Elijah

“Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” (1 Kings 18:37)

Date

870 BC - 845 BC

Bible Reference

1 Kings 17:1 – 2 Kings 2:11

Summary

Elijah was a prophet who brought his message of the LORD to Israel primarily during the reign of evil King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.

Jezebel was a foreign princess from the Phoenician city of Sidon. She worshiped Baal and Asherah and supported their prophets. When Jezebel oppressed and executed the true prophets of God, Elijah pronounced a drought on Israel and went into hiding for three years.

Elijah returned to challenge the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. Two altars were constructed, and Elijah urged Baal’s prophets to pray saying, “the God who answers by fire, he is God.” The prophets of Baal prayed, but Baal did not answer. Then Elijah drenched water on his sacrifice three times, prayed, and fire from heaven consumed the sacrifice, the water, and altar. After the contest, the drought ended, and Elijah escaped to Mount Horeb (Mt. Sinai). At Mt. Horeb, Elijah was depressed and felt alone, but the LORD comforted him.

Elijah returned to choose his successor, Elisha, before he was taken to heaven by a whirlwind. (1 Kings 17:1-19:21; 2 Kings 2:11)

Character

• Courageous. (1 Kings 18:13-38; 21:17-24; 2 Kings 1:1-16)

• Zealous and loyal to God. (1 Kings 19:10)

• Compassionate. (1 Kings 17:8-24)

• Influential. (Malachi 4:6)

• Prayerful. (James 5:17)

Symbolism

• The prophet Malachi said God would send Elijah to prepare people’s hearts for the Messiah. Jesus said that the spirit of Elijah was present in the ministry of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Him. [Jesus the Messiah]. (Malachi 4:5, 6; Matthew 17:12, 13)

Challenges

• Pronouncing judgment on the religious establishment of a nation and confronting powerful leaders and officials who want to kill him. (1 Kings 17:1; 18:1-17; 20:35-43; 21:17-26; 2 Kings 1:1-16)

• Trusting God to take care of him, in a foreign land, by a foreign woman. (1 Kings 17:8-24)

• Challenging the king and queen of Israel along with 850 Canaanite prophets to a showdown. (1 Kings 18:17-40)

Lessons

• God hears the prayers of the faithful and provides for them. (1 Kings 17:1-24; 8:42-45)

• God’s word and authority is confirmed with action. (1 Kings 17:1-7, 14-16; 18:20-24)

• The power of God is found in His “still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:11-13)

• One may feel hopeless, depressed, and alone. God is with us and will never desert us. (1 Kings 19:4-18)