This is a Day of Good News

2 Kings 7:9

In the period of Israel’s history known as “The Divided Kingdom”, (ca. 931-722 B.C.) the nation was divided into two parts. There was the kingdom of Israel in the north with Samaria as its capitol and the kingdom of Judah in the south with Jerusalem for its capitol. The weakened condition of both kingdoms left it open to attacks by other countries. Some near by (e.g., Syria Moab, Ammon). Others from afar (e.g., Assyria, Babylon). We read of one siege of Samaria in 2 Kin 6:24-29 orchestrated by Ben-Hadad, king of Syria which brought a terrible famine upon the city of Samaria. “Afterward Ben-hadad king of Syria mustered his entire army and went up and besieged Samaria. And there was a great famine in Samaria, as they besieged it, until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five shekels of silver. Now as the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying, "Help, my lord, O king!" And he said, "If the LORD will not help you, how shall I help you? From the threshing floor, or from the winepress?" And the king asked her, "What is your trouble?" She answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.' So we boiled my son and ate him. And on the next day I said to her, 'Give your son, that we may eat him.' But she has hidden her son."’ Among those suffering in the famine were four lepers.... They discuss their plight - 2 Kin 7:3-4a “Now there were four men who were lepers at the entrance to the gate. And they said to one another, "Why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, 'Let us enter the city,' the famine is in the city, and we shall die there.” In desperation they decide to surrender to the Syrians - 2 Kin 7:4b “And if we sit here, we die also. So now come, let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us we shall but die."’ To their surprise, they find the Syrian camp abandoned - 2 Kin 7:5-7 “So they arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians. But when they came to the edge of the camp of the Syrians, behold, there was no one there. For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians hear the sound of chariots and of horses, the sound of a great army, so that they said to one another, "Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to come against us." So they fled away in the twilight and abandoned their tents, their horses, and their donkeys, leaving the camp as it was, and fled for their lives.” At first, they splurge in their newfound riches - 2 Kin 7:8 “And when these lepers came to the edge of the camp, they went into a tent and ate and drank, and they carried off silver and gold and clothing and went and hid them. Then they came back and entered another tent and carried off things from it and went and hid them.” Upon reflection, they knew they should tell others what they found, and did so - 2 Kin 7:9-11 “Then they said to one another, "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king's household." So they came and called to the gatekeepers of the city and told them, "We came to the camp of the Syrians, and behold, there was no one to be seen or heard there, nothing but the horses tied and the donkeys tied and the tents as they were." Then the gatekeepers called out, and it was told within the king's household.” -- There is a valuable lesson we learn from the four lepers, especially when they said:
“This day is a day of good news...!

In our study, we shall notice some parallels between the lepers then, and ourselves now. We shall note the consequences of keeping silent when we have good news to share. We shall also note why some people may be keeping silent today. We begin, then, with looking at some parallels of then and now. In each case there is a famine. Then, it was a famine for food. Now, it is a famine for the blessings only God can provide! Our famine is related to the problem of sin - Ro 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”. Yet God provides the free gift of salvation - Ro 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In each case, there is an abundance freely available. Then, there was plenty of food in the Syrian camp. Now, there is an abundance of spiritual blessings in Christ! - Ep 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,”; Re 22:17 “The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

In each case, there are those that found what they needed. Then, it was the four lepers. Now, it is the Christians who have experienced the joys of salvation! But here is where the similarity often ends. The lepers knew what was right, and did it. They knew they would be wrong by keeping silent. They knew punishment would befall them if they kept the good news to themselves. -- So they went back to the city and told the good news! Many Christians are not like these lepers.... Despite it being “a day of good news”, they remain silent! While many die of spiritual starvation, they feast on the gospel! -- Do they not consider that what they do may be wrong?

We will do well to learn from these lepers. What they said of themselves at first, may be true of us: “We are not doing what is right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent.” What else they said may also be true of us: “If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us.” In their reasoning among themselves, they considered the consequences of keeping silent in a day of good news. Have we considered the consequences of keeping silent with the good news of the gospel?

Consider the consequences of keeping silent. We fail to keep the great commission. Jesus wanted His disciples to observe ALL that He commanded - Mt 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ Included is the command to “Go and make disciples...” -- Keeping silent is not what Jesus commanded!

