Yes, Elijah's story powerfully illustrates the remnant because God preserved 7,000 faithful Israelites unknown to Elijah.
After Elijah's victory over the prophets of Baal, he fled in despair from Jezebel, believing he was the only faithful one left. God corrected him, revealing that He had reserved 7,000 who had not bowed to Baal—a small minority compared to millions. This shows that God always keeps a faithful remnant, even when it seems none remain.
1 Kings 19:18 — This verse records God's direct statement to Elijah about the 7,000, revealing the remnant.
In 1 Kings 19, after Elijah's confrontation on Mount Carmel, he fled from Jezebel's threat. Exhausted, he sat under a juniper tree and asked God to take his life, saying he was no better than his fathers. Then he stated, 'I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away' (1 Kings 19:10,14). God's response corrected his perception: 'Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him' (1 Kings 19:18). The Bible thus reveals that Elijah was not alone; God had preserved a faithful remnant.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Elijah's despair—thinking he was the only one left—shows how even a great prophet could lose sight of God's preserving work. God's answer that He had reserved 7,000 men (likely with families, totaling 14,000–20,000 believers) highlights that God has always kept a remnant. Les applies this to the present: believers may feel isolated, but God has faithful ones everywhere. He connects this to other examples like the flood (only eight saved) and Jesus' teaching that the way is narrow and few find it. The majority is not usually right; God works through a small remnant.
Les explains that after Elijah demonstrated God's power by calling down fire on Mount Carmel and slaying the prophets of Baal, he fled in fear when Jezebel threatened his life. He ran a long distance—Les estimates 150 miles to Mount Sinai—and collapsed in exhaustion. In his despair, he cried, 'I'm the only one left.' This shows how even a mighty prophet could sink into unbelief despite the supernatural manifestations he had witnessed.
God told Elijah, 'I have reserved to myself seven thousand men.' Les points out that this was a remnant—a small minority compared to the millions in Israel (he mentions five or six million). The 7,000 were those who had not bowed to Baal. Les also suggests that if these men had believing wives and children, the total number of faithful could be 14,000 to 20,000, but still a remnant. This illustrates that God does not work through the majority but through a faithful few.
Les applies the lesson to believers today: we may feel alone, but God has always kept a remnant. He says, 'We think sometimes we're the only one left, but no we're not. Everywhere you go you can find believers, although they're getting fewer I know, but nevertheless they're there.' The church age has also seen only a small percentage of true believers, consistent with the pattern throughout history.
Les references the flood: 'The majority said there was no flood. The minority said, yes, there is.' Only eight were saved in Noah's ark. He also quotes Jesus: 'Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it' (Matthew 7:13-14). These examples reinforce that God's work is through a small remnant.
Why Did Israel Miss the Messiah? Romans 9:25-33 Explained
Romans chapter 9, now verse 25, I think these are the people that are in reference here by the Apostle Paul, that these Gentiles who were never reckoned in the Old Testament to have anything to do with Israel's God, but now they are indeed a people that God has called out from amongst the Gentiles, called them to Himself, and then of course when He's through with that, as we'll see in Romans 11, H…
Elijah's Despair and the 7,000
Les describes Elijah's flight and despair, and how God revealed the 7,000 as a remnant.
God's Reserved Remnant
Les explains that the 7,000 were reserved by God and likely represented a larger group with families.
Elijah's Unbelief after Mount Carmel
Les notes that even Elijah sank into unbelief despite witnessing God's supernatural power.
Why the Cross Is Foolishness to the World — 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
The serpent that Moses and Aaron had gobbled up all the others, showing that God was still supreme. But all right, now all you have to do is just follow Israel throughout all her hundreds of years of history. Over and over, God did the supernatural.
The Remnant Pattern and the Narrow Way
Les compares the 7,000 to millions, showing the remnant is small, and connects it to the flood and Jesus' teaching on the narrow way.
Elijah's Flight and Loneliness
Les details Elijah's physical exhaustion and his belief that he was the only one left.
Why Israel Was Blinded — Romans 11 Explained Verse by Verse
But anyway, old Ahab and Jezebel had been ruling up there in the northern kingdom, ungodly, wicked king and queen, and they had been promoting the worship of Baal, and idol worship, and the Israelites had been falling for it. And old Elijah had even gone so far as to cause no rain for three years. Utter drought, and still Ahab and Jezebel would not change their ways.
1 Kings 19:18: Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
This is God's direct correction to Elijah, revealing the existence of the remnant.
1 Kings 19:4: But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
This shows Elijah's despair and his desire to die, which sets the stage for God's revelation of the remnant.
1 Kings 19:10: And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Elijah's complaint to God reveals his belief that he is the only faithful one left.
Matthew 7:13-14: Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Jesus' teaching that few find the narrow way supports the concept of a small remnant.
Elijah had just witnessed God's supernatural defeat of the prophets of Baal, but when Jezebel threatened his life, he fled in fear and exhaustion. In his despair, he believed he was the only faithful Israelite left. God corrected him, revealing that 7,000 had not bowed to Baal.
The 7,000 represent a faithful remnant within Israel. They were a small minority compared to the millions in the nation, showing that God always preserves a faithful few even when the majority turns away. Les Feldick notes this number might include families, totaling 14,000–20,000 believers.
Les Feldick teaches that throughout history, including the church age, God has always kept a small remnant of faithful believers. Even when we feel alone, there are others who believe. This encourages us to trust that God is always at work.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Israel Miss the Messiah? Romans 9:25-33 Explained