160 - Elijah and his ministry and how God cares for him.-

Elijah and King Ahab

Kathleen's thoughts

1 Kings 18: 17-46, 19:21, 20: 1-21

In Kings 18 Ahab sees Elijah, and says "You destroyer of Israel" Eiljah replies "I have not destroyed Israel but you and your father's house have, because you have abandoned the Lord's commandments and folled the Baals. Now summon all Israel to meet me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who eat at Jezebel's table.
So Ahab did this.
Elijah proves to Israel that there is only one God through the lighting of the fire and placing a bull on the wood. So Israel called to their gods and nothing happened and then Elijah said to all the people. "Come near me" So all the people approached him.  The he repaired the Lord's altar that had been torn down; Elijah took 12 stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, and hebuilt an altar with the stones in the name of Yhweh. He also made a trench around it wo hold 4 gallons.. Next he arranged the wood cut up the bull and place it on the wood.  He got them to fill 4 pots of water and poured in on the offering to be burned and on the wood. and they did this 3 times.
Take note of the significance of the 3 times 
At the time for the offering in the evening Elijah approached the altar and said "Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that at Your word I have done all these things. Answer me Lord! Answer me so that this people will know that You, Yahweh, are God and that You have turned their hearts back."
Then Yahweh's fire fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood stones and the dust and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
when the people saw this happen they fell face down and said "Yahweh, He is God!

Then Elijah ordered them to seize the prophets of Baal and brought them down to Wadi Kishon and slaughtered them there.
Elijah then prays for rain.

Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and killed all their prophets of Baal with the sword.
So Jezebel threatens Elijah and Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life.  He journey into the wilderness and sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He cried out to the Lord saying he had had enough. God cares for Elijah by sending a angel  and told him to get up and eat so he ate and drank and lay down again then the angel of the Lord returned a second time and touche him and said get up and eat or the journey will be too much for you. so Elijah got up and ate and drank then from the strength of the food he waked 40 days and 40 nights to Horeb the mountain of God. He spent the night in the cave. I find interesting the 40 days and nights just like Noah and the floods.Then the Lord spoke to Elijah "What are you doing here" Elijah tells him about what happened to the altars and the prophets and now they trying to kill him. This happens twice and then God tells Elijah to make Hazzael king over Aram and anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-mehlah as prophet i your place.
Elisha joins Elijah
Ben-hadad besieges Samaria then Ben-hadads is defeated.

When you serve the Lord wonderful marvelous things happen in our lives. His promises are true and just and when you cry out to Him He will hear your cries.

Matt 25:23 Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your Masters joy.

Blessings
Kathleen.