ELIJAH THE TISHBITE

Elijah the Tishbite

 

Elijah the Tishbite

            The birth, life and history of many of the men whose  activities are recorded in the Sacred Record are prophetic of things to come. As an illustration,

the "time of Jacob's trouble," to which Jeremiah refers (Jeremiah 30:7), defines a period in the experience of the people of Israel in the last days and

is a description of the troubles which would overtake them as the age draws to its close. But this period of trouble has its pattern in the difficulties

Jacob himself experienced during his lifetime and this is the specific reason it is called the "time of Jacob's trouble."

Our Lord referred to Noah and to happenings in his generation, which would furnish a pattern of events to just precede the close of the age and His triumphant

return. In the days just preceding the coming of the Son of man, the Lord said that conditions upon earth would be "as the days of Noah were." Many other

instances could be cited to show the prophetic significance of the lives and activities of men of old. A study of the many parallels between their lives

and present-day events will shed much light upon the fulfillment of prophecy in modem times.

Translation

Among the men whose lives are recorded in the Bible, those of Enoch and Elijah are of special interest because neither of these men saw death. Both were

translated. Elijah was translated in 3108 A.M. and 888 years later, in 3996 A.M., Christ was born and His name was called Jesus. Now 888 is the numerics

of the name Jesus and He was born 888 years after the ascension of the prophet Elijah, who is a type of those who shall not taste death but be translated

at the time of the second appearing of Jesus Christ. Elijah appeared with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration when Peter, James and John were eyewitnesses

of the coming of the Lord in power and glory (II Peter 1: 16-18).

Law of Moses

The message Elijah gave is associated with the warning which was to go out just before the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord: "Remember ye the law of

Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before

the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: 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." (Malachi 4:4-6.)

As a prototype, a study of the times and events in Elijah's day, his ministry, the message he gave and the acts he performed, plus the ending of his sojourn

upon earth by translation, throws much interesting prophetic light upon these days in which we are living.

Elijah Appearance

Let us review the life of Elijah as it is revealed to us in the Scriptures. We find that in his day a foreign ideology had so undermined the spiritual

stability of Israel that the nation was in mortal danger from the activities of the enemy within, supported by Jezebel, the wife of Ahab the King. Elijah

suddenly appeared upon the scene and vanished from it as abruptly as he appeared. Young's Analytical Concordance says of him:

"The grandest and most romantic character that Israel ever produced. 'Elijah the Tishbite of the inhabitants of Gilead' is literally all we know of his

parentage."

Drought Predicted

The name Elijah means "My God is Jehovah," or "God Himself." In the year we first hear of this prophet, Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, had reigned nine years

in Jerusalem and Ahab, King of Israel, twelve years in Samaria. Elijah suddenly appeared on the scene with a message for the King of Israel: "And Elijah

the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain

these years." (I Kings 17: 1.)

James informs us that the actual length of this period of drought was three and a half years (James 5: 17. See also Luke 4: 25).

God Versus Baal

            Israel had apostatized, the people having turned away from the worship of Jehovah, the God of Israel, to embrace Baalism, which was flourishing

in the land under the patronage of Jezebel, wife of King Ahab. The conflict was between Jehovah and Baalism, with Elijah sponsoring the cause of the Lord

and Jezebel that of the false prophets and idolatrous worshipers. Jezebel had sought to murder all the prophets of the Lord and while she had killed many,

she had not succeeded in destroying Elijah, for he suddenly appeared before Ahab and announced that a judgment of drought was to afflict the land. This

drought was not to end until the people acknowledged Jehovah as the God of Israel.

Immediately following that announcement, Elijah disappeared and, though Ahab sought for him in all the surrounding nations, he was unable to find him.

Elijah was not a prophet of peace; his messages were of judgment and his mission was the destruction of heathen worship and judgment upon Israel if the

people refused to heed God's injunctions as the prophet warned them of their evil ways. Ever since the days of Joshua a conflict had been in evidence in

Israel between the forces of good and the powers of evil. The question continually before the people was whether they would follow Jehovah or accept the

heathen God Baal. A crisis had now come in that conflict and Elijah represented the forces of righteousness and Jezebel the power of evil.

Jezebel's Influence

Jezebel exerted a tremendous influence over the affairs of state, though holding no office herself. As the wife of King Ahab her influence in the land

was very great. The King himself was definitely under her power in conducting the affairs of state.

Jezebel was personally responsible for importing the worst and most debasing form of the idolatrous practices of Baalism from Phoenicia and in her zeal

instigated persecution of the followers of Jehovah.

