Lessons in the Life of Elijah Lesson One

1 Kings 17:1-7

Unwavering Tenacity

Elijah is an Old Testament prophet who is unique in many ways:

• Elijah appears on the scene with little to no knowledge of his background.
• There is no call story telling us how he became a prophet or any word to his
family background.
• Elijah is one of the few prophets who perform miracles and Elijah is the only
prophet who is taken up into heaven without dying.
• Elijah’s ministry is one of reform where most of his pronouncements for change
are directed at the government. Where it is true that Israel was involved in
idolatry, it was provoked by the government.
• Elijah provides the model of a prophet speaking truth to power that served as a
means for the black church’s historical stance as clergy and others following
Elijah’s model.
• Elijah’s commitment to his task often had him facing overwhelming odds.

Therefore, Elijah is a prophet known for his unwavering tenacity. Sometimes the
Christian journey is all about tenacity--the ability to stick to it in the face of every sign
telling you to give up. Therefore we will spend the next several weeks looking at Elijah’s
life and the lessons that we can learn from it.

1Kings 17:1-7

Principle One
We are expected to respond to God’s word even if that word requires something hard or
difficult for us. Elijah is sent by God to speak a word of judgment to the king that there
will be no water except at his word. The king may control the army but he has no power
in heaven and heaven will only respond to Elijah’s word.

In a farm economy, water is essential much like oil for us today. Elijah’s actions have far
reaching implications. Elijah’s words provide no alternative action that the king can take
to change what has been spoken. Responding to God’s word when it is a hard word is
something both Elijah and the King are called to do. One gets it right, the other gets it
wrong.

Principle Two
God is always in control of the outcome when we obey Him. Although what Elijah says
gets him in trouble with the king, God provides a place for Elijah to go where he can
receive all the provisions he needs. Elijah is called to practice continual obedience to
God‘s voice. It is in listening to God that Elijah knows where to go.

Pay special attention to the fact that it is ravens that bring Elijah food twice a day because
ravens are birds of prey--they feed on everything and anything. The point is that God can
use the most unlikely choices to be our source of blessing when we trust Him and obey
Him. Also, by going to the place that God had directed him, Elijah is also assured of
water by way of a brook.

Principle Three
Every material blessing is temporary. The brook dried up and the ravens stopped bringing
food. The material blessings that Elijah received were not to last forever in that location
less Elijah becomes too comfortable. It is the removal of temporary blessings that often
get us moving again in the new direction God has for us. We should never get so excited
over what God provides that we forget that God does not have to keep providing it that
way. Ours is a call to faith where we are always listening to what God may be saying to
us. The underlining principal is that our material blessings are not to be enjoyed alone for
extended periods of time. As long as Elijah is at his current location alone, others can not
be used to bless him neither can they benefit from what he has to offer. Remember there
came a day when the manna ceased.

Going Deeper

Name something that God’s word called you to do that was hard. How did you respond?

Can you remember a time when you had to stay alone on an issue? What was the
outcome?

Who are you most apt to be in this story-- the king or Elijah? Why?

Which reason sounds most likely for why the Lord chose to hide Elijah?

It is dangerous speaking truth to power and the king may have wanted to harm Elijah.

Elijah needed to spend time in prayer to discover his next assignment.

God wanted to reward Elijah for being faithful.

Other