“A MAN SUBJECT TO LIKE PASSIONS AS WE ARE.”
(James 5:17)
Having published many years ago a book on “Elisha the Prophet” the question has sometimes been asked, “Why have you passed by Elijah?” No special reason can be given; but here, at long last, is a book on Elisha’s distinguished predecessor. May its message be helpful to us all.
We are in danger of regarding the worthies of old time—especially those whose records are given us in Holy Scripture—in a false light. To the common-place people of the Twentieth Century those characters seem to have walked upon heights inaccessible to us. We look with awe at Abraham, Moses, Elijah, and Paul (to name only a few), and perhaps we feel that we can never hope to walk as they walked, and serve as they served. The ancient worthies thus become almost unreal to us.
Now the Holy Spirit has expressly guarded against this in the case of Elijah. In James 5.17 we are told that “he was a man subject to like passions as we are.” This meant that this remarkable man of God, whose name will never perish, was not essentially different from any present-day Christian. He was bold, certainly; but he could also be moody, nervous, and self-centered. Unlike human biographers, the Holy Spirit tells us the whole truth about the characters of whom He writes.
We must never forget that Old Testament believers were not favored as we are. They knew God as the Almighty, and as Jehovah, but not as Father; for the Only-Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, had not yet come to earth to declare Him (John 1:1818No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18)). Moreover, as they lived on the other side of the Cross, they knew nothing of the privileges, blessings, and intimate relationships which are unfolded in the Apostolical Epistles. Also, the Holy Spirit had not been given, as a divine favor of love; this could not be until the risen Christ took His seat on high on the ground of accomplished redemption ( John 7:3939(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39)). No doubt, there were from time to time special enduement’s with the Holy Spirit’s power for particular service; but that is not the same thing as the Holy Spirit given to abide with the saints forever (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)). Thus we are more favored, and have more at our command, than the prophet who is the theme of this book.
What made Elijah the mighty man he was? Prayer, preceded by deep exercise concerning the condition of things around him. He walked in conscious dependence upon God. He was his strength and stay. This surely is open to believers in any age. Sometimes we excuse our non-success in service by saying, “it is a day of small things” (Zech. 4:1010For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth. (Zechariah 4:10)). Another has suggested that we had far better say, “it is a day of small men!” But why should we be small men? Why should we not be filled with zeal for the glory of God, as Elijah was? Our work will, of course, differ from his in character. Every crisis has its own needs, and God knows where to find His suited instruments. But why should not the reader say, “Here am I; send me.” (Isa: 6:8).