Elijah

Living in Israel, his ministry as a prophet was to oppose the worship of Baal in Israel, and the sin, injustices and idolatry of Ahab, Jezebel and Ahaziah. He came, probably, from Tishbe in Gilead, but his parentage is not certain. His name means “the LORD is God”.

Elijah's special standing as a prophet

His prophecies and prayers were fulfilled and attested by miracles

Drought prophesied and experienced: 1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 17:7, 1 Kings 18:1–6; James 5:17; 1 Kings 17:14 provision of flour and oil prophesied; 1 Kings 18:41, 1 Kings 18:44–45; 1 Kings 17:17–24 The widow's son is restored to life.; 1 Kings 18:36–38; 2 Kings 1:10, 2 Kings 1:12; 1 Kings 21:20–24, 1 Kings 22:37–38; 2 Kings 9:30–37

The word of the LORD came to him

1 Kings 19:9–18 See also 1 Kings 17:8, 1 Kings 18:1, 1 Kings 21:17, 1 Kings 21:23, 1 Kings 21:28, 1 Kings 22:38

Elijah's ministry to Israel

He confronts Ahab, king of Israel

1 Kings 18:16–18 See also 1 Kings 21:20–22

So Obadiah went to inform Ahab, who went to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals.

He challenges the people of Israel

1 Kings 18:21

Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.

He challenges Baal and his prophets

1 Kings 18:20–29, 1 Kings 18:36–38

At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench.

And Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: Is there really no God in Israel for you to inquire of His word? Is that why you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.” So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD that Elijah had spoken. And since he had no son, Jehoram succeeded him in the second year of the reign of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat over Judah.

He appoints successors to continue the fight against Baal worshippers

1 Kings 19:15–17 See also 1 Kings 19:19–21 Elisha is called; 2 Kings 8:13–15, 2 Kings 9:1–13 Jehu is anointed by one of Elisha's assistants.

Then the LORD said to him, “Go back by the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram. You are also to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah to succeed you as prophet. Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.

He does not die, but is taken up to heaven

2 Kings 2:11–12

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind. As Elisha watched, he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And he saw Elijah no more. So taking hold of his own clothes, he tore them in two.

Elijah's lifestyle and character

It was one of simplicity

He was a man of action and physical endurance

1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 17:3, 1 Kings 17:9

Parallels between Elijah and Moses

2 Kings 2:8 See also Exodus 14:21–22; Joshua 3:14–17; 2 Kings 2:14

And Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and to the left, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

Elijah's return is awaited by Israel

Some Jews believed John the Baptist was Elijah returned

Luke 1:17 See also Malachi 4:5–6MAT Malachi 11:14, Matthew 17:9–13 parallel Mark 9:9–13 John 1:21 John the Baptist denies being Elijah.2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4 parallel Mark 1:6

And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Elijah appears at the transfiguration of Jesus Christ

Matthew 17:1–8 parallel Mark 9:2–8

After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters— one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror. Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.