Lifestyle of Elijah

Peter Emmanuel - 10 February 2022

Key points:

• About prophet Elijah

• Humanness of Elijah – Just like one of us

• God’s purposes in our day to day living

• God’s redemptive work is always preceded by a spectacular event

• God honours His people

• Experiencing God’s supernatural power in our everyday living

• God ministers to His people, knowing fully well of their frailty

• God’s revelation / insight into a crisis, a question that we might have

• Godly person’s lifestyle becomes an example and a prelude for us to understand and follow through

• Call of God on each of our lives

• Owning the Spectacular event

• Participating in God’s redemptive plan

• Imitating the lifestyle of Elijah will keep us in step with God.

• Remembering that our lifestyles need an upgrade

• Concluding prayer

Lifestyle of Elijah – A lifestyle for the here and now and for the foreseeable future

Who is this Prophet Elijah? There are a few references to Elijah from the Old Testament books.

Elijah’s life is referenced in 1 Kings 17–19, 21 and 2 Kings 1–2.

Elijah is referenced in the account of Mount of Transfiguration where Elijah and Moses were talking to Jesus. (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36) and Apostle Peter’s reference in his second epistle (2 Peter 1:16–18).

We also read of Elijah and Moses from God’s Word, that they each had very special endings. Elijah was taken up to heaven with chariots of fire. 2 Kings 2:11 and God buried Moses Deuteronomy 34:5-7 and

Elijah was one of God’s confidants: A person with whom God shares a secret or reveals His plans

He was God’s servant who brought down fire from heaven during the sacrifice on Mount Carmel, he stopped rain from falling on Israel and this brought about a drought, he ran in front of Ahab’s Chariot to reach Jezreel ahead of Ahab and performed many other miracles with the help of God who answered his prayers.

Why should we look at the lifestyle of Elijah? What can we glean from his lifestyle? Is his lifestyle relevant to us today? How can we imitate his lifestyle?

Key verse for this message is taken from 1 Kings 18:37

O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” (NLT)

Friends let us not forget the fact that Elijah was just like one of us, with regard to being a human being

God speaks to Elijah - a personal one on one discussion with Elijah all the time. He had this communion with God, we could have too. When we are intimate with God and as we grow closer to Him, we could also talk to Him and He speaks to us too.

God speaks through Elijah, to the people (Elijah becomes God’s communicator) – God’s messenger with authority. Elijah states, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” Elijah was being obedient to God in serving Him. We could be obedient to God in sharing God’s message to others too.

God protects Elijah and hides him amidst the Kerith Ravine (ruh veen). Elijah trusted God for His protection. We could trust God too for His protection, during these pandemic days and the days of peril.

God provides for Elijah: Elijah experiences miracles firsthand in a personal way. Ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. Elijah trusted God for His provision. We could trust Him too for our provision, even when we have very little or no resource at all.

Elijah shows humility: Elijah was directed to leave the brook, when it dried up and was asked to go to Zarephath to the home of a widow and her son. Even though Elijah was a prophet of old, where God showed His majesty and power in bringing down His fire to burn the sacrifice at Mount Carmel. Elijah knew the importance of the virtue of Humility to embrace as a human being and more so for a godly person. We could embrace humility as one of our natural responses too.

God places His children in the everyday lives of the people of this world

Widows in Old Testament days does not simply denote a woman whose husband is dead, but rather a once-married woman who has no means of financial support and is therefore in need of special legal protection, economic and social support.

God placed His servant in the home of a widow and her son, thus taking care of the widow: God expressed His love to the widow as she attended to the needs of His servant. We see here there is a biblical principle being demonstrated in the life of Elijah. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

When the purpose of God is being fulfilled, there arises an imminent challenge soon after.

Elijah experienced an unexpected turn in his life when he was staying with the widow and her son in Zarephath. He questions God when the son of the widow suddenly dies. Then he cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, have you brought tragedy even on this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?” The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.

