As Elijah sleeps under the juniper tree, a soft touch and pleasant voice arouse him. He starts at once in his terror, as if to flee, as though the enemy who was in pursuit of his life had indeed found him. But in the pitying face of love bending over him he sees, not the face of an enemy, but of a friend. An angel has been sent with food from heaven to sustain the faithful servant of God. His voice says to Elijah: “Arise and eat.” After Elijah had partaken of the refreshment prepared for him, he again slumbered. A second time the angel of God ministers to the wants of Elijah. He touches the weary, exhausted man, and in pitying tenderness says to him: “Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.” Elijah was strengthened and pursued his journey to Horeb. He was in a wilderness. At night he lodged in a cave for protection from the wild beasts. {3T 291.2}

Idet Elias sover under gyvelbusken, vækkede en svag berøring og behagelig stemme ham. Med det samme farer han sammen i forfærdelse, som han skulle til at flygte, som om fjenden havde listet sig bag ind på ham. Men idet det medynkende kærlige ansigt bøjede sig over ham, ser han at det ikke er en fjende, men en ven. En engel har været sendt frem med mad fra himlen for at støtte Guds tjener. Hans stemme siger til Elias: »Stå op og spis!« Efter at Elias havde taget imod den forfriskning der var tilberedt ham sov han ind igen. For anden gang kom Guds engel for at tjene Elias mangler. Han rørte ved den trætte og udmattede mand og i medlidende ømhed sagde til ham: »Stå op og spis, ellers bliver vejen dig for lang!« Elias blev styrket og gennemførte sin rejse til Horeb. Han var i en ødemark. Om natten søgte han ly i en hule, for de vilde dyr.