Elijah

Elijah was a prophet from Tishbe in Gilead—a historical region located east of the Jordan River in present day Jordan. His name means “Yahweh is my God.” He was considered as one of the greatest prophets of Israel. He walked and talked with God and encouraged others to believe the Lord is God, just as his name purported.

He heard the word of the Lord and followed God’s direction. Often, the message was difficult and was met with opposition. Still, Elijah did not falter. He confronted face-to-face those who spent their life in the worship of Baal. In 1 Kings 18:21, New International Version, Elijah went before the Israelites and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God then follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”

Elijah following the Lord’s instruction, approached King Ahab and said, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” (1 Kings 17:1, New Living Translation) Elijah then hid from King Ahab by the brook Cherith where the Lord directed ravens to bring food to Elijah and where he drank from the water from the brook. As Elijah warned, the rain stopped, and the brook and all the land dried up.

The Lord then directed Elijah to the village of Zarephath where he met a widow who would feed him. When they met, she was gathering sticks to cook her last meal. Elijah asks her to bring him some water and some bread. (vss. 10-12) She responds that she has very little flour and oil. Still, Elijah directs her to make a small loaf of bread and use the remainder of her supplies for her and her son. He assures her the Lord would provide food for them and it was so. There was always enough flour and oil left in her containers until the day the Lord sent rain to water the land again.

While in the house, the woman’s son fell gravely ill, and stopped breathing. Elijah prayed to God, and the Lord brought the boy back to life.—vss. 17-23

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