We fail our mission as the people of God. As the privileged people of God, we are to proclaim the praises of God - 1 Pe 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” Especially in regards to:
1) How God “called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”.
2) How we “who had not obtained mercy...now have obtained mercy”.
-- How can God’s “own special people” do this while keeping silent?

We will answer to God for failing our mission. Just as God told Ezekiel, whom He made to be “a watchman for the house of Israel”. Ezekiel was to warn the wicked - Ezek 3:17 ‘"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.” If Ezekiel failed to warn the wicked, the wicked would die for his own sin, but Ezekiel would also be held accountable! - Ezek 3:18-21 “If I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul."’ Today, the church is God’s “watchman” to the world! We are to take the gospel to every person! - Mk 16:15 “And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Those who have not heard will die in their own sin, but we will be held accountable if we gave them no warning!

Next week we will continue this lesson looking at what our resposibility is to sharing God's word with those that have not heard it yet.

Part Two - Elijah the Tishbite

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...”

Elijah The Tishbite - Introduction

Elijah The Tishbite
1 Kings 17-21, 2 Kings 1-2

A remarkable event in the ministry of Jesus was His transfiguration.... Transfigured before Peter, James and John - Mt 17:1-2 “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.” Joined by Moses and Elijah, then exalted by the Father - Mt 17:3-8 “And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have no fear." And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” Followed by questions related to Elijah - Mt 17:9-13 “And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead." And the disciples asked him, "Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?" He answered, "Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.”

We might also ask questions about Elijah.... Why did he appear with Moses and Jesus? Of all the prophets of the OT who could have appeared, why him? Elijah was certainly a remarkable individual.... He was “the grandest and the most romantic character that Israel ever produced.” - Smith. “mightiest of all the prophets” - Keil & Delitzsch. “the most eminent of the prophets” - Wesley. Yet he is described as “a man with a nature like ours” - Ja 5:17 “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.” “of the same constitution, a human being just as ourselves are.” - Clarke. “a mere man, subject to the same weaknesses and infirmities as other men.” – Barnes. -- He appears to have suffered from discouragement and depression.

How did such a man become the greatest of prophets? What lessons might he offer us in our service to God? Let’s take a closer look, beginning with Elijah the man. His name Elijah means “Yahweh is my God.” - Barnes. In the NT, some translations render his name as “Elias” - Mt 17:3 (KJV) Of his origin; “This prophet is introduced as abruptly as Melchisedek--his birth, parents, and call to the prophetic office being alike, unrecorded.” - JFB. He is called “the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead” - 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."’ His origin is uncertain. Some think “Tishbeh” was a city in Galilee; others, in Gilead. Some have even supposed that he was an Ishmaelite, not an Israelite, sent to rebuke and shame the apostate Israel - JFB. Some have even opined that he was an angel of God, though this can be countered by James’ statement (Ja 5:17) – Clarke.
As to his appearance he is described, “A hairy man wearing a leather belt around his waist.” - 2 Kin 1:7-8; see John, Mt 3:4. “That is, he wore a rough garment, either made of camels’ hair, as his successor John Baptist’s was, or he wore a skin dressed with the hair on. Some think that the meaning is, he had very long hair and a long beard. The ancient prophets all wore rough garments, or upper coats made of the skins of beasts: They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, says the apostle, He 11:37.” - Clarke. “His costume was that of a thorough ascetic. Generally the Jews wore girdles of linen or cotton stuff, soft and comfortable. Under the girdle they wore one or two long linen gowns or shirts, and over these they had sometimes a large shawl. Elijah had only his leather girdle and his sheepskin cape or ‘mantle.’” – Barnes.

Even in his day, Elijah would have been considered “strange”. Yet we can’t help but be impressed by this remarkable man as we consider Elijah and his ministry. Starting with the judgment of drought; the proclamation to Ahab - 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."’ Note the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel - 1 Kin 16:29-33 “In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him. He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he built in Samaria. And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him.”

Returning to the prophecy sworn by “the Lord God of Israel...before whom I stand” - 1 Kin 17:1 we continue looking into his ministry. By his word there will be neither dew nor rain for three years. Then there is God’s care of Elijah by the Brook Cherith - 1 Kin 17:2-7 “And the word of the LORD came to him, "Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." So he went and did according to the word of the LORD. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.”
At the widow of Zarephath - 1 Kin 17:8-24:
1) The miracle of the bin of flour and jar of oil
2) The raising of the widow’s son
His reappearance before Ahab:
1) Commanded by the Lord -1 Kin 18:1-2
2) Arranged by Obadiah - 1 Kin 18:3-16
He was falsely accused of being a “troubler of Israel” - 1 Kin 18:17-18.

