S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The Prophet Elijah is one of the most interesting and colorful of all biblical characters, yet his life was so filled with turmoil that today we might say he was up one day and down the next. Becau...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

George Fitt Supporter Spiritual Gift of Discernment

FAITH is what we should learn from the life of Elijah.

Elijah IS faith personified.

By faith, Elijah went to king Ahab and predicted a drought.

By faith, Elijah went to the widow of Zarephath.

By faith, they lived daily on a small portion of flour and oil.

By faith, Elijah raised the widow's son from the dead.

By faith, Elijah again confronts king Ahab.

By faith, Elijah brings down fire from heaven and defeats the priests of Baal.

By faith, Elijah brought forth rain after a forty-two month drought.

Then Elijah fled the wrath of queen Jezebel, fearing for his life.

And therein lies the controversy. Why did Elijah flee and not trust the Lord would protect him?

Could it be that the Jews resented their greatest prophet, because Elijah was a Tishbite and not from Judah or Israel?

Elijah believed all had forsaken him and didn't know God had preserved a remnant twice saying, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." 1 Kings 19:10,14 ESV

Elijah retained faith in God, but not in God's people of Israel and Judah.

Only then did God explain His plan for Israel and Judah after showing His power and ability to conceal Himself.

Elijah then faithfully fulfilled the commandments of God by anointing king Hazael, king Jehu and the prophet Elisha in his place.

October 06 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What should we learn from the life of Elijah?

The life of Elijah, a prominent Old Testament prophet, teaches that God provides for and sustains those who walk in obedience, even during times of fear, doubt, or isolation. He was a man with a nature just like ours—subject to intense emotional highs and deep depression—, yet God used him to perform miracles and turn a nation back to Himself, demonstrating that effective service relies on divine power, not just human strength.

Some lessons from the life of Elijah:

Elijah followed God's instructions without compromise, standing up against corrupt leadership and idol worship despite the risk.

Whether being fed by ravens or provided for by a widow, Elijah learned to depend solely on God for his needs, especially when in hiding.

The Reality of Human Weakness: Immediately after his greatest victory at Mount Carmel, Elijah experienced fear, loneliness, and suicidal ideation, reminding us that even great leaders face mental and spiritual battles.

When Elijah was overwhelmed, God did not condemn him, but rather provided rest, food, and a quiet, encouraging word to restore him.

Elijah's life illustrates the power of prayer. He prayed earnestly for people's hearts to turn back to God, demonstrating that true change comes from God's intervention, not human might.

Elijah was one of the foremost prophets of Israel. Evidently, his home was in Tishbeh, thought by some to be a village in the land of Gilead, E of the Jordan River. (1Ki 17:1) He started his long career as a prophet in Israel during the reign of King Ahab, who began to rule about 940 B.C.E., and continued during the reign of Ahab's son Ahaziah (began c. 919 B.C.E.). (1Ki 22:51)

Eight miracles are credited to Elijah in the Bible account. They are: (1) shutting off rain from heaven, (2) keeping the flour and oil supply of the widow of Zarephath renewed, (3) resurrecting the widow's son, (4) having fire fall from heaven in answer to prayer, (5) having rain break the drought in answer to prayer, (6) calling down fire on King Ahaziah's captain and his 50 men, (7) calling down fire on a second captain and his 50, and (8) parting the Jordan River by smiting it with his official garment. His ascension to the heavens was also miraculous, but it was the direct act of God, not the result of a prayer or proclamation by Elijah.

Conclusion

How is Elijah's example a fitting one for true Christians today?

Elijah had endured for decades under the rule of that wicked king! We do well to imitate Elijah's faith. With his faithful companion Elisha, he kept on proclaiming God's messages, enduring in the face of injustice!

The responsibility of a true Christian is to lead a life of faith. (John 3:16) One way to do so is to imitate faithful men like Elijah. He worshipped God exclusively and urged others to do the same. He boldly exposed as fraudulent a religion that Satan used to lure people away from God. And he trusted his God to settle matters instead of relying on his own abilities and will. Elijah stood up for pure worship. 

If we likewise take to heart the inspired words of God, "the comfort from the Scriptures," we will be able to imitate the faith of Elijah.​—Rom. 15:4.

May 07 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report