ELIJAH THE TISHBITE

H. CHOU

            The Lord used a prophet to bring Israel up from Egypt, by a prophet He cared for him.(Hos 12:13)

The chosen people lived in Egypt for 400 years.  According to His promise, God sent Moses to deliver them out of Egypt, to live 40 years in the wilderness, and to enter the promised land of Canaan.  In the beginning, God governed them through the leadership of judges, but they repeatedly strayed from God's way.  Later, they further demanded that a king be set up to rule over them, just as in surrounding nations.  In accordance with their request, God appointed a king to rule over the Israelites.  But, the king's leadership did not bring about any prosperity or peace, instead thrusting them deeper into chaos, decadence, and corruption.  Not long after, the kingdom was divided.  Jeroboam rebelled, made himself king, and led ten tribes away from Rehoboam's rule, resulting in the formation of the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom.  During the era of the kings the faith of the chosen people remained utterly unstable.  The northern kingdom was especially abominable and bowed down to prolonged periods of idol worship.  This period was the time when God instituted the greatest number of powerful prophets in order to revive the faith of the people.

I.       Historical Background

In the northern kingdom, Jeroboam the king became fearful that his people, returning to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, might revert their allegiances back to Rehoboam, king of Judah.  So he made two golden calves and declared to them, "Here are your gods, 0 Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.  " Thereafter, the people became ensnared by this sin.  The king further appointed his own priests from among common men, set up his own festivals, and offered sacrifices and burnt incense to the golden calves he had made.  The men of God repeatedly warned the people to depart from the worship of falsehood and return to the one True God.  Nevertheless, both the king and the people stubbornly resisted and were trapped further in sin.  During that period the government and politics remained extremely unstable.  One king followed the next in rapid succession.

Elijah was raised in the period of King Ahab, son of Omri.  In the history of the kingdom of Israel, Omri was the third person to become king by overthrowing his predecessor.  Omri's dynasty lasted 44 years through the reign of four kings.  It was the darkest period in the history of the northern kingdom.  The newly-built capital, Samaria, became a hub of idol-worship.  The winter palace, Jezreel, was also a major center of idolatry.

The Bible records, "Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him.  He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebot, but he further married Jezebel daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal and worship it.  He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal which he built in Samaria.  In addition, Ahab 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" U Kings 16:3032).

Baal was worshipped by foreign tribes in the Middle East.  In the area of Tyre and Sidon, people regarded Baal as the chief god of all gods, governing the land and the fertility of crops and animals.  People also worshipped Asherah as a goddess.  The manner in which they worshipped her was both adulterous and immoral.  Priestesses served as prostitutes in the temple.  Innocent children were burnt alive as sacrifices.  Such immoral and violent worship was the primary reason God was provoked to anger.  It is believed that Jezebel was the chief priestess of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians.  When she married Ahab, she brought these abominable practices to Israel, built temples for Baal and poles for Asherah, and further appointed 850 false prophets.  Meanwhile, prophets and priests of God were either killed or went into hiding (ref.  1 Kings 18:4:13,19).

II.    The Mission of the Prophet

Elijah was a true prophet appointed by God.  He was faced with both the tide of anti-truth and with the evil Ahab and Jezebel, who perverted the faith of the Israelites.  His mission was clearly as important as it was difficult.  The success or failure of his mission would determine whether the Israelites faith and the continuance of the truth would endure or perish.

Elijah was born in Tishbe, a place of little renown.  Nevertheless, "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor" (1 Sam 2:8).  Elijah's name means "The Lord is God." Through the messages he preached throughout his life and the action of restoring the Israelites' faith, he magnified the great power and deeds of God everywhere he went.  He indeed proved the Lord as the only true God in heaven.

