Elijah is God’s answer to the extreme wickedness engulfing the nation

Elijah is God’s answer to the extreme wickedness engulfing the nation • He was personally committed to the nation’s repentance and salvation • He had a deep and abiding love for God’s people • He was jealous for Yahweh (19:10) • He was spiritually courageous, willing to take a stand for what he believed • He was a spiritual watchman, who could see the dangers and spoke out against them • He had a zeal/passion for the Truth

James 5:16-18 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent (Grk: ‘energeo’ = powerful) prayer of a righteous man availeth (Grk: ‘ischuo’ = to have force) much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions (Grk: ‘homiophates = like feelings and affections, same nature) as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. • And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. • Elijah’s prayers were powerful! Both in how they were offered and in the results they produced! • But Elijah was also subject to the same weaknesses as we are

Fervent prayer helps us to make God’s will, our will Luke 22:41-44 41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agonyhe prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

An Asherah (KJV: “grove”) Female goddess of nations of Canaan

What is an idol today? Any object or person I allow into my life that has power to influence me in way that causes me to think, speak or act in a sinful manner

How idols lead a person to sin • They defile (compromise) our conscience, as we seek personal gain and pleasure • They confuse us regarding what is right and wrong • They excite our natural lusts with their enticements • They play upon our natural weaknesses • They promote group sin and rebellion Ex 32 – worship of golden calf Num 25 – worship of the Baal of Peor Ezek 16:36 – thy nakedness…and idolatry Ezek 23:37 – they have committed adultery with their idols Rev 2:14, 20 – still a problem for believers in 1st century

Mesha stone – 9th centruy BCKing Mesha (2 Kings 3:4) of Moab Memorializes king’s victories over “Omri king of Israel” and his son Bears what is thought to be the earliest reference to ‘Yahweh’ (YHWH) outside the Bible Mentions “the house of David” Discovered in Jordan in 1868 House in the Louvre Museum

Summary for Class 1 • Developing a zeal (passion) for God will counteract the ever increasing evil influences we face • Fervent prayer, for God’s will to be done, helps align our will with His • God doesn’t perfect us before He seeks to use us to help save others • Idolatry today, leading to immorality, can have just as damaging consequences in our life as in Elijah’s day • We need to make good decisions regarding issues that will have long lasting repercussions

Discussion questions at lunch - Monday • Ahab chose to marry a woman who was not “in the Lord” and it had a very bad outcome for he and for Israel. Why is it important to marry a person who has already committed their life to serving God? • Jezebel’s influence upon Ahab, while extensive, was not unique. In marriage, the wife has a substantial impact on both her husband and the spiritual direction of the marriage. Discuss the positive and negative ways a wife can influence a marriage today. • For the young men: • Identify the characteristics of a young woman the world highly values when considering marriage • Contrast these with the characteristics the Scriptures highly value • For the young women, answer 3a and 3b, only identifying the characteristics of a young man • The worship of idols caused nearly all in Israel to turn away from God. What idols exist today that pose this same danger for us?

End of class 1

Jezebel – a literal and spiritual harlot • She is grossly immoral • 400 priests of Asherah eat at her table • In her final act she tries to seduce Jehu • She is fiercely devoted to her false religion • She blatantly ignores the Hand of Yahweh • The famine, Carmel, warning of her gruesome death have no impact whatsoever • She was ruthless and a murderer • She murders those who stand in her way • Plays upon peoples’ weaknesses to gain what she wants • She was a domineering woman • Ahab was like putty in her hands

The impact of apostasy on Israel Jeroboam’s apostasy from within God’s response: to send prophet from Judah GODL I NESS Ahab’s apostasy from without God’s response: to send Elijah! In both instances, there was a major decline in the level of godly living in Israel 810BC 876BC Jeroboam Ahab

The first year at the brook Cherith, the final 2½ years at Zarephath

Fed by ravens – a miracle twice/day Job 38:41 – notoriously poor at feeding their young Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. Luke 12:24 – it is God who feeds the ravens Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

Discussion questions at lunch - Tuesday • God uses people (in the ecclesia or CYC) who are different from us to help develop our faithful obedience, even as we help others develop theirs; how should this help us to become more patient with others who may be different than we are? • Widows in the ecclesia are in need of special care because of their unique difficulties. What are some specific ways in which a young person can be helpful to widows? • The friendship between Elijah and the widow had a positive spiritual impact on both of them. Why is it important to find godly friends and how can they be helpful to us? Why is it also important for us to be a godly friend to others and in what specific ways can we be helpful to them?

