Elijah has been called the ‘Prince of Prophets’ and it seems that there was only one prophet born of women greater than he, and that was John the Baptist, who ministered in the spirit and power of Elijah.

He was one of the only two men in the Bible, who did not die, the other being Enoch. Gen. 5:24. Elijah was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind. 2Kings 2:11. It would seem that his ministry is not finished yet, as it is possible that he may be one of the two witnesses of Revelation chapter 11. Also he had the honour of being present along with Moses, when the Lord Jesus was transfigured before His disciples. Luke 9:27-36.

There they are seen talking with the Lord Jesus about His death, that He was soon to accomplish at Jerusalem. Whether they knew about it before that time, or whether it was revealed to them by the Lord Jesus, then, we are not told.

Yet in spite of all these honours and unique favours, he is said to be, "A MAN, SUBJECT TO LIKE PASSIONS AS WE ARE" James, 5:17. This is written lest you and I give way to ‘hero worship’, and it raises the challenge with us, that if God could use Elijah in this way, what can He not do with us?

Elijah is introduced to us in 1Kings 17:1, simply as Elijah the Tishbite. There seems to be some debate over this, as to its meaning, and several suggestions have been made as to the meaning of Tishbite. However the simplest explanation is that he came from a village called Tishbe. It seems that he was born in Gilead, but as the result of the slaughter that took place at Gibeah, he probably escaped to Gallilee, where he was known as the Tishbite. It seems that his previous history is kept secret, but in all his experience he had come to know Jehovah the God of Israel intimately, and was in the habit of communing with Him.

This holds instruction for us even today. If we would be used of God in a mighty way, then we must cultivate the habit of living our lives before Him, of communing with Him. Elijah was not trained in any prophetic school neither did he claim to be anything. We are not told his age when he appeared before King Ahab, but he obviously had a certain conviction that God had sent him. He knew (as the widow later discovered), that the "word of God in his mouth was truth". There were many that professed to be prophets at that time, and they were obviously officially known, because Jezebel slew many of them. But Elijah was not of their number. He denied himself the luxuries that were available to such, and he lived a simple life of rugged self- discipline. He was unlike many who profess to be ‘prophets’ today. There are many such men that are famous, and use their position to surround themselves with luxury, and wealth. But position and fame were no part of Elijah’s agenda. Let us follow his example!

He stood before the Living God, (the gods of Jezebel and Ahab, were dead idols), before ever he stood before Ahab. Thus he could proclaim with boldness his message of judgment. "There shall not be dew nor rain these years, except by my word".

Perhaps Ahab thought that he was some cranky, or eccentric person, and probably dismissed him as such. But in time he had cause to fear that same Elijah.

HE PRAYED THAT IT MIGHT NOT RAIN.

It was the years of his secret relationship with God that prepared Elijah for this ministry, and enabled him to discern the will of God. He did not just get a bright idea, and then seek to twist God’s arm, to grant what he requested.

Some think that the words of the Lord Jesus in Mark 11:24, are a blank cheque for us to claim from God whatever we may lust after or covet. This is surely not the case, but according to John, (who heard the Lord Jesus utter these words), we must first understand the will of God as to any matter, and then ask according to that will. Such prayer is assured of a positive answer. 1 John, 5:14-15. God will never encourage covetousness, but always honors contentment and submission to His will. Heb. 13:5.

Here lies the secret to the power of answered prayer, we surely need such power today. It is evident that Elijah labored in prayer. He was fervent, and his prayer was backed up by a righteous life. Thus we read in Jas. 5:16, "The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man, availeth much". We are told later that when Elijah prayed on the summit of Mount Carmel, that he put his face between his knees. This was a posture of the greatest humility, and reverence, and reveals great earnestness, fervency.

I fear that I, and many of my brothers and sisters take prayer far too casually and lightly. We say prayers, but how often do we pray, "In the Holy Spiri?"Jude:20.

Elijah was not permitted to remain in the capital, but was sent back to the land of his birth, to hide himself beside the Brook Cherith, possibly to live in a cave there. God conveyed to him the humiliating message that the ravens would feed him there, and he was to drink of the brook. It is fairly easy to pronounce judgment or difficulty for others, but how many of us are willing to suffer along with those to whom we minister? To taste that which we serve up to others?

Those who truly serve the Lord, are to be completely dependant upon Him for everything. Jehovah was the prophet’s only means of support. He made these birds, that were unclean themselves, to act contrary to their inbred nature. It is normal for ravens to feed on carrion, (decaying flesh), and to devour all that they can. It is not natural for them to carry anything away to any other creature. But God was able to use even such birds to do His will and to feed His servant.

It is not uncommon today for many who call themselves God’s servants, to receive, and even to demand a healthy salary from those to whom they minister. Such do what Paul refused to do, "Make a trade (or business), of the word of God. 2Cor.2:17, (J.N.D. Trans). Where the servant depends upon man, they become the servants of men, and have to answer to men. There is a saying in English, that "He who pays the Piper, calls the tune".

We are not told where the ravens obtained the bread and flesh that they brought both morning and evening. Some have suggested that it came from Ahab’s table, others that it came from the homes of some of the seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal. God does not tell us these things, so let us not speculate. It is sufficient to note that God supplied the needs of His servant that trusted in Him.

As the drought continued, that came in answer to Elijah’s prayer, the brook dried up, and Elijah was told to leave his hiding place, and to go to Zarephath that was in Sidonia, the very area from which the wicked Jezebel came, and where her father was King. There he was to suffer further humiliation, as he was to be supported by a widow. Not just by any widow, but by one chosen by God for this service. I do not doubt, that as he traveled that journey of more than 100 miles, Satan would constantly remind him of the terrible thing that he was about to do. He would take the very bread out of the widow’s mouth.

The Lord Jesus said that there were many widows in Israel at that time, but Elijah was not sent to any of them. There was only one person to whom He would entrust the care of His servant. It was not for Elijah to question or to complain, just to obey. This is a lesson for the servants of God in every age. "Trust and obey".

