– Bible Study from 1 Kings, Lesson 27
Just for your thoughts:
– Bible Study from 1 Kings, Lesson 27
In the Bible, Elijah holds a special place. Unlike prophets from Isaiah to Malachi, Elijah did not write any prophetic books. He is not a writing prophet.
In the New Testament, John the Baptist is compared to Elijah, and Jesus Christ Himself speaks about Elijah.
Elijah is one of the two people in the Bible who were taken up to heaven without experiencing death. He is also the first person in the Bible to raise a dead person back to life.
When we examine Elijah’s life, we can observe several remarkable aspects:
1. An Introduction Without Background
The Bible does not give us any prior introduction about Elijah—no details about his parents, tribe, or past.
He suddenly appears in 1 Kings 17 as a prophet sent by God.
Without any preface, recognition, or known background, God introduces Elijah to the world in a single day.
Likewise, if a person is known by God, He can elevate and reveal that person to the world in a single day.
We cannot fully understand God’s ways. He is a God of wonders.
2. Remarkable Obedience
Even after making a bold declaration that "there shall not be dew or rain except at my word," Elijah obediently followed God's word:
"Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan" (1 Kings 17:3) — he obeyed immediately.
"Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there" (1 Kings 17:9) — again, he promptly obeyed.
Later, God told him, "Go and present yourself to Ahab" (1 Kings 18:1), and without fear, he obeyed—even though King Ahab and Queen Jezebel were killing the Lord’s prophets and promoting Baal worship throughout the land.
Even Moses hesitated at first when God called him to confront Pharaoh. But Elijah obeyed without hesitation.
He faithfully completed all three tasks that God gave him (1 Kings 19:15–21).
3. A Man of Great Courage
He stood alone against the prophets of Baal and lifted up the name of the Lord.
4. Authority Over Nature Through Prayer
Elijah controlled the weather in Israel through his prayers — He controlled the weather in Israel.
5. A Holy Man with Testimony
While staying at the house of a Gentile widow, she declared,
"Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth" (1 Kings 17:24).
Today, in some churches, we see worship that resembles the chaotic dancing of Baal’s prophets (1 Kings 18:26).
But it is rare to find servants like Elijah, who cry out from the altar saying, "Lord, hear my prayer."
Just as praying for the unsaved is important, it is equally essential to weep and pray for the brokenness and corruption within the church.