Isn’t that what we are supposed to do, stand in for him until he arrives? At least, that’s what the rabbis advise. Personally, I can totally see myself as an Elijah, not because I ask Abba for miracles to astound an audience, but the because of the traits of coming in as an outsider, to the nation of Israel, inelegant, awkward, and construed as hostile, without mother, father, or family. Elijah seemed to have trouble comprehending what “should be” normal.
The rabbi I watched last week said that God was trying to tell Elijah, that he was being too harsh with the Israelis, that the miracles without God in them, were to counterbalance Elijah’s anger, and insistence on great events (that went against the natural order of things.) The rabbi also said, that Elijah was not listening, when God reasoned with him, so that is why he is then sent to find his own replacement. Elijah’s strictness was not the issue, because Elijah will be much more harsh the second time around. It was Elijah’s fear and his broken heart which the Lord sought to assuage. Elijah was clearly not expecting any resistance or doubt after the people had seen such spectacular and supernatural events. That is why he said he was no better than his fathers (the prophets before him.) That’s why he became afraid.
God knew something that Elijah did not. He knew that those who rebel against the still small voice of God, who reject HIS PERSON, would also not be able to set aside their ambition, even into the face of a display of raw power. It is true that The Lord prefers the gentle and quiet intimacy of long time friends, as the way to communicate with us, but Elijah was the awkward social type. Even though Israel had been seduced into idolatry, they were not quite bad enough to judge just yet. God still had some that were on HIS side!
God decided to give Elijah another assignment, where his taste for dramatic flair could be indulged, on an uncooperative Israel, but first, HE took Elijah to be HIS personal witness, to show Elijah that there was NO need to fear! He became witness to the whole plan of God, to each event of the whole plan of redemption, as one of God’s two witnesses!
