Changes

God's next command to Elijah was to go to [[Zarephath]] and there seek lodging from a widow and her son. He found this widow despairing over the failing food in their household, and announcing that she was about to prepare her and her son's last meal. Elijah asked her to feed him first, and then herself and her son--because God had promised that her provisions would not give out until the day that God saw fit to cause rain to fall again. True to Elijah's word, the widow lacked for no provision during the next several days that Elijah lodged in her house.

God's next command to Elijah was to go to [[Zarephath]] and there seek lodging from a widow and her son. He found this widow despairing over the failing food in their household, and announcing that she was about to prepare her and her son's last meal. Elijah asked her to feed him first, and then herself and her son--because God had promised that her provisions would not give out until the day that God saw fit to cause rain to fall again. True to Elijah's word, the widow lacked for no provision during the next several days that Elijah lodged in her house.

But at length her son fell sick and died--and the widow, now very frightened, asked Elijah whether he had come to visit punishment on her for her sins by killing her son. Elijah asked her to entrust her son to his care, which she did. Elijah then prayed earnestly to God to allow the boy to live again--and the boy did. The widow then declared that she trusted Elijah implicitly as a man of God. {{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=17|verses=1-24|version=KJV}}

But at length her son fell sick and died--and the widow, now very frightened, asked Elijah whether he had come to visit punishment on her for her sins by killing her son. Elijah asked her to entrust her son to his care, which she did. Elijah then prayed earnestly to God to allow the boy to live again--and the boy did. The widow then declared that she trusted Elijah implicitly as a man of God.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=17|verses=1-24|version=KJV}}</ref>

=== The Mount Carmel Demonstration ===

=== The Mount Carmel Demonstration ===

Instantly the onlookers cried out, "Yahweh is God!" Now Elijah ordered the spectators to arrest the Baalists (and, presumably, the Asherists, too). This they did, and Elijah had them brought to the [[Kishon]] brook and summarily executed.

Instantly the onlookers cried out, "Yahweh is God!" Now Elijah ordered the spectators to arrest the Baalists (and, presumably, the Asherists, too). This they did, and Elijah had them brought to the [[Kishon]] brook and summarily executed.

Finally, Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, prostrated himself on the summit, and prayed again. He then asked his servant to look toward the sea seven times, and on the seventh the servant reported seeing a rain cloud. Elijah then had the servant advise Ahab to get back into his chariot and ride back to his capital, if he didn't want to be overtaken by a sudden flood. Ahab did so--with Elijah actually running ahead of him on the way back to [[Jezebel]]'s house--and the skies turned black with [[thunderhead]]s, which discharged a torrential rainfall.{{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=18|verses=1-46|version=KJV}}

Finally, Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, prostrated himself on the summit, and prayed again. He then asked his servant to look toward the sea seven times, and on the seventh the servant reported seeing a rain cloud. Elijah then had the servant advise Ahab to get back into his chariot and ride back to his capital, if he didn't want to be overtaken by a sudden flood. Ahab did so--with Elijah actually running ahead of him on the way back to [[Jezebel]]'s house--and the skies turned black with [[thunderhead]]s, which discharged a torrential rainfall.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=18|verses=1-46|version=KJV}}</ref>

=== Flight to Sinai ===

=== Flight to Sinai ===

Then God asked him again, "What are you doing here?" Elijah gave the same answer as before. Now God gave Elijah specific instructions and a reassurance. The instructions were to travel to [[Damascus]] and there anoint with oil three specific persons: [[Hazael]] of [[Syria]], who would eventually succeed the present king, [[Benhadad]]; [[Jehu]] son of [[Nimshi]], who would eventually take over the Northern Kingdom; and [[Elisha]] son of [[Shaphat]], who would succeed Elijah himself as God's chief spokesman. The reassurance was that God still had a ''remnant'' of believers, seven thousand in all, who had not turned to the Baal worship that Ahab and Jezebel had brought to the Northern Kingdom.

Then God asked him again, "What are you doing here?" Elijah gave the same answer as before. Now God gave Elijah specific instructions and a reassurance. The instructions were to travel to [[Damascus]] and there anoint with oil three specific persons: [[Hazael]] of [[Syria]], who would eventually succeed the present king, [[Benhadad]]; [[Jehu]] son of [[Nimshi]], who would eventually take over the Northern Kingdom; and [[Elisha]] son of [[Shaphat]], who would succeed Elijah himself as God's chief spokesman. The reassurance was that God still had a ''remnant'' of believers, seven thousand in all, who had not turned to the Baal worship that Ahab and Jezebel had brought to the Northern Kingdom.

