Lessons From Elijah

Elijah was a mighty prophet of the LORD who arose during a time of crisis in the northern kingdom. He courageously opposed the wicked leadership of Ahab and Jezebel and played a vital role in a significant victory over Baal-worship at Mt. Carmel (1 Kgs. 17-18). He was a man of great faith but like all biblical heroes of faith (bar one) he was also flawed.

After facing some unexpected opposition from the queen, Elijah retreated from conflict and nearly cast aside his faith, looking to lay down his prophetic mantle prematurely (1 Kgs. 19:1-4). At Mt. Horeb, God gently reminded him he was only one servant among many (1 Kgs. 19:5-14). He continued to serve God (1 Kgs. 21; 2 Kgs. 1) but he displayed moments of definite reluctance. Things were smooth when they happened the way he expected but when the going got rough he did not handle the disappointment well, let alone smooth the way ahead for others!

Through Elijah we learn how God works with the “remnants” of His people (Rom. 11:1ff). Elijah went up against 450 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel and he prevailed by faith in the power of the LORD. But he had sunken into a depressed state at the cave at Mt. Horeb believing he was all that was left of the faithful. There are times we may feel we are all that are left of the LORD’s army. But there will always be a faithful few scattered throughout the world engaged in the same conflict against the powers of darkness (1 Pet. 5:9-10). God’s people have always been in the minority. Think of Noah, Moses and Aaron, Caleb and Joshua, Daniel and his three friends in Babylon, the apostles and early Christians. Most of all, think of Jesus, who was truly alone on the cross but who won the victory for all who put their faith in Him!

One of the greatest lessons we learn from Elijah is to have a sense of perspective on one’s life of service to God. No one should think he is greater than anyone else in the kingdom (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 3:1-9; Phil. 1:12-18). We are all only part of God’s plan and not the plan itself. Elijah needed some convincing of this at Mt. Horeb. We must understand, while we all have an important place in the kingdom, that place is never ahead or above anyone else (Mt. 20:20-27).

Elijah is a powerful teacher for us both in his success and in his failure. God can work with imperfect people like us so long as we are humble and faithful to Him.                                                                         ~Eric Paquette