19:11, 12 the Lord passed by. God summons Elijah to prepare for a divine revelation, in much the same way He prepared Moses at Mount Sinai (Ex. 33:20–23; 34:2).

wind . . . earthquake . . . fire. These phenomena were indications of God’s presence on Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:18, 19; 20:18; 24:17; Deut. 4:11, 12; 5:22–25), but God does not reveal Himself to Elijah through them.

a low whisper. The Lord answers Elijah in an unexpected way. God is present in near silence. Contrary to the notions of Elijah, divine silence does not mean divine inactivity.