The Assurance

Then HaShem said to him: "Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Yehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Yehu will kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Yehu, Elisha will kill. Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:15-18)

One problem with written accounts is that they fail to convey the inflection and intonation that much of the meaning and intent of a statement carries. If these instructions from HaShem are read one way, they come across as somewhat harsh and unfeeling. Eliyahu is here for reassurance, and instead gets orders. But if they are read differently, then they convey that Eliyahu has received exactly what he came for. By giving gentle instructions, HaShem implies that Eliyahu is going to go out and accomplish these things. Izevel cannot stop him when the Holy One is sending him out. Once again, it is like the Daddy telling the child to return to bed, and in the morning they'll do such and such. By making plans for the morning, it creates a realization that the morning is going to come, and thereby another type of comfort. HaShem ordains that Eliyahu must go and anoint a list of people, and since He sees all things through to the end, then it must be that these things will be done.

By instructing Eliyahu to anoint Elisha as his replacement, He also gives him the assurance that a prophet will remain in the land even after his work is finished. He will know his successor, and will have the confidence that comes from having the time to examine this man's spirit before he leaves.

And in His final statement of reassurance, HaShem reveals to Eliyahu that He has more than just the hundred preserved by Obad'yah in the two caves. He has reserved for Himself seven thousand who have not bowed to nor kissed Baal. These are not ones who have renewed themselves to Him after chasing after idols, but are ones who never strayed from Him to other gods at all. This in itself carries an implication: "If I can preserve these seven thousand, then I can preserve you as well."