Chico Alliance Church
Elijah Series #9
“Lessons from Restored Ministry”
Introduction
So far we have extracted numerous timeless lessons or principles in our examination of Elijah’s journey of faith.
I. Lessons from the Palace where Elijah boldly announced God’s judgment for sin. 17:1
II. Lessons from the brook where Elijah learned to trust God in obscurity and isolation. 17:2-7
III. Lessons from Zarephath where Elijah learned to trust God for daily ministry 17:8-24
IV. Lessons from the Palace Part two where Elijah confronted Ahab again 18:1-19
V. Lessons from Mount Carmel where Elijah confronted Baalism 18:20-40
VI. Lessons from a Mountain Top where Elijah fervently prayed 18:41-46
VII. We extracted some lessons about Depression
VIII. Lessons from a Cave where Elijah reconnects with God and Ministry 19:1-21
A lesson can be drawn from Elisha’s service.
Possible principle
Sometimes God completely changes career or ministry direction
so pay attention to his direction.
Elisha didn’t burn his bridges – he burned his oxen yokes and slaughtered his oxen. He wasn’t going back.
IX. Lessons from restored Ministry where Elijah follows God’s direction again. 20
A. God continually intervenes in world events.
Ben-hadad the Syrian king threatened Ahab to take all his possessions and family. Ahab was ready to capitulate but consulted his elders who advised him not to.
Then Ben-hadad sent ?messengers? to him and said, “May the gods punish me and do so severely if Samaria’s dust amounts to a handful for each of the people who follow me.” 1 Kings 20:10
The threat was now against God so he sent a prophet with a word for Ahab.
A prophet (Elijah?)came to Ahab king of Israel and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this entire great army? Watch, I am handing it over to you today so that you may know that I am Yahweh.’” 1 Kings 20:13
And God did just as He said.
Possible principle #1
God sometimes communicates through wise counselors
so cultivate relationship with godly counselors and listen.
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
After the decisive victory, the prophet warned Ahab there would be another attack.
Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, "Go, strengthen yourself and observe and see what you have to do; for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will come up against you." 1 Kings 20:22
Possible principle #2
There will always be another attack so prepare and be alert.
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
The advisers to Ben-hadad speculated that they lost because God was the God of the hills and not the plains so he made plans to regroup and attack again Israel on the plains.
Then the man of God approached and said to the king of Israel, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans have said: Yahweh is a god of the mountains and not a god of the valleys, I will hand over all this great army to you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’” 1 Kings 20:28
Again the Lord fought for the people Israel and there was a great slaughter. But Ahab spared Beh-hadad against the Lord’s explicit instructions. He would pay for that disobedience later.
The prophet said to Ahab, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you released from your hand the man I had set apart for destruction, it will be your life in place of his life and your people in place of his people.’” The king of Israel left for home resentful and angry, and he entered Samaria. 1 Kings 20:41-43
Possible Principle #3
God disciplines incomplete obedience
so don’t blame God when troubles come.
B. Elijah confronted Ahab’s sin against Naboth 21
God commissioned Elijah to Anoint Ben-hadad’s successor Hazel and Ahab’s successor Jehu and Elijah’s successor Elisha. Elijah anointed and commissioned Elisha and Elisha actually later anointed the other two successors. In chapter 21 we read of Ahab’s desire to purchase Naboth’s vineyard near his palace. Israelites considered land a precious inheritance spanning multiple generations and Naboth was unwilling to release his inheritance to Ahab for any price.
So Ahab went to his palace resentful and angry because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had told him. He had said, “I will not give you my fathers’ inheritance.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and didn’t eat any food. 1 Kings 21:4
Jezebel inquired concerning Ahab’s depression. She then set in motion a plot to have Naboth executed so Ahab could acquire his vineyard. Enter Elijah with a scathing rebuke from the Lord for King Ahab. Once again we observe Elijah responding to a specific word from the Lord.
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Get up and go to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria. You’ll find him in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Have you murdered and also taken possession?’ Then tell him, ‘This is what the LORD says: In the place where the dogs licked Naboth’s blood, the dogs will also lick your blood!’” 1 Kings 21:17-19
Elijah didn’t fade into the sunset. He returned to ministry with a tough message for the king of the land.
Ahab said to Elijah, “So, you have caught me, my enemy.” He replied, “I have caught you because you devoted yourself to do what is evil in the LORD’s sight. This is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to bring disaster on you and will sweep away your descendants: I will eliminate all of Ahab’s males, both slave and free, in Israel; I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have provoked ?My? anger and caused Israel to sin. The LORD also speaks of Jezebel: The dogs will eat Jezebel in the plot of land at Jezreel: He who belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, the dogs will eat, and he who dies in the field, the birds of the sky will eat.’” Still, there was no one like Ahab, who devoted himself to do what was evil in the LORD’s sight, because his wife Jezebel incited him. He committed the most detestable acts by going after idols as the Amorites had, whom the LORD had dispossessed before the Israelites. 1 Kings 21:20-26
This prophetic word would happen just as revealed by God in time. Generally, Ahab would react to and resist Elijah who he considered an enemy. This time was different.
