Divine Revelation in Natural Phenomena: A Phenomenological Approach to God's Revelation in 1 Kings 19:11-13

Definition Of Terms

• 1.

  Reveal: The word “reveal” is the verbal root for the noun form “revelation” According to Dictionary.Cambridge.org the term ‘reveal” means “to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret”. What is made known should be understood to be formerly hidden or concealed. The fact that God reveals himself presupposes that God is not known except when he makes himself known.

• 2.

  Violent: The term “violent “depicts the character of God in his use of destructive images like fire, heavy winds and earthquake. The nonviolent characteristics are depicted in his revelation through silent wind which naturally is not associated with destructive power of force.

• 3.

  Theophany: Theophany means the visible manifestation of God to human beings.

• 4.

  Moses: Moses was the leader appointed by God to deliver the children of Israel from the land of bondage. God revealed himself to Moses in earthquake and thunder.

• 5.

  Elijah: Elijah was the prophet of God recorded in 1Kings. He represents the prophetic traditions and was witnessed at the Mountain of transfiguration with Moses representing the law.

• 6.

  God: The name “God” is often used interchangeably with the term “divine” in this chapter. This is the more general name that caters for the name “Lord “and “Yahweh” He is a God attributed with thunder, war and violence but also the Holy God and the God of peace.

• 7.

  Horeb: Horeb is regarded as the Mountain of God and sometimes used interchangeably with Sinai.

An Exegesis Of 1Kings 19:11-13

The background to this chapter is based on the exegesis of 1Kings 19:11-13. Divine revelation in this text forms a paradigm shift from divine use of violent to nonviolent natural phenomena to Having gone through the violent natural phenomena. A shift from violent to nonviolent revelation of God is observably clear in this text. Violent manifestation of Yahweh through powerful wind, earthquake and in most cases, fire was used to induce fear or for judgement. In this section it is critical to consider both the Hebrew text and the English translation. The Hebrew text reads:

1Kings 19:11-13 reads: