Stories need characters, action, and a place for them. Compelling stories occur in time and space. These when and where markers offer context and establish the story’s credibility. Nonetheless, many consider these markers of secondary importance.
I was first impressed with the importance of geography in Scripture when reading about the prophet Elijah.
Here are the cliff notes of Elijah’s story. God sent his prophet to tell King Ahab he was sending a drought. During this time, God cares for Elijah by sending him to a brook and then to a widow. As the drought becomes more severe, God sends Elijah to confront Ahab and the prophets of Baal. After a dramatic defeat of Baal, Jezebel threatens to kill Elijah. Fearing for his life, Elijah runs away (1 Kings 17-19)
Studies of this story naturally focus on the drought and God’s provision for Elijah; preachers raise their voices excitedly as God puts the smackdown on Baal and his prophets, and everyone scratches their heads when Elijah flees at Jezebel’s threat. We rarely give thought to the geography. For example, Zarephath just happens to be where the widow lived; it doesn’t matter to us that it is outside of Israel until Jesus mentions it in Luke 4:24-26.
When Elijah flees, afraid to lose his life, the temptation is to analyze the prophet’s psychological state. We want to relate to Elijah and maybe even learn from the story how we might overcome depression. But what if where he goes is even more substantial to the story?
Elijah is on the Run
From Ahab’s palace in Jezreel, the northern hill country of Judah, Elijah runs south to Beersheba, the southernmost town in Judah. He leaves his servant in Beersheba and travels – a day’s journey – into the wilderness and outside the Promised Land. Elijah is leaving the land God gave his chosen people. After an angel provides him with food, Elijah embarks on a forty-day and forty-night journey to Horeb, the mountain of God – known as Mount Sinai. Elijah has traveled back to the beginning, where God spoke to Moses.
The geography, the travel, and the destination provide insight into Elijah’s mindset and the conversation with his God at Mount Horeb.
He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.
1 Kings 19:14 (ESV)
“I’ve done everything you’ve asked. Nonetheless, your people have forsaken your covenant, and I’m all that’s left. Plan A has failed. What is plan B?”
In light of the geography, God’s response becomes apparent as well.
“Elijah, there is no Plan B.”
And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.
1 Kings 19:15-18 (ESV)