When he reached the village, there he found the widow gathering sticks for a fire. He did not need to have some sign from heaven to confirm that she was the right person, he just trusted God, and he knew. Without any introduction, and he a complete stranger, he asked the woman to do something that was quite unreasonable. He asked her to bring him a little water in a vessel, and also some bread in her hand. This request revealed the desperate condition in which the woman was, but it also revealed the wonder and the accuracy of God’s timing.

The widow had a son, and they had both reached the end of their resources. She was gathering sticks to make a fire, to prepare what was to be their last meal. After eating what she prepared, it seemed that they would both die of hunger. The prophet then made what seemed to be a most unreasonable request. "Fear not, go and do as thou hast said. But make me a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and afterwards, make for thee and thy son."

To any fair thinking mind, this was a most unreasonable request; he was about to take the last bite out of the widow’s mouth. But he knew what God was going to do. It brings to mind what John said about the Lord Jesus in chapter six of his Gospel. "This He said to test him, for He knew what He would do". Verse 6. This was a test of the widow’s faith, and also of her obedience. All the prophet could give her was the assurance that came from the word of the Living God. Was she willing to trust Him, to rely on His word alone? She was equal to the test, and this led to obedience that resulted in her salvation from death by starvation, and also for her son, and God’s servant.

She could not trust the gods of the Zidonians, they had failed her many times, but somehow she had come to know the Living God, Jehovah, and she was prepared to stake all on His word alone. Without a question or complaint, she just did as the prophet asked. Perhaps to obey would mean that it would hasten her death, and her son’s death also. However she trusted the word of God that came from the prophet. After all it was the word of Jehovah, the Great God of Israel. Little did she know, that to give up the little that she had would save her life and that of her son as well.

The result was that God’s word came true, the meal in the barrel was not ever used up, and the oil in the cruse never failed, until the day that God sent rain upon the earth. It seemed that the barrel was never full of meal, and the cruse was never full of oil, but as she trusted God each day, each time she went to prepare a meal, there was always enough for their need. This is the way that faith operates it just trusts God moment by moment, knowing that He has promised to supply our needs.

There is a hymn that is often sung that says that the hour of prayer, bids us to make "All our wants and wishes known", at the Father’s throne. However the scripture does not support such a notion. The Lord Jesus said that our "Heavenly Father knows that we have need of these things". He has promised to supply our needs, not our wants and wishes.

In the prayer that the Lord Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He used the words, "Give us this day our daily bread". Affluence and abundance tends to destroy our simple daily trust in God. May He give us the grace to take Him at His word, and to trust Him moment, by moment and day by day

LIFE FROM THE DEAD.

However this miraculous supply of their needs did not cause God to overlook the past sins of the widow’s life, because her son died. She saw this to be the hand of a righteous God calling her attention to things that she had done, and that still remained on her conscience. She accused the prophet of calling her sin to remembrance, and of slaying her son. It was in kindness that God allowed this to happen. He saw how that the sin, (whatever it was), troubled the woman’s conscience. God wanted that troubled conscience to be at rest, and at the same time to manifest His wonderful power of resurrection. He wanted the woman to possess her son in a new and lasting manner.

Though God is righteous, yet He does not willingly afflict the children of men. And for the believer in Christ, those who love God, and are called according to His purpose, He makes all things, work together for their good. Rom. 8:28. It is well for us when trouble comes, to examine ourselves and to see whether there is some un-confessed sin in our lives. We are told that "He that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but he that confesseth and forsaketh it shall obtain mercy", Prov. 28:13.

The prophet then took the dead boy from his mother’s arms, carried up, and laid him on the prophet’s own bed. Then he cried to the Lord, almost accusing Him of being unkind, of bringing evil on the widow that had been so kind to him. Here we see the prophet’s weakness, the manifestation of the same fallen nature that we possess. Though God is just and righteous He is not unkind. Sometime we may think so when things don’t turn out the way we expect, but there is kindness in all His ways, He intends only that we may experience His goodness and blessing.

The prophet then stretched himself upon the child three times. This was total identification. He sought to impart his own warmth to the boy’s lifeless body. Then he prayed once more, to his own God. "O Lord my God" were his lovely words. He did not seek to coerce God into answering his prayer, but humbly asked that He might cause the boy’s soul to come into him again. Then it is said that "The Lord heard his voice", his prayer was answered, the boy’s soul came into him again, and he revived, (came back to life). Elijah then took the living child into his arms, and carried him down and returned him to his mothers arms once more, with the words; "See thy son lives!"

His action brings to mind the occasion when the Lord Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain, from the dead. After raising him, it is said that the Lord Jesus "Gave him back to his mother".(J.N.D. trans.), Luke, 7:15. There is the demonstration of pure human kindness in that action. Thus it was with Elijah, though outwardly a stern and austere man, yet his heart was full of love, pity and kindness.

When the widow received her son, now living into her bosom, she testified that all her doubts about God and His servant were gone. So too was that lingering sense of guilt that had troubled her conscience for so long. She now testifies that if she doubted before whether this austere stranger was really a man of God, those doubts were gone. Her confidence and trust in the reliability of God’s word was strengthened, her doubts were gone. We hear her say, "Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth". She is suitably rewarded for the kindness that she had shown to Elijah. Not only was her life spared, her son given back from the dead, her sense of guilt forever gone. But thereafter for many days she had the privilege and honor of enjoying the company, and the ministry of her distinguished guest.

She was probably sad when the day came that Elijah was instructed by God to go back to Israel, and to show himself to the wicked Ahab. I wonder what became of her? Some Jewish scholars have advanced the theory that the son whom Elijah raised from the dead, later became none other than the prophet Jonah. This is an interesting speculation, but one on which we cannot build any doctrine. If it is so, then the widow must have later moved to Gath Hepher, because Jonah came from there. But this we will never know, until we reach the glory.

As the years of famine dragged on, so the hostility of Satan and those under his control increased. The wicked Jezebel blamed the disaster on Jehovah and turned her fury on those who claimed to be His prophets. She had all who made such claims to be slain with the sword. However God had placed within her own one of His loyal servants, and Obadiah was the Governor of Ahab’s house. He hid 150 of the ‘prophets’ in a cave, and sustained them with bread and water, which he probably took from Ahab’s supplies.

