Biblical Prophets - Bible Study Online
Before we begin, it's important to know that the account of Elijah also includes the accounts of king Ahab and his wife Jezebel. This is important, because the interaction between the three makes it almost impossible to separate. The accounts of Ahab and Jezebel begins at (1 Kings 16:29). It's at this time we are officially introduced to king Ahab the son of Omri. The Scriptures continues to inform us that king Ahab did more evil than any other Israel king before him: "Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him." (1 Kings 16:33) Ahab also marries a woman, in which he knew that she was a devout follower of the storm god Baal. She also practiced many forms of witchcraft and idolatry. She was very commanding, dominating, deceitful and zealous in nature. The name of his wife was Jezebel. She did so much evil her name has become a curse from within itself. Ahab and Jezebel wasted no time when it came to erecting a temple in the city of Samaria that was dedicated to the Sidonians storm god Baal and his goddess Asherah. Note: Baal Worship is really the worship of two Canaanites deities which are the storm god Baal and his consort(intimate mate) goddess Asherah. This is why both are constantly mention from within the same Scriptures throughout the Old Testament. Now, it's at this point that the Scriptures turns our attention to a prophet that went by the name of Elijah. We are told that he came from the inhabitants of Gilead which is located from within the land of Jephthah. He stayed in a town that was called Tishbe, which was located within the very secluded steep-side valleys of the mountains. We assume that he wore a coat of sheep skin or perhaps some type of coarse camel hair. His own hair was very long and hung down to the middle of his back. Perhaps the thing that stands out immediately about the Prophet Elijah is that he comes on the scene from out of no where. There is no record on who his mother and father were, or if he ever had one -- which we assumed he did. Normally when a prophet comes into play, we would have some facts concerning their background. But with Elijah, this is not the case. In fact this type of entrance had many Jews believing that Elijah was some type of angel, which had been sent from the heavens. With Elijah realizing that the Jews were trying to adopt this view of him, he quickly denounced the idea, by letting them know that he was a man that was subject to strong passions just like they are. Now when we look at (1 Kings 17) we will notice that Elijah is found warning the wicked king Ahab about a three-and-a-half year drought that is coming for divine punishment behind the sins he caused Israel to commit: "Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.'" (1 Kings 17:1) After Elijah warns Ahab about the drought, God then orders the prophet to go and hide at the brook Cherith which was located east of the Jordan river. Now, some may think that God had Elijah to go and hide to protect him from Ahab's wrath. Or, God could have told him to go and hide himself from the people whom He sought to punish? For if they were to see Elijah during the three-and-half-year drought, knowing that he's the prophet that had foretold the judgment -- they might have asked him to intercede on their part, by begging him to ask God to end the drought. By instructing Elijah to stay out of sight, it was clear that God didn't want any type of interference. Now it was at this brook Elijah was commanded to hide himself for a period of time. He was able to drink from the brook and God had order some ravens to come by in the mornings and evenings and bring him bread and meat to eat. After about a year went by and since there wasn't any rain the brook finally dries up. Next the Scriptures turns our attention to the widow of Zarephath, for she was very poor and claimed to be very close to death? She had a child that was suffering along with her and the Scriptures makes it clear that he was near death. "I don't have any bread, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son that we may eat it and die." (1 Kings 17:12) But in spite of her current situation, the widow would be obedient to prophet Elijah and because of this -- she would be blessed tremendously. Take note of what happened between her and Elijah: "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says; 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.'" (1 Kings 17:14) Now this prophecy would pass and the widow miraculously had food everyday for Elijah and her household. And this season of provision would last for the remaining duration of the drought that the Lord had release on the land. After some time had went by, the widow son became very ill and suddenly dies. The widow is very upset and cries out to Elijah: "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son." (1 Kings 17:18) Now this is a different side that the widow is now displaying. I know that if I was in her shoes... I hate to admit it. But I might have reacted the same way? You mean to tell me that what my family and I just experienced a blessed miracle the last couple of years. Then right at the end of the storm, my son still ends up dying? Wow! I don't know what to type... But perhaps through her obedience, it allowed Elijah to still be around when this unfortunate event happens. For God will use Elijah to bring her son back to life. But understand, if the man of God wasn't around, her and her son would have surly died after she had returned from the city gates gathering sticks: "The Lord heard Elijah's cry, and the boy's life returned to him, and he lived. Elijah picked up the child and carried him down from the room into the house. He gave him to his mother and said, 'Look, your son is alive!'" (1 Kings 17:22-23)
**YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 01) <-CURRENT PAGE-> 02) Obadiah and the Caves of Refuge 03) The Fire Contest Between God & Baal 04) The Gift of Rain That Came From The Heavens 05) Elisha The Prophet Apprentice 06) The Thirty Two Kings of Mass Destruction 07) Ben-Hadad The Drunken King 09) The Prophets of the Groves 10) Micaiah The One True Prophet 13) Elijah and the Chariot of Fire 14) Elisha the Miracle Prophet  CrossDaily.com Web Search where you can VOTE FOR THIS SITE & other great ones. Christian search engine, directory & voting index. You'll find Bible, chat, churches, jobs, music, reviews, software, theology, & more. See the best sites!
|
