Bible Study Moment: Elijah

In 1 Kings 18 Elijah has perhaps his greatest victory; he has challenged the prophets of Baal and shown that Baal is not a god but the Lord that Elijah serves is.

Then in chapter 19 Queen Jezebel threatens him because of what has happened in chapter 18 and Elijah is afraid and runs away, crying out to God to take his life.

(Remember Elijah is one of the people that Peter, James, and John see with Jesus at the transfiguration (Mark 9), along with Moses. Elijah represents the Prophets while Moses represents the Law.)

My reaction is “Elijah, What is wrong with you? You’ve just put yourself at risk against 450 prophets of Baal and triumphed, and now you’re afraid of Jezebel! Where’s your faith in God now?” This may be an OK reaction given that Elijah has been gone for more than 2,500 years and therefore is not likely to hear me. Speaking to someone personally maybe I should keep in mind what the author of Hebrews said in Hebrews 10:24 – “Let us consider how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds” and be more kind in what I might say.

 

Mark Phillips