What a contrast there was between Obadiah and Elijah? The one content to serve Ahab, and enjoy a comfortable position of power in his household: The other preferring to stand before Jehovah, and to serve Him, whatever it may cost him. Yet God made use of both. We could not support Obadiah’s position of compromise, in which he assisted in the organization of Ahab’s wicked system. Yet it pleased God to put him there, and to use him, even in such a position of compromise, to protect some of His prophets. In a similar way today, we find true believers in situations of compromise. They accept and go along with so much that grieves the Holy Spirit, and the heart of God, yet sometimes it pleases God to use them there in the accomplishment of His will and purpose. God’s way are past finding out, yet He makes no mistakes.

It is clear that we are not to compromise ourselves as to truth and righteousness, yet we must leave others that do, with their Master. They must answer to Him, we are not to be their judge. We are responsible for our own life, ministry and associations. We are challenged in Rom. 14:4 with these words, "Who art thou who judgest another man’s servant ?….God is able to make him stand". When Elijah was told to return and to show himself to Ahab, Obadiah was the first person he met. Perhaps God was showing Elijah, that in spite of the apostasy that was evident publicly in Israel, yet still He had those who feared Him, as again later he revealed to him.

Though Ahab despised Elijah, yet Obadiah treated him with great reverence, and respect. He revealed to him both the thoroughness of Ahab’s search for him, but also the completeness of God’s protection of His servant. Obadiah feared to go to Ahab with the news that Elijah was now discovered, lest God should take him away somewhere.

THE EFFECTS OF ELIJAH’S PRAYER.

The result of Elijah’s prayer was, that the heavens were shut up. God turned His back on His people, and He let them reap the fruit of their sin. Under Jezebel’s influence, they had turned away from the Living God, and instead of worshipping Him, obeying His word and trusting in Him, they had gone after the Baals and the Phoencian godess of lust, Ashtoreth. This godess was claimed to be the consort of Baal. Baal was held to be the god of the fruitful seasons, the one who sent the rain etc.

Jehovah had to teach His people that He was the One who controlled the seasons. It was He that gave or withheld the rain from heaven. He was the source of their blessing, not the mighty demon Baal, after whom they had turned aside.

The result of Elijah’s prayer was that there was famine throughout the land, year after year, until their very existence was threatened. Ahab and Obadiah had divided the land between them, in the hope that near the watercourses that once flowed, they might find some grass to save the horses and mules from starvation. The Psalmist said, "Thou hidest thy face and they are troubled." Psalm 104:29. Thus not only the people suffered for their sin, but they caused the animal creation to suffer as well.

God is a gracious God, but sometimes He has to allow His people to pass through troubles so that He may teach them to trust, to love, and to serve Him only.

When Elijah met Ahab, the king proceeded to put the blame for all the trouble through which he and Israel were passing on Elijah. But Elijah was quick to point out who was to blame. He did not fear the king, or what he might do to him, but faithfully showed the real cause of the plight in which the nation was.

Elijah then took control, and gave orders to Ahab as what he was to do. Ahab meekly submitted, though he did not realize what the outcome would be. It is clear that ( though we are not told), Elijah had been shown by God, just what God wanted him to do. "Gather to me all Israel to Mount Carmel" and prophets who ate at Jezebel’s table, 850 men. It is clear from this statement, that though the people suffered, yet these servants of Satan were not suffering any need. How often this is so even today. As an example India’s streets, busses, trains etc are the places where many beggars can be seen. A land of great poverty, social discrimination, and injustice. While idolatrous priests, ‘holy men’, gurus etc. live in luxury. Even in some sections of "Christianity", men that claim to be the servants of God, take huge sums of money from poor people.

What was one man, against 850, priests, and representatives of the nation? What could Elijah hope to do in such a hopeless situation? But it has been said that "One man with God, is a majority". Thus it proved to be in this case. When all were gathered, Elijah proposed a very reasonable test. He was the lone prophet of the Living God, and they were 850 men. They would be given two bullocks, the idolatrous priests and prophets would have first choice, he would take the one that they rejected. Altars would be erected, the animals would be sacrificed, but no fire would be put. The God that answered by fire then let Him be the God of Israel. The people’s response was that it was well spoken. However first Elijah challenged the people as to why they continued to halt between two opinions. Though they went along with the worship of Baal, yet still they claimed to belong to Jehovah, and that He was their God. Like so many today, they sometimes go to Church, and would call themselves "Christian", yet they follow those things that God hates, things that challenge His rights over them. They will take and enjoy those things that God gives them, yet serve sin, and live for the Devil. However the people remained quiet, they had no real answer to the prophet’s clear challenge. Thus half-heartedness, or unfaithfulness can never be justified.

The proposal being accepted, those in the majority went to work, built their altar, and offered their chosen bullock. The they began to call vainly on Baal to hear and answer them, while Elijah mocked. They jumped on the altar, cut themselves with swords and lances until the blood gushed out, but all to no avail. There was no answer, no fire. Elijah mocked on, urging them to shout louder. He suggested that their god may be talking, pursuing, journeying, or sleeping. All this is very interesting, because in India where idolatry is practiced, there are bells that the devotees ring at the temples where they worship, and they do this to attract the attention of the god.

All this continued until 3 PM, when Elijah then invited the people to come near, while he rebuilt the altar of Jehovah, which had been broken down. He recovered the twelve stones out of the dust and rubbish, he did not build a new altar in a different place but rebuilt the old one. It is important to notice this, because it is God’s way. These days so much is made of the word ‘change’, people are constantly trying to introduce something new. New and ‘exciting’ forms of worship, ‘worship teams’ etc. But God would have us return to that which He has laid down for us in His holy word. Timothy was instructed to "Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, knowing of whom thou hast learned them". 2Tim. 3:14. Let us learn from Elijah’s example.

Elijah invited the people to draw near, and to watch what he was doing. In so doing he was teaching them God’s way of recovery. He was preparing their hearts to return to God, and to the way of worship that they had left.

He then dug a trench around the altar that would contain about two measures of seed. This is an interesting comment, because it does not give a liquid measurement, but mentions seed. This reveals to us that the prophet was expecting a harvest. However there would be no harvest until the heavens opened. The prophet then arranged the wood on the altar, and the wood would be very dry and easy to ignite, because there had been neither dew nor rain for three and one half years.

