ELIJAHELIJAHA Prophet in A Prophet in

hidinghidingA Prophet on A Prophet on

trainingtrainingI Kings 17:1-24I Kings 17:1-24

At a time when Baal-worship At a time when Baal-worship was threatening Israel’s was threatening Israel’s allegiance to the true and living allegiance to the true and living God, Elijah, a prophet from God, Elijah, a prophet from Tishbe in Gilead, was sent to Tishbe in Gilead, was sent to declare to King Ahab God’s declare to King Ahab God’s punishment upon Israel punishment upon Israel (cf. (cf. Deuteronomy 11:16-17)Deuteronomy 11:16-17) and to and to demonstrate that Yahweh, not demonstrate that Yahweh, not Baal, is God.Baal, is God.

The Lord then instructed Elijah to The Lord then instructed Elijah to hide from the king for a long hide from the king for a long period of time with a promise to period of time with a promise to provide for his needs. The provide for his needs. The prophet in hiding discreetly prophet in hiding discreetly became the prophet on training.became the prophet on training.

InIn thethe Courts Courts of the of the

Evil KingEvil King(v. 1)(v. 1)

• King Ahab was the most wicked King Ahab was the most wicked king Israel ever had. One major king Israel ever had. One major reason for this was his wife, reason for this was his wife, Jezebel, a pagan Baal-worshiper Jezebel, a pagan Baal-worshiper from Sidon who basically from Sidon who basically controlled him, installed 950 Baal controlled him, installed 950 Baal prophets, and ordered the prophets, and ordered the slaughter of many prophets of God slaughter of many prophets of God (16:31; 18:4; 19:2)(16:31; 18:4; 19:2)..

1.1. In the Courts of the Evil King In the Courts of the Evil King (v. 1)(v. 1)

• Baal worshipers believed that their Baal worshipers believed that their god was the god of rain. The god was the god of rain. The drought that lasted three and a drought that lasted three and a half years (Lk. 4:25 & James 5:17) half years (Lk. 4:25 & James 5:17) proved them wrong!proved them wrong!

1.1. In the Courts of the Evil King In the Courts of the Evil King (v. 1)(v. 1)

““Be careful, or you will be enticed to Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. Then the and bow down to them. Then the

LORD's anger will burn against you, LORD's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will it will not rain and the ground will

yield no produce, and you will soon yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD perish from the good land the LORD

is giving you.”is giving you.”Deuteronomy 11:16-17Deuteronomy 11:16-17

Worship and serve no Worship and serve no other but the LORD!other but the LORD!

InIn thethe Company Company of the of the

Common Common RavensRavens

(vv. 2-6)(vv. 2-6)

• The Lord sent Elijah away from The Lord sent Elijah away from Samaria to Kerith Ravine along one Samaria to Kerith Ravine along one of the seasonal brooks near the of the seasonal brooks near the Jordan River. What was more Jordan River. What was more unusual was God’s use of ravens to unusual was God’s use of ravens to feed Elijah.feed Elijah.

2.2. In the Company of the Common Ravens In the Company of the Common Ravens (vv. 2-6)(vv. 2-6)

• Elijah’s solitude with God became Elijah’s solitude with God became his fortitude from God. He had no his fortitude from God. He had no one to talk to for a long period of one to talk to for a long period of time but God.time but God.

2.2. In the Company of the Common Ravens In the Company of the Common Ravens (vv. 2-6)(vv. 2-6)

Allot an hour a day and a Allot an hour a day and a day a month for day a month for

personal spiritual personal spiritual retreat.retreat.

InIn thethe Care Care of the of the

Gentile WidowGentile Widow(vv. 7-24)(vv. 7-24)

• When the brook dried up, the Lord When the brook dried up, the Lord sent Elijah 80 miles from where he sent Elijah 80 miles from where he was to Zarephath of Sidon, the was to Zarephath of Sidon, the home place of Queen Jezebel. home place of Queen Jezebel. There Elijah was cared by a gentile There Elijah was cared by a gentile widow who was ready to eat her widow who was ready to eat her last meal with her son and die.last meal with her son and die.

3.3. In the Care of the Gentile Widow In the Care of the Gentile Widow (vv. 7-24)(vv. 7-24)

• Elijah’s experience with God Elijah’s experience with God became his puissance from God. He became his puissance from God. He witnessed how the Lord witnessed how the Lord miraculously provided for their miraculously provided for their daily food and how the Lord raised daily food and how the Lord raised the widow’s boy back to life.the widow’s boy back to life.

3.3. In the Care of the Gentile Widow In the Care of the Gentile Widow (vv. 7-24)(vv. 7-24)

Record your journey Record your journey with God especially what with God especially what the Lord accomplished in the Lord accomplished in

your life.your life.