Introduction:
Elijah, whose name means "My God is Yahweh," is one of the most prominent prophets in the Old Testament. He is a central figure in the narrative of Israel's history during the reign of Ahab, king of Israel, and his wife Jezebel. Elijah's ministry is characterized by his staunch opposition to idolatry and his role as a messenger of God's judgment and mercy.

Biblical Account:
Elijah first appears in 1 Kings 17, where he is introduced as a Tishbite from Gilead. He boldly confronts King Ahab, declaring a drought over the land as a consequence of Israel's idolatry: "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).

During the drought, God provides for Elijah through miraculous means. He is fed by ravens at the Brook Cherith and later by a widow in Zarephath, whose jar of flour and jug of oil do not run dry (1 Kings 17:2-16). Elijah also raises the widow's son from the dead, demonstrating God's power over life and death (1 Kings 17:17-24).

Mount Carmel and the Prophets of Baal:
One of the most dramatic episodes in Elijah's ministry occurs on Mount Carmel. In a direct challenge to the prophets of Baal, Elijah calls for a contest to demonstrate the true God of Israel. The prophets of Baal fail to elicit a response from their god, but 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 18:20-39). This event leads the people to proclaim, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39).

Elijah's Flight and Encounter with God:
Following the victory at Mount Carmel, Elijah flees from Jezebel's wrath and journeys to Mount Horeb. There, he experiences a profound encounter with God, who speaks to him not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). God reassures Elijah and commissions him to anoint Hazael as king over Aram, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as his prophetic successor (1 Kings 19:15-16).

Elijah's Ascension:
Elijah's earthly ministry concludes with his ascension into heaven. As he and Elisha walk together, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appear, and Elijah is taken up by a whirlwind into heaven (2 Kings 2:11). This miraculous departure underscores Elijah's unique role as a prophet and his close relationship with God.

Legacy and New Testament References:
Elijah's legacy extends beyond his earthly life. He is mentioned in the New Testament as a forerunner of John the Baptist, who comes "in the spirit and power of Elijah" (Luke 1:17). Elijah also appears with Moses during the Transfiguration of Jesus, symbolizing the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 17:3).

Theological Significance:
Elijah's ministry highlights the sovereignty of God over creation and the futility of idolatry. His life serves as a testament to the power of prayer, the importance of faithfulness, and the reality of divine intervention. Elijah's unwavering commitment to God's truth and his role as a precursor to the Messiah make him a pivotal figure in biblical history.1 Kings 17:1
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Elijah the Great Heart of Israel.
... "I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord," said Elijah, "but Baal's prophets
are four hundred and fifty men." And then he told the people how it could be ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvii elijah the great.htm

"The Spirit and Power of Elijah" --Not the Soul --Were in the ...
... are subject to the prophets," [5839] but the souls of the prophets are not subject
to the prophets, and "the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha." [5840] But we ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/2 the spirit and power.htm

Elijah the Tishbite
... Prophets of the Northern Kingdom Chapter 9 Elijah the Tishbite. [This chapter
is based on 1 Kings 17:1-7.] Among the mountains of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 9 elijah the tishbite.htm

Elijah
... him, trembles before him"'And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab ... send,
and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xix elijah.htm

The Mantle of Elijah
... Fifty followers of the prophets stood opposite them at a distance, while they two
stood by the Jordan. Then Elijah rolled up his mantle and with it struck the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the mantle of elijah.htm

Further, after These Greek Stories which the Jew Adduced ...
... And His resurrection is more miraculous than that of the others in this respect,
that they were raised by the prophets Elijah and Elisha, while He was raised ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lviii further after these.htm

Elijah --Passionate in Prayer
... ELIJAH towers up like a mountain above all the other prophets. There is
a solitary grandeur about Elijah that is all his own. There ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/vi elijahpassionate in prayer.htm

Elijah's Weakness, and Its Cube
... 'And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all
the prophets with the sword.2. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs weakness and its cube.htm

Of the Birth of John, and of his Alleged Identity with Elijah. Of ...
... was widely current about the Saviour Himself; for "some said that He was John the
Baptist, others Elijah, others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." [4851] So ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/7 of the birth of.htm

Elijah, the Praying Prophet
... Alexander Whyte Elijah is preeminently the elder of the prophets. The crown, the
throne and the scepter are his. His garments are white with flame. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/v elijah the praying prophet.htm

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