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put sackcloth over his body, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around subdued.
God’s response is surprising.
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? I will not bring the disaster during his lifetime, because he has humbled himself before Me. I will bring the disaster on his house during his son’s lifetime.” 1 Kings 21:27-29
He didn’t eliminate judgment but did postpone it.
Possible principle #4
God reproves sin but also responds to humble repentance
so maintain a tender heart toward God.
A few years later the king of Judah Jehoshaphat visited Israel’s king Ahab to discuss a joint siege against the king Aram. It was in that battle with Aram that Ahab died.
But a man drew his bow without taking special aim and struck the king of Israel through the joints of his armor. So he said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!” The battle raged throughout that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. He died that evening, and blood from his wound flowed into the bottom of the chariot. Then the cry rang out in the army as the sun set, declaring: Each man to his own city, and each man to his own land! So the king died and was brought to Samaria. They buried the king in Samaria. Then someone washed the chariot at the pool of Samaria. The dogs licked up his blood, and the prostitutes bathed ?in it?, according to the word of the LORD that He had spoken. 1 Kings 22:34-38
Possible Lesson #5
God always does exactly as He says,
So put your trust in His word.
C. Elijah predicts Ahaziah’s death
Ahaziah, Ahab’s son became king in his place.
Ahaziah son of Ahab became king over Israel in Samaria in the seventeenth year of Judah’s King Jehoshaphat and reigned over Israel two years. He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. He walked in the way of his father, in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. He served Baal and worshiped him. He provoked the LORD God of Israel just as his father had done. 1 Kings 22:51-53
After a serious fall, Ahaziah sent messengers to inquire of Baal about his injuries.
After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. Ahaziah had fallen through the latticed window of his upper room in Samaria and was injured. So he sent messengers instructing them: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, if I will recover from this injury.” But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’ Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from your sickbed—you will certainly die.’” Then Elijah left. The messengers returned to the king, who asked them, “Why have you come back?” They replied, “A man came to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and declare to him: This is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you’re sending ?these men? to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not get up from your sickbed—you will certainly die.’” The king asked them, “What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke those words to you?” They replied, “A hairy man with a leather belt around his waist.” He said, “It’s Elijah the Tishbite.” So King Ahaziah sent a captain of 50 with his 50 ?men? to Elijah. When the captain went up to him, he was sitting on top of the hill. He announced, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” Elijah responded to the captain of the 50, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your 50 ?men?.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his 50 ?men?. So the king sent another captain of 50 with his 50 ?men? to Elijah. He took in the situation and announced, “Man of God, this is what the king says: ‘Come down immediately!’” Elijah responded, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your 50 ?men?.” So a divine fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his 50 ?men?. Then the king sent a third captain of 50 with his 50 ?men?. The third captain of 50 went up and fell on his knees in front of Elijah and begged him, “Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these 50 servants of yours be precious in your sight. Already fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of 50 with their fifties, but this time let my life be precious in your sight.” The angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down with him. Don’t be afraid of him.” So he got up and went down with him to the king. Then Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel for you to inquire of His will?—you will not get up from your sickbed; you will certainly die.’” Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD that Elijah had spoken. 2 Kings 1:1-18
It is clear that Elijah returned to a bold, fearless confrontation of evil.
Possible Lesson #6
God protects and validates His messengers
So boldly speak His word.
D. Elijah confronts sin in Judah
So Edom revolted against Judah to this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time against Jehorams’s rule, because he had forsaken the LORD God of his fathers. Moreover, he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot and led Judah astray. Then a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet saying, "Thus says the LORD God of your father David, 'Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father and the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot as the house of Ahab played the harlot, and you have also killed your brothers, your own family, who were better than you, behold, the LORD is going to strike your people, your sons, your wives and all your possessions with a great calamity; and you will suffer severe sickness, a disease of your bowels, until your bowels come out because of the sickness, day by day.'" 2 Chron 21:10-15
E. God prepares for Elijah’s transition to glory
There is a great interchange between Elijah and Elisha.
The time had come for the LORD to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elijah and Elisha were traveling
from Gilgal, and Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the LORD is sending me on to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. Then the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.” Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here; the LORD is sending me to Jericho.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho. Then the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho came up to Elisha and said, “Do you know that the LORD will take your master away from you today?” He said, “Yes, I know. Be quiet.” Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the LORD is sending me to the Jordan.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. Fifty men from the sons of the prophets came and stood facing them from a distance while the two of them stood by the Jordan. Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the waters, which parted to the right and left. Then the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 2 Kings 2:1-8
Some brief observations here.
