1 Kings 17-21, 2 Kings 1-2
The flight for his life was another challenge Elijah faced as his life was threatened by Jezebel. He was forced to flee to Beersheba in Judah - 1 Kin 19:1-3 “Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow." Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.” We read of his despondency and desire for death - 1 Kin 19:4 “But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers."’ We read of his journey to Horeb. The provisions by an angel - 1 Kin 19:5-7 “And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, "Arise and eat." And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the LORD came again a second time and touched him and said, "Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you." He was strengthened for 40 days and nights - 1 Kin 19:8 “And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.”
In his discouragement and the Lord’s response despite his success, he feels all is lost - 1 Kin 19:9-10 “There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
1Ki 19:10 He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away."’ We now read of the lesson from the Lord - 1 Kin 19:11-12 “And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” But Elijah’s despondency remains - 1 Kin 19:13-14 “And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away."’ The Lord’s new duties for Elijah - 1 Kin 19:15-17 “And the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death.”
1) Anoint Hazael as king over Syria
2) Anoint Jehu as king over Israel
3) Anoint Elisha as prophet in his place
He is not alone, there are many others! - 1 Kin 19:18 “Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."’ Elisha becomes Elijah’s servant - 1 Kin 19:19-21 “So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, "Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?" And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.”
We now come to his message to Ahab and Ahaziah. Elijah rebukes Ahab regarding Naboth. Jezebel has Naboth killed so Ahab can have his vineyard - 1 Kin 21:1-16. Elijah announces shameful deaths for Ahab and Jezebel - 1 Kin 21:17-26. Ahab’s humility delays judgment - 1 Kin 21:27-29. Elijah rebukes Ahaziah for inquiring of Baal. Injured, Ahaziah son of Ahab, sends an inquiry to Baal-Zebub - 2 Kin 1:1-2. Elijah is sent to turn the messengers back to Ahaziah with a rebuke and a prophecy concerning his death - 2 Kin 1:3-8. Three companies of soldiers are sent to bring Elijah to the king
1) Two are consumed by fire from heaven - 2 Kin 1:9-12
2) The third is spared by the plea of its captain - 2 Kin 1:13-15
In person, Elijah again rebukes Ahaziah and foretells his death - 2 Kin 1:16-17
Then Elisha accompanies Elijah from Gilgal to Bethel, and on to Jericho - 2 Kin 2:1-5. The ‘sons of the prophets’ at Bethel tell Elisha that Elijah is about to be taken away. The ‘sons of the prophets’ at Jericho tell Elisha the same thing. Elisha accompanies Elijah across the Jordan River - 2 Kin 2:6-10. Elisha refuses to stay in Jericho. Fifty ‘sons of the prophets follow them down to the Jordan. Elijah strikes the river with his mantle; he and Elisha cross on dry ground. Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elijah is transported to heaven - 2 Kin 2:11-18. A chariot of fire with horses of fire appears. Elijah is taken by a whirlwind to heaven, witnessed by Elisha. Elisha returns, the ‘sons of the prophets’ fail to find Elijah. A remarkable end for a remarkable man! And yet we recall that he was “a man with a nature like ours” (Ja 5:17).
What can we learn from a man like Elijah and his message...? First we can note the power of prayer. This is the application made by James - Ja 5:16-18 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.” Encouraging us to pray for one another, extolling the value of prayer by a righteous man, in referring to the example of Elijah and the three and half year drought. Whose prayer was answer providentially, not supernaturally - 1 Kin 18:41-45. Do we believe in the power of prayer? When God is One who hears prayer? - Psa 65:2 “O you who hears prayer, to you shall all flesh come.” When Jesus taught the power of believing prayer? - Mk 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” When James wrote concerning the prayer of faith? - Ja 5:15 “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” When John wrote the value of prayer according to God’s will? - 1 Jn 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”
Second, note the providence of God at work. God provided time and again for the needs of Elijah. By the Brook Cherith, through the ravens that brought him food. At the house of the widow at Zarephath. Fleeing from Jezebel, when an angel brought him bread and water. Do we believe in the providential care of God? Promised by Jesus to those who seek first God’s kingdom? - Mt 6:31-34 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Proclaimed by Jesus to those who leave all to follow Him? - Mk 10:29-30 “Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” Promised by Paul in his writings? - Ph 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”; 2 Co 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
Third, note the need for commitment. Elijah was the prophet of commitment. He was willing to ‘stand’ for the Lord in the face of adversaries - 1 Kin 17:1 “Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word."’ He called on Israel to make the right choice - 1 Kin 18:21 “And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.” Are we willing to make a commitment for the Lord? To choose the right Master? - Mt 6:24 ‘"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” To serve the One who has the power to free us from sin? - Ro 6:16-18 “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” To love the Father instead of the world? - 1 Jn 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” To serve the Lord with zeal? - Re 3:15-16 ‘"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
Fourth, note Elijah’s challenge of overcoming discouragement. Elijah was not beyond becoming discouraged and depressed. He wanted to die, feeling that he had failed - 1 Kin 19:4 “But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers."’ He had been zealous for the Lord, but thought none had listened - 1 Kin 19:14 “He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away."’ The Lord’s response was to put Elijah to work, and reveal that he was not alone - 1 Kin 19:15-18 “And the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."’
Do we find ourselves getting discouraged and depressed? Even the apostles were not immune to such emotions - 2 Co 7:5 “For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn--fighting without and fear within.” Yet God, who comforts the downcast, is the God of all comfort - 2 Co 7:6 “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,”; 1:3-4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” The solution remains the same: remember you are not alone, and get busy in service to the Lord!
Fith, note the consequences of sin. The terrible consequences of sin are illustrated time and again. The drought on Israel. The judgment on the prophets of Baal. The deaths of Jezebel and Ahab. Do we truly appreciate the consequences of sin? The physical toll that is often experienced even in this life?
1) The absence of God’s providential care in our lives.
2) The effects of immorality and worldliness on our bodies and our minds?
The spiritual toll that will be experienced in this life and the one to come?
1) Separation from God now so that He will not hear our prayers - Isa 59:1-2 “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”
2) Eternal separation from God if we remain in our sins - cf. Ro 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”; Re 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."’
The sixth and final observation is the hope of righteousness. Elijah illustrates the hope of the righteous who persevere to the end. He was translated to heaven, so death had no power over him. He appeared in glory when Jesus was transfigured, conversing with Him - Lk 9:28-32. What is the hope of the righteous today who persevere to the end? The dead will be raised incorruptible, the living changed, so death no longer has any power - 1 Co 15:50-54 “I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."’ They shall receive rest, and be glorified together with Christ! - 2 Th 1:7-12 “and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The life and lessons of Elijah the Tishbite is a wonderful story written for our admonition - 1 Co 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” Written for our learning, that we might have patience, comfort and hope - Ro 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” May his life inspire us to heed his lessons. The power of prayer. The challenge of discouragement. The providence of God. The consequence of sin. The need for commitment. The hope of the righteous.For just as Elijah consumed the soldiers with fire from heaven, so the day will come...
“...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 2Th 1:7-8
Are you ready for that day? Hear again the words of Elijah...
“How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him...”
