The prophet Elijah is venerated by Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. According to VeryWellFamily , the name Elijah has the following origin, gender use, and pronunciations:. Or take four minutes and read the main part of the story in 1 Kings Quick references to Elijah appear in 2 Kings , 2 Kings , 2 Kings , and 2 Kings And he shows up at the end of the Old Testament in Malachi prophecy about John the Baptist as the forerunner of the Messiah.
Yes, we typically think of Elijah as an old man, but that may or may not have been the case. Elijah never has anything good to say about wicked tyrants. During three and a half years without rain, the Lord instructs Elijah to hide. First, the Lord tells him to hide by a stream called Cherith east of the Jordan River, where ravens will feed him. There a poor widow will feed him from a miraculous supply of grain and oil.
In this season of hiding, the Lord graciously cares for Elijah at every turn. At the end of these years without rain, Elijah calls a national contest on Mount Carmel between the Lord God, creator of heaven and earth, and the wicked pagan gods of Baal and Asherah.
But we also see God. The fear clawing and scratching at Elijah dissolves. So yes, Elijah ran in fear, but he also found courage through God. When he saw that, he arose, and ran for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. After all, who takes kindly to threats of murder? The sigh rises from yet another realization that Elijah was a real person facing authentic, human emotions.
Discouragement is or has been a battle for many of us. Even a prophet, a strong man of faith , faced its torrent. But the waters of discouragement failed to overtake him. He found strength to squelch and overcome discouragement. Now, O Yahweh, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. How easy it is to view life through the lens of human vision. We often see situations as they appear, not how they can be, or we simply make assumptions based on circumstances.
Elijah proved no different. A small vision, focus of the human kind, assured he was the only follower of God left, that everyone else had fallen into worship of the false god, Baal.
That proved far from the truth. I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. One moment Elijah walked this earth, the next he was taken up into heaven. Elisha, his successor, watched it unfold. I often wonder what emotions Elisha encountered at that moment. As they continued on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. When Elijah departed earth, a legacy remained.
Elisha, the prophet mentioned earlier, clung to Elijah. He received a double portion as a result of being present when Elijah departed. Elisha went on to champion the message of following God Almighty and no other. Imagine the view: Elijah standing alongside Moses, the two conversing with Jesus.
A hushed holiness washes straight over me whenever I consider it. Peter, John, and James witnessed this spiritual wonder. Their hearts are hard. How should we seek to minister to this type of people? Though the world may grow very evil and corrupt God preserves a remnant of true believers, who serve Him faithfully 1 Kings , What does He desire? A sincere heart, to worship in spirit and truth. God makes us strong even through our weaknesses.
After the incident on Mt. Carmel Elijah was afraid and tired, running for his life from Jezebel. At the time when he needed it most, God provided divine sustenance for Elijah 1 Kings We should always be alert, even when our Christian life is going along smoothly. Our flesh is weak and can fail at any time.
Therefore we need to always be humble and look to God. We need to be steady and disciplined and be careful to avoid the low valleys of depression in Christian life. See Elijah after Mt. We want to help you study the Bible, obey the Bible, and teach the Bible to others.
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Over 50, words of in depth discovery questions, teaching points, and applications cover each chapter in 23 lessons. You will receive our practical and in-depth Bible study of Hebrews in. Events surrounding birth: No Info. Lessons from his life : Pleading with God in prayer can accomplish much. More Character Studies. Search our Bible Studies. Search for:.
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