I Kings 17: Introducing Elijah

I Kings 17 introduces Elijah, a prominent figure in both Testaments of the Bible.

Elijah, whose name literally means "Yahweh is God," was a prophet sent to oppose King Ahab of Israel and the Baal-worshipers.  Elijah stands in the line of seers such as Samuel and Nathan, while also ushering in a new era of prophets who will speak truth to the power of evil kings and reveal promises of God's coming salvation.  Unlike the Levitical priests serving in the Temple, prophets may be called forth from any tribe and background.  Elijah was a Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead (vs. 1).

Elijah was renowned for his ability to work powerful miracles.  We see several in this chapter alone.  Elijah begins his ministry by announcing to Ahab that there will be a severe drought in the land.  He then disappears into the wilderness where he is fed by ravens.  The book of James credits Elijah with not only predicting the drought, but also prompting it through his ardent prayers.  "Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth" (James 5:17).

After the wadi dried up where Elijah was living, he found shelter with a widow of Zarephath (a Sidonian territory) who he stayed with.  God blessed the widow through Elijah by sustaining her jar of meal and her jug of oil to produce without fail.

However, tragedy did strike the widow's household when her only son died from an illness.  The woman accused Elijah of being responsible, of bringing her sin to remembrance and causing the death of her son.  Distraught, Elijah turned to God in prayer and asked the Lord to restore the child's life to him.  After stretching himself upon the Lord three times, the Lord listened to Elijah and the widow's son was resurrected.  Elijah returned him to his mother who saw this as a confirmation of Elijah's status as a prophet of the Lord.

In the New Testament, Elijah was being anticipated in advance of the Messiah, thanks to the final prophecy recorded in the Old Testament.  Malachi 4:5 says, "Lo, I will send the prophet Elijah before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes."  While John the Baptist seems to fit the role of Elijah, the prophet himself makes an appearance alongside Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration.  Some observers at the cross of Christ thought Jesus was calling for Elijah when he cried, "Eli, eli, lama sabachthani!"  Elijah is an important figure to study and understand when it comes to the area of biblical prophecy.