Elijah in Training

See 1 Kings 16:29 - 18:66. 

God often trains us for the tasks ahead and for the plans He has for us. Of course, at the time, we rarely realize that's what's happening. I can look back in my life and see how I was in training for years to be a Christian author. The prophet Elijah must have been able to do much the same because he went through some pretty serious training for what would come.

Elijah came from Tishbe, located in Gilead which contained hills and highlands to the east of the Jordan River. This wilderness area had only a few scattered, tough inhabitants. The forested hillsides were home to dangerous, wild animals. Gilead was a rough, lawless territory, and it took strength, stamina, and perseverance to survive there. Growing up here was the first part of Elijah's training.

Then, God sent him to King Ahab with a quick message. Because of their sins and idolatry, it wouldn't rain in the Northern Kingdom of Israel for three and a half years. Elijah didn’t mince words, he didn’t soften the blow, and he wouldn’t have made it in public relations today. He stood before the evilest, cruelest king the Jews had ever had and delivered this unwelcomed threat.

Next, God sent him to stay beside the brook of Cherith. Here, he would learn to depend totally on God for everything. God sent ravens to bring him food twice a day, but otherwise, Elijah was alone with God. It must have been hard for this tough, hardened man, who had learned to survive under difficult circumstances, now completely surrender, but he did. He also learned patience as he waited for his next marching orders.

When the stream totally died up due to the drought, God sent Elijah to Zarephath, a strange place to send his prophet since it was a town in Phoenicia, about thirteen miles north of Tyre. This was Jezebel's home, and Ethbaal, her father, still ruled there. It was deep in pagan territory where they worshipped Baal and other gods. And on top of that, he was to stay with a lowly, impoverished widow. At Zarephath, Elijah would continue his lesson on submission and reliance, but he'd also get an advanced course in humility.

Can you see how each step built on the previous one? All of this prepared him for the showdown on Mount Carmel where he would prove who was God. No matter what the Baal prophets did, their god did not light the wood on their altar. After hours of their trying, Elijah stepped forward and said one simple prayer. Not only did fire immediately descend from heaven and light the wood on the altar, but it was so hot and powerful that it consumed everything, even though it had been soaked in water. God's might was revealed through a prophet who had no doubt in his Lord.

What is God training you to do? Will you trust in Him, submit totally, and follow him in obedience step by step. That's what Elijah did.

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