First Notice Elisha’s dogged loyalty. He had every opportunity to quit but stuck with it to the end in spite of the opinions of others.
Second is the mention of the “sons of the prophets.” This referred to a school of prophets or disciples. There were at least three of these schools mentioned: Bethel, Jericho and Jordan. Could it be that this was the fruit of Elijah’s ministry in the county and there were these pockets of prophets that appear all through Elisha’s ministry?
Third Elijah performed a similar miracle as Moses at the Jordan River.
Possible lesson #7
God rewards loyalty so keep loyal to the end.
There are many passages that speak of loyalty to Christ. Persevering to the end is a frequent theme in the New Testament.
F. Elisha presents a bold request.
After they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell ?me? what I can do for you before I am taken from you.” So Elisha answered, “Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit.” Elijah replied, “You have asked for something difficult. If you see me being taken from you, you will have it. If not, you won’t.” 2 Kgs 2:9-10
Possible Lesson #8
God longs to bless His servants so think big and ask big.
G. God dramatically whisks Elijah into the heavens.
As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind. As Elisha watched, he kept crying out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” Then he never saw Elijah again. He took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. Elisha picked up the mantle that had fallen off Elijah and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the mantle Elijah had dropped and struck the waters. “Where is the LORD God of Elijah?” he asked. He struck the waters himself, and they parted to the right and the left, and Elisha crossed over. When the sons of the prophets from Jericho who were facing him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him and bowed down to the ground in front of him. 2 Kings 2:11-15
X. Elijah’s continued impact
A. The Spirit of Elijah
Malachi prophesied a forerunner to Messiah who would come in the spirit of Elijah.
"Remember the law of Moses My servant, even the statutes and ordinances which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel. "Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD. "He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse." Malachi 4:4-6
Everyone at the time of Jesus fully expected Elijah to personally appear to announce Messiah’s coming.
B. Conversation with Jesus
Three of the Gospel writers describe the scene of Jesus dramatically emanating divine glory on what is called the Mount of Transfiguration witnessed by Peter, James and John. They described a radiant Jesus holding conversation with Moses and Elijah. This took place mere hours before the epic events of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus. The Scriptures don’t even provide a hint concerning the topic of conversation.
Any attempt is pure conjecture.
The similarities between Moses and Elijah are striking.
Both dramatically confronted and confounded idolatry and demonic powers.
Both confronted current political powers.
Both struggled to rid God’s people from following other gods.
Both powerfully called for fidelity to the Covenant.
Both suffered a serious lapse of faith.
Both experience a 40-day period of fasting.
Both demonstrated a powerful reliance on prayer.
Both had personal communication with God on Mount Sinai.
Both supernaturally parted the Jordan River.
Both occupy a significant role in God’s plan i.e. examples cited in N.T.
Both supernaturally provided food in a time of need.
Both facilitated other amazing supernatural acts.
Both realized God’s supply through natural and supernatural means.
Both functioned (mostly) by God’s specific direction.
Both pronounced judgment on sinful behavior.
Neither saw the culmination of their dream on this earth.
Both mentored a key disciple who carried on their mandate after them.
C. Tribulation Ministry?
During the chaos of the Great Tribulation God anoints two powerful witness. In the midst of devastating judgment, God uses these supernaturally protected witness to confront the widespread godlessness of the day.
A think it a strong possibility that God will return Moses and Elijah for the job. Who better experienced and trained than these two. The similarity of the future judgments to their past judgments deserve consideration.
"And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone wants to harm them, fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies; so if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this way. These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying (Elijah); and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. (Moses) Revelation 11:3-6
When their job is up, God will allow them to be martyred. People will rejoice because of the judgments they called down from heaven. They will even send presents to each other. “Witness death day”.
God will publically raise them to life again and then whisk them away to heaven. All of us long to produce fruit that lasts. God promises fruit that lasts.
Principle #9
Even when you think your impact is over, it is not over
So keep working faithfully to the end.
Some fruit carries on for generations. God told the Israelites that sin passes up to the third and fourth generation.
"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me…Exodus 20:5-6
"Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments… Deut 7:9
I have considered the possibility that what gifting God assigned during our time on earth may have some application in eternity. I know we will rule and reign with Christ. Some will have administrative duties.
My last thought is that we may be in the generation who all get caught up to meet Christ in the air. The point at this juncture of our study of Elijah is to keep connected, obedient and prayerful to the end.
Next week I will conclude our journey with Elijah by reviewing some of the lessons we have learned about God and the walk of faith by following Elijah’s journey.
