NOTES for Ki1 19:11-16

The experience of Elijah proves than anything else clearly, that God has a certain analogue of what for man is called humor. Although, certainly knowing well His servant, He decided to introduce Elijah a certain part of His personality, formerly unknown for him. Traditionally, beginning with the time of Moses, and perhaps before the lightning, that we called generally the celestial fire, storm, earthquake were perceived, as manifestations of God's power. And from the nature of Elijah, such manifestations were undoubtedly supposed to be very close: for him God is after all an implacable Judge, chastising the rebels and destroying the heathen, daring to encroach on His prerogatives. Destroying, if necessary, and with the hands of His servants, as Elijah himself once destroyed heathen priests.

And here it is now to him, Elijah that God reveals Himself not in the storm, neither in the fire and nor in the earthquake, but in a thin voice of silence (as in the Hebrew text; " the still small voice" is the Septuagint, the Greek translation sometimes distinguishing itself from the original not only in the style, but also in the sense). The revelation was important, even if all its importance was not maybe comprehended immediately, and not by Elijah himself even. Before, God's presence was connected with the Sanctuary, with the Temple, with the altar. God was there, on the place, He indicated Himself, and nowhere else should one seek for meeting with Him.

Exception was made for the prophets with their specific spiritual and religious experience. God spoke with them, they heard His voice, saw the visions sent by Him, and thus new that God is near. And it seems, it is for the first time that is revealed to Elijah that God is near not only when He speaks, but also when He keeps silent.

Through the thin, transparent silence is felt the presence of the One, Who can begin to speak at any time. But now He keeps silent. However it does not mean that He is far away, that He has turned away, and forgot. He is here. And, when the time comes, He will begin to speak, will let Himself be known. Nevertheless, even when He keeps silent, He is always near. And this is the most important.

Promising the prophet Elijah a meeting with Him, the Lord enumerates all the distinctive signs of the Epiphany, which seem to us completely natural. Of course, the Master of the heaven and the earth comes into this world, and how it would not be wind tearing mountains, earthquakes and fire. But the Bible tells us that they are all phenomena of our world accompanying the coming of the Almighty. God is not in it, asserts categorically the Bible.

Instead of all these cataclysms, obvious and terrible, the Bible proposes as God's icon a still small voice remembering the breath of very life. It is a very important moment, because we are inclined to project on God our fear in front of His Righteousness, and with this justify our estrangement from Him. God is "something different", distinct from visible demonstrations of His presence. It is a still small voice - as the breath of secrets, upsets the soul of the prophet and becomes one of the key of theological axioms, which is necessary to remember upon reading of the Holy Scriptures.