust in God’s lordship over every portion of the world around him. Without the twice-daily deliveries of food (as meager as it must have been) and the thirst-quenching waters, Elijah would not survive. So, what began as a whisper within him became a resounding shout – “You shall drink from the brook … I shall command the ravens to feed you there.” God said it; Elijah now understood it! He was reassured that God can, and will, keep His promises. St. Paul echoed this profound truth in referring to the faith of Abraham, “being fully convinced that what He had promised, He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:21).

We do not know how much time elapsed for Elijah by the Brook Cherith. We may conclude, however, that he acquired an unshakable trust in God’s power and an unbreakable faith in God’s promise. In this experience of humiliation and isolation, he was more equipped with the grace of humility and the assurance of the Lord’s presence. Through his weakness, he would become strong. But the work was not finished. He would now be prepared for the next phase of God’s preparation: “Arise, go to Zarephath …. and dwell there.” (I Kings 17:9)

May those of us who desire to serve the Lord, but are hampered by some sins, faults and spiritual weaknesses, listen to His whispered call, “Go and hide by (your) Brook Cherith.”

Remember, He loves us too much to leave us as we are just now.

Grace and peace be with you.

 Fr. Andrew