Elijah's next task was to find Elisha, who was plowing a field at the time. Elijah threw his mantle on the other man--a gesture Elijah would later repeat--and asked Elisha to follow him. Elisha asked permission to say good-bye to his family first; this Elijah granted. Eventually Elisha returned to Elijah, and between them they killed a team of oxen, fed the nearby workers, and went on their way. {{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=19|verses=1-21|version=KJV}}

Elijah's next task was to find Elisha, who was plowing a field at the time. Elijah threw his mantle on the other man--a gesture Elijah would later repeat--and asked Elisha to follow him. Elisha asked permission to say good-bye to his family first; this Elijah granted. Eventually Elisha returned to Elijah, and between them they killed a team of oxen, fed the nearby workers, and went on their way.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=19|verses=1-21|version=KJV}}</ref>

=== The Naboth Incident ===

=== The Naboth Incident ===

In the twentieth year of the reign of [[Ahab]], Elijah confronted Ahab again, this time concerning Ahab's taking of the vineyard of [[Naboth]], after [[Jezebel]] had had Naboth tried in a show trial and executed on a false charge of [[blasphemy]]. Elijah, again acting on Divine instructions, warned Ahab that he and Jezebel would die violently, and that all of Ahab's household would perish. Ahab, hearing this, tore his clothes and put on sackcloth. Elijah then advised Ahab that he would not live to see the worst of the disaster that would befall his royal house. Elijah never spoke to Ahab again after that. {{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=21|verses=17-29|version=KJV}}

In the twentieth year of the reign of [[Ahab]], Elijah confronted Ahab again, this time concerning Ahab's taking of the vineyard of [[Naboth]], after [[Jezebel]] had had Naboth tried in a show trial and executed on a false charge of [[blasphemy]]. Elijah, again acting on Divine instructions, warned Ahab that he and Jezebel would die violently, and that all of Ahab's household would perish. Ahab, hearing this, tore his clothes and put on sackcloth. Elijah then advised Ahab that he would not live to see the worst of the disaster that would befall his royal house. Elijah never spoke to Ahab again after that.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=I_Kings|chap=21|verses=17-29|version=KJV}}</ref>

=== Warning to Ahaziah ===

=== Warning to Ahaziah ===

King [[Ahaziah of Israel|Ahaziah]] fell through a latticework and injured himself. He then consulted a prophet, not of God, but of [[Baalzebub]] (literally, "Lord of the [[Housefly|Flies]]"). Elijah met Ahaziah's messengers and asked them pointedly why he would ask advice of a pagan god instead of the true [[God]]? He then told the king's men that Ahaziah would not so much as rise from his bed, but would die on it.

King [[Ahaziah of Israel|Ahaziah]] fell through a latticework and injured himself. He then consulted a prophet, not of God, but of [[Baalzebub]] (literally, "Lord of the [[Housefly|Flies]]"). Elijah met Ahaziah's messengers and asked them pointedly why he would ask advice of a pagan god instead of the true [[God]]? He then told the king's men that Ahaziah would not so much as rise from his bed, but would die on it.

Ahaziah sent a fifty-man company (the size of a modern [[platoon]]) to arrest Elijah. This platoon and its leader all were incinerated by another display of fire from heaven similar to that originally seen on Mount Carmel. The same thing happened a second time with a second platoon. The third platoon leader begged that Elijah spare him. The Angel of the Lord (actually the pre-incarnate [[Jesus Christ]] then advised Elijah to return to the king himself with this platoon. Elijah did, and declared straight to Ahaziah's face that Ahaziah would die on the bed where he lay. And Ahaziah did indeed die. {{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=1|verses=1-18|version=KJV}}

Ahaziah sent a fifty-man company (the size of a modern [[platoon]]) to arrest Elijah. This platoon and its leader all were incinerated by another display of fire from heaven similar to that originally seen on Mount Carmel. The same thing happened a second time with a second platoon. The third platoon leader begged that Elijah spare him. The Angel of the Lord (actually the pre-incarnate [[Jesus Christ]] then advised Elijah to return to the king himself with this platoon. Elijah did, and declared straight to Ahaziah's face that Ahaziah would die on the bed where he lay. And Ahaziah did indeed die.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=1|verses=1-18|version=KJV}}</ref>

=== Recall to heaven ===

=== Recall to heaven ===

Elijah's recall to heaven occurred shortly after the death of King [[Ahaziah of Israel|Ahaziah]]; this we may surmise because of a role that [[Elisha]] would play in a battle in which [[Jehoshaphat]] took part, in a coalition with King [[Jehoram of Israel|Jehoram]]. Elijah summoned Elisha and asked him to wait for him, first at [[Bethel]], then at [[Jericho]], and finally at [[Jordan (river)|Jordan]]. At this last spot, Elijah asked Elisha what sort of last favor Elijah might grant him. Elisha asked for "a double portion of thy spirit." Elijah said that he would be able to grant that, ''if'' Elisha would be able to see him during his rise to heaven. Then a chariot and team, all of fire, appeared, and Elijah mounted it and went away from the earth. The last thing he did before he disappeared completely was to drop his mantle for Elisha to take.