Elijah then took the second bullock, the one that had been rejected by the idolatrous priests.

At Pilate’s judgement hall, the people were asked to make a choice also. It was either Jesus Christ, or Barabas, and they chose Barabas. The prophet Isaiah says, "He is despised and rejected of men", Isa. 53:3. But the One that men rejected was the One who alone was acceptable to God. So the prophet took the bullock that had been rejected by the many, he shed its blood, removed its skin, then cut it into pieces and laid it on the wood on the altar.

He then told the people to fill four barrels with water, which was done three times and their contents poured over the sacrifice, the wood, and the altar. This water would then remove any dirt that had been attached to the sacrifice, thereby revealing its purity and perfection. It would saturate the wood, making it very hard to ignite, and it would also cleanse the stones of the altar. For years they had lain buried in rubbish, dirt and debris. The water ran down until the trench was filled also, perhaps pointing to what God was about to do, in opening His heavens once more, and pouring out His blessing on the parched land, and on a restored people. The fact that it was done three times, would remind us of the death burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, the only basis on which the blessing of God can come to lost and sinful, but repentant, men.

We may wonder where they would get the water from as most of the streams had dried up during the drought. Mount Carmel, where all this took place, is on a prominence that runs out into the sea. At its northern base, the torrent Kishon empties into the Mediterranean Sea. It is doubtful that this stream dried up, as it is a permanent watercourse, but if it had, then they would have brought the water from the sea.

THE FIRE OF GOD FALLS.

Elijah waited until God’s appointed time, the ninth hour, the time when the evening sacrifice was to be offered, the hour of prayer. He then publicly called on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, the Living God, before whom he stood, and whose power and faithfulness he had proved, in answering his prayers.

He asked for three things. First that God would let it be known that He was God in Israel. Secondly that God would show that he (Elijah), was God’s servant, and thirdly, that he had not done these things from his own heart, but in obedience to God’s word alone. In the presence of God and the people who stood around, he pleaded that He would hear him, and exercise His right over His people, and that Jehovah had turned their heart back again to Himself.

O may God give us men like Elijah today! Men, who will stand before God! Men who will suffer along with those to whom they minister! Men who will act in obedience to the word of God alone! Men who will be used of God to turn the hearts of His people back to Himself!

As he prayed and waited, (he did not resort any of the fanaticism of the idolatrous priests), the fire of Jehovah fell. It consumed the sacrifice, the saturated wood, the cleansed stones, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

In this action, God did several things. He vindicated His servant. Elijah could never be accused of acting according to his own will, nor could he be accused of deceiving or misleading the people. Unlike many self-proclaimed prophets today! God also showed that the sacrifice was acceptable to Him, just as God testified to His satisfaction with the finished work of Christ on the cross, by raising Him from the dead.

He also demonstrated that His people, once cleansed of the filth of their idolatry, and their backsliding, were acceptable to Him. (The stones representing the twelve tribes were consumed along with the sacrifice). And He revealed that it was His will, and His hearts desire that His people might turn again to Him. He was willing to change their hearts, if they were willing to yield their hearts to Him.

Confronted by such a clear and powerful testimony of the presence, power and will of God, while the deceivers, the corrupters looked on, they saw the people fall on their faces, in reverence, and adoration. They heard them cry, "Jehovah He is God, Jehovah, He is God!

Then on the basis of their declaration, Elijah commanded them to seize the prophets of Baal, to allow none to escape. They were then brought down to the brook, (or torrent) Kishon, and Elijah there used the sword to execute the judgment of God on those deceivers. Thus in His wrath, through His servant, God avenged the wicked act of Jezebel, in slaying all the prophets of Jehovah.

This was no mean feat for Elijah, who was now an old man. To slaughter un-aided 850 persons, called for strength greater than his own. But God gave the needed strength to accomplish His will, and He will give the needed strength to all who have the courage and desire to obey His word, and to do His will.

All this took place while the wicked Ahab looked on helplessly. He was not in control now, but the man that he dismissed as a crank or a fool, the servant of the Living God was in control. Elijah then turned to him, and told him to go up to eat and drink, for there was a sound of abundance of rain. However it was only Elijah that could hear that sound, and that was because of his faith. The fierce rays of the sun burned down from a clear sky, yet the faith of the prophet could discern that God was about to send rain on the earth.

While Ahab prepared to go away to celebrate the end of the crisis, Elijah left the scene of the slaughter of those wicked men, and went to the top of the Mountain to pray. Another thing we notice is that Elijah now has a servant. Perhaps this man was amongst the crowd that halted between two opinions. The crowd that was gathered on Mount Carmel, that witnessed the power of God, manifested through His feeble servant. Perhaps this display brought this man to a decision to yield his life to Jehovah, to spend his remaining days in the service, and the company of Elijah.

After reaching the top of the Mountain, the very place where the power of God was manifested, where the fire fell. Elijah fell to his knees. There was no crowd present now to witness, he was alone with his God, except for his servant. But Elijah was no showman. Most of his prayer was in secret, when he was alone with his God. He put his head between his knees, (not a very comfortable posture for an old man) and once again he ‘prayed with prayer’. Evil had been judged, nothing now stood in the way of the fulfilment of the will of God. He knew that it was the will of God to send rain upon the earth, because God had revealed it to him through His word.

This is always the way that God takes to reveal His will. Elijah had no Bible. The five books of Moses, Job, and the Psalms, were then in existence but we are not told that Elijah had a copy. Even if he did, we are told in 1 Cor. 13, that the Old Testament was a dull mirror. But now the perfect mirror has come, and now God speaks through His word. The gift of supernatural knowledge has been removed. It is as we daily read the word of God that He speaks to us, and reveals his will to us. When we "ask anything according to His will we know that He heareth us, and if we know that He hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him". 1John, 5:14-15. The promise of Psalm 37:4, is conditional on our delighting ourselves in the Lord. The promise of the Lord Jesus in Mark, 11:24, must be understood in the light of these other scriptures. It is not a blank cheque for the believer to claim whatever they may lust after. It was never spoken by the Lord to encourage covetousness.

