Biblical Prophets - Bible Study OnlineLocated at the Bottom of Page Before we begin, it's important to know that the recorded account of Elijah also includes the record of king Ahab and his wife Jezebel. I believe that this is important, because the interaction between the three makes it almost impossible to separate. Know that the accounts of Ahab and Jezebel begins at (1 Kings 16:29).
And it's at this time that we're officially introduced to king Ahab the son of Omri. Also know that 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 who was known as Jezebel, in which he knew that she was a devout follower of the storm god Baal and she also practiced many forms of witchcraft and idolatry. Also know that she was very commanding, dominating, deceitful and zealous in nature. Know that 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're 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. We're told that his own hair was very long and hung down to the middle of his back. Perhaps the thing that stands out immediately about 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'd 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 he was some type of angel that 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 merely a man that was subject to strong passions just like they are. Now when we look at (1 Kings 17) we'll notice that Elijah is found warning the wicked king Ahab about a three-and-a-half year drought that is coming - for it's a divine punishment that is being sent behind the sins Ahab 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 that was called "Cherith" which was located east of the Jordan river. Now some may think that God had Elijah to go and hide, in order to protect him from Ahab's wrath. Or perhaps, God could have told the prophet 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 and 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. Needless-to-say, by instructing Elijah to stay out of sight, it was clear that God didn't want any type of interference on his behalf. Now it was at this brook Elijah was commanded to hide himself for a period of time. And even though he would be in the midst of the drought himself, he would still be able to drink from the brook. And the Sacred Record would also reveal that God had order some ravens to come by in the mornings and evenings to bring him bread and meat to eat. Now after about a year had went by and since there wasn't any rain falling in the area the brook would finally dry up. Next we find the Scriptures turning our attention towards the widow of Zarephath, for it's revealed that she was very poor and perhaps, very close to death? She had a child that was suffering along with her and the Scriptures makes it clear that he was probably near death as well: "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 when it came to Elijah and because of this she'd be blessed tremendously. Take note of what happened between her and the prophet: "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 Know that this prophecy would eventually come to pass and the widow would miraculously have food everyday for Elijah and her son. Also know that this season of provision would last for the remaining duration of the drought that the Lord had unleashed upon the land. Now after some time had went by, the widow son had become very ill, and to make matters worse, he suddenly dies. Because of this 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 Notice that this is a totally different side that the widow is now displaying. And honestly, I know that if I was in her shoes and I hate to admit it - I might have reacted in the same manner. Think about it... 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
Now that God had instructed Elijah to go into hiding, what kind of damage will this famine unleash upon the land? How will Ahab respond? Will his wife intervene and if she does, what will she do?
**YOUR CURRENT SERIES WOULD BE HERE** 01) <-BIBLICAL PROPHETS - 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  |
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