Topical Bible: Persecution of Elijah

Bible > Topical > Persecution of Elijah

◄ Persecution of Elijah ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The persecution of Elijah, a prominent prophet in the Old Testament, is a significant narrative that highlights the conflict between the worship of Yahweh and the idolatrous practices promoted by the rulers of Israel. Elijah's ministry occurred during the reign of King Ahab and his wife, Queen Jezebel, who were notorious for leading Israel into the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity.

Background

Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, emerges as a prophet during a time of great apostasy in Israel. King Ahab, described as doing "more evil in the sight of the LORD than all who were before him" (1 Kings 16:30), married Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians. Jezebel was instrumental in promoting the worship of Baal and Asherah, leading to the persecution of the prophets of Yahweh.

Conflict with Ahab and Jezebel

Elijah's confrontation with Ahab begins with his declaration of a drought, a direct challenge to Baal, who was considered a storm god. Elijah proclaims, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word" (1 Kings 17:1). This drought lasts for three and a half years, demonstrating the power of Yahweh over Baal.

Jezebel's hostility towards the prophets of Yahweh is evident as she "cut off the prophets of the LORD" (1 Kings 18:4). Elijah becomes a fugitive, hiding by the Brook Cherith and later in Zarephath, where God provides for him through miraculous means.

Mount Carmel and Aftermath

The climax of Elijah's persecution occurs on Mount Carmel, where he challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to demonstrate the true God of Israel. Elijah's prayer is answered by fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water in the trench (1 Kings 18:38). This miraculous event leads the people to proclaim, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39).

Despite this victory, Jezebel's wrath remains unabated. She vows to kill Elijah, saying, "May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like the lives of those you killed" (1 Kings 19:2). Elijah flees to the wilderness, despondent and fearful for his life.

Divine Encounter and Commission

In his despair, Elijah travels to Mount Horeb, where he encounters God in a gentle whisper. God reassures Elijah, providing him with a renewed sense of purpose and instructing him to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor (1 Kings 19:15-16).

Legacy

Elijah's persecution underscores the spiritual battle between faithfulness to Yahweh and the allure of idolatry. His unwavering commitment to God amidst severe opposition serves as an enduring example of prophetic courage and divine faithfulness. Elijah's life and ministry continue to inspire believers to stand firm in their faith, trusting in God's sovereignty and provision.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 18:10
As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom, where my lord has not sent to seek you: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found you not.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 19:1
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and with how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 1:9
Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spoke to him, You man of God, the king has said, Come down.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 2:23
And he went up from there to Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said to him, Go up, you bald head; go up, you bald head.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... Elijah was persecuted, and walked in the desert. ... our brethren who are in the West,
in the days of Diocletian there came great affliction and persecution to the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

Petilianus Said: "The Lord Jesus Christ Commands Us...
... For you would not say that the false prophets suffered persecution at the hands
of Elijah, in the same sense that Elijah suffered persecution from the ...
/.../chapter 19 42 petilianus.htm

Elijah
... Make up your minds then, my friends, to be honest men like Elijah the prophet ... we
read the stories of the old martyrs who, in the heathen persecution, died like ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xix elijah.htm

The Roman Conflagration and the Neronian Persecution.
... In a similar sense Rome was a second Babylon, and John the Baptist another
Elijah. Notes. I. The Accounts of the Neronian Persecution. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 37 the roman conflagration.htm

"What Doest Thou Here?"
... From Elijah's experience during those days of discouragement and apparent defeat ...
to flee in discouragement from duty, because of opposition or persecution. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 13 what doest thou.htm

Letter Xliv. (AD 398. )
... him, if possible, to give up affirming that the suffering of persecution is the ... the
true question before us, I answered by inquiring whether Elijah seemed to ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xliv a d 398.htm

The Monks.
... life was sought for, the great patterns who were produced were Elijah and St ... young
man of Alexandria, who, in the year 251, fled from the persecution of Decius ...
/.../chapter xiii the monks.htm

A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer
... It was a critical time in Israel when Elijah prayed earnestly on Mount Carmel. ... neither
did He destroy the ring-leaders responsible for the persecution of the ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 7 a manifestation of.htm

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
... bearing in Ephesus by the very power which had rested once on Elijah, and also ... He
waits to empower us to witness for Jesus, to endure the persecution and trial ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvii the spirit and power.htm

The Northern Iron and the Steel
... of exquisitely sensitive character; not a prophet of iron, like Elijah, but nearer ...
endurance for Christ's sake, break the force of all persecution, and triumph ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the northern iron and the.htm