The answer to Elijah’s prayer did not come immediately. This was to test His faith, and to encourage him to persist. God did not do this to prove anything to Himself about Elijah’s faith, but he did it so that we may have this example to follow. Each time he prayed, he sent his servant to see if there was any sign of an answer. Six times he went, but his answer was the same,("There is nothing"), but the seventh time he returned with the report that there was a little cloud, "like a man’s hand", arising out of the sea. But what could he expect from such a little cloud in a time of fierce drought? However in that little cloud, Elijah’s faith could see the mighty hand of Jehovah.

He then sent his servant to warn Ahab to get home before the coming storm hit. Then Jehovah’s hand was on Elijah, He gave him superhuman strength and endurance, he ran before the chariot drawn by galloping horses, to the entrance of Jezreel.

God’s intervention did not please the wicked Jezebel. She did not rejoice in the relief of the suffering of the people. She was angry that Baal had been dethroned, and that Jehovah the Living God had exercised His right over His people. Those whom she favoured and supported, had been slain, her system of idol worship lay in ruins. She would wreak vengeance on the man who stood alone for God. The one who had been God’s chosen instrument in all this. So she sent a messenger to Elijah, threatening to murder him within twenty four hours. Little did she know, that she could not touch the prophet, while ever he was in the will of God. However Elijah did not take her threat lightly. He knew her to be a very wicked and powerful woman. The fear of man crept into his soul, and he ran away. Here we see what James meant when he said that he "was subject to the same passions as we are". Along with the fear of man, came depression and doubt. He asked himself, "What’s the use, why must I suffer thus?" He had stood alone against 850 prophets and priests. He never cringed before Ahab, yet he ran away at the threat of one woman. Such is man, such are we! Poor failing creatures that we are.

ELIJAH RUNS AWAY.

Thus it was that this mighty prophet failed, and retired from the scene of his service, where he had been so mightily used of God. So he arose and went south to Beersheba, (the well of the oath). So it seems that even here God was seeking to draw his attention to His own immutable promise, but Elijah left his servant there, and went into the wilderness of doubt and depression. We never read of that servant again. Was he stumbled by Elijah’s failure?

However God was not taken by surprise at the prophet’s demise, He saw the whole of his life before he was born. He never lost patience with him, but tenderly bore with him.

Elijah was filled with self-pity, he requested that he might die. We hear him say, "it is enough", meaning "I can’t take any more", "please take me away, let me escape from all this". After that prayer of self-pity, he went to sleep.is ownHHHH

The same man that in the strength given by God could run before the chariot of Ahab, drawn by galloping horses; has now retreated into himself, and is overcome by tiredness. This tiredness is the result of self-occupation, and defeat. Perhaps someone reading this has had the same experience! Once you were keen, active, and used of God in His service, but things are different now. You have taken rest, (retired), from that service. You thought it was not worth the trouble it brought. You too have gone to sleep, have become unconscious of your situation, and the need of perishing souls around you. You have retired into the wilderness of doubt and depression? My dear disappointed brother or sister, God loves you, He understands your weakness and disappointment, and He bids you to awake, to arise from amongst the dead that surround you. Eph. 5:14, Rom. 13:11-14.

Jehovah sent an angel to minister to his depressed servant. This heavenly visitor touched the sleeping prophet and he awoke. O may it please the Lord to grant you and I a heavenly touch! The prophet awoke to find a cake baked on hot coals, and a cruse of water at his head. He heard the heavenly invitation, "Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for thee".

In the beginning when he was hiding by the Brook Cherith, God sent the ravens to him, with bread and flesh, twice daily. But God did not send the ravens now, but sent an angel to minister to the needs of His disappointed servant. Elijah did as he was bidden, he ate and drank, but he laid down again and went to sleep once more. God did not chide or rebuke His failing servant, but graciously waited while the prophet slept. What a loving and patient God we have! How often He has waited patiently on you and I, as we slept in our complacency, our inert, unconscious state, waited for us to wake up.

We are not told how long the prophet slept, but this time God did not just send any angel, but came Himself to minister to His beloved servant. (In most cases where the Scripture uses the expression, "The angel of the Lord", or" the angel of God", it is a reference to God Himself appearing in angelic form). The prophet was touched by the hand of his Master, as he slept. He was thus awakened and God spoke to him. "Arise and eat. For the journey is too great for thee". Any journey that we may take, however short it may be, that is outside the will of God, is too great for us. Elijah awoke once more, he ate and drank of the heavenly provision. From that food he received super-human strength, but he used it to continue in the wrong direction, he was intent on going even further into the barren wilderness, of doubt and depression. But he went in the strength of that heavenly nourishment for 40 days and 40 nights, until he came to Horeb, the mount of God. It is sad to notice that the disappointed prophet used the strength that God gave him to continue the pursuit of his own will. He went further and further away from the place where God had used him so mightily. We may ask what was he seeking? Did he want to experience more of the presence of God? Why God had come to him right there, while he slept under the Juniper tree. It seems that he craved to be in a place of loneliness and isolation. Perhaps someone reading this may be in a similar situation. The patience that God showed to Elijah, is just as available to you and I. He wants to bring His servants back to a place of power and usefulness.

It was at this mountain that God revealed to Moses, the glory of His great goodness. Moses was hidden in a cleft of the rock and covered with Jehovah’s hand, while His glory passed by. Was Elijah seeking a similar revelation of God’s glory? He was going back to past experience, but God had moved on now. The law that He had given there was never given again. God now expected obedience to that law from His people, and His servants.

There is nothing magic or awe-inspiring about that place. I have personally climbed to the top of Mount Horeb, (now known as ‘Jebel Musa’, ‘Moses’ Mountain’). I slept there overnight, and watched the sunrise early the next morning. But I can honestly say, that I felt no nearer to God there, than down on the plain, or in any other place. But Elijah found a cave there, and intended to make it his residence. Perhaps he thought that God would again send His angels to feed and minister to his needs, but he was out of the will of God now. God will never encourage anyone to continue in the path of their own will, their own choosing. It is true that the Lord Jesus walked with those confused and saddened disciples that had decided to leave the company of His disciples. To go back home, to think matters over. Though He made as if He would go even further, yet His purpose was to restore those disappointed disciples to fellowship with their brethren once again.

