Topical Bible: Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Elijah

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In the biblical narrative, angels are often depicted as messengers of God, serving as intermediaries between the divine and human realms. The prophet Elijah, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, experienced several significant encounters with angels, which played crucial roles in his prophetic ministry and personal journey.

1. Provision in the Wilderness (1 Kings 19:1-8): After a dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah fled from Queen Jezebel, who sought his life. Exhausted and despondent, Elijah journeyed into the wilderness, where he sat under a broom tree and prayed for death. In this moment of despair, an angel of the Lord appeared to him. The angel provided Elijah with sustenance, offering him a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. This divine provision strengthened Elijah, enabling him to travel for forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. The angel's intervention highlights God's care and provision for His servants, even in their moments of deepest need.

2. Encouragement and Guidance (1 Kings 19:9-18): Following the angelic provision, Elijah arrived at Mount Horeb, where he took refuge in a cave. Here, the word of the Lord came to him, asking, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:9). Although not explicitly described as an angelic encounter, the presence of the divine messenger in this narrative context is significant. Elijah was instructed to stand on the mountain before the Lord, where he witnessed a powerful wind, an earthquake, and a fire, followed by a gentle whisper. This encounter reaffirmed Elijah's prophetic mission and provided him with specific instructions to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor. The angelic presence, whether direct or indirect, served to guide and encourage Elijah in his continued service to God.

These appearances of angels to Elijah underscore the themes of divine provision, guidance, and encouragement. Through these encounters, Elijah was reminded of God's sovereignty and faithfulness, equipping him to fulfill his prophetic calling amidst adversity. The angelic interventions in Elijah's life serve as a testament to the enduring presence and support of God for those who are devoted to His purposes.

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1 Kings 19:5
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said to him, Arise and eat.
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Library

Elijah Come Again
... these chapters that they are full of angelic appearances, which modern ... We have next
the angel's message ... self and sense that they may be filled with the Spirit. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/elijah come again.htm

Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Deathbed
... of the great prophet, on whom his spirit in a ... The reality was the same, though the
appearances were so ... with wide-opened eyes on the burning angel-hosts, and ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs translation and elishas deathbed.htm

Elijah --Passionate in Prayer
... all Elijah's movements, and about almost all Elijah's appearances. ... melancholy, and
the most sunny spirit; the most ... But Jacob,"he wrestled with the angel. ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/vi elijahpassionate in prayer.htm

Paul Before the Council.
... they imagined them to have been transient appearances, or temporary ... instantly occurs
to them, that an angel or a ... to discover a meek and quiet spirit, when we ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvi paul before the.htm

From Jezreel to Horeb
... I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; ... In the darkest days, when appearances seem
most forbidding, fear not. ... God had sent an angel from heaven with food for ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 12 from jezreel to.htm

The Divine Word
... with knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom, and become an angel. ... handle Me and see,
for a spirit hath not ... the very truths of heaven, but are appearances of them ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part fourththe divine word.htm

The Annunciation of St. John the Baptist
... Thus the reply of the Angel to the inquiry of ... appear personally, and not merely in
spirit and power ... tradition represents his ministry and appearances as almost ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the annunciation of.htm

The Ascension
... Our Lord's appearances were now occasional. ... distinct and assured than the terms of
that angel message ... prepare us for receiving the gift of the Spirit, and will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the ascension.htm

The Shadow of Death
... The earlier sayings all express Jesus' continued spirit of ministry ... puts in the same
class with the appearances of the ... open and empty, and saw an angel who bade ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/viii the shadow of death.htm

Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
... used them at their discretion under the guidance of the Spirit of God ... 20, four hundred
and fifty years), we read of several appearances of the "angel of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xv formation and history.htm