End of class 2

Obadiah’s zeal for Yahweh matched Elijah’s Both men: • Were willing to risk everything, even their life, for God’s work • Had a deep yearning to save their brethren • F*E*A*Red Yahweh, having put Him first in their life • Were living for the future Kingdom, not for the present • Shared a common hatred of the idolatry and evil brought into Israel by Ahab and Jezebel It was their zeal that helped them both remain separate from the evil

4 Reactions to the same famine The widow – faced death, yet her faith grew Obadiah – put his life in jeopardy to save others Jezebel – rebelled against God, despised His chastening, resented His Word and slew His prophets in an attempt to eliminate the Word Ahab – his foremost concern was for his possessions, his net worth All four people faced the same famine and related trials; how each responded revealed their character How we respond to our trials will fit somewhere among their 4 responses

Mt. Carmel is situated in a 12 mile mountain range It was the perfect spot to gather the nation River Kishon runs along the range

View from the southern side, near the coast

Also from the coast, looking eastward

A possible location of the events

Ample warning of the dangers of retaining a divided mind James 1:8 – a double minded man is unstable in all his ways James 4:8 – the double minded need their hands cleansed and their hearts purified from sin Matt 6:24 – no man can serve two masters…ye cannot serve God and mammon Rev 3:15-16 – thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot; So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth

How do we get off the fence? • Make a public commitment to serve God alone • Get rid of the idols in our life – the influences that incite our lusts • Make holiness our standard of conduct – when we fail, take responsibility for the sin, but don’t lower the standard • Find friends who don’t sit on the fence – who have put God first in their life • Pray daily for God’s help to sustain our commitment

End of class 3

Ahab’s reign – Elijah’s ministry 1 5 8.5 18 22 begins famine Mt. Carmel/ 2 wars dies reign begins Mt. Horeb with Syria Years 1-5 - ushers in apostasy of 1 Kg 16:31-32 - marries Jezebel Year 5 - 3.5 year drought begins – 17:1 Year 8.5 - Mt. Carmel, famine ends – ch 18 + 19 Year 18 - year of war with Syria – ch 20 - Naboth’s vineyard follows – ch 21 Year 19-21 - 3 years of peace with Syria – 22:1 Year 22 - slain during war with Syria – 22:37 Ahaziah reigns 2 years, then Elijah taken – 2 Kg 2 Elijah’s principal public ministry begins after Mt. Carmel

The strengths of Elijah’s character prior to Horeb • He has a zeal for God • He is jealous for God, serving Him alone • He deeply loves God, evidenced by his faithful obedience • He has spiritual courage to stand up for the Truth • He is a righteous man (James 5:16) • His prayers are powerful in how they are offered and in their effect (Jms 5:16) • He is teachable, receptive to divine instruction

Romans 11:2-4 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

The life (altering) lesson Elijah learned at Mr. Horeb • When Elijah arrived at Mt. Horeb, his focus was on the destruction of the nation (Rom 11:12-4) • God informs him of the 7000 – the faithful remnant – who Elijah was not aware even existed • God’s admonition to Elijah was that he needed to change his focus, which he does by the time he leaves Mt. Horeb The focus of our efforts and energies also needs to be on the 7000 – the remnant – who, despite the overwhelming evil of our day, remain loyal to Yahweh

The still small voice challenged Elijah to change his thinking • God provides Elijah with his own personal and breathtaking miracle to dramatize the need for, and to challenge Elijah to change his thinking • God’s voice was not in the wind, earthquake or fire • The still small voice asked a penetrating question that caused Elijah to (re) examine his actions and motives which were inconsistent with God’s principles, exposing his error • It’s purpose is to challenge us to examine our thinking/motives/actions in order to change our behavior and to transform our character • It enters our mind like a gentle whisper, not like the wind, earthquake or fire; but is a power far greater than these

