Q1. Still Small Voice

[Sandtoad]

One of the ways God approaches us is in a personal way, softly, not loud and intimidating, although He can communicate in other ways to get our attention.

His voice brought reassurance and comfort to Elijah when he needed it most. 

There are so many noises and busyness in our surroundings, that unless we provide and set aside a quiet time to listen to God, we can miss His guidance altogether. 

 

[haar]

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19)

Q. Why do you think the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire?

A. To show that God chooses to talk to us in a still voice and in a quiet environment to get our attention instead of a loud  and thunderous voice

Q. How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah?

A. God assures Elijah that there were still other prophets He has spared contrary to what Elijah thought that he was the only one left as all others have been  killed. He also told him to anoint Elisha as an assistant to share his burden and assist him

Q. Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

A. It is easy to miss God's voice in a noisy environment when He speaks in a quiet still voice  or when we are too busy thinking of worldly things around us.

 

[Marcia4657]

On 11/29/2017 at 2:05 AM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

(1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire?

We as human beings, often think God speaks in the Mighty Thunder and earthquake and fire, with a huge sound, as we know God is Huge and He is God. So it shows that God does not need to show extravagant or dynamic power in communicating or warning us mankind. He could still come as gentle as a dove.

How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah?

When Elijah was broken and confused, God comes in the still small voice, as Elijah gets into a quiet moment during his bitterness or fear, and God comforts him by his gentle spirit, as gentle as a dove, the Lord stoop low to mankind, to our level, to touch Elijah to hear His Words.

Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

In our daily chores, routine life, everything is so noisy around us, there may never be a quiet time, when we really listen to the gentle spirit in a noisy environment. That is why it is difficult when we are on our run, to listen when we don't slow down our momentum or pace and sit back for those quiet times with God just to listen to Him.

[Johno]

On 28/11/2017 at 8:05 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

God apparently uses both methods to get our attention. Although more aptly it is through a small, still voice that needs effort to hear. Elijah knows it is God speaking to Him and He is comforted by it. With all the distractions in our world, which is filled with noises of one sort and another, we are inclined to rush through each day. So it is important to make time, a time of meditation and silence to listen to and hear God's voice.

[rosegarden]

On ‎11‎/‎28‎/‎2017 at 1:05 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

a.) Because he wanted you to know the differences. God can certainly talk to us in the way for power, for He is all power. But he chooses to speak to us personally in the "still small voice" because he is a personal God, loves us and we are more able to listen to this still small voice, because it is gentle and loving. 

b.) He listens to him, does not rebuke him for his self pity, he speaks to him gently and personally with love, gives him a new assignment  and gently rebukes him in telling him that he is not the only one left faithful to God but that He has 7000 followers that are still faithful to Him.

c.) Too often we aren't listening, or there is too much noise (tv, music, distractions) and not enough quiet our life that God's gentle voice gets lost in the noise.

[Michelle du Toit]

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

I think there are many reasons we miss His voice:

1. He is always speaking to us, but we are not always listening, or have selective listening.
2. Or we prefer to hear from other people, because if we acknowledge that God is speaking directly to us, it will require a decision to respond or not.  So we avoid listening.
3. I also think, that will all the noise (in our minds and environment) we lose track of what He is saying to us, or fail to "connect the dots".  This is where journal-ling and the review of a journal is very helpful, since He is able to point it out to you through the Spirit.
4. Not having enough silence in our lives, also means that we don't hear it.  The enemy steals silence, we don't even hear our own thoughts most of the time.  WE have to "find the silence" so to speak, to be able to listen.
5. We fail to give Him the internal "churn" inside of us, not praying and presenting our requests to the Lord.  Once the churn is silenced, much like Elijah needing to just REST in the Lord, then only we are able to start listening.
6. We also fail to rest: not just physically, but emotionally, relational and spiritual too.  This lack of rest which society is generally not open to, preferring leisure as an option, is not regular enough.  This rest is reflective, yet pays attention.  It is circumspect, quiet, intentional etc. Mostly, it is regular.

 

[Neil NRG]

Why do you think the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire?

The essence of God's nature is in the still small voice, not power -- though God is fully capable of displaying overwhelming power. "God is love" (1 John 4:8)

How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah?

