Moving to Jezebel's Homeland

"Arise and go to Zarepheth, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there." (1 Kings 17:9)

If there was anything that described Elijah, it was his zeal for the Lord and his hatred of Baal worship. Everything he stood for was against idolatry. I wonder if in his mind, as we human beings are disposed to do, he had built a strong bias against Phoenicia.

If we check where Zarephath was on a map we will find it right between the two principal cities of Phoenicia, Tyre and Sidon. Truly, this was the homeland of Jezebel and her father Ethbaal. It was the origin and center of Baal worship.

Perhaps Elijah wondered, "How can God keep me in the middle of the idolatry I am to fight?" It was tantamount today of a Jew being told to go and live beside a nuclear plant in the nation of Iran. It was similar to a British citizen in the time of Hitler being ordered to live in Berlin, Germany. One could describe it as being an American living in Russia during the Cold War.

"Are you sure, Lord, you want me to live there?

From the standpoint of tactical warfare alone it may have been wise. Who would expect to look for Elijah in Jezebel’s back yard?

Whatever the reasons for God’s next instructions, Elijah didn’t have much choice. Living in Cherith was becoming impossible. His water was drying up and thirst alone may have driven him to obey. He had no choice again but to believe God and take that next step.

Many Christians have been faced with similar dilemmas. Leading from the Lord can surprise us and take us to places that we initially have no desire to go. The prophet Jonah exemplified such a stance when God called him to preach to an evil city called Nineveh. His prejudice sent him in the opposite direction to Joppa (Jonah 1:3). God dealt with Jonah and the entire city repented.

Whatever Elijah may have felt inwardly, he does not show it on the outside. His attitude is that of obedience. He goes, even if it is into the homeland of Jezebel.