Great people of God # 4

 

Elijah 4 in series

I suppose one might consider Elijah the boldest of all of the prophets.  He resisted wickedness and condemn the worship of false Idols of Baal. Elijah remained faithful to God. Without hesitation; even to the warning of wicked Kings.  He respected no other false prophets. In 1 Kings 18:20-40, he defeats the prophets of Baal and has them all slaughtered at the brook Kishon.  Elijah boldly went where no other prophet had gone.

Elijah (Greek Elias) was a prophet and a miracle worker who lived in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of King Ahab. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah defended the worship of the Hebrew God over that of the Canaanite deity Baal. God also performed many miracles through Elijah, including resurrection, bringing fire down from the sky, and entering Heaven alive "by fire” The Book of Malachi lists Elijah's return "before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.” References appear of Elijah in Ecclesiastics, the New Testament, the Mishnah and Talmud, the Quran, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants.

Elijah, no less than Moses saved the religion of Yahweh preventing its corruption by the nature worship of Baal. Elijah’s name means ‘Yahweh is my God’ or “The Lord is my God.” and is spelled Elias in some versions of the Bible. He lived the meaning of his name.

Take a closer look at Elijah. What did he accomplish? As a person, what was he like? How did his faith intertwine with his everyday living? And how does he impact us? How can the life of this man of faith encourage us in our own faith today.

Elijah’s message and the meaning of his name go together like peanut butter and syrup. His walk and talk encouraged others to believe in the Lord as God. As a prophet, he adamantly shared God’s message and warnings. Sometimes, people turned from following false gods and found themselves deep in worship of the Holy One. He challenged all the people: “How long will you waver between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21)

Time after, time in Scripture, we see Elijah listening intently to God Almighty. You can call him a man who heard God and whom God heard. Splashed throughout 1 Kings 17:22 as well as in 2 Kings 1 and 2, we see instances of Elijah communicating with God. He absorbed God’s promises and found his needs fulfilled. [Ravens fed him. (1 Kings 17:1-6), A handful of flour and a few drops of oil multiplied for miraculous sustenance (1 Kings 17:7-24), Elijah ran with energy far beyond human capability. (1 Kings 18:38-46).]

Discouragement is or has been a battle for many of us. At one point, Elijah requested that he might die, and said, “It is enough. Now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” (1 Kings 19:4) But, the waters of discouragement failed to overtake him. He rediscovered God’s direction, provision, and blessings. He found strength to squelch and overcome discouragement. He lived a ‘true to God life.’

 Elijah trod the hot sand with Elisha. Then, in the twinkling of an eye, he was taken up into heaven. Elisha, his successor, watched and recorded the glorious happening.

2 Kings 2:11 “As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.”

We next see Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration. Elijah was standing alongside Moses, the two conversing with Jesus. Peter, John, and James witnessed this spiritual wonder.

Jesus was nearing His sacrificial rustication. The three together: Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, represented fulfillment of the promise of salvation. Moses symbolized the law. Elijah represented the prophets, the restoration of all things. And of course, Jesus fulfilled the promise of salvation.  

Matthew 17:1 “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.”

These are a few facts of the man we know as Elijah. Information, read 1 Kings 17-22, 2 Kings 1-2, Malachi 4:5-6, Matthew 17:1-13, John 1:21, and James 5:17. Then, when someone asks us, “Who was Elijah?” we’ll have an answer straight from the Bible.

Study to show yourself approved. Know God, know peace. Amen. 12/15/20 BLL