Many of the things Jezebel desired to do, and was able to accomplish, were contrary to the Israel law and to the policies of the predecessors of Ahab.

Strong willed and popular to an extent, at least with those whom she favored, she became a tremendous power behind the throne, even to securing her husband's

consent to the acceptance of the anti-God teachings of a foreign politico-­religious system. These anti-God teachings of a foreign power were repugnant

to the God-fearing men and women in Israel but, in spite of their opposition, Baalism was protected and cultivated and finally became well entrenched in

the land under Jezebel's tutelage and with the consent of Ahab. The leaders, teachers and supporters of these anti-Israelitish beliefs were accepted,

pampered and entertained by Jezebel, and she saw to it that they lacked nothing insofar as she could provide for their needs, even to eating with her at

her table.

Jezebel's powerful influence (with a personality which enabled her to carry out her will) and her control through Ahab over the affairs of state were detrimental

to the well-being of the nation; her sponsorship of a political and religious concept foreign to Israel's constitution and purity of worship brought upon

the nation the very evil which Elijah had announced to Ahab would come upon the land - a great drought. The idolatrous worship of Baalism produced political

deterioration and moral decadency, and exerted a most dangerous influence upon the policies of those who governed the nation.

With this background it is fitting that the name Elijah means "My God is Jehovah" or "God Himself," for the conflict had reached a climax and the tests

were about to be made to see whether the people would serve God or continue to worship Baal. While Ahab was King, back of him was Jezebel and the trial

or test of strength was between Elijah and Jezebel though the

prophet appeared to Ahab and announced God's judgment to him.

The Prophet Miraculously Sustained

Jezebel would have sought to kill Elijah through direct command or by treachery, so immediately following the pronouncement by the Prophet that there would

be no rain in the land the Lord directed him:

"Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook

Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there."

(I Kings 17: 3- 4.)

            The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia says:

"Elijah's 'ravens' may indeed be converted by a change of vowel-points into 'Arabians'; but in spite of the fact that Orientals would bring offerings of

food to a holy hermit, the whole tenor of the narrative favors no other supposition than that its writer meant 'ravens."'

Ferrar Fenton, in his translation of this text, suggests Arabs instead of ravens with the following footnote: "The word Arabim, was erroneously translated

'ravens' by the Greek versioners, and the blunder, as usual, has been repeated since. It means Arabs, as I have translated in my text."

Regardless of how this text is rendered, God saw to it that Elijah was supplied with bread and meat: "And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the

morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook." (I Kings 17: 6.)

Elijah and the Widow

            The brook finally failed as a result of the continued drought and the Prophet was instructed to go to Zarephath in Zidon where he would find

a widow with her son and he was to dwell there. Elijah departed and found the woman gathering sticks. He spoke to her:

            "Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me,

I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand." (I Kings 17: 10-11.)

The woman replied that she had only enough meal and oil to make a cake for herself and her son, after which they expected to die. But Elijah told her not

to fear but to make a cake for him first and afterward make cakes for herself and son: "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." (I Kings 17: 14.)

The woman obeyed Elijah, and the barrel of meal did not become empty, nor was the supply of oil exhausted during the remaining years of the drought.

During the time that Elijah stayed with the widow her son was stricken ill and died. She mourned her loss in Elijah's presence, and he took the child to

his chamber and interceded with God that the spirit of life might return again to him. The child was revived and Elijah delivered him to his mother. The

widow then testified: "Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth."

(I Kings 17: 24.)

Elijah Sent to Ahab

After many days had passed the Lord commanded Elijah in the third full year of the drought to go to Ahab. Commenting upon the length of the drought, a

footnote in The Companion Bible has this to say concerning the statement in I Kings 17:1; "These years, (not three years). No definite

period stated. 'Years' is pl., not dual. In Luke 4: 25 and James 5: 17: 'three years and six months.' These six months must be reckoned before the three

years, not added at the end because of 'the third year,' i.e., the third full year."

The famine was very severe in the land and Ahab and Obadiah, the governor of his house, were out hunting pasture in order to save the lives of the king's

horses and mules if possible. Obadiah had gone in one direction and Ahab in another.

Obadiah Meets Elijah

When Jezebel sought to slay all the prophets of the Lord Obadiah hid one hundred of them in a cave, supplying bread and water to sustain them. It was at

that time that Elijah met Obadiah and the latter exclaimed, "Are you here, my Lord Elijah?"

            The prophet told him to go inform Ahab that he was there, but Obadiah was fearful that, while he went to tell Ahab, Elijah would again disappear.