God performs spectacular miracles leading to His redemptive work in this world in doing so He empowers His children to play a role in it.

God’s wonder working power was demonstrated through the ultimate test on Mount Carmel: God sends Elijah back to king Ahab after three years as He was about to send rain on the land. Elijah prepares himself for the ultimate test to prove that the Lord is God. Elijah went before 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 said nothing. Then Elijah said, you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

Prophets of Baal chanted, shouted, even to the extent of slashing themselves with swords and spears pleading with their gods to burn the sacrifice until the evening time, but there was no fire.

Elijah built the altar with 12 stones, arranged wood on altar, cut the bull and laid the pieces on the altar. Washed the altar and the offering with water 3 times. At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”

Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

We also read about other spectacular events recorded in God’s Word leading to His redemptive work:

In Leviticus 9: 23-24, Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown. This incidence happened almost 500 years before Elijah.

We therefore understand that there is an ultimate purpose when God brings about His spectacular display of power in pursuit of redemption.

Ultimate spectacular event recorded in God’s Word was when God’s Son and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ was born into the world.

It was first announced by an angel to the shepherds who were looking after their sheep and then a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.

God continues to honour His servant Elijah

Just after the servant of God, Elijah sacrificed to the Lord on Mount Carmel, he persevered on his knees for rains to fall on the land of Israel once again. This was because, there had been no dew nor rain in the land of Israel until that time according to Elijah’s own words which he predicted during his first appearance on the scene as mentioned 1 Kings 17:1.

Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:45-46

God’s people experience His supernatural power even in their everyday lives

Elijah ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot, it must have been like driving the world’s most powerful 8-litre engine powered car today called Bugatti Chiron (bi-ga-tee-kai-run), designed in Germany, built in France. Elijah outran king Ahab’s chariot which could have been one of the fastest passenger carriers in that century.

Remember, this happened to Apostle Philip too as mentioned in the New Testament, when he was asked to minister to the Ethiopian Eunuch who was returning to his country from Jerusalem. Philip had to run up to the chariot and when he heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet, Philip asked him “Do you understand what you are reading?”

When the purpose of God is being fulfilled, God honours His children, there arises an imminent challenge soon after.

Elijah accomplished a very successful assignment from God proving that the Lord God Almighty is the only True God at Mount Carmel. However, Elijah faced a crisis soon after he reached Jezreel. Jezebel, king Ahab’s wife threatened to kill Elijah. Jezebel said “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. Miraculously being fed twice by the angel of the Lord, he travelled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.

When Elijah felt like he had enough, he was being led to having an encounter with Holy God. (Unaware of this, he travelled to the mountain of God) And the word of the Lord came to him there: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9

Elijah had been instrumental in bringing about God’s spectacular display of power to Baal worshippers including Baal’s prophets. However, this time God’s encounter with Elijah was very different, Elijah witnessed wind, earthquake, and fire, but the Lord was not in any of them. He heard a whisper after the fire though and went and stood at the mouth of the cave. Again, a voice called out to him saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Both the times, Elijah was professing his zeal for the Lord. Elijah replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

God ministers to Elijah through the wind, earthquake, fire, and the gentle whisper. Even though Elijah couldn’t see the Lord or hear anything from the Lord, yet God was conveying the truth to His prophet Elijah.

Strong Wind – Original Hebrew word describing this is feminine noun – It can be compared to the Breath or Spirit of God that cut through the rocks from which he was hewn (Isaiah 51:1)

Earthquake – Original Hebrew word describing this is masculine noun – compared to the power of shaking, the trampling of horses, chariots, and warriors. God reminding his servant of His Omnipotence, all powerful presence that was always with him.

Fire – Original Hebrew word describing this is feminine noun – compared to the Refiner’s fire, that makes and does not break a person. Reminding Elijah that he has been tried and tested and having gone through fire and water, he will enter the promised place of abundance. Psalm 66: 10-12

Whisper or Gentle wind – Original Hebrew word describing this is feminine noun – God settles Elijah’s storm into a whisper with an assurance that Yahweh has never left him.