How to unleash the power of the still small voiceIt is God’s Word, His voice speaking to us The 4 steps required to unleash its power in my life 1st step – A Commitment to do what’s right - to live the right life, to love righteousness and to hate evil 2nd step – Respect for the Bible - it is true & has power for good, to show me how to do what’s right 3rd step – Learn what the Bible teaches, in your heart - read/study to learn its stories, lessons, and principles - these define what a right life is and how to live it 4th step – Live what I learn (the power is unleashed here) - apply the lessons/principles in how I live - prayer, godly friends, avoiding discouragement, eliminating ungodly influences (people or activities), and continuing to learn the Bible, all help increase the power

How to unleash the power of the still small voiceIt is God’s Word, His voice speaking to us The 4 steps required to unleash its power in my life 1st step – A Commitment to do what’s right - to live the right life, to love righteousness and to hate evil 2nd step – Respect for the Bible - it is true & has power for good, to show me how to do what’s right 3rd step – Learn its teachings, not just in my head, but in my heart - read/study to learn its stories, lessons, and principles - these define what a right life is and how to live it 4th step – Live what I learn (the power is unleashed here) - apply the lessons/principles in how I live - prayer, godly friends, avoiding discouragement, eliminating ungodly influences (people or activities), and continuing to learn the Bible, all help increase the power

End of class 4

Ahab’s reign – Elijah’s ministry Ahaziah 1 5 8.5 18 22 begins famine Mt. Carmel/ 2 wars dies reign begins Mt. Horeb with Syria Years 1-5 - ushers in apostasy of 1 Kg 16:31-32 - marries Jezebel Year 5 - 3.5 year drought begins – 17:1 Year 8.5 - Mt. Carmel, famine ends – ch 18 + 19 Year 18 - year of war with Syria – ch 20 - Naboth’s vineyard follows – ch 21 Year 19-21 - 3 years of peace with Syria – 22:1 Year 22 - slain during war with Syria – 22:37 Elijah’s 15+ year public ministry

3 key points in Elijah’s life • Mt. Carmel and James 5 commentary • a righteous man who prayed for nation’s healing • Mt. Horeb and Romans 11 commentary • he prayed against Israel, for God to destroy them • Malachi 4 and the saving work at Christ’s return • They tell the full story of his life and show the complete fulfillment of his work • Paul’s comments should not be set against James’; Paul writes of Elijah before he knew of the 7000 • Considering just 1 or 2 of the 3 leaves a confusing picture; be sure to have all 3 Bible marked in a link

Horeb was a turning point in Elijah’s life • The proverbial ‘light bulb’ goes on for him in v19 when he learns of the 7000 • The prophecy (vv15-17) assured him the workers of iniquity would be divinely dealt with by others, not himself; his responsibility was to the 7000 • When he hears the prophecy, including the existence of the 7000, he departs and obeys He arrived at Horeb a broken man, out of step with God’s will. He leaves Horeb enlightened and re-energized, with a new focus and his life’s purpose restored.

Ahab takes possession of Naboth’s vineyard the very next day 2 Kings 9:25-26 – Jehu quotes Elijah’s prophetic condemnation of Ahab 25 Then said Jehu to Bidkar his captain, Take up, and cast him in the portion of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite: for remember how that, when I and thou rode together after Ahab his father, the LORD laid this burden upon him; 26 Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD.

Jezebel’s parallel with Sin Rom 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? • Paul was married to Jezebel too (by his nature); we all are! • Paul sought deliverance, Ahab did not; he enjoyed being enslaved to his wife (in symbol, our nature) • If we get in the habit of giving in to Sin or making provision for it, we are no different than Ahab

15 years later, 2 Kg 2 shows the outcome of the personal issues Elijah faced at Horeb • Elijah’s tendency to be an isolationist has been replaced by prophets throughout the land who know and love him • The sons of the prophets are thriving under his leadership; surely the 7000 have been ministered to • Elisha has been a great help to Elijah personally as they share a close relationship; Elisha, who wouldn’t leave his side, has been a loving and beneficial companion to the one who had cried for divine help (“I alone am left”) • Elijah retained the leadership role between the two men, evident by the need for the mantle to pass (literally and figuratively), and Elisha not yet having received the Spirit

This was end of class 5

Elijah is God’s answer to the extreme wickedness engulfing the nation