Still, Small Voice

Rev. Paul A. Hughes

You might have heard that archaeologists have newly discovered a previously unknown manuscript of 1 Kings, chapter 9. It is only a fragment; but as you will easily recognize, it contains an alternate reading of the Elijah story that is a dramatic departure from traditional versions.

The fragment:

And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

And the Lord said, Go forth to a prophetic conference. And Elijah went forth, and stood in the way. And behold, the loud prophesyings blew against him as it were a strong wind, until his clothes were rent, and the laying on of hands nearly tore him to pieces, and chairs were knocked over, and the slain lay all about him on the floor; but the Lord was not in the wind.

And after the prophetic conference, a worship seminar. And the sound system thundered like an earthquake till he was deafened in the ears; but the Lord was not in the earthquake.

And after the worship seminar, a revival meeting, in the semblance of Holy Ghost fires of aye; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the door. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

And Elijah laid out his complaint before the Lord. And the Lord said, Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto glitzy programs, and every mouth which hath not kissed trendy worship forms.

So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him . . . [end of fragment].

[Author's note: some may object to this parody on the grounds of some spiritual benefit which may be derived from the kinds of activities mentioned, and that possibility is not disputed. The point is, the Spirit of God is not necessarily present just because an event is scheduled and conducted -- that depends on the individuals involved and their true submission to the Spirit.]