Gene Cunningham - September 11, 2000
Elijah #1
The life of Elijah illustrates Mercy and Judgment. There was a string of six previous evil kings prior to Ahab. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord to anger than all the kings before him (1Ki 16:30-33, 1Ki 17:1-7). (1) Jeroboam appointed priest not of the tribe of Levi (1Ki 12:28). (2) Nadab perpetuated his father’s evil (1Ki 15:36). (3) Badash was a conspirator who murdered Nadab (1Ki 15:27-29). (4) Elah was a drunk (1Ki 16:8-13). (5) Zimri was a murderer (16:16-20). (6) Omri was worse than those before. (16:25-26, 34). Elijah was God’s choice to combat evil (Isa 59:19). Elijah means “the Lord is my God” (Col 3:17). Tishbe was a little cross-road town in the Gad tribal area (1Co 1:27-29, Gen 49:19). John the Baptizer was prepared in the dessert like Elijah. We need something of the boldness of Elijah (1Ki 17:1, 1Ti 4:10, 1Th 1:9-10). God judges false gods by their claims. The proclaimed drought is a judgment on Baal (Mat 5:45, Act 14:17; Deu 28:24). God’s word in the mouth of Elijah: (1) Elijah saw Israel’s apostasy and knew how God’s word applied (Deu 11:16-17). (2) Elijah applied the word by prayer (Jam 5:17). (3) God’s word told Elijah what to pray and is energized by the Spirit (Jam 5:16, 1Jo 5:14-15). (4) God’s word is a sword that cuts two ways: (a) it cuts to the human spirit of the believer (Heb 4:12); (b) it is reflected in prayer (Eph 6:17-18). (5) Elijah’s made use of God’s word as if it were his own. Baal was supposed to control rain, sun and food (Isa 42:8). God’s word in our mouth won’t have an impact until it has impact in our own lives. Elijah went through the drought with the nation (1Ki 17:7).
Scripture References: Genesis 49:19, James 5:16, Colossians 3:17, James 5:17, Isaiah 59:19, Deuteronomy 11:16-17, Isaiah 42:8, Deuteronomy 28:24, Ephesians 6:17-18, Acts 14:17, Hebrews 4:12, Matthew 5:45, John 5:14-15
From Series: "Elijah"
Elijah's life shows us the keys to spiritual power: the power of God's Word faith prayer revival and failure.