Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
The verse reports Elijah's charge that Israel had killed God's prophets and torn down His altars. It records his plea that he was left alone and his life was sought, expressing his sense of isolation and danger amid widespread unfaithfulness. As part of Paul's proof that God had not rejected or cast away His people, it shows that widespread unfaithfulness did not mean no faithful Israelites remained. God answered Elijah by showing He had preserved and reserved a remnant, and in Paul's day a remnant remained by God's grace.
The chapter containing the verse is Paul's chapter-long treatment and outline of a work for the Jews. It is to be studied carefully, treated with special wisdom, and not ignored. That work is to give the Jews every opportunity to come to the light. God's wisdom must come to His people so that in wisdom and righteousness they clear the King's highway.
The chapter teaches a great work in which many of the seed of Israel who accept Christ may be grafted into the true stock, Christ Jesus. Jews who accept Christ and are cut off from their people need a place of refuge where they learn to work for their own people. That work is to be held to patiently and helped with offerings even when the worker's life is endangered. The Jews are therefore not to be despised, for among them the Lord has mighty men who will proclaim the truth with power.
The verse reports Elijah's charge that Israel had killed God's prophets and torn down His altars. It records his plea that he was left alone and his life was sought, expressing his sense of isolation and danger amid widespread unfaithfulness. As part of Paul's proof that God had not rejected or cast away His people, it shows that widespread unfaithfulness did not mean no faithful Israelites remained. God answered Elijah by showing He had preserved and reserved a remnant, and in Paul's day a remnant remained by God's grace.
The chapter containing the verse is Paul's chapter-long treatment and outline of a work for the Jews. It is to be studied carefully, treated with special wisdom, and not ignored. That work is to give the Jews every opportunity to come to the light. God's wisdom must come to His people so that in wisdom and righteousness they clear the King's highway.
The chapter teaches a great work in which many of the seed of Israel who accept Christ may be grafted into the true stock, Christ Jesus. Jews who accept Christ and are cut off from their people need a place of refuge where they learn to work for their own people. That work is to be held to patiently and helped with offerings even when the worker's life is endangered. The Jews are therefore not to be despised, for among them the Lord has mighty men who will proclaim the truth with power.