Then there was the Challenge on Mount Carmel, challenging Israel and her false prophets - 1 Kin 18:19-20 “Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table." So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel.” The 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah. Supported by Jezebel, Ahab’s wife. The challenge to Israel - 1 Kin 18:21 “How long will you falter between two opinions?” “If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” Then the test between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. The test explained - 1 Kin 18:22-24 “Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God." And all the people answered, "It is well spoken."’ The prophets of Baal go first, and fail - 1 Kin 18:25-29 “Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it." And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened." And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.” Elijah’s remarkable victory - 1 Kin 18:30-39 “Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, "Israel shall be your name," and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, "Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood." And he said, "Do it a second time." And they did it a second time. And he said, "Do it a third time." And they did it a third time. And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water. And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back." Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, "The LORD, he is God; the LORD, he is God." Then the prophets of Baal were executed at the Brook Kishon - 1 Kin 18:40 “And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape." And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there.” The drought comes to an end as Elijah prays - 1 Kin 18:41-46 “And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain." So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." And he went up and looked and said, "There is nothing." And he said, "Go again," seven times. And at the seventh time he said, "Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.'" And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.”

It is hard to find a place in this lesson and Elijah's life to find a short break. However we will do so at this point and continue in the next part starting with the flight for his life. This was another challenge Elijah faced as his life was threatened by Jezebel. Then we will look at some comparisons and application of Elijah's life to our own.

Part Two - Prove Yourself a Man

1 Kings 2:1-3

“When David's time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, "I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn,”.

Acknowledge God’s role in your life. Trust in Him and let Him direct your paths - Pro 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Fear Him, and honor Him with your possessions - Pro 3:7-10 “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Accept His chastisement in your life - Pro 3:11-12 “My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.” Let the Lord be your confidence, and He will bless you - Pro 3:25-35 -- As Jesus said, seek first His kingdom and righteousness - Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Such are the things involved in proving oneself to be a real man (cf. 1 Kin 2:2-3). If Solomon were your father, he would also counsel you regarding the opposite sex. Take heed to your relationships. Avoid the harlot. The woman who would entice you, but destroy you in the end - Pro 5:1-14. The adulteress who would destroy your reputation and friendships - Pro 6:23-35. Who destroys even strong men through her seductions - Pro 7:1-27 -- A single act of passion can alter and destroy one’s life!

Love your wife. Rejoice and be enraptured with the wife of your youth - Pro 5:15-19 “Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.” The Lord will know those who look elsewhere for love - Pro 5:20-23 “Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress? For a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.” The Lord would have you live joyfully with your wife - Ecc 9:9 “Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.” -- God loves marriage, and will bring to judgment those who defile it - He 13:4 “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.”

Finally, if Solomon were your father, he would have you “Prove Yourself A Man” by counseling you to take heed to your character. Avoid debt and sloth. Debt enslaves, especially when cosigning for another - Pro 6:1-5 “My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger, if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth, then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler.”; 17:18 “One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.” Laziness will bring poverty - Pro 6:6-11 “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”; 10:4 “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”; 13:4 “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” -- So Christians are to be industrious, and avoid indebtedness - Ro 12:11 “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”; 13:8 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Know what is an abomination. There are things that God hates - Pro 6:16-19 “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”; 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Even our worship can be an abomination - Pro 15:8 “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.”; 28:9 “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” -- Thus we need to know what is the Father’s will that pleases Him - Mt 7:21-23 ‘"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'”

Other points could be made, but these go a long way to proving one to be a man...
Taking heed to one’s counselors (who will you listen to?)
Taking heed to one’s goals (what will you do?)
Taking heed to one’s relationships (who will you love?)
Taking heed to your character (whom will you become?)

If we have earthly fathers who offer spiritual guidance in becoming men, thank God for such a wonderful blessing! Benefit from the counsel and instruction they offer! But if we do not have such fathers remember that you have a Heavenly Father - Psa 68:5 “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” One who has provided much guidance and counsel in His Word - Josh 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Let the Word of God, passed down, preserved, and proven by generations of fathers and sons, be your guide to “Prove Yourself A Man”...