Elijah had a relationship with God. He walked with God, talked with God and lived a life of prayer. And when Elijah spoke he spoke with the Authority that God had given him. I believe that Elijah was God’s Chosen vessel. John 15:16 says, "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” I believe that under the direction of God Elijah chose his steps very carefully only stepping in the direction that God lead him to. If you will read through the previous two chapters in I Kings you will see that Elijah acted just as God had commanded.
It is my belief that you allow scripture to interpret scripture; therefore, knowing that he was a man of prayer, one who walked and talked with God and one who did according to the Word of the Lord (I Kings 17), I believe that it was under the direction of God that he said what he said in verse 40 ordering the death of those men. Elijah was in the company of those that did not believe the same as he did, especially prior this incident. And for him to stand up and order the death of the prophets of Baal with not one once of retaliation tells me it was only of God. There is not a government around that will stand aside while you slew 450 of its prophets and then to command its King (leader, President, Prime Minister, etc.) to follow your orders.
If your will read all the way through this chapter you will find a very important piece of information in the last verse, “Then the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and outran Ahab to Jezreel,” (I Kings 18:46 NASB). Did you catch it? GOD’S hands were on Elijah. God was in complete control all along.
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5 comments:
Thanks for going into more detail on Elijah. I did as you suggested and read through to where Elijah is carried into Heaven in the chariot.
I have a question though: After Ahab tells Jezebel what happened and she threatens Elijah, it seems he goes 'out of character' and runs away and then prays to die.
"It is enough; now, O LORD, take my [c]life, for I am not better than my fathers."
He was just redeemed by God in 1 Kings 18, so why is he so overcome with despair at that point?
Thanks.
After much prayer and consideration on your question I have come to the conclusion that Elijah was just a man; flesh and blood just like you and I. We can get into all sorts of Theological thoughts about why he went into despair, but the one fact that we must all face is that he was a man born into this world.
Many people look to a great man as one who can with stand everything, a man of courage, strength, and boldness. Yet they fail to realize that this same man is human, just like everyone else. And when this great man fails or makes wrong/bad choices then we tend to lash out, "I thought you were a Christian. Why are you not depending on God now?" Truth of the matter is we all come across certain circumstances/crisis in our lives where we feel like giving up. This was Elijah's. He had been through a lot by this point and maybe; just maybe, he was ready to toss in the towel. Maybe this was his way of expressing to God that he felt as if he could go no further and had given all that he could.
As a minister for God I reach the point, from time to time, that I feel like tossing in the towel. I feel like praying to God the same that Elijah did. Does that make me any less in the kingdom of God? Does that mean that I have failed in life? No, it simple means that I realize that I can not do this on my own. I need God.
This statement by Elijah also shows his humility. He realizes that he is not any better than anyone else. Elijah realizes that he is only a man who has been created by God. And through that creation he realizes that it is God who has granted him life; therefore, it is God who can take that life also. So he prays admitting that he is no better than anyone else and asking God to grant him what he desires at that moment in time.
Bottom line, he is no different than you and I. We all reach a point where we feel like giving up. But like Elijah we need to persevere. Keep on reading in I Kings. God does some great things through this man.
Thanks for your thoughts. I know this isn't the place for theology 101 or anything but thanks again for shedding some light on Elijah and his story.
Your comments and questions are exactly why I have created this blog page. If there is ever a question or a comment you have feel free to post it here or even contact me via phone or email. My contact information is on the main blog page as well as my personal Pastor's Page. Blessings to you and your family and Merry Christmas.
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