III. Important Events In Elijah's Life

A.     The Message of Drought

            Elijah suid 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 words.(1 Kings 17:1)

This is a proclamation of punishment.  Nature's balanced flow of rain is a great source of hope for mankind.  It makes the crops grow, and produces food for man's gratification.  God often uses various kinds of weather conditions to shower His blessings or punishments upon man.  When God's chosen people fear Him and keep His commandments, God opens the heavens and sends rain in its time, to nourish the soil and allow the growth of vegetation.  Conversely, when men sin against God, He uses drought or hail to chastise the disobedient, "turning the sky overhead bronze, the ground beneath iron" and "turning the rain of the country into dust and powder" (Deut 28:12,23,24).  Ahab and the Israelites worshipped Baal, for they thought Baal was the god who sent rain and controlled crop growth.  Elijah's proclamation to them was thus highly ironic.  It was meant to make the Israelites aware that only the true God controls heaven and earth.  He is the God who sends rain and the God who grants abundant harvests (Acts 14:17; Ps 65:9,10).

Authority accompanied Elijah's proclamation.  Subsequent to the announcement, there was indeed no rain for three years and six months.  This was an extraordinary miracle, and at the same time, a severe punishment.  Drought, famine, and death ensued.  Their purpose was to prompt the people to recognize the falsehood in idol worship, repent immediately, and return to God so that blessings would come.

B.     Being Trained While In Hiding

            Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 'Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Cherith Ravine, east of the Jordan.  You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there'(1 Kings 17:2-4).

When God first chose Elijah, Elijah had delivered only one message, but even so God immediately saved him by hiding him by the Cherith Ravine.  It took enormous courage to proclaim the warning to a ruthless king and his unbelieving people.  But, it must have taken even greater courage to begin three years of living in hiding, the result of having preached only a few words.  Nevertheless, Elijah did everything according to God's command.

Cherith Ravine was one of the many rivers that flowed into the Jordan River.  Though there was nothing special about it, God designated it as Elijah's place of hiding, a place where He showed His wonderful providence and provided opportunity for Elijah's faith to grow.  While some may consider other spots as superior and more secure hiding places, such as where Obadiah hid the Lord's prophets, God chose Cherith Ravine and safely sustained Elijah there.

Ravens are voracious and gluttonous birds.  But, God commanded ravens to bring food to Elijah every day, in the morning and in the evening.  Through this trial, God trained Elijah to have hope and faith in Him, as well as to learn the spirit of servitude.

C.     The Widow's Support

When the Cherith Ravine dried up, Elijah was not the least bit troubled.  He knew that God was absolutely faithful and that He would provide.  So, he waited until the ravine finally dried up.  At this point the word Of God came to Elijah and told him to go to Zarephath, where a widow would support him.  This was God's marvelous arrangement.  The prophet was sustained by the poor widow's handful of flour and bit of oil.  Because of her love, he survived the famine.  God works in mysterious ways.  If a wealthy person had supported Elijah, it would not have been unusual.  Yet, the person God chose was a widow on the verge of starvation.  Through her, God manifested His mighty power and mercy, because God's power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9).

The faith and love of the widow are exemplary, Because she was poor and knew suffering herself, she could be more merciful and empathize with the hunger of another.  According to the prophet's instruction, she used the last of her flour and oil to make a small cake of bread for him.  This was an act of faith and love.  God kept His word, as spoken by Elijah.  The jar of flour was riot used up and the jug of oil did not run dry.  The widow, therefore, received the reward of a prophet (Matt 10:40-42).

D.     The Widow's Son Resurrected

Although the widow lived under God's wondrous grace, eating of the flour and oil that were not used up from day to day, something unexpected happened.  One day, her only son died from a severe illness.  From this it can be seen that even people living under the grace of God will inevitably encounter tribulation or illness.  Why did God allow such a mishap to come upon the widow?

This incident not only let her better understand God, but also made her rely more upon Him.  People who live under the constant grace of God usually take His blessings for granted, becoming ungrateful and failing to pursue spiritual growth.  They only realize the value of God's grace when tribulations and afflictions strike.  In the midst of her agony and grief, the widow meditated upon her sins.  Later, her son was revived through the prayers of the man of God, and she finally came to a true understanding of the Lord (I Things 17:24).

