Elijah the Tishbite 1 Kings 17 2 Kings

Elijah the Tishbite 1 Kings 17 – 2 Kings 2

Background: References n Elijah the Tishbite from Gilead was one of the “non-writing” prophets (see 2 Chron. 21: 11 -15) n OT: 1 K. 17: 1 – 2 K. 2: 12; 2 Chron. 21: 12; Mal. 4: 5 -6 n NT: Mt. 11: 14; 16: 14; 17: 3 -4, 10 -12; 27: 47, 49; Mk. 6: 15; 8: 28; Jn. 1: 21, 25

Background: Time Period n Israel is divided and in apostasy (idolatry): 874 -853 … 852 B. C. n The leadership in Israel was wicked (Ahab and Jezebel, 1 K. 16: 30 -33; 21: 25 -26; Ahaziah son of Ahab) and materialistic (1 K. 22: 39; Amos 3: 15)

Background: Time Period n The leadership in Judah was also wicked (Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. 21: 6, 11 -15)

Elijah: The Man n He was known for his generous miracles (1 K. 17: 8 -24; Lk. 4: 25 -26) n He was known for his fervent prayer (1 K. 18: 42; Jas. 5: 17) n He was known for his overwhelming depression (1 K. 19: 1 -18; Rom. 11: 2)

Elijah: The Man n He was known for his courageous stand against sin (2 K. 2: 15; Lk. 1: 17): 1. He took a stand against powerful and influential people: Ahab and Jezebel for their idolatry (1 K. 18: 16 -18) and having Naboth killed (1 K. 21: 17 -29)

Elijah: The Man 1. He took a stand against powerful and influential people: Ahaziah son of Ahab (2 K. 1: 1 -16) – praying to the god of Ekron Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat Chron. 21: 11 -15) – slaying his brethren and idolatry (2

Elijah: The Man 2. He took a stand while in the minority (1 K. 18: 19) 3. He took a stand when others were “straddling the fence” (1 K. 18: 21) 4. He took a stand to repair and rebuild what belonged to God (1 K. 18: 30, 32)

Elijah: The Man 5. He took a stand even when his own life was threatened (1 K. 19: 2 -3) 6. He took a stand in the midst of outright opposition (1 K. 18: 30; 19: 10) 7. He took a stand when being called names: “trouble-maker” (1 K. 18: 17) and “enemy” (1 K. 21: 20)

Elijah the Tishbite n “What manner of man was he that came up to meet you…? ” (2 K. 1: 7) n Will you be like Elijah (1 K. 19: 10, 14)? Will you take a stand for truth today? Will you bring people back to “Jehovah, the God of Israel” (1 K. 17: 1, 14; 18: 36, 39; 2 K. 1: 3)