The contrast and mystery of our God

For tonight's bible study,  we are going to look at

1 Kings 19

listen to it or read it once through, then use it to ponder the contrast and mystery of our Creator God,  Lord and King.

For contrast,  we have

Isaiah 9:6English Standard Version (ESV)

6 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon[a] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called[b]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Compared to

Psalm 21:8-10English Standard Version (ESV)

8 Your hand will find out all your enemies;
    your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9 You will make them as a blazing oven
    when you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath,
    and fire will consume them.
10 You will destroy their descendants from the earth,
    and their offspring from among the children of man.

Consider the contrast of "our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29) and "I will never leave you nor forsake you". (Hebrews 13:5)

It makes me think of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"

"The Battle Hymn of the Republic", also known as "Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory" outside of the United States, is a song by American writer Julia Ward Howe using the music from the song "John Brown's Body". Howe's more famous lyrics were written in November 1861, and first published in The Atlantic Monthly in February 1862. The song links the judgment of the wicked at the end of time (New Testament, Rev. 19) with the American Civil War. Since that time, it has become an extremely popular and well-known American patriotic song.

Which is based on this from Rev 19

The Rider on a White Horse

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[d] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

Contrast that with the Apostle John teaching us "God Is Love".

1 John 4:8 English Standard Version (ESV)

8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Let's go back and reread 1 Kings 19 and see if we can see both aspects of the mystery.

In 1 Kings 18, fire comes down and consumes all the false prophets.

but in 1 Kings 19 Elijah gets scared (fear of man) by the threats breathed out by Jezebel.

Did Elijah get rebuked for acting out of fear.   The fear isn't sin, but acting out if fear is.
 How long did God give him to get over his fear.  

I've recently come to repent of a sin in my life.   Anger isn't sin,  but acting out of anger is.

Does God immediately correct Elijah when he starts acting out of fear?

No,  let's continue reading through it noticing the grace and love of our Lord that is extended to those who love Him and obey Him.

When people think to themselves "Everyone is going to Heaven" they miss the aspect of the mystery of God that he will be a consuming fire to that which is evil, and remains evil by rejecting his One and Only Son,  out Savior and Lord,  Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Remember instead

Psalm 2:12

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

God pours out grace

In both the old and new testament,  God pours out his abundant grace

Christ The Firm Foundation

Colossians 2:8English Standard Version (ESV)  says:

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

The 'random' for independence day ...

God's Good Purposes

God's Good Purposes

15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: 17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[b] should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

Our God is mighty to save

The song "Mighty to Save" is going through my mind.

As the Spirit leads we see signs and wonders just as the Galatians did.  Let's not be foolish.

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith

10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written,“Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”[d] 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written,“Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit[e] through faith.