While the widow complained about her son's death, Elijah remained silent.  He carried the child to his room, pleading urgently for God to return the boy's life.  Due to his faith, love, and earnest supplication, God answered his prayer and restored the boy's life.  When Elijah faced such an immense trial, he triumphed through complete faith and reliance upon God.  This incident set the foundation for Elijah's ultimate defeat of Jezebel's false prophets.

E.     God Answered with Fire from Heaven

After more than three years of drought and famine, Ahab and Jezebel remained obstinate in their ways and the Israelites showed no sign of repentance.  King Ahab had no regard for the lives of the people.  His only care was that his flocks had water to live.  But God is a merciful, loving God.  He will not punish forever, nor will He forever continue His anger.

God initiated His pardon and wished to send rain upon the earth once again.  He commanded Elijah to see King Ahab, gather all the people on Mount Carmel, and show the difference between the true God and the false gods through the offering of sacrifices.  At that time Jezebel commanded overwhelming control; the false prophets numbered 850, while only a single prophet of the Lord, Elijah, stood against them.  The people continued to waver between the two.  Faced with a situation of such formidable proportions, Elijah relied on God wholeheartedly.  Dismissing the prevailing forces of evil, he prayed to God with tremendous faith.

Fire from heaven descended and burned up the sacrifice on the altar.  When the people saw this, they prostrated themselves and cried, "The Lord-He is God!  The Lord-He is God!  "Their faith was finally restored.  Elijah used this opportunity to annihilate all of the false prophets and  remove the evil from among the people.  Because the false prophets misled the people and defiled their souls, their wickedness surpassed even murder (Lev 20:27; 19:31; Deut 18:10-12).

F.      The Escape to MountHoreb

Elijah was fearless when he confronted King Ahab, his superior armed forces, and the false prophets.  He rebuked their sinful deeds courageously and performed many great miracles on Mount Carmel.  In response to his prayer, fire descended from heaven to consume his sacrifice.  He further prayed for rain, and thereby ended the lengthy drought; this in turn revived the faith of the Israelites.  However, at the moment of Elijah's greatest triumph, Jezebel threatened to kill him.  Elijah was immediately afraid, and ran for his life.  Elijah passed Beersheba in Judah and ran a day's journey into the desert Finally, he collapsed under a broom tree and prayed for death.  After a while, he fell asleep and an angel came, bringing a cake of hot bread and a jar of water.  The angel woke Elijah twice so that he might eat and drink.  On the strength of this, Elijah ran 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.  There, he hid himself in a cave to "work zealously for the Lord".  It can be seen that in a short space of time, even the strongest man of faith can suddenly weaken, the most courageous man become cowardly, and the most aggressive man turn passive.  Therefore, believers today should be truly humble, and remember that it is the mercy and grace of God that keeps one from falling.  They should always remember to pray to God to keep them.  Otherwise, they may be just as easily crushed by the slightest pressure from the world as Elijah was.

Elijah's weak and discouraged heart was the result of a momentary loss of vigilance.  He concluded that since all the false prophets were eliminated, the faith of the people restored, the rain bestowed, and the drought ended, his mission was thus accomplished.  Therefore, he lost his faith and failed to rely on God any further.  When Elijah saw the wicked Jezebel, he felt alone and helpless, which led to his failure.  However, God's mercy  and compassion is infinite.  With the help of the angel who provided food and drink to strengthen him in body and mind, Elijah regained his sense of determination to strive forward and accomplish a new mission.

G.     Elijah Rebukes Ahab for Selling Himself to Do Evil

King Ahab coveted Naboth's vineyard.  But Naboth was unwilling to sell or exchange the vineyard, because he wanted to keep the commandment of God.  Ahab became sullen and angry at being unable to obtain the vine yard which he wanted.  Jezebel then devised an evil scheme to falsely accuse Naboth and have him killed, so that the vineyard could be commandeered.  Afterwards, God sent Elijah to condemn Ahab: "This is what the Lord says: 'Have you not murdered a man and seized his property? ... In the place where dogs licked up Naboth's blood, dogs will lick up your blood ... Dogs will eat those belonging to Ahab who die in the city, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country.' Concerning Jezebel the Lord says: 'Dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel."'

