Elijah

It is Elijah in Hebrew, and Elias in Greek: he being the greatest of the prophets of Israel. Born at Tishbe, in Gilead, on the borders of the desert, he was raised up by God, and set as a wall in opposition to idolatry, and particularly to the worship of Baal which Jezebel and Ahab supported in Israel. Because of this idolatry, Elijah pronounced a curse on the land, thus causing him to flee the wrath of Ahab, and Jezebel. He was one of the most eminent of the Jewish prophets, and every part of his character is marked by a moral greatness, which is heightened by the obscurity cloaked around him.

He appeared as some supernatural messenger who would declare God commands, and in this he pronounced fearful judgments and reproofs, while displaying a great zeal and honor for Jehovah. Yet he showed a soft side and willing to suffer; thus showing the characteristics of a man filled with the Holy Spirit; one having a great intimacy with God.

He worked miracles of a very extraordinary character; miracles only able to come from heaven itself.  Living in a stupid idolatrous age he had to demonstrate by signs and miracles the power of Jehovah; punishing those who had forsaken God for idols.

Scripture introduces Elijah speaking to King Ahab, 1 Kings 1-2, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew not rain these years, but according to my word.” The number of years is not mentioned in this verse, but is picked up in the N.T. which informs us it was 3 ½ years. Because of the curse, the whole vegetable kingdom in Ahab’s reign was deprived of water, and the people suffered.

God told Elijah to take refuge from Ahab by the brook Cherith, where he was miraculously fed by ravens, bringing him flesh and bread. From there he went to Zarephath, a town lying between Tyre and Sidon. He lodged with a widow woman, prolonged her food source consisting of oil and meal; and brought her son back to health.

Subsequently, he made a temporary reconciliation with King Ahab, but on Mount Carmel he executed a dreadful vengeance on the 400 prophets of Baal, slaying them with his own hand. This enraged Jezebel, she swore to destroy him. So once more he had to take refuge in flight. Elijah did not rest until he had reached Beersheba in the far south, on the edge of the desert that leads down to Sinai. The brief allusion in Scripture to his weary wanderings is very touching.

Finally he comes to Horeb, where he has a conversation with Jehovah. The passage in which this is recorded is one of the greatest and most significant in the whole of the O.T. He receives instructions from God that he should select Elisha to be prophet in his place.

Elijah next appearance is when Ahab rides forth to take possession of Naboth’s vineyard: he denounces the murderous king, and utters an awful curse on him and Jezebel.

After the death of Ahab, Elijah rebukes the idolatries of Ahab’s son Ahaziah in a solemn and bloody fashion. After the death of Ahaziah, we find Elijah interfering in the affairs of the king of Judah, who had married a daughter of Ahab, he also having begun to “Walk in the ways of the kings of Israel.” Elijah denounces this evil, and predicts his death. The closing scene of his life on earth is exquisitely narrated. A chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared after Elish and Elijah had crossed the Jordan, “And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”

In his time, he stood up as burning fire, a man whose word burned as a bright light on a hill. In the sternness and power of his reproofs, he is a striking type of John the Baptist: John is prophesied of under Elijah’s name.

Malachi 4:5-6, “Behold I will send you Elijah (a type) the prophet, before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Jesus also declared that Elijah had already come in spirit, in the person of John the Baptist. At Jesus transfiguration, Elijah and Moses appeared and conversed with him respecting his future passion, Matthew 17:3-4.

Many of the Jews in Jesus time believed Jesus to be Elijah or that the soul of Elijah had passed into his body.

Mark 6:15. Luke 9:8. Matthew 16:14, “Some say that thou (Jesus) art John the Baptist: some, Elijah —.”

Let me conclude with this. We may observe and be assured that all believers bodies will be changed from mortal to immortality. Then translated, meaning to be caught up into heaven. We have Enoch before the flood,

Hebrews 11:5, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should NOT see death” he being a son of God; Elijah caught up to be with God, born after the flood; born under the law; and Jesus Christ “The first born of the resurrection,” under the new covenant. This is assuring to me personally that all who walk with God shall be caught up in the air, and next seen in the presence of our Lord’s eternal presence.

Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com