Five Stories From Elijah’s Life
Say to Ahab,”Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you." Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:44-46
With Israel now shouting, “The LORD, He is God! the LORD, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39) and with nearly one thousand false prophets put to death, as commanded by the Law of the LORD in the days of the Old Testament, the stage was set for much work to be done in recovering the land’s spiritual sight.
Though he would fail in His God-given assignment, King Ahab was responsible for upholding true worship, praise, preaching, and teaching of the one true God. I truly wonder what Ahab’s thoughts must have been after all the intensity. One thousand false prophets proven wrong and put to death? The true God proven right, just as His holy word says. Fire was was sent from Heaven! Ahab should’ve felt silly for promoting Baal worship. Perhaps all this flooded his thoughts, as his horses swiftly guided his chariot through the heavy downpour; until suddenly, through the raging downpour, a person, outrunning the kingdom’s finest horses. It’s Elijah, the LORD’s prophet! The messenger of God, swift in foot by the LORD’s power, runs before the king, determined to share the truth of sin and grace with the people that the LORD desires to save.
What a picture that gives to us! There goes the messenger, swiftly running to share the news. The joyful urgency, to show sin’s seriousness and the grace of Jesus Christ that takes away sin, can only be given by God’s grace through His Word.
On Galilee’s high mountain Christ gave the great command
In words of strength and promise which all can understand:
“All power to me is given to do what I shall choose;
Therefore I send my children; Their witness I will use.”
Worship Supplement 772:1