Elijah on Mount Horeb, Rembrandt (1606-1669).

Then the word of the Lord came to him, He said to him, “Why are you here, Elijah? He replied, “I am moved by zeal for the Lord, the God of Hosts, for the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and put Your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they are out to take my life. (I Kings 19-9-10).

The lone figure of Elijah dominates Rembrandt’s sketch almost to the total exclusion of all else. A few pen strokes clue the viewer in to the mountain in the background. The sullen expression on the face of the prophet may indicate that he is unmoved by the theophany at Horeb through which God prevails upon him to have compassion and return to his people.

Dr. Bryna Jocheved Levy