Taken up Elijah

Taken Up

2 Kings 2:11 KJV 1900

11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

The life of Elijah the Prophet

Elijah

Synopsis

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 Ki 17:1; 1 Ki 17:7; 1 Ki 18:1–6; Jas 5:17

1 Ki 17:14 provision of flour and oil prophesied

1 Kings 17:14 (KJV 1900) — 14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.

Rain prophesied:

1 Ki 18:41; 1 Ki 18:44–45

1 Ki 17:17–24 The widow’s son is restored to life.

Fire falls from heaven at Elijah’s prayer:

1 Ki 18:36–38; 2 Ki 1:10; 2 Ki 1:12

The death of Ahab and Jezebel, and of Ahab’s line prophesied and fulfilled:

1 Ki 21:20–24; 1 Ki 22:37–38; 2 Ki 9:30–37

The word of the Lord came to him

1 Ki 19:9–18

See also 1 Ki 22:38; 1 Ki 18:1; 1 Ki 17:8; 1 Ki 21:17; 1 Ki 21:23; 1 Ki 21:28

Elijah’s ministry to Israel

He confronts Ahab, king of Israel

1 Ki 18:16–18

See also 1 Ki 21:20–22

He challenges the people of Israel

1 Ki 18:21

1 Kings 18:21 (KJV 1900) — 21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

He challenges Baal and his prophets

1 Ki 18:20–29; 1 Ki 18:36–38

The prophets of Baal are sentenced to death and executed

See also 1 Ki 18:40

1 Kings 18:40 (KJV 1900) — 40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

Elijah calls down fire on Ahaziah’s messengers

2 Ki 1:1–14

He predicts Ahaziah’s death

2 Ki 1:16–17

He appoints successors to continue the fight against Baal worshippers

1 Ki 19:15–17

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

He does not die, but is taken up to heaven

2 Ki 2:11–12

2 Kings 2:11–12 (KJV 1900) — 11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.

Elijah’s lifestyle and character

It was one of simplicity

See also 1 Ki 17:2–6; 1 Ki 19:4–5; 2 Ki 1:8

He was a man of action and physical endurance

1 Ki 17:1; 1 Ki 17:3; 1 Ki 17:9

Parallels between Elijah and Moses

2 Ki 2:8

2 Kings 2:8 (KJV 1900) — 8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

See also Jos 3:14–17; Ex 14:21–22; 2 Ki 2:14

Elijah’s return is awaited by Israel

Some Jews believed John the Baptist was Elijah returned

Lk 1:17

Luke 1:17 (KJV 1900) — 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

See also Mal 4:5–6

Malachi 4:5–6 (KJV 1900) — 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, And the heart of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Jesus Christ recognises John as Elijah:

Mt 11:14; Mt 17:9–13

Matthew 11:14 (KJV 1900) — 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

Matthew 17:9–13 (KJV 1900) — 9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Similarities of lifestyle and dress between Elijah and John:

2 Ki 1:8; Mt 3:4

2 Kings 1:8 (KJV 1900) — 8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

Matthew 3:4 (KJV 1900) — 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

Elijah appears at the transfiguration of Jesus Christ

Mt 17:1–8