The Lord answered Elijah that the wrongdoers in Israel should not go unpunished. Men were to be especially chosen to fulfill the divine purpose in the punishment of the idolatrous kingdom. There was stern work to be done, that all might be given opportunity to take their position on the side of the true God. Elijah himself was to return to Israel, and share with others the burden of bringing about a reformation.

Herren svarede Elias, at synderne i Israel ikke ville undgå deres straf. Der ville blive udvalgt nogle mænd til at fuldbyrde Guds vilje og straffe den afgudsdyrkende nation. Der forestod endnu en vanskelig opgave, før alle havde fået lejlighed til at stille sig på den sande Guds side. Elias skulle vende tilbage til Israel og hjælpe til med at gennemføre en reformation,