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The most famous and
dramatic of Israel's prophets, Elijah was a complex man of the desert
who confronted kings. His mission was to drive the worship of Baal out
of Israel. Called "the grandest and most romantic character that
Israel ever produced," Elijah exemplifies the power of a Spirit-led
man.
He prophesied before
King Ahab that there would be no rain or dew apart from his declaration.
In Zarephath he raised the widow's dead son to life ( 1 Kings 17:17-24 ).
On Mount Carmel he called down fire from heaven (I
Kings 18:16-46). And
2 Kings 2:1-12 records how Elijah struck the River Jordan with his cloak
and the river divided so he and Elisha could cross on dry land. Then,
as Elisha watched, Elijah was caught up into heaven in a chariot of fire.
Through Malachi,
God promised to send another prophet like Elijah to Israel who would "turn
the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children
to their fathers" (
Malachi 4:5,6). This prophecy was fulfilled in
John the Baptist. Luke records the message of an angel to John's father,
Zacharias, that his son would be "a man of rugged spirit and power
like Elijah, the prophet of old; and he will precede the coming of the
Messiah, preparing the people for his arrival. He will soften adult hearts
to become like little children's, and will change disobedient minds to
the wisdom of faith" (
Luke 1:17, TLB).
The Gospels of Matthew,
Mark, and Luke record Elijah's appearance with Moses and Jesus on the
Mount of Transfiguration. And one of the two witnesses mentioned in
Revelation 11:4-6 is thought by many Bible students to be Elijah because of his power
"to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they
are prophesying."
There is no doubt
that Elijah was a Spirit-led man. But the real power of the prophet was
not that he could perform miracles. The key to his abilities was his very
personal relationship with God.
The same Holy Spirit
who empowered the prophet indwells every child of God today. Jesus promised
that we will have all the power we need when the Holy Spirit comes upon
us (
Acts 1:8), and this power will enable us to be fruitful witnesses
for Christ as we help fulfill the Great Commission.
Although we may wish
to perform amazing miracles for our Lord, our first priority is to focus
on our relationship with Him. He can use us only when we are totally and
unconditionally surrendered to His plan and purpose for our lives.
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