The Prophet Elijah “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” (James 5:17-18) Who was this Elijah that was so much like us? Mention by name 30 times in N.T. — Compare Isaiah 21, Jeremiah 3. John the Baptist came in his power and spirit. (Luke 1:17) (Luke 1:17), “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." On the Mt. of transfiguration. (Matt. 17:4,5) With Moses and Jesus Lived in Israel in the days of evil King Ahab. Look at some snapshots of Elijah as found in Old Testament, to see what kind of man he was

What Kind of Man Was Elijah? Man of God (1 Kings 17:24) (1 Kings 17:24), [Elijah hiding from Ahab in house of a widow in Zarephath during famine. Child of widow falls ill. Elijah heals by prayer the widow’s son who was near death. Her response…], “Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.“ God provided for him (first with ravens, 17:1-8; then with the widows provisions 17:8-16) God answered his Prayers (1 Kings 18:41-45), “Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain." 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea.“ So he went up and looked, and said, " There is nothing." And seven times he said, "Go again.“ 44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you. '“ 45 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.”

What Kind of Man Was Elijah? Man of God (1 Kings 17:24) Troubler of Israel (18:17-18) (1 Kings 18:17-18), “Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, " Is that you, O troubler of Israel?“ 18 And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals.” Sometimes a troublemaker is what is needed Paul, and the brethren at Thessalonica were troublemakers! (Acts 17:6), “But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (John 15:18-19) [Jesus told his disciples], “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” Elijah troubled Jezebel! (1 Kings 19:1-2), “And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time."

What Kind of Man Was Elijah? Man of God (1 Kings 17:24) Troubler of Israel (18:17-18) Challenger of Prophets (18:20-40) Challenge on top of Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:20-21), “So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people answered him not a word.” Challenged 400 prophets of Baal / who could get their “God” to bring fire down upon an altar Ridiculed the false prophets (1 Kings 18:27), “And so it was, at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is a god; either he is meditating, or he is busy, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened.“ God answered his prayer (1 Kings 18:38-39), “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!“ Elijah killed the false prophets (1 Kings 18:40), “And Elijah said to them, "Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!" So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there.”

What Kind of Man Was Elijah? Man of God (1 Kings 17:24) Troubler of Israel (18:17-18) Challenger of Prophets (18:20-40) Passions like us! (James 5:17) He too felt discouragement (1 Kings 19:4), [Feared for his life at threat of Jezebel, and fled], “But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!“ He too felt alone in his effort to serve God (1 Kings 19:9-10), “And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"10 So he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.“ He too was in need of reassurance, and received it from the Lord (1 Kings 19:17), “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.“ We too, can receive comfort and reassurance from God (James 5:13), “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.”

Conclusion We need men like John with the “spirit and power of Elijah” We need to understand “effectual fervent prayers of righteousness men” avail much We need to understand that God will provide - if we will be righteous.