The prophet Elijah through whom God displayed His mighty power. Now needs a time to be ministered by God. The reminder that God’s Spirit moves with power, His power that will not cease until what He wants to accomplish and the refining fire that burns every dross and purifies the heart to move onto the next level, with the assurance that He had never left Elijah. (Matthew 12:20). Settling the storm into a whisper the Lord speaks to Elijah again, what are you doing here Elijah?

God reveals His future plan to Elijah, He also gives him the insight into the remnant who continue to serve Him

After the Lord asked Elijah twice, what he was doing there. The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.

The Lord then mentions to Elijah stating, Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” This was God’s response to Elijah’s claim about the zeal he had for the Lord and the complaints he had about the Israelites.

It was a stark reminder to God’s servant that he was not alone and that there were 7000 more zealous people for the Lord.

Elijah regained the confidence and the zeal for God’s redemptive work, stirred up within, Elijah sets out to carry on with the assignments God gave him afresh.

It is the Word of God that makes the difference and speaks directly to our state of mind, emotion and will. We are convicted watching the spectacular, we are changed by His Word and we walk in maturity by applying what we know. We walk in spiritual maturity, not just by knowing God’s Word or quoting Scriptures but by applying what we know and follow through with God’s instructions in obedience.

Elijah’s lifestyle becomes an example and a prelude to what would become of the future generations:

Malachi a prophet of God appears on the scene about 500 years after prophet Elijah, prophesies, and quotes Elijah as a forerunner again.

“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” Malachi 4:5-6

Who is Malachi prophesying about? He refers to John the Baptist as a forerunner to Christ. Jesus, clarifies in Matthew’s Gospel that John the Baptist was referred to as Elijah. Matthew 11:14

What is the meaning of Malachi’s prophecy?

Simply put, Malachi is referring to the role of the future generation prophet (John the Baptist) that, he shall turn the hearts of the fathers with the children, and of the children with the fathers to God and to their duty. He shall call upon young and old to repent, and shall not labour in vain, for many of the fathers that are going off, and many of the children that are growing up, shall be wrought or made or fashioned in the specified way through his ministry.

What is this specified way?

The way God’s creation was meant to be, of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Call of God on each of our lives:

We each have a unique call or purpose the Lord has in store for us. We can become so pre-occupied or indulged with our routine work and get carried away with our other activities including our recreational ones that we forget the purpose for which we have been called to serve God when we received our salvation as part of God’s redemptive plan.

Are we expecting a spectacular event to unfold? Are we suggesting that we need to experience a spectacular event to change things in our lives? Is the spectacular event going to help us step into the things of God? Are we disappointing ourselves or listening to the lies of the enemy that we are not there yet? Have we ever thought about our Salvation experience as a spectacular event?

We have all had this Salvation experience in our lives. The spectacular event was when our Lord forgave our sins through the death and shedding of blood of His precious Son and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Apostle Paul in Colossians 2:15 says, having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross.

Describing the role of Christ in bringing Salvation to mankind, which includes us and many more to follow, one of the Biblical commentators writes like this,

He has obtained a glorious victory for us over the powers of darkness: And, having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. As the curse of the law was against us, so the power of Satan was against us. He treated with God as the Judge, and redeemed us out of the hands of his justice by a price; but out of the hands of Satan the executioner he redeemed us by power and with a high hand. He led captivity captive. The devil and all the powers of hell were conquered and disarmed by the dying Redeemer. The first promise pointed at this; the bruising of the heel of Christ in his sufferings was the breaking of the serpent's head, Gen. 3:15. The expressions are lofty and magnificent: let us turn aside and see this great sight. The Redeemer conquered by dying. See his crown of thorns turned into a crown of laurels. He spoiled them, broke the devil's power, and conquered and disabled him, and made a show of them openly-exposed them to public shame, and made a show of them to angels and men. Never had the devil's kingdom such a mortal blow given to it as was given by the Lord Jesus. He tied them to his chariot-wheels, and rode forth conquering and to conquer-alluding to the custom of a general's triumph, who returned victorious.-Triumphing over them in it; that is, either in his cross and by his death; or, as some read it, in himself, by his own power; for he trod the wine-press alone, and of the people there was none with him.

