The three destructive forces of wind, earthquake, and fire in Eliyahu’s revelation parallel the destructive swords of Haza’el, Yehu and Elisha, which Eliyahu is instructed to appoint as a result of his zealotry. The forth element – the small silent voice – parallels God’s mercy on the core of people who are not defiled by idolatry and are therefore spared.

Courtesy of the Virtual Beit Midrash, Yeshivat Har Etzion