[Thirtieth in a series of posts on Bible Stories] Encore Post: Elijah is not credited with any of the books of the Bible, but he is remembered as one of the most powerful prophets of the entire Old Testament. His stories are legendary for those of us who listened to our moms and dads read Bible stories before bed. He was the prophet who prophesied a 3-year drought. He was the prophet who worked the miracle of flour and oil, and raised the widow’s son from the dead. He was the prophet who called down fire on Mount Carmel among the Baal priests. And we can’t forget about him being taken up to heaven by a whirlwind and a chariot of fire.
Elijah was the Lord’s man. But even after great triumph and acts of the Lord, Elijah shows himself to be afraid. I should say, it is difficult to determine whether Elijah is worried or he is tired of preaching to people who do not believe. You can read Dr. Maier’s great commentary on Kings from CPH for that answer. But what we know is that Elijah runs to Mount Horeb, wishing to die because he thinks he is the only prophet of the Lord left. The Lord is merciful to Elijah. The Lord tells him the truth of the situation. The Lord has 7,000 men who have not bowed down to Baal.
What a great comfort to Elijah! He is not working in vain. The Lord worked to bring about repentance and faith during the time of great apostasy, and He still works now through the preaching of His Word. What great comfort for us now! The Word of the Lord remains the same.
In the days of Malachi, the Lord promised to send Elijah before the great day of the Lord. Jesus plainly tells his disciples that John was the Elijah. And we must not forget that Elijah was on the mountain of Transfiguration with Jesus and Moses, speaking about Jesus’ own exodus.
What a man of the Lord! Elijah was used by the Lord to bring about repentance and faith when few believed and worshiped the true God of Israel. Thanks be to God that in these days, when the world appears to be going in the same way, some preach the same message of Elijah.
Rev. Jacob Hercamp
Christ Lutheran Church
Noblesville, IN
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