This startling denunciation of God’s judgments because of the sins of Israel fell like a thunderbolt upon the apostate king. He seemed to be paralyzed with amazement and terror; and before he could recover from his astonishment, Elijah, without waiting to see the effect of his message, disappeared as suddenly as he came. His work was to speak the word of woe from God, and he instantly withdrew. His word had locked up the treasures of heaven, and his word was the only key which could open them again. {3T 273.4}

Denne start på Guds dommes anklage på grund af Israels synder falder ligesom et tordenslag på den frafaldne konge. Han synes at være lammet af forbavselse og forfærdelse; før han kunne komme sig over sin forbavselse, forsvandt Elias, uden at afvente virkningen af hans budskab, lige så pludseligt som han kom. Hans gerning var at sige smertens (274) ord fra Gud og han trak sig straks tilbage. Hans ord havde låst for himlens rigdomme, hans ord var den eneste nøgle som kunne åbne dem igen.