We need to own this spectacular event and take full advantage of the victory the Lord Jesus Christ had already won over Satan and his company. We need to put into practice the strategies of a spiritual warfare that are laid out in God’s Word:

We were condemned and destined to eternal death because of our sins. However, the gift of Salvation was offered to us through Jesus Christ’s gruesome death on the cross and His resurrection. Jesus conquered death through His resurrection. We too who believe in Him have received eternal life. This spectacular event convicted us of our sins with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Having experienced this spectacular event in our personal lives, should we not then be eager and delighted to have others experience this God’s redemptive plan in their lives too?

In order to be a channel of His redemptive work for others, we need to not only reflect and internalise with our mind, but also be able to verbalise, proclaim and exercise this truth in our day to day lives.

The truth is, the victory that Christ won at Calvary over the principalities and powers of darkness, both in the spiritual and physical realms can be ours, when we Pray, Praise and Proclaim the promises of God.

Judgement on Satan has already been passed in God’s Word, we need to proclaim this with the help of God’s Word stating it or verbalising it. For example, when we verbalise Psalm 118:17 I will not die but live and will proclaim what the Lord has done. This is a proclamation that Satan is a defeated foe.

Praising His name or singing His praises helps us to overcome discouragements that creep into our lives on account of sickness, relationship problem, financial struggles and many more, thus keeping the enemy at bay. For example, read out loud Psalm 149 or sing along with the praise and worship songs.

We need to pray into the will of God, as in Jeremiah 31:7. ‘O Lord, save Your people, The remnant of Israel!’ As in Hebrew 13: 20-21 Praying that God will equip us with everything good for doing his will, and that he works in us what is pleasing to God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Hebrews 13:20-21

Participating in God’s redemptive plan:

If God’s Word has spoken to us, what is holding us back from changing into a person God wants us to be? What are we waiting for? We are mature enough to apply what we know. We need to put to practice that which we learnt from God’s Word.

God hears us when we call to Him. He is ready for a personal encounter with us. He gently whispers settling our storms and wants to get our attention. He will acknowledge our struggles and understand where we are coming from. He will also assure us that we are not alone and that He reserves a remnant who are faithful to Him just like one of us.

Imitating the lifestyle of Elijah will keep us in step with God. It is ok to imitate the lifestyle of the godly.

We are called foremost to imitate God. Ephesians 5:1 says, Be imitators of God, as beloved children

It is not wrong to imitate godly people who are mentioned in God’s Word.

Apostle Paul addresses Thessalonians saying, you also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit 1 Thessalonian 1:6

Apostle Paul asks the Corinthians, Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

Writer to the Hebrews also says, So that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:12

We ought to be like Elijah a generation of ordinary people, hearing from God, obeying God in communicating His Word to the people around us, trusting in God for His protection and provision, participate in the spectacular event in sharing His Good News to everyone we come in contact with, knowing fully well that we are a people who are called to demonstrate His power with boldness, show Christ’s love to the watching world and bear witness with a sound, godly mind.

Let us therefore be bold enough to approach God to hear from Him and to follow His instructions.

Remembering that our lifestyles need an upgrade and that can be accomplished through His grace and by living a life that brings glory to Him, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

To conclude, let this be our prayer:

Lord, answer me so that … You will be glorified. Let me be an active participant in the outworking of Your purposes on Earth.

Lord, answer me so that … my relationship with You will be affirmed. Let me be Your representative.

Lord, answer me so that … the people’s hearts will be turned back to you. Let me be an intercessor for the lost.

May God’s name be praised, all glory and honour be unto Him.