Due to the wickedness of Ahab's family, soon all the prophecies were fulfilled.  Ahab died on the battlefield and was taken to Samaria.  When his blood-stained chariot was washed next to a pool in Samaria, the dogs came to lick up his blood.  Later, a man named Jehu staged a rebellion, and the entire household of Ahab was killed.  An eunuch threw Jezebel down from an upper floor; her blood splattered the wall and her body was eaten by dogs.  Only the bones, palm, and feet remained, just as God had prophesied through Elijah.

H.    Elijah Taken Up to Heaven

When Elijah had completed his tasks, he followed God's command by anointing Elisha to continue the work of the prophet.  Lastly, he journeyed by Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho in order to visit some pupil of the prophet.  After he crossed the Jordan River, a chariot and horses of fire suddenly appeared, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.  Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father!  My father!  The chariots and horsemen of Israel!  " Then Elijah was no longer seen.

Elijah was only the second person in history who went directly to heaven without experiencing death.  When Jesus was on the mountain of transfiguration, Elijah and Moses appeared to speak with Him.  Elijah's loyalty helped him to accomplish the work God had entrusted to him.  He is an excellent example for all believers.  Anyone who serves the Lord with devotion will be caught up into heaven in the time to come.

IV.  Elijah As Prefiguration

Elijah was a powerful and mighty prophet.  Before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes, Elijah will be sent again (Mal 4:5,6).  This is a prefiguration of John the Baptist, as well as the TrueChurch in the end time.

A.     Prefiguration of John the Baptist (Luke 1: 16-18; Matt 17: 1 0-12)

Elijah spearheaded the Israelites' revival of faith in the true God.  John the Baptist came before the Lord to preach the baptism of repentance, readying the people for believing and accepting Jesus as the Messiah.  He once baptized and testified for the Lord, saying, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world." John further witnessed, "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him.  I would not have known Him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.  " Later many who heard John's testimony followed Jesus (John 1:26,27,29,32-37;3:25-30).

B.     The Prefiguration of the TrueChurch

1.        Elijah was the only true prophet of his time, symbolizing that through the Holy Spirit, God will raise up the True Church from the east in the end time (I King 18:22; Rev 7:2).

2.        Elijah proved he was sent by God by the miracles which he performed that restored the people's faith.  The TrueChurch in the end time will preach the perfect Truth.  It too will perform wonders and miracles, and reveal the mighty power of the Holy Spirit 0 Things 18:34-44; Rom 15:18; I Cor 2:4, Rev I 1: 3-6).

3.        After E]ijah's prayer, the rain which had been stopped for three and a half years came once again.  This symbolizes that the TrueChurch will be fully established by the spring rain-the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, "ask the lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds.  He gives showers of rain to men..." (Zech 10:1).

4.        When Elijah accomplished his mission, he was caught up into heaven without going through physical death.  Symbolically, this exemplifies that when the establishment of the TrueChurch is accomplished, it will be caught up to heaven.  At that time, Christ will destroy all rule, authority, and power.  He will hand over the kingdom (the church) to the heavenly Father (2 King 2:11,12; Rev 19:7-9; 21:2; 1 Cor 15:50-52; 1 Thess 4:13-17).

V.     Conclusion

Elijah was a great prophet in the era of the kings.  He was also a human like us.  He loyally completed the mission of this era with the miraculous power God gave him.  Today's TrueChurch is the Elijah of the end time.  Her believers were chosen to enter the family of God.  They should constantly remember the Lord's great mercy and love, and be encouraged to become the tools for salvation.  They should become more active in prayer, and ask the Lord to grant them the fullness of spiritual power.  Through miracles and wonders, the truth will be spread, and everyone will be given the opportunity to receive the salvation of the Lord (Zech 1 0: 1).