Let us leave Elijah’s heartless request for a moment simply to sketch the development of the text: Assurance and demand, v. 13 Explanation and promise, v. 14 Obedience and fulfillment, vv. 15–16 Elijah’s demand is not so harsh as it seems; he softens it with Yahweh’s favorite preface, which is both customary and fresh: ‘Don’t be afraid’ (v. 13a). Now note how he continues; the causal particle in verse 14a is ‘huge,’ as they say. For here’s what Yahweh, God of Israel, says: the jar of meal will never
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