Life of Elijah
There is one who can bring life to the dead.
1/. At raggedy without warning.
Elijah is living in this foreign town in a foreign country with this widow and her son. Death was imminent until Elijah came to town. Elijah's God gave them the supplies they needed. Everything was going well.
God seemed to blessing them. Then comes verse 17. The boy became I'll. He grew worse and then died.
Baffling. God saved him from certain death and soon after allows him to die.
Things for us can be the same. Things look to be on the up and then suddenly things go wrong. God both blesses and baffles. We trust in a God we don't fully understand.
The woman is not weeping. She is angry. She needs someone to blame. She blames herself and Elijah. She is conscious of her own sin. She links this to her suffering.
We do the same. We say what have I done to deserve this. Is God punishing me for my sin?
It's not that simple. Look at Job. Sins and sufferings are not always connected.
This lady not only blames herself but she also blames Elijah and his God.
She asks what do you have against me.
She knew prophets often brought news of God's judgement. She therefore thinks that what is happening.
Nothing could have been further from the truth. He had come to bring life not death.
Poor woman. Poor Elijah.
Elijah doesn't fire back. He just says give me your son. She obeys. Without a word of explanation he takes the boy upstairs anD lays the boy on his bed. Elijah prays.
2/. A prayer without doubting.
Elijah was not only a man of God but he also was a man of prayer.
It was a prayer of desperation he cried out, he cried to the Lord. It was a prayer of identification. He stretched him out on the boy 3 times. Was he demonstrating he was only the channel God would use. Remember Jews should never touch a dead body.it was a prayer of argumentation. Lord have you brought this tragedy. Elijah knew the Lord was sovereign. He was giving the Lord a reason to answers his prayer.
He addresses God as my God. He draws His attention to this widow. This widow who has shown me hospitality. It is a prayer of repetition. He stretches himself out 3 times and repeats his request again and again. Our persistence shows our earnestness.
It is a prayer of conviction. It is a prayer of great faith. There is no precedent for this. Yet he Believes God can do this.
3/. A miracle without precedent.
Verse 22. The Lord heard. Our prayers don't rely on our speaking ability but on His hearing ability.
Our faith can be so weak.
He heard and the boys life returned. Was Elijah surprised. Was the widow surprised. Probably the widow was but Elijah wasn't.
Look you son is alive, Elijah told her. We aren't told much about her response. Only what she said about Elijah. The one she blamed.
Now I know you are a man of God. The words you preach are true.
Israel have rejected the Lord and His prophet. He has taken Elijah to the heartland of the enemy. Yet it is here a foreign woman declares Elijah is a man of God.
Elijah is a true prophet even though his own people rejected him.
Elijah has a great God. Even death bows down to Him.
There never was before this life after death. Twice more it will happen in the OT.
These are previews of what is to come. It was as if God couldn't wait to show us His power over death.
Jesus came to bring victory over death. He brings life. When He returns all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out.
We all all be raised and our souls and bodies will be united. Will that be a resurrection to judgement. Will your destiny be everlasting hell or will your resurrection be to rise to life. Not because you deserve it but because of what Jesus has done at Calvary. Do you have that hope. Do you have faith in Christ that you will be raised to Life in Him and spend eternity with Him in heaven?
Created 10 months ago
