Wanted: An Elijah

Scripture: 1 Kings 16:29 - 17:7

Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
on 02 June 1996

Introduction: Elijah lived in an exceptional times (1 Kings 16:30-33). The "people of God" worshipped Baal, the Canaanite god of storms and good crops while the servants of Jehovah were persecuted by the king and the religious leaders (18:4). The priests in the Temple at Jerusalem, the prophets of Jehovah and the seven thousands that did not bow their knees to Baal (19:18) were too timid to stand up against wicked Jezebel and her eight hundred and fifty false priests (1 Kings 18:19). These special times required a special man, so God raised Elijah to stand up against the apostasy. Elijah stands as one of the greatest of God's servants - one who was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11) and who stood with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3).

We live in similar times. "The people of God" worship the god of health and wealth while true worshippers are persecuted as fanatics and troublemakers. The servants of God are too timid to stand up against the apostasy of the age. An "Elijah" is required to proclaim God's judgment upon this apostasy.

The man: Elijah is abruptly introduced (1 Kings 17:1 "And Elijah…") on the scene of gross apostasy. Normally the parentage of the prophets is mentioned but Elijah's parentage is omitted. This implies that he did not come from a reputable religious background. Elijah is a Tishbite, from the little village of Tishbe on the other side of the Jordan River. Therefore, he was not a part of the religious establishment but an outsider. He grew up in a tough environment and was ready for a tough assignment.

"Elijah" means "My God, Jehovah is he." This name implies that he was a saved man who trusted in Jehovah for all his needs. Jehovah is he who will guide, protect, provide and reward him. Elijah says that he stands before the Lord (1 Kings 17:1), i.e. as a servant stands before his master waiting for orders from him (like the angel Gabriel did in Luke 1:19).

The message: He tells the king and his followers: "As the LORD God of Israel liveth…" This implies that Jehovah is the living God but Baal, a dead idol. He proclaims a drought on Israel to reprove their belief that Baal is the god of storms and good crops. The drought would be so severe that there would even be no dew. Israel is a land of heavy dew and rainfall, and dependent on rivers for irrigation (Deuteronomy 8:7). Therefore, the results of this drought would be catastrophic. It was lush and fruitful when Elijah pronounced God's judgment. Obviously the king and the people disbelieved his proclamation.

Elijah proclaimed these few words and then disappeared from the scene. Throughout his ministry, Elijah preached only about five or six times, and each time only a few words before disappearing for a long time. What is needed in our apostate age is an Elijah who preaches the necessary sermons about God's judgment upon today's idols of wealth and health rather than men who preach long sermons promising "peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14) or those pretending that there is no problem in the church today.

The provision: Elijah risked his life by proclaiming God's judgment before the king and also risked starving himself in the famine that followed. However, he was confident that the God he served would take care of him. Sure enough, the word of the LORD told him to go to the brook Cherith. "Cherith" means "separation." God wanted to separate him from the persecution of Ahab and his false priests, and from the temptation of stopping to pray for drought when he saw the sufferings of his people.
But more importantly, God wanted him to spend time with Him in the quiet of Cherith learning to depend on Him and to prepare him for his great confrontation with the false prophets at Carmel (1 Kings 18). At Cherith, he would also have time to pray for the continuance of the drought (James 5:17). God provided his needs through natural means (i.e. the water of the brook) and supernatural means through the ravens. God chose ravens to show His sovereignty because ravens are not natural providers but ravenous grabbers. Elijah spent about one year in sweet communion with God, being trained for greater things at brook Cherith while the rest of the Israelites suffered in the famine.

Conclusion: Though Elijah risked his life to wake his people from their sins, they did not repent but continue worshipping Baal. Nevertheless, he was confident that the Word of God would not return void (Isaiah 55:11) and he is greatly honored for all eternity - for his simple ministry of standing against apostasy.