Elijah - A Man of God & the word of the LORD)

1 Kings 17:1-16

Introduction:

- What was does it mean to follow Jesus? Sometimes it means trouble and tribulation. Jesus was clear. The “sometimes” is not a question of if but when. Jesus reminded His disciples, “I have said these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart. I have overcome the world.” (Jn 16:33)

- What Jesus explained (Jn 16:18-25; Matt 10:16-22) is as true in the 21st century, as it was in the 1st century or about 900 years earlier in 870 BC when the word of the LORD came to Elijah, whose name testified, “The Lord is God.” Elijah’s name was also his confession. The Lord is God. Baal is a god but not God.

- Confessing Jesus is Lord, the Lord is God, and the word of the LORD/the Lord is our final authority causes waves. It always has. It always will.

Jesus did not promise to change our circumstances. He promised to walk with us and give us what we need for whatever the world throws at us. TAKE HEART!

Over the next few weeks we will what the Scriptures tell us about the ministry of Elijah, the prophet. While we usually refer to him as a prophet, which he was, in other Scripture usually refer to him simply as Elijah. In 1 Kings 17-22 and 2 Kings 2, in addition to Elijah, he is also referred to as “a man of God” who stood before the LORD, the God of Israel who lives. Standing before the LORD, listened to and articulated “the word of the LORD.”

Although we are told much about the ministry of Elijah, who affirmed that he stood before the LORD, the God of Israel lives & the word of the LORD that he obeyed and communicated, we are told very little about Elijah. We are told far more the widow of Zarephath and Naboth whose vineyard the king wanted.

We are told much about:

Ahab the king of Israel - “vile human toad who squatted on the throne of his nation of Israel — the worst of Israel’s kings” as he was introduced by Dr Robert G Lee - in his historic sermon“Payday Someday” sermon. Pastor Robert G Lee - Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis Tennessee - 1927-1960. Pastor Lee served with distinction as the President of SBC. Pastor Lee’s points were clear. There is no human way to escape the wrath of God. There must be a payment for our sins. Only through faith Jesus Christ was there an acceptable payment for our sins.

Jezebel - “wicked wife of Ahab - the beautiful and malicious adder coiled upon the throne of the nation.” (Dr Lee)

Elijah the Tishbite of Tisbe in Gilead (a prophet):

Elijah - The Lord is God

Tishbite - resident of Tishbe

Of Tishbe - town east of the River Jordan, vicinity of Jabbok River (now Zarqa River) 2/3 of way south from Sea of Galilee to Dead Sea - close to present day Amman

1. Lived in the days of Ahab who – 1 Kings 16:29-3

- Reigned over Israel

- Did evil in the sight of the LORD.

- Took as his wife Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Sidonians.

- Served and worshipped Baal – made Asherah.

- Did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, than all kings of Israel before him.

2. Stood before the LORD, the God of Israel who lives – 1 Kings 17:1

- “As the LORD, the God of Israel, LIVES.

- before whom I stand,

- there will be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

3. Sojourned:

- By the brook Cherith – 1 Kings 17:2-7

- The word of the LORD came to him,

- Depart eastward, hide yourself by the brook Cherith,

- You will drink from the brook/I have commanded the ravens to feed you.

- With the widow of Zarephath – 1 Kings 17:8-16

- After the brook dried up, the word of the LORD came to him.

- I have commanded a widow to feed you.

- As the LORD your God lives,

- Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth.”

As we rejoice and are encouraged by how Elijah was used by and cared for by God, it is equally important that ask ourselves these questions:

1. Where do we live? In what ways is it similar and in what ways is it different?

2. Where, before whom and how do we stand?

3. Where is God calling us to sojourn?

AWV/June 25/23