God shows love to Elijah, even though Elijah is fearful, lonely and lacking confidence in the cave. God restores him gently. God comforts him by giving him a new assignment to anoint three men -- two kings and his prophetic successor Elisha, who becomes a companion of Elijah. God encourages Elijah that he is not the only prophet left and that there are many more people of faith.

Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

We have so many thoughts and there is so much noise in our life, that God's gentle voice can get lost in the clutter. God would like to talk to us, but too often we aren't listening. To hear God, most times we need to go to a quiet place an intentionally quiet our minds and seek the Holy Spirit within us, like Jesus.

[Damary Alembi]

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire? This is because God can show up in different ways and forms. This can be either in calmness, stillness, silence, in gentle whisper and also in signs like fire. God manifests in different forms. God’s voice is not always quiet. Sometimes it booms like the sound of many waters and loud trumpets. Sometimes is not always gentle. Sometimes it comes to bring a strong rebuke. God’s voice is not always even a voice or sound. Sometimes it is an impression, or a nudge, a dream or a vision. God’s voice is often quiet, it can guide us in what we do, it can provide comfort when we are anxious and God’s voice can also bring a rebuke.

God doesn’t always speak quietly; sometimes his voice is loud and strong.

 

How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah? God comforted Elijah by pointing him to a spiritual companion, Elisha, who will share his sometimes lonesome life with him, and eventually succeed him so that his life’s work will continue after his passing.

 

Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet? This happens when we ignore the signs at hand. We miss God’s voice especially when we do selective hearing or mistake it as one of our own passing thoughts.

[Old Jerry]

I think that the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake and fire so that we will know that God is in everything that we do. It doesn’t have to be the big things but it can be the small things also. God’s voice comforted and renewed Elijah by telling him that he wasn’t the only one left and renewed him by giving him a partner and assigning him somethings to do. The reason that it is easy to miss God’s gentle and quiet voice is because we are too busy doing our thing and ignoring everything that is going on around us.

[Gail Brown]

The conparison of a still small voice to wind, earthquake and fire I think is because we look at God in his GREATNESS, AWESOMENESS. MAGNIFICENT, AND MIGHTY, that his voice matches his character, that his voice would roar like thunder and it could but he knows that would frighten us, so the sweet still voice we must learn to listen for, with all the busyness of the day Gods voice is what we need to train our ears to hear.

His voice comforted Elijah by letting him know that he was now alone just as we sometime think we're the only ones going through this problem or that situation whatever were going through is forr a reason, a repositioning as he did with Elijah for something greater.           

We miss the still small voice when we are complaining, stressing over situations and even listening to someone else voice.

[Paul Irving]

On 11/28/2017 at 12:05 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

Because there is such a big difference between the wind, an earthquake, and fire when compared to a still small voice.  God knows Elijah needs encouragement and gentleness, because he is in a desperate place.  God is telling Elijah that He still has plans for him,  God renews Elijah by telling him that He has 7,000 people that are still obedient to Yahweh and that He has a companion and successor for Elijah.  Because of all of the distractions of this world, we must get in the spirit to hear God when He is speaking softly to us.  If you’re listening attentively God will find a way to get your attention even if He has to be loud.

[cherylbagh]

I suffer from major depression I needed this study so much. I have heard the voice of the Lord in whispers and thunders always comforting me. Thank you so much for this study.

[Botshelo]

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire? In most cases God's voice had been identified as powerful or with force as in the following experiences: For example:

God's voice is not always quiet. Sometimes it booms like the sound of many waters (Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 1:15; 14:2; 19:6), thunder (John 12:28-29; Revelation 14:2), and loud trumpets (Hebrews 12:19; Revelation 1:10; 4:1).God's voice is not always gentle. Sometimes it comes to bring a strong rebuke (Acts 26:14).God's voice in not always even a voice or sound. Sometimes it is an impression, or a nudge, a dream or vision.

But God is Love, Wisdom, Power and the Word. He will talk to us wise counsel through His powerful word. When He does we cannot be confused or miss His voice. We are encouraged and comforted.

