The Way
Under the Broom Tree
Get up and eat
Story
Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done on Mount Carmel, and how he had killed the prophets of Baal with the sword. Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods punish me if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those dead prophets.” Elijah, who had called down fire from heaven, got up and fled at that one sentence from the queen.
Elijah left his servant at Beersheba, at the southern edge of Judah, and went on alone a day's journey into the wilderness. Under the blazing sun stood a single broom tree. Elijah sank down in its shade and prayed that he might die: “Lord, I have had enough. Take my life. I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.
Someone touched Elijah. The angel said, “Get up and eat.” By his head lay bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water. Elijah ate and drank and lay down again. The angel came back and said, “Get up and eat. The journey ahead is still long.” Strengthened by that food, Elijah walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and the Prophets
Lord, I have had enough. Take my life. I am no better than my ancestors.
Get up and eat, for the journey is too long for you.
May the gods punish me severely if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the life of one of those prophets.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 1 Kgs 19:1–8
Background
Beersheba was the southernmost town of Judah, a place where Jezebel, queen of northern Israel, could not easily reach. The broom tree is a desert shrub; its shade is thin, but under the blazing sun it was a precious place to rest.
Pause and Reflect
When I am worn out and want to give up on everything, who do I lean on?