Elijah's recall to heaven occurred shortly after the death of King [[Ahaziah of Israel|Ahaziah]]; this we may surmise because of a role that [[Elisha]] would play in a battle in which [[Jehoshaphat]] took part, in a coalition with King [[Jehoram of Israel|Jehoram]]. Elijah summoned Elisha and asked him to wait for him, first at [[Bethel]], then at [[Jericho]], and finally at [[Jordan (river)|Jordan]]. At this last spot, Elijah asked Elisha what sort of last favor Elijah might grant him. Elisha asked for "a double portion of thy spirit." Elijah said that he would be able to grant that, ''if'' Elisha would be able to see him during his rise to heaven. Then a chariot and team, all of fire, appeared, and Elijah mounted it and went away from the earth. The last thing he did before he disappeared completely was to drop his mantle for Elisha to take.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=2|verses=1-11|version=KJV}}</ref>

=== Confusing Episode Involving King Jehoram of Judah ===

=== Confusing Episode Involving King Jehoram of Judah ===

The author of I and II Kings never mentions Elijah again, but the Chronicler does. [[II Chronicles]] states that a prophet named Elijah wrote to King [[Jehoram]] of the [[Southern Kingdom]], telling him that he would die a disgusting and ignominious death for importing [[Baal]] worship to that kingdom. Who was this prophet named Elijah? More to the point, ''when did this Elijah write that letter''?

The author of I and II Kings never mentions Elijah again, but the Chronicler does. [[II Chronicles]] states that a prophet named Elijah wrote to King [[Jehoram]] of the [[Southern Kingdom]], telling him that he would die a disgusting and ignominious death for importing [[Baal]] worship to that kingdom.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=21|verses=12-15|version=KJV}}</ref>

 

Who was this prophet named Elijah? More to the point, ''when did this Elijah write that letter''?

[[James Ussher|Ussher]] assumes that the Elijah letter arrived during Jehoram's lone reign. What makes this more likely is that the letter makes specific reference to the fratricide that Jehoram committed shortly after his father died. Only two possibilities exist:

[[James Ussher|Ussher]] assumes that the Elijah letter arrived during Jehoram's lone reign. What makes this more likely is that the letter makes specific reference to the fratricide that Jehoram committed shortly after his father died. Only two possibilities exist:

== Further appearances of the name Elijah in the Bible ==

== Further appearances of the name Elijah in the Bible ==

The prophet [[Malachi (prophet)|Malachi]] predicted that Elijah would return to herald the coming of the [[Messiah]]. {{Bible ref|book=Malachi|chap=3|verses=1|version=KJV}}; see also {{Bible ref|book=Malachi|chap=4|verses=5-6|version=KJV}}.

The prophet [[Malachi (prophet)|Malachi]] predicted that Elijah would return to herald the coming of the [[Messiah]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Malachi|chap=3|verses=1|version=KJV}}</ref> <ref>{{Bible ref|book=Malachi|chap=4|verses=5-6|version=KJV}}</ref>

The contemporaries of [[John the Baptist]] asked whether he himself was Elijah. John denied this.

The contemporaries of [[John the Baptist]] asked whether he himself was Elijah. John denied this.

At the episode known as the [[Transfiguration of Jesus]], both Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus while He stood in all His glory. The Bible does not tell us the content of that conversation.

At the episode known as the [[Transfiguration of Jesus]], both Moses and Elijah appeared to Jesus while He stood in all His glory. The Bible does not tell us the content of that conversation.

While Jesus hung on the cross, he cried out with a loud voice, ''"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"'' Which means, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" The scornful onlookers said, "He's calling Elijah." {{Bible ref|book=Matthew|chap=27|verses=46-47|version=NIV}}

While Jesus hung on the cross, he cried out with a loud voice, ''"Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"'' Which means, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" The scornful onlookers said, "He's calling Elijah."<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Matthew|chap=27|verses=46-47|version=NIV}}</ref>

== End-times speculation ==

== End-times speculation ==

== References ==

== References ==

<references/>

* [http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/article_elijah.html Elijah] at BiblicalStudies.org.uk

== See Also ==

== See Also ==

* [[Jehoram]]

* [[Jehoram]]

* [[Elisha]]

* [[Elisha]]

[[Category:Bible]]

[[Category:Bible]]