Here is the Point:
What's the point? Probably that God's presence is best conveyed in personal communication with his servants, not in some showy, spectacular display of power. The essence of God's nature is not power -- though God is fully capable of displaying overwhelming power. Rather, the essence of God is in his relationship and communication to the person. In New Testament terms you might say, "God is love" (1 John 4:8) or perhaps, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

1. God's voice is often quiet. Sometimes, unless you're trained to recognize God's voice, you might mistake it for a passing thought.
2. God's voice can guide us in what to do. God gives Elijah an assignment to anoint three men -- two kings and his prophetic successor.
3. God's voice can provide comfort when we are anxious. Elijah is fearful and exhausted, depressed and hopeless. God comforts him by giving him new work to do -- a new assignment. Jesus comforts and restores Peter in a similar way -- with a mild rebuke
4. God's voice can bring a rebuke. Sometimes, we need God to set us straight, to correct us and our errors of thinking. Elijah has been complaining, "I, only I, am left." 

How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah?
God comforts him by giving him new work to do -- a new assignment. God also comforts Elijah by pointing him to a spiritual companion, Elisha, who will share his sometimes lonesome life with him, and eventually succeed him so that his life's work will continue after his passing. What a blessing!

Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?
Sometimes, unless you're trained to recognize God's voice, you might mistake it for a passing thought. too often we aren't listening. Or there is so much noise in our lives and so little quiet, that God's gentle voice gets lost in the clutter.

[Valteenia]

I believe he made the contrast to show us that we expect God in outer things. We look for something powerful, big, extra ordinary, thunder   but God focus on the relationship with you. Sometime we focus on outer things (distraction) and miss God's voice. This is why we need to quiet ourselves and listen.

God comfort Elijah and gave him a new assignment. We all can be in this isolated place and pity party forgetting how  big our God is. God had shown himself mightly through Elijah before this.

We can get confuse in hearing God when our thoughts get in the way. We want God to support what we want. God can speak to us but we can add to it and  be disappointed. Lord, teach us how to listen to your voice.

[erron]

On ‎11‎/‎28‎/‎2017 at 6:05 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

Answers:

Ques  1.  (a)The  author  contrasts  clearly  clarify  there  are    many different   ways  God   speaks  to  mankind,  such  ways  are  as   follows:  "still  small  voice"   to  the  wind,  earthquake  and  fire.   It  is  therefore  vital  and  important  that  each  and  everyone  train  their mind  so  that  they  can  recognize  the  Lord  Voice, and  do  not  get  confused  with  the  voice  of  the  spirit enemy,  or  their  very  own  voice.   

Ques1. (b)  God's  voice  comforted   the  prophet  Elijah  by  as  follows:

1)  He  gave  him  strength  and  direction.

2)  He   gave  him  a  spiritual  woman  companion.

3}  He   enables  him  to  amend  his  way  of  thinking.

Ques1 {c}   It  is  easy  to  miss  God   when  his  voice  is  gentle  and  quiet   unless  we  observe  as  follows: 

1)    Obey  the  Lord's  commandments.

 2)   Wear  the  armour  of  God.

  3)  Live  in  the  spirit 

 

 

 

[Paulhoward]

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

We would expect Elijah to have very dramatic experiences of hearing God, ones you couldn't miss!!!! Yet in this passage we see that scripture gives us a lot of insight into how a top prophet listened to God. The idea of a whisper gives us the picture that you've got to be listening intently, you have tuned out the distracting noise (static) ? He is told to take up a position where God will speak to him which brings an expectation that we will hear. First God sent an angel to give him food and rest, he wasn't in a state to hear anything till he rested, sometimes you get ill through exhaustion and God really has allowed it to make you stop!!!! Giving us this picture is probably showing us that this is the more normal way God will speak to it and we have to get used to it.

God's voice renews Elijah by addressing the need s in his life: that he has become lonely, hence a companion is a great idea, that he has lost his focus by being knocked off course by Jezebell's threat. So God gives him a new task. His word,of rebuke addresses the lies he is believing about the spiritual state of the nation and how it makes him feel very alone.

Its easy to miss Gid's voice when it's gentle and quiet as that's not how we expect it!!!!!!  We have to start to train to hear whispers bit like if you are losing your hearing have to listen because sound seems so low. Another big problem today is all the static, mobiles phones etc. 

