Elijah

*Elijah’s story is told in 1 Kings 17:1-2 Kings 2:11

Who Is Elijah?

  • Background: Elijah, whose name means “Yahweh is my God,” was a prophet from Tishbe in Gilead during the reign of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.
  • Mission: Elijah’s calling was to convey God’s messages and confront the Israelites about their idolatry and departure from God’s ways.

Strengths and Accomplishments

  • Courageous Faith: Stood up to King Ahab and the false prophets of Baal, even challenging them to a contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:16-46).
  • Miracle Worker: Performed extraordinary miracles like bringing a widow’s son back to life (1 Kings 17:17-24) and calling down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:38).
  • Dedication to God: Fiercely committed to God’s law and was instrumental in turning people’s hearts back to God.

Weaknesses and Mistakes

  • Prone to Despair: After his victory on Mount Carmel, he fell into deep depression and fled, fearing for his life (1 Kings 19:1-4).
  • Doubt: Despite witnessing God’s mighty acts, he sometimes felt alone and misunderstood.

Lessons from His Life

  • Dependence on God: Elijah’s life teaches us that even the strongest believers can feel weak, and that it’s okay to rely on God.
  • Boldness in Faith: His courage and determination are examples for all believers to stand up for their faith.
  • God’s Gentle Whisper: In 1 Kings 19:11-13, Elijah learned that God is not only in the dramatic and powerful events but also in the gentle whispers.

Key Verses (NIV)

  • 1 Kings 18:21: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
  • 1 Kings 18:36-38: “At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ‘Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.’ Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.”
  • 1 Kings 19:12: “After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”