God did not come to the cave where Elijah was to condemn him, or even to criticize him, He simply asked the question, "What doest thou ere Elijah?" Why was he where he was, who told him to come there, how did he manage to get into this predicament? This gentle question drew forth from Elijah an exaggerated appreciation of his own faithfulness, and a harsh condemnation of Jehovah’s people. Ending up with the claim that he was more faithful than all, that he was the only one left, and now his life was under threat. God patiently listened to his speech, without a word of rebuke, or criticism. He told Elijah to go and stand in the mouth of the cave, where He was to display to his disappointed servant, a little of His awesome power in judgment, or destruction.

First a great and strong wind that rent the mountains, and broke the rocks in pieces; the wind was followed by an earthquake, and lastly by a fire. But though these were all dramatic and terrifying, yet God was not in them. This was the display of God’s awesome power in judgment, but judgment gave Him no pleasure, it was His strange work. Isaiah, 28:21.

After the fire, there came a still small, (or a soft gentle), voice. This did for Elijah what the other more dramatic and terrifying things could not do. It touched his saddened heart, made him conscious of the very presence of the Living God of Israel. He wrapped his face in his mantle, in reverence, and perhaps in shame. He had no right to be where he was, he went out to the mouth of the cave, to hear what God would say to him.

That soft gentle voice spoke again, the same question was asked, "What doest thou here Elijah?" This drew forth once again the same old story, but God would not listen now but instead commanded Elijah to retrace his steps. He was to return on the way that he had come. He was to return once more to the path of God’s will, the path of obedience. This must have been a humbling thing for the prophet to do, but do it he must.

At the same time God revealed to Elijah, that He knew more about His people than Elijah did. Elijah had mistakenly thought that he was the only one left that was really faithful to God, and obedient to His word. Self-occupation, and self-pity, are dangerous things. They will always lead us to wrong conclusions. They will make us to think that we are more faithful to God than others. They will give us an exaggerated sense of our own imagined faithfulness, and will give us a warped view, of the unfaithfulness of others.

Elijah must have felt humbled when God told him that He still had 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that had not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that had not kissed his image. In the New Testament we read these words, "The Lord knoweth them that are His," but in the same verse we are told that those who name the name of the Lord must "Depart from iniquity". Perhaps when we reach the Glory, we will be surprised to find some people there, but we can be sure that not one will be missing that truly belongs to the Lord.

Elijah was told to do three things. He was to anoint Hazael king over Syria, Jehu, king over Israel, and Elisha to be prophet in his stead. It is a worthy reflection of the prophet’s humility, that he did the last mentioned first, and left it to his successor to fulfill the other two commands. He really loved the people of Israel, and could not bear to think of the terrible judgment that was coming on them because of their unfaithfulness. John the Baptist emulated his predecessor, when he said, "He must increase, I must decrease" John, 3:30. May God grant us the grace to follow his example!

In all this, God revealed both His patience and His grace, but as well His faithfulness and justice. As He revealed to Moses, though He forgives iniquity and sin, yet He by no means clears the guilty. In His own time, He would deal with the wicked Jezebel, the weak and spineless Ahab, and those of His people who turned back to idolatry. Though He may choose to make use of men in His service, and in the accomplishment of His will, yet finally He is in control, He will see that justice is done, that righteousness reigns. Great man as Elijah was, yet he was only just a small part of the plan of God. He also had others that He could call on, and use to accomplish His will. The hymn writer could write.

O mind divine, so must it be

That glory all belongs to God!

O love divine that did decree

We should be part, through Jesus’ blood!

Elijah’s judgment of sin and unfaithfulness, could never measure up to Jehovah’s. Nor could his love for the weak and wayward people of Israel, ever compare with God’s love for them. However the prophet was spared the agony of witnessing the terrible judgment of God that later fell on his people.

Elijah now departs from Mount Horeb, and as far as the record goes, he never returned there again. He had learned the lesson that God had taught him. He would never again return to the concept of a mere historical God. From now on he was to walk with God in daily experience. He was no longer to be occupied with himself, nor to indulge in self-pity again. The Bible never tells us that he went to Syria but went straight to Abel Meholah, where he found Elisha who was in time to replace him, plowing with a huge team of bullocks before him, but he was at the back handling the plow. Though he was told to anoint Elisha prophet in his stead, yet it seems the Elijah did this, not by pouring oil on his head, but by casting his cloak upon him. Many testing years were to pass before Elisha was ready to wear that cloak.

Though our study is about Elijah, it will be to our profit to notice some things about the one who was to be Elijah’s successor. When Elijah found him Elisha was plowing. This shows us that he was a man of discernment, and a man of faith. Three and a half years had passed, during which time there had been neither seed time or harvest. Yet here we find the young man plowing. He discerned that the time had come for God to visit His people, and to rain righteousness upon them, so he was "breaking up his fallowed ground". Hoseah, 10:11-12. Perhaps Elisha had been amongst that crowd that assembled on Carmel’s summit. He had witnessed the thunder, the lightening, and the great rain that came with it. But one shower does not end a drought, there needs to be constant follow up rains, until the ground water is replenished once again. But though the ground was still dry and hard, yet Elisha testified to his faith, by putting in the plow. He was hoping for a harvest. 1Cor. 9:10.

Then we notice that he had twelve yolk of oxen before him. We may ask, "why so many?" There could have been several reasons. (1) It shows that he cared for his beasts, there had been no harvest for more than three years, yet he carefully managed what little feed that he had, so that his bullocks did not starve. (2) Having had little food for so long, the bullocks would have been thin and weak. (3) The land had been baked by the sun for more than three years, so it would have been very hard. Even the rain that fell in that first storm, would not have penetrated the baked earth, but most of it would have run off. (4) Though the bullocks were thin and weak, yet the man of faith made careful use of what he had There are lessons for us to learn here. How many of us lament the weakness of those that the lord gives us to work with. But faith and devotion would lead us to thank God for what is available to us, and no matter how difficult the task, to get on with the job. Timothy was told to be "instant, (diligent, urgent), in season and out of season". To preach the word, when God was blessing, and when He was not blessing. Also the ground was hard, and to plough at such a time would cause the ploughman to receive many a blow, many a bump and bruise. But faithful Elisha kept on with the job. He knew that without breaking up the soil the rain would never penetrate, and there would never be any harvest.