 

[Rosesam]

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

Wind, earthquake and fire are spectacular and loud displays but the Omnipotent God’s voice was not in them. Rather it was in the still small voice. Elijah was depressed and lonely and had the Lord spoken to him  loudly, elijah might have taken it as a rebuke. 

God’s presence is best conveyed in personal communication with His servants, not in some showy spectacular display of power. The essence of God is in His relationship and communication to us, His children. 

 

God listens patiently to the pourimg torrent of self pity from Elijah without rebuke. Then He gently tells him to go back the way he came. Sometimes it is difficult to go back after our embarrassing situations, but it’s an important part of our healing and restoration. Then He gives Elijah new assignment. After He does all this then He rebukes Elijah gently.

 

Unless we are trained to recognize God’s voice, we might mistake it for a passing thought. Sometimes we are not listening or there is so much noise in our lives that His gentle voice gets lost in the clutter

[MyRockOfAges]

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

 

Elijah had already witnessed power of God, victory of God. Yet he was fearful of his life when he got the life threatening message of jezebel.

While he was standing upon the mount as instructed by the Lord, he experienced wind, earthquake and fire. But the Lord was not in it.

After the fire was still small voice , hearing from the Lord. God was showing Elijah that He is God over every situation. In this hour, Elijah needed encouragement, strength and direction. He expected spectacular power display from God but God showed up speaking to Him in a still small voice which Elijah heard. As God had been working in Elijah’s life, He also had prepared 7,000 other prophets and also successor to Elijah. God had thought much ahead than Elijah while Elijah thought God was not with Him. Many times in our tough moments, when we expect great and awesome display from God to bring us out, we need to be sensitive to God to hear His still small voice which is enough to bring us out of any situation but also drive us into the future.

 

While Elijah said to God that He is the only one left and all other prophets were slain. God’s reply to Him was that there were 7000 prophets God had kept safe which comforted Elijah greatly. And additionally to anoint Elisha who would take up the mantle from him.

All the worries and anxiety of Elijah was in a moment resolved when he heard the still small voice of God that comforted and renewed him.

 

While we  are lost in our own cluttered thoughts, it is not easy to hear God. Unless we are trained and tuned to hear His still small voice, we will miss Him completely and miss the wya which He wants us to tread. Though God is capable to show His power always, at times He chooses to allow man to respond to Him voluntarily and hear Him.

 

[JAT]

On 11/28/2017 at 6:05 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

I think the the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire to demonstrate the wild and ferocious nature of God's love.

God's love can appear to be wild, untamed and out of control when He wants it to be but it can also be small and gentle, illustrating that God administers his love based on Him know what we need, not necessarily what we want.

God's voice comforts and renews Elijah because the strong wind, earthquake and fire caught hs attention and made him remain in the shelter of the cave withdrawn in safety.  When Elijah hears the gentle whisper he goes out to the cave's entrance curious about the gentle voice calling him following the ferosity of the earth bemoaning.  This is the start of Elijah's journey from safety in the cave to coming out, to be comforted by God gentleness of approach meeting what Elijah needs.

It is easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet becuase like the wind, fire and earthquake it can drown out a gentle, quiet sound calling to us, especially when all we expect is the noise of the environment around us.

Edited March 22, 2019 by JAT
typo

[Bryan Müller]

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

 

I believe this is saying God is powerful but also gentle and kind. God’s voice/word contains power and energy to do things, I thinks God’s voice sends positive energy and strength to restore Elijah. It can be easy to miss God’s voice if we are not tuned to His vocals.

[Divine inspiration]

What a very powerful passage of scriptures: When it seems that everything is going wrong and it seems that you have done all you can do time after time and seems that the task looks hopeless cause you feel alone in keeping God’s charge where now your very life now stand at a threat. This same Prophet who had called down fire and killed 450 prophets-of Baal even before that a child’s life was restored is now sitting under a Juniper tree(symbolic of purification and healing), but He was given directives and assured that God has many who had not bowed to Baal. The wind, earthquake and fire are very powerful elements and capable of mass destruction even A Still Small Voice which does not stand up physically to the fore mentioned elements but is Very Powerful Spiritually and Physically and victory is guaranteed with divine directions that can change things in His Timing. The Voice of God is powerful. He will never leave us alone or forsaken us no matter how it looks, feels or sounds

[MosesSole]

On 11/28/2017 at 1:05 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire?

