Fit For Service (Part 5a-Elijah)

This is week seven in our study on being fit for service. Today we will begin looking at the life of Elijah to see what made him fit for service and usable by God.   

“The prophet Elijah is one of the most interesting and colorful people in the Bible, and God used him during an important time in Israel’s history to oppose a wicked king and bring revival to the land. Elijah’s ministry marked the beginning of the end of Baal worship in Israel. Elijah’s life was filled with turmoil. At times he was bold and decisive, and at other times fearful and tentative. He alternately demonstrates victory and defeat, followed by recovery. Elijah knew both the power of God and the depths of depression.”i 

I want to look today at the first three characteristics of Elijah’s life that made him fit for service.   

First, Elijah walked in bold faith. 

1 Kings 17:1, Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” (NLT) 

We know from reading the Biblical accounts about King Ahab that he was a wicked king.  Elijah had to have bold faith, knowing that he was risking his life to stand before this wicked king and declare that a drought was coming. He stuck his neck out further when he declared that he alone would give the word that would once again bring dew and rain.   We also know from reading 1 Kings 18 that during the years of drought, King Ahab searched all over to find Elijah, however, God protected him until the time was right for Elijah to make his next move. 

Through his example we see four steps to walking in bold faith.   

1. Elijah heard from God.   Hebrews 3:15, Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” (NLT) 

2. He placed his faith in the word he had heard.  Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. 

3. He spoke out the word with boldness.  2 Corinthians 3:12, Since we have such a [glorious] hope and confident expectation, we speak with great courage. (AMP) 

4. He did not waver in unbelief. James 1:6, But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. (AMP) 

Second, Elijah was courageous. 

In 1 Kings 18:17-40 we read the account of Elijah confronting Ahab and challenging the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. At that time, Elijah had been hiding from Ahab for three years.  Ahab had searched to no avail to find the prophet.  It was now that Elijah made his next move and confronted Ahab.  It is interesting to note Ahab’s words, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?” (vs.17, NLT)  

I love Elijah’s bold reply, “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. (vs.18, NLT) 

Elijah then proceeded to challenge the prophets of Baal.  The rules were simple, each side built an altar, laid the firewood, and put a bull on it. Then they were to call on their god and the god who was the true God would consume the sacrifice with fire.   

Elijah let the Baal worshipers go first.  After completing their altar, they called out loudly to their god from morning until noon. When they received no reply, they danced around the altar.  Still nothing.  At this point Elijah began to taunt them.  They shouted all the louder and began cutting themselves in an effort to get Baal’s attention.   

At the time of the evening sacrifice, when there had been no reply from Baal, Elijah called the people to gather around.  He rebuilt the altar, put on the wood and the bull, he then had men dig a trench around the altar, and dump water all over the altar, the bull, and the wood.  They poured so much that it filled the trench.   

Then Elijah prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” (vs. 37, NLT) 

God answered in a big way!  

Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!” (vs 38-39, NLT) 

Then Elijah made his most courageous move.  

Then Elijah commanded, “Seize all the prophets of Baal. Don’t let a single one escape!” So the people seized them all, and Elijah took them down to the Kishon Valley and killed them there. (vs 40, NLT) 

Third, Elijah was obedient to the Lord. 

1 Kings 17:2-5, Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” 

So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. (NLT) 

This is the first of two occasions where Elijah hid from Ahab.  This time, right after Elijah’s declaration that a drought was coming, God commanded Elijah to go and hide.  God provided food and water for Elijah to sustain him.  After the water dried up God then used a widow to provide for Elijah throughout the remainder of the drought (more on this next week).  

The second time Elijah hid, he was really hiding from Jezebel.  This time however, God did not tell him to hide.  In fact, when God spoke to Elijah while he was hiding, He asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9b, NLT) 

After Elijah made excesses a couple of times, God spoke to Elijah again.   

1 Kings 19:15-16 and 19, Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. 

19 So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. (NLT) 

Elijah might have been hiding out of fear, however, when God gave him instructions, he obeyed! He cast fear aside and did as he was told.  This demonstrates for us that even when we blow it, God gives us opportunities to repent and get back on track.  Without hesitation Elijah took his marching orders and moved out!!   

In conclusion, today we see three characteristics in Elijah that made him fit for service.  He walked in bold faith, he was courageous, and he was obedient to the Lord.   

Works Cited:

i https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Elijah.html