Finally we see his humility, in that he "Was with the twelfth", he was last, he was where the hard work was, he was not afraid of hard work, bumps or bruises, and the true servant of God will receive many of those. Also unless there was a driver present, his bullocks were well trained, and they were guided by their master’s word, his voice. All these characteristics are most desirable in a servant of God.

When Elijah threw his cloak on Elisha’s shoulders, he discerned in this the will of God for his future life. It seems that he knew who Elijah was. This seems to confirm our earlier speculation about his being on Mount Carmel. He showed his willingness to joyfully respond to God’s call at once. But he wished to do so in a respectful way, and asked the prophet’s permission to say goodbye to his parents first. Elijah’s response was to test his sincerity, by apparently seeking to discourage him from responding. He urged him instead to get on with his work, saying "What have I done to thee?". But Elisha was equal to the test, his mind was made up, he had finished with his present kind of life, he was saying goodbye to business, to secular work. He unhooked his bullocks, loaded his wooden plough onto the cart and returned to the village. Once there he sacrificed his two best bullocks, made a feast for all those of his village. He used his wooden implements to cook the flesh, which meant that he could never go back to that kind of life again. What a wonderful example he sets for all that would respond to God’s call to serve Him.

How different it is today, when some imagine that God has called them to serve Him in this place or that, in fellowship with this society or that. They go around Churches begging for support, and seeking sympathy in their ‘surrender’. For Elisha it was a matter of great joy for him to be called to such lofty service, and rather than begging support from others, he gave to them, he ministered to them.

So it was that he left his business, his parents, and his village, and as far as we are told, he never returned there again. It is possible that he did go back at sometime or other, but we are never told of it if it did happen. Similarly, the Lord Jesus, once He left the house at Nazareth, only ever returned there once again. Matt. 13:54-57.

All this brings to mind what one said to our Master, "Suffer me first to bury my father and mother", only then would he follow Him. In that case the Lord’s response seemed rather harsh, but when we realise that the man’s parents were still living, and that he wanted to wait until they were dead and buried, before he would follow the Lord, we realise that what the Lord said to him was not harsh. It is possible that much of his life would be gone before his parents died. So the Lord answered, "Let the dead bury their dead." Luke, 9:59-60.

So it was that Elisha followed his master, and for many years, became his personal servant. He did Elijah’s washing, and cooked his food etc, and never came into the public view until at last his master was taken up into heaven.

Elijah does not appear again until chapter 21 of 1Kings. But there was work to be done, messages to be given during the interval, but God used another servant of His for this purpose. God was showing Elijah the vain nature of his claim, "I alone am left". Here we discover two of the knees that had not bowed to Baal, Elisha’s and that of the un-named prophet God knew what He was saying!

Ahab had sought to acquire the vineyard of faithful Naboth. However his covetousness was defeated for a time, by Naboth’s faithfulness. He refused to part with that precious piece of territory, he did not regard it as his, but it was the inheritance of his fathers. He had held it in sacred trust, and cultivated it for the benefit of himself and his sons. He refused to exchange it for another plot, and would not accept money for it.

Ahab went home in a sulk, sullen and sad, and he refused to eat. When the wicked Jezebel discovered his disappointment and problem she told him not to worry, she would give him the vineyard that he lusted after .So she set her evil plan in motion.

First she got the elders of Jezreel under her influence and control, then they found evil men who were prepared to lie about Naboth and his sons. The end result was that first his character was assassinated, and he was brutally and publicly murdered. All was done under the pretence of fulfilling God’s law. His sons too were murdered, see 2Kings 9:26.

Jezebel then told Ahab to go down to Jezreel and take possession of Naboth’s vineyard, because he was dead, and was no more a hindrance. Ahab then went down, and was walking around the vineyard, no doubt planning what he was going to do. He heard a rustle amongst the vines, and there stood the very man that he feared most.

Filled with fear, anger and hate, he fixed his eyes on Elijah and said, "Have you found me O mine enemy?" To which the prophet replied, "I have found thee, because thou hast sold thyself to do evil in the sight of the Lord". Then fearlessly he began to reveal the solemn word of God to this wicked man. There he told Ahab the solemn story of his coming doom, and that in the very place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth, they would also lick his blood. He told him of the coming destruction of his wicked wife, and the whole of his family. They would all end up in the most shameful way, in the greatest disgrace.

Please note that the fear of man no longer had any place in Elijah. No more was he afraid of Ahab’s power, and jezebel’s wicked schemes. He was restored to his former power and usefulness. He was to learn also the power of the message of God, even to bring spineless Ahab to humble himself, and to do all the things that accompanied repentance. Ahab who was unique, the most wicked man of his time. He whose wickedness and crimes are detailed for us in 1Kings 21:25-27

As a result the sentence of judgment on Jezebel and Ahab’s sons was delayed for some years, and Ahab did not have to see with his own eyes, the execution of the sentence. However he died exactly as the prophet foretold, and the dogs licked his blood at the very pool, where they had licked the blood of Naboth. Because they washed his chariot and his blood stained armour there.

The next time we see Elijah, he was sent by God to give a message to the servants of Ahab’s son Ahaziah, who had met with an accident and sent his servants to enquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, as to whether he would recover. Elijah confronted the men as they went. He told them that the king would not recover, but would die. When they returned so quickly, Ahaziah asked them why they had returned so soon, and they delivered the message of doom, just as Elijah had told it to them. When they were asked what kind of a man it was who had given them this message, they said that he was a hairy man, with a leather belt around his waist. The king then knew that it was Elijah, and sent a captain with fifty soldiers to capture him, possibly to torture and to execute him. However when the armed band came, Elijah was sitting on the top of a hill. The captain said, "Man of God, thus saith the king, come down". However Elijah served another King, the King of heaven and earth. He refused to obey the command, and instead called down fire from heaven, which devoured the captain and his band of fifty men. Not accepting defeat, the king sent another captain with fifty men, and they suffered the same fate. Again another captain with fifty men was sent, but he humbly pleaded for his life, and the lives of his men. God then told Elijah to go with them and not to fear them. Thus the prophet went, and fearlessly delivered God’s message to the ailing king. The king died, just as Elijah had told, because he had sent messengers to enquire of the god of Ekron. Jehovah was the God of Israel, and He would tolerate no rival.