He told the Prophet that there was not a kingdom or nation where Ahab had not sought to find him and he had even taken an oath from those in the places

where he sought Elijah to positively confirm the fact that they did not know his whereabouts. Obadiah told Elijah that if he informed Ahab that the Prophet

was in the vicinity and Elijah again disappeared Ahab would slay him. Obadiah reminded Elijah that he had saved the lives of a hundred of the prophets

when Jezebel sought to kill them. At the conclusion of Obadiah's plea Elijah reassured him that he would be there and would meet Ahab that same day. Obadiah

did as he was instructed, and Ahab came to meet Elijah. When he saw the Prophet he exclaimed: "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" But Elijah answered:

"I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Balaam." (I

Kings 18: 18.)

A Challenge

Elijah wasted no time in coming to the point and, with the boldness that marks the true prophet, disregarded himself as he lashed out against the false

beliefs of the people and the idolatrous religion sponsored by Ahab's wife. Elijah immediately challenged Ahab to arrange a test. He demanded that all

Israel be gathered at Mount Carmel and with them four

hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, besides four hundred of the prophets of the Shrines of Baal who dined at Jezebel's table. Ahab complied with the Prophet's

request and when all Israel had gathered at Mount Carmel Elijah addressed them:

"How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him." (I Kings 18: 21.)

 But the people did not answer him. Consequently Elijah, after asking that the prophets of the Lord be separated from those of Baal, proposed that the

following test be made. Two bullocks were to be brought and the prophets of Baal were to offer one on an altar while Elijah, the Prophet of the Lord, would

place the other on an altar. No fire was to be applied. The

prophets of Baal were to call upon their god and Elijah was to call upon his God. The one who answered by fire would be the one true God. The people all

agreed to the plan.

Prophets of Baal

An answer by fire was universally recognized as the acceptance of a sacrifice. In giving assent to the test Ahab, the King, and Israel admitted this. Baal

was the god of fire and a personification of the sun. Thus the test proposed by Elijah was readily accepted by the people. The prophets of Baal might have

been dubious but before the King and that great assembly they dared not hesitate.

Elijah asked the prophets of Baal to make the first demonstration, so they dressed their bullock and placed it upon the altar. Then they began to call

upon Baal, all that morning until noon, saying:

"O Baal, hear us, But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah

mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must

be awaked. And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. And it came to pass,

when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor

any that regarded."

(I Kings 18: 26-29.)

Evening Sacrifice

Noon, or midday, extended to 3 P.M., and during this time the prophets of Baal continued while Elijah made fun of them. The time of the evening sacrifice

would be three o'clock that afternoon. Elijah, under the direction of God, had selected that hour to make his demonstration as it was the hour of the day

with which all Israel would associate the time of sacrifice to Jehovah, the God of Israel. It was also the time of day that the Pastoral lamb was slain

for the Passover and later it was the hour that Jesus Christ died on the cross, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. It was therefore fitting

that Elijah should begin his demonstration at the time of the evening sacrifice for he had from three o'clock until sunset to complete the task:

"And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down."

(I Kings 18: 30.)

The Altar of the Lord

Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, and built an altar in the name of the Lord. He made a trench about the altar

and Ferrar Fenton gives the capacity of it as about two hogsheads or between one and two hundred gallons.

After completing the altar and laying the wood and the bullock upon it, Elijah commanded that four barrels of water be poured upon the burnt offering and

the wood. He commanded that it be done a second and a third time and the trench also was filled with water. It seems that Elijah had completed the construction

of the altar before the time of the evening sacrifice, no doubt building it during the time the prophets of Baal were constructing their altar and making

their demonstration:

"And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and

of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me,

O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.” (I Kings 18: 36-37.)

The Fire of God

            God answered Elijah in a emonstration of fire and heat comparable to the energy released by the splitting of the atom. This fire the Scriptures

designate as the fire of the Lord for it was not like any other fire with which they were familiar:

 "Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the

trench."

(I Kings 18: 38.)

This demonstration of the power of God, who answered Elijah's prayer by fire, had an electrifying effect upon the people witnessing the

scene, who saw the results of the fire and its tremendous heat which consumed not only the sacrifice but the stones, earth and water. All the people fell

upon their faces.

Could it be that the small amount of force released for the purpose of consuming this sacrifice was sufficiently powerful to cause physical prostration?

The people knew that the power of God was in this fire and exclaimed: "The Lord, he is the God: the Lord, he is the God!"

It is certain that energy of this kind is only safe at the command of men who, like Elijah, are consecrated to the service of the Lord. They alone are

capable of the restraint needed in handling such power. In the contest before the King and the people, Elijah had established the fact that Jehovah was

the God of Israel. By this one test he annihilated the strength of Baal worship in Israel and defeated the subtle and evil works of Jezebel.