This maybe the idea that the "small voice" is hiding within the earthly elements, and that if one wasn't looking to God for guidance, it would be easy to miss the prompting.  

How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah?

God reveals himself thereby invalidating Elijah's sense of failure. The guidance and gentle rebuke signals to Elijah that God is paying attention. "because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in." (Proverbs 3:11-12; quoted in Hebrews 12:5-6)

Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

We miss God's words simply because we aren't listening for him. There could be a distracting environment, or perhaps there's too many external voices trying to communicate with us, or God may simply be using a intentionally masking his tone to see if we pick up what he's saying. All of these factors are just some of the ways in which God teaches us how to wait and receive his word. Those that can hear God's promptings are able to do so because they already believe in God and in his Almighty leadership.

[Commissioned]

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire?

I think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire to show the Omnipotent God could have chosen to use any of these spectacular background for His voice but He chose to use a still small voice.

How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah?

God's voice comfort and renewed Elijah because of the gentleness that God displayed.  He was not harsh nor angry, but loving and kind; a God who is approachable.

Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

It is easy to miss God when His voice is gentle and quiet because in our culture loudness is usually the sign of authority.

[souxieq]

On 1/24/2018 at 12:54 PM, hanks said:

 

Perhaps God was teaching Elijah something. Elijah may have been expecting dramatic means of communication according to precedents. So God ran the drama by him. Elijah was discerning enough to recognise that they contained no message from God. But to his credit he waited on the message and when it came to him in a still small voice, he was sensitive enough to discern it.

The author may have been giving readers a universal message that God can speak to us in many ways - sometimes through explosive scenarios when needed. It is good to be able to hear that still voice that is always with us from the Holy Spirit.

 

 

On 1/24/2018 at 12:54 PM, hanks said:

How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah? 

Elijah knew God has his back when he gave him Elisha as a companion. No matter how close we walk with God fear can overcome that feeling. With someone who walks beside you who hears God makes it s whole lot less frightening. God understood this and gave him a like companion. Elijah was not rebuked for feeling this way because it's only human.

3. In the world it's essy to miss Gods still small voice with the din and clamour of day to day life. Secondly I did not make it a habit to discern that kind of communication. Following Jesus' daily routine of waking up early to commune with His Father before his disciple and the world caught up with him to perform miracles was a good idea. Besides it gives one the strength to tackle the day's problems wisely.

 If I may share an experience;

A few years ago I was harrassing God to give me an answer about some issue I had in my life. I was asking this for a while in a rather staggered manner. A moment in church, a rushed prayer now and then. But that day I was like Jacob and the angel or the person at the judges door at midnight asking for a snack for his guests. 

Now my mind was and still is like a whirlpool. Getting it to focus is a herculean task. But that late  evening through all this chaos in my mind came a thought so unexpected ly strong and sudden, it cut through all other thoughts like a hot knife through butter. It's the only analogy I can think of. It was so clear. 

How did I know it came from God? Well, it was something I didn't want to do and two, it was the best solution. The thought had occured to me like in a different format, but this thought was concise and precise and just 5 words. Economic he is - our God is with words. But ti fit precisely.

I've been asking for that same experience with another issue but I've not had it - yet.

 maybe God wants me to listen up for that still small voice 

 

Ps . Sorry hanks - tried to copy the question from your post 

Pl excuse 

[Mona Burton]

On 11/28/2017 at 2:05 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

Too many times we expect God to show up for us in supernaturally phenomenal ways by giving us signs, or He will have somebody say "thus saith the Lord", and so do not recognize the very simple.  So I think the author uses the contrasts to bring to our attention that more often than not God speaks to us in a "still small voice."

God's voice comfort and renew Elijah by giving him a new assignment, such an assignment that lets him know that God still loves him in-spite of his fears.

It is so, so easy to miss God when His voice is gentle and quiet because, we either do not recognize His voice, or think it is just "a thought", or we just cannot distinguish His from the many other voices clamouring to be heard.