Under the Broom Tree
At the point that Elijah found himself under a broom tree in the wilderness, he had just experienced quite a big day in ministry. At God’s word, Elijah gathered all of Israel, King Ahab, and close to 1,000 prophets of Baal and Asherah to Mt. Carmel for a reckoning. The message: stop riding the fence. Choose: The LORD or Baal.
The people of Israel discovered in a powerful way through the altar demonstration that the LORD was, indeed, God. Baal was a man-made deity designed for power and control purposes. What followed? A massive cleansing in which the false prophets were rounded up and killed. Rain came to end a 3-year, God-ordained drought. When Jezebel, King Ahab’s wife, learned what happened she threatened Elijah’s life. In fear, Elijah dropped his servant off at Beersheba and ran a day’s journey into the wilderness. It was there he found a broom tree and took a seat.
Under this broom tree, Elijah wanted to die… but did he really? At times, wanting to die is an inner desire for something painful to be removed. Elijah made the comment, “I am no better than my fathers.” He was wrestling with an inner feeling of inadequacy and deemed himself unacceptable. Under that broom tree, his body checked out and he went to sleep.
But after all that energy placed in running toward isolation and death, who would meet him there but an angel to strengthen him for an upcoming encounter with God.
The broom tree was a pause moment. Elijah had reached the end of himself and after leaving everyone behind, he attempted to leave himself, as well. In that space, an angel of the LORD gently ministered to him. He woke Elijah with a touch, strengthened his physical body with food and water, and called Elijah to get up and keep going.
This broom tree moment gave Elijah the strength to continue on for forty days until he reached Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God. It is there God came to him in a low whisper and gave him next steps.
In ministry today, there are big and small ministry days. Some days that take a lot out of a person and quiet days in an office or coffee shop. Sometimes, there are ministry seasons that leave ministry leaders so depleted they abandon themselves in unhealthy ways to get their needs and wants met. There may be questions of faith and where the presence of God has gone.
Like Elijah, in those times the presence of God may come through another messenger before that forty day journey to a personal encounter with Almighty God. Throughout the 1 Kings account of Elijah, some willing participants to be that messenger included: a brook, ravens, a widow, flour and oil, an angel… and a broom tree.
Our prayer at Desert Road Ministries is to be a willing participant that ministers to those called into ministry. Paid or volunteer. In the spotlight or behind the scenes. The leader and the family member. We are here.
Would you join us?
To live out our passion of providing refreshing shade and strengthening nourishment to ministry leaders on their journey, we need willing participants to support us. Would you join our Broom Tree Initiative and provide rest and strength through a monthly donation to Desert Road Ministries? A monthly gift of $70 or more provides affordable counseling services, workshops, and more to ministry leaders and their families.
What impact could we see in our churches and communities with ministry leaders refreshed and strengthened in their calling? Let’s find out together!