Prophets of Baal Killed

            Elijah ordered the people to take all the prophets of Baal and not let one of them escape. They were taken down to the Brook Kishon and slain

there. Under the law of Israel idolatry was punishable by death and there is no doubt that, as heathen priests, those prophets of Baal were far from guiltless

in the slaying of many of the prophets of the Lord as they helped

Jezebel in her murderous program.

The people having acclaimed: "The Lord he is the God," Elijah said to Ahab: "Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain." (I

Kings 18: 41.)

The Drought Broken

The Prophet was referring to a sound from the ocean which indicated the coming of rain. He sent his servant to the top of Carmel and Elijah sat down with

his head upon his knees, perhaps in complete exhaustion after the strenuous happenings of that day. The servant looked toward the sea and reported seeing

nothing. The Prophet sent the servant again-and for seven times. The seventh time he reported he saw a little cloud coming up from the sea, as small as

a man's hand.

Evidently the release of atomic fire had a marked and immediate effect upon atmospheric conditions, for Elijah warned Ahab to make haste for a very great

rain was about to begin.

Mean­ time, the heavens became black with clouds and there was a very high wind. As Ahab rode toward Jezreel, a city at the eastern side of the great plain

of Esdraelon, Elijah ran before him to the entrance of the city. Evidently the Prophet remained outside the city while Ahab entered and told Jezebel all

that Elijah had done and how he had slain all the prophets of Baal with the sword.

Jezebel's Reaction

Elijah had won the people and even Ahab was convinced by the demonstration which he had witnessed. He gave Jezebel an account of all that Elijah had done

with the hope of convincing her also, but without success. Jezebel sent word to Elijah saying: "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not

thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time." (I Kings 19: 2.)

            Ahab had no control over his wife; in fact, she completely dominated the situation and was able to override any objections the King might have

had and assume authority to act as though she were the king. This is evidenced in her threat to kill Elijah before sunset the next day. The Prophet knew

the vindictive and evil ways of Jezebel and fled for his life, going into the land of Judah where he left his servant. Evidently he did not dare remain

there for Ahab, King of Israel, and Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, were friendly. After leaving his servant at Beersheba in Judah, Elijah went on a day's

journey into the wilderness. Weary, tired and despondent, he sat down under a juniper tree and requested of the Lord that he might die saying: "It is enough;

now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." (I Kings 19: 4.)

Fed By An Angel

Some have condemned Elijah for fleeing; yet the Prophet knew that the time of judgment upon Jezebel had not yet arrived, and she was in a position to carry

out her threat. So he fled to safety. While it is true that Elijah had won the acclaim of the people as a result of the trial with the prophets of Baal,

and they recognized the Lord as the true God, he had little success with Ahab. The King's acceptance was influenced by the reaction of Jezebel, whom Ahab

evidently feared to offend more than he feared the Prophet. As a result of the trial and subsequent flight for his life, Elijah was physically exhausted,

and he fell asleep under the juniper tree. He was finally awakened by an angel who had prepared food for him to eat and water to drink. After partaking

of this refreshment, the Prophet went to sleep again. Later the angel awoke him the second time, saying:

"Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee." (I Kings 19: 7.)

The Journey to Horeb

Following his refreshing sleep, and the strength gained through the food the angel served him, Elijah continued his journey for forty days until he came

to Horeb, the Mount of God. Arriving at the Mount, the Prophet made his lodging in a cave. The Lord asked him what he was doing there and Elijah said:

"I have been very jealous [zealous] for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain

thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." (I Kings 19: 10.)

The Demonstration

Thereupon the Lord issued a command to Elijah which was followed by a tremendous demonstration:

"And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and

brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice." (I Kings 19: 11-12.)

Elijah lived in a time of spiritual decadency, to which fact he bore testimony. It was a period of conflict and in the demonstration by tempest, earthquake

and fire--in a sense symbolical of the contending forces-the Prophet was shown that the Lord was not in any of it. Then he heard the still small voice.

The multitudes in Israel are always unable to hear this voice directing and guiding His servants in the paths of righteousness. When Elijah recognized

the Presence of the Lord he wrapped his face in his mantle and went and stationed himself in the entrance of the cave. The Voice addressed him and asked,

"What doest thou here, Elijah?" The Prophet replied as before that he was zealous for the Lord but His prophets had been slain, Israel had forsaken His

covenant and they even sought his life.

The Command

The Voice commanded him to return by the way of the wilderness of Damascus and anoint Hazael to be King over Syria and Jehu to be King over Israel. Also,

he was to anoint Elisha to be a prophet in his place. The Lord then said: "And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall

Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay." (I Kings 19: 17.)

