Podcast 71, Story of Elijah, “Pt 5”

For King Ahab and his Phoenician wife, Jezebel who worships Baal, Elijah has become the number one force to be reckoned with. Elijah, under the power of God, has just put an end to the three-year drought; however, rather than repenting and acknowledging the hand of the Lord, Ahab supports his wife Jezebel who desires to kill Elijah for killing the 450 priests of Baal.

1 Kings 19:1-2

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.

Elijah has no choice but to go back into hiding. Elijah had just spent the last three years out of the country hiding from the murderous Ahab.

1 Kings 19:3-4

And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

There is a nobility in Elijah’s character that is inspiring. He stood alone against Ahab, king of Israel. He stood alone against the 450 priests of Baal. He stood alone against Israel who had fallen into idol worship. For his courage he spends most of his time in hiding, yet when the Lord calls him, like Daniel, he will walk into the lion’s den. That is what is unique about Elijah. He has the same fears as any man, but in the service of his God, he is fearless. His life itself is a parable, a model of faith, courage, and endurance. Miracles of an extraordinary nature follow Elijah.

1 Kings 19:5-8

And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.

The miracle above is just one of many. So far, under the power of God, he has caused a drought; has been fed by ravens; has miraculously provided food for the widow, her son, and himself; has raised the widow’s son from the dead; has brought fire down from heaven; has ended the drought; and now he has been nourished by only two meals for forty days and nights, and his mission is just beginning, the miracles continue, and he is destined to return to earth in the latter days just before the Second Coming of the Savior to restore all things.

Now in Mount Horeb, the Lord again speaks to Elijah.

1 Kings 19:9-10

And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

The Lord is pleased with Elijah’s answer and gives him another commandment. The Lord now teaches Elijah, and in turn Elijah teaches us, the mission of the Holy Ghost and his role in revelation.