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Elijah: 1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 2
Elijah was a prophet of God who worked during the days of the wicked king Ahab in Israel. He was a righteous man whom God heard and helped. His story is one of courage in the face of tremendous opposition.
To Ahab and the followers of Baal, Elijah was a troublemaker. But Elijah knew better. He told Ahab, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and you have followed the Baals” (1 Kings 18:18). It was on this occasion that Elijah challenged Ahab to gather all the 450 prophets and the 400 prophets of the Asherah to Mt. Carmel.
The prophets all gathered at Mt. Carmel, and Elijah told them to quit faltering between God and Baal. Elijah told them to prepare an altar, call on Baal, and see if Baal responded. They did this and received no response. After a time, Elijah prepared his altar, even poured water on it, then called on God, who answered with fire from heaven. There was no doubt who the true God was. The prophets were taken and put to death.
Elijah demonstrated conclusively the power of God. Sometimes it seemed he was alone; he was threatened for his own life. But he, and Elishah after him, were miracle workers at a time when people who following after other gods. Elishah followed in Elijah’s footsteps. Their work was effective and necessary in a turbulent time for God’s people.
Elijah had prepared Elishah to take his place. As they were together, “there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven” (2 Kings 2:11). Elijah never saw death.
Discussion
1. Describe Ahab and Jezebel. Who were they? What did they do? How did they support evil in Israel?
2. Try to make a list of the miracles performed by Elijah. What effects did they have?
3. Why was Elijah’s test on Mt. Carmel so effective? What was Baal? The Asherah?
4. Who was Elishah? Why was he important to Elijah?
5. Describe Elijah’s ascent to heaven.