ELIJAH’S TRANSLATION.

The time had come for God to call His servant home to glory, to his reward. Though he knew the time had come, yet he sought several times to dissuade Elisha from accompanying him. This was to test Elisha’s discernment, and his commitment. Though commanded to stay first at Gilgal, then at Bethel, after this at Jericho, he declined to do so, he would not let anything separate him from his master. Elisha was equal to the test, and on each occasion he declared, "As Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee! He was determined to follow his master to the very end. Each place represented a test, Gilgal was the place of circumcision, Phil. 3:3. Bethel, the house of God, ( a dreadful place to Jacob because of his sin), 1Tim. 3:15, Jericho, was the rebuilt place of a curse. The World in its more pleasing refined character. The last place was the most testing of all, the Jordan, the place of death to self. But Elisha was equal to each test. As he watched, Elijah took his mantle, folded it together and smote the waters with it. The water parted, and they went over on dry ground, just as Israel had done centuries before. Thus the old prophet taught the younger man, the secret of victory, the typical meaning of the death of Christ.

He then gave the young prophet a blank cheque, he said "what shall I do for thee, before I am taken away from thee." Elisha made a noble request, he did not ask for riches, luxury, power or fame, but for a double portion of his master’s spirit. Elijah’s response to this request was to say, "Thou hast asked a hard thing". The request would only be granted, if Elisha saw his master go up. I guess that from that moment he would not take his eyes off his master. His request would put many of us to shame today, in this day of the "prosperity doctrine", where believers are encouraged in their covetousness. It brings to mind the chorus;

To be like Jesus, like thee Lord Jesus,

All I ask, to be like Thee.

All through life’s pathway, from earth to glory,

All I ask: to be like Thee.

The moment of parting came, Jehovah’s horses and chariot of fire appeared, and the prophet of fire, was carried up into heaven. He received an honour that was given only to two men, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, the first prophet, and Elijah, the "prince of prophets". As he went up, his mantle fell down. Elisha took it up, tore his own cloak in two pieces, because thereafter he would only wish to be seen in the mantle of his Master. What an example he is for us, Rom. 13:14.

The next time we see Elijah, he is in the most excellent company. When the Lord Jesus was transfigured before His disciples, there appeared two men, who were Moses and Elijah. They were talking with Him about the great work of redemption that He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. We are not told whether they knew about this beforehand, or whether the Lord Jesus revealed it to them at that time. What joy it must have brought to them, to realise that all that those Old Testament sacrifices spoke of, or foretold, was about to be fulfilled at Jerusalem. Even the sacrifice that Elijah offered on the top of Mount Carmel, was about to find its fulfilment.

This was probably the very first time that they had seen Jehovah, the God of Israel, though Moses had seen some form before, and had seen the hinder part of His glory. Though Elijah had seen ‘the angel of Jehovah’ on several occasions, yet now they saw the mighty Jehovah Himself, whom they had both served so faithfully. They saw Him in human form, and in a transfigured state before them.

What a moment that must have been for them both! They would not see Him again until as the mighty victor, He entered heaven, as man. There at His Father’s invitation to ascend the throne of God, and be seated there.

On that Mountain, they both witnessed the "bright cloud" of the Shekinah Glory, that Moses had seen in the Tabernacle. The very same cloud, which had appeared on several occasions. It had saved Moses life when threatened with stoning by the people. Now enveloped in the cloud, they beheld the glory of the Son of God. After the cloud disappeared, the disciples saw no one, but Jesus Only. It seems that they returned in that cloud to paradise, while the Lord Jesus went down, to go to Jerusalem to die there.

The prophet Malachi foretells that Elijah will be sent once more to the rebellious people of Israel, before the coming of that "great and terrible day of the Lord." Mal. 4:5. Thus Elijah’s work is not finished yet. The authodox Jews reserve a special seat for him every time that they celebrate the Passover. Before the ceremony begins, the head of the family will go to the door and open it, then he will invite the prophet inside. The coming of John the Baptist was a partial fulfilment of the prophecy, and more particularly of the promise of Mal. 3:1. So Elijah will come again to Israel but his coming will mean terrible trouble for unbelieving Israel, and the whole world that follows the Beast.

In chapter 11 of the Revelation we read of God’s two witnesses. Though they are not named, yet the description of the curses and judgments that they bring, seem to identify them as Moses and Elijah. If this is so, Elijah will not return to Samaria, or to Jezreel, as they ceased to exist after the captivity of Israel, but to Jerusalem. It is there described as, "Spiritually Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified". Rev. 11:8. The place where our Lord was crucified was Jerusalem. It seems that those two witnesses will prophecy again for three and a half years. They will bring great torment to those who follow the Beast. Not only to Israel and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but world-wide.

Though hated by men, yet they are immortal until their work is done. Those that would harm them are themselves destroyed, just as the two captains and their bands of fifty soldiers were, as we have already seen. However the Beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit, (the great red dragon?), will pit all his power against them and will kill them. Their bodies will lie unburied, as a spectacle to evil men world wide, and a cause of much merriment. This merriment will turn to terror, when the world witnesses their resurrection. At heaven’s invitation, they ascend there in a cloud. If Elijah is one of them, then this is no new experience for him. Though hated and rejected on earth, yet they are welcomed in heaven. This was so of our Lord Jesus, and will be so for all that are true to Him even today.

So ends our examination of the life of this remarkable man. May we receive and respond to the challenges that such an examination brings! May God enable us to learn from his mistakes, and profit from the many examples that he gives. May it please God, to raise up men like him, in this dark day in which we live!

May God’s Holy Name be glorified! C.E Wigg, 21.3.02.