In spite of the great apostasy, the misrule of Ahab and the violence of Jezebel, the Lord informed Elijah: “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel,

all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him." (I Kings 19: 18.)

Elijah did as he was commanded and departed from the Mount of God. Finding Elisha plowing in his field, he cast his mantle over him as he passed by. That

was a sign to Elisha that he was to follow Elijah and, if faithful, he would finally become his successor. He accepted the call and the mantle of Elijah

was to become his after he had ministered to the needs of the prophet.

Smear Campaign

One of the early uses of the smear technique is recounted in the story of Jezebel's dealings and removal of Naboth so Ahab could possess his vineyard.

Ahab coveted a vineyard near his palace which was owned by Naboth, who refused to sell his ancestral inheritance to the King. Jezebel noticed that Ahab

was downcast and, learning that he was troubled because Naboth refused to sell his vineyard, she said:

"Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."

(I Kings 21:7)

Naboth's Death

In order to discredit Naboth, Jezebel sent letters in the name of Ahab to the elders of the city where Naboth lived, instructing them to proclaim a feast

and place Naboth at the head of it. They were then to get two witnesses to testify that while in this position Naboth libeled God and the King, then he

was to be adjudged guilty, taken out and stoned to death.

If Naboth was true to God, he no doubt would have libeled Baal, the god of Jezebel. However, the false witnesses testified against him and he was tried,

found guilty and stoned to death. When Jezebel heard that her plans to bring false accusation against Naboth had succeeded, and that he was dead, she told

Ahab to take possession of his vineyard. And Ahab went down to the vineyard and took possession.

Ahab in Naboth's Vineyard

The word of the Lord came to Elijah to go and meet Ahab whom he would find in Naboth's vineyard and to whom he was to say:

"Hast thou killed, and taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth

shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine." (I Kings 21: 19.)

Ahab said to Elijah, "Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?" Actually, Elijah was his best friend but because of his evil acts the Prophet was sent to reprimand

him. Because of this Elijah had become an enemy in the sight of the King. But Elijah answered:

"I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy prosperity,

and will cut off from Ahab every male that is shut up and left in Israel. And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like

the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger and made Israel to sin. And of Jezebel also spake the

Lord, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field

shall the fowls of the air eat." (I Kings 21: 20-24.)

The account then declares that Ahab had sold himself to work evil, stirred to such acts by Jezebel, his wife. He worshiped the idols and committed the

abominations of the Amorites whom the Lord had driven out of the land.

 Ahab Repents

            When Ahab heard the judgment Elijah pronounced against him he rent his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. Because he humbled himself, the

Lord told Elijah he would not bring about the evil in Ahab's day but it would come upon his house in the days of his son.

            In a war which followed between Syria and Israel, with Judah allied with Israel, Ahab was slain. His son, Ahaziah, became king but he served

Baal and worshiped him, provoking the God of Israel to anger.

Ahaziah Falls Sick

Ahaziah had a serious fall and became sick. He sent messengers to inquire of Beelzebub (the fly god to whom appeals were made in time of sickness), the

god of Ekron (a city of the Philistines) if he would recover. But Elijah met the messengers and said to them: "Is it not because there is not a God in

Israel, that ye go to inquire of Beelzebub the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art

gone up, but shalt surely die." (II Kings 1: 3-4.)

The messengers returned to the King who was surprised that they had turned back without completing their mission. They then gave the King the message Elijah

had given them. Ahaziah asked what type of man it was who sent him that message and the messengers said: "He was an hairy man [evidently a reference to

his raiment of hair] and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins." (II Kings 1: 8.)

Destruction by Fire

The King recognized the Prophet and he said, "It is Elijah the Tishbite." Then the King sent the captain of his guard with fifty men to the hill on top

of which Elijah was living and commanded him to come down. The Prophet answered: "If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from

heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty." (II Kings 1: 10.)

A second company was sent to take Elijah and they were destroyed in the same manner. A third company came but their captain implored Elijah to spare him

and his fifty men. Then the Angel of the Lord told Elijah it was safe for him to go with this company. And so the Prophet went with this captain and his

guard to the King and said:

            "Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Beelzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in

Israel to inquire of his word? Therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die." (II Kings 1: 16.)

The King died according to the word of the Lord as spoken by Elijah.

The Journey to the Jordan

The time was approaching when Elijah was

From the Scriptures for America Dragon Slayer newsletter, 2025 Vol. 8. To receive the Dragon Slayer, email preacher@sfaw.org or phone 307-742-7582.