Elijah at Horeb

After facing death threats from Queen Jezebel, the prophet Elijah flees into the wilderness in fear for his life. There he is overcome with despair, pleading that God end his life. Instead, God sends angels to feed and direct him. Finally, after trudging through the wilderness for 40 days he arrives at a cave in Mount Horeb. There God asks him “Why are you here, Elijah?” Similar to the story of Hagar, God asks a question that is simple yet profound. It is common that Christians find themselves in difficult circumstances that seem too great for their current strength. Moreover, Elijah took on a call that many would turn a deaf ear to — and became overwhelmed in the process. Despite his exhaustion, God desires to put the prophet back on the right course. The question is not meant for the Lord to hear the answer, but for Elijah’s own sake, that he may be reminded of his call and strengthened to finish the work.

The composition I chose is chaotic, going through the entirety of Elijah’s spiritual experience from the broom tree to Mount Horeb. So much happens in that span of time, yet the prophet is still able to focus in on God’s word.