Price:
Note: The minimum quantity for this product with a custom imprint is 100.
About This Product
Excerpt - Far from the multitudes, secluded from contaminating atmosphere, Elijah, a man of God, was born. The scant account of his early life given in Scripture permits us to gather only a general understanding of his childhood and upbringing. The sin among the people of God in his day was idolatry and unbelief, but through mercy this family was an exception, and the parents named their son "Elijah," which signifies "Jehovah, He is God." Perhaps they saw by faith that he was a "proper child," one whom God would use.
There was much to favor Elijah in the entire setting of his humble birth and background that would naturally qualify him for service for God. He could claim no kingly nor priestly credentials; his preparation must be moral. The signal failure in responsibility formally entrusted to God's people left room for only one alternative if there was to be blessing, the sovereignty of God to act as His Spirit would lead, with clay ready in the Potter's hand. He could profitably use a naive, informally taught servant, who, through isolation and separation from much that was of man, would properly discern the voice of his Maker and think clearly as to the need of the day among His people.
Those qualifications fit Elijah well. The experience gained in the wilderness where he lived enabled him to make clear decisions in his own path of testing and service. He knew by experience that the brook or torrent Cherith would flow fast with great volume in the rainy seasons but would have little or no water in the dry seasons and might be one of the first to dry up completely should there be a general drought. Experience in natural things had taught him that the voracious ravens could not be expected to provide him with anything, let alone flesh, to eat.
Elijah, a man of God, trusted God and believed that if He sent His servant, the mission would be effective and the means used to complete the work would be supplied by God. The Word of God was all that Elijah had. He dwelt on the east side of Jordan near the wilderness, far from Jerusalem, the center. The Spirit of God could move him, as He moved Samson and many others, but not until the preparatory work was complete in his soul in order that he act in faith. Prayer and wrestlings must precede the momentous task before him.
On the map Tishbe and Abelmeholah are about two miles apart, but Scripture does not say whether or not Elijah and Elisha knew each other in youth. It is possible that they were of different ages.
It would seem that Elijah was unknown before he confronted King Ahab but became well known later. Could there be such a thing and such a time when a servant would be known publicly only in that he spoke against evil? "Jehovah, He is God." Who would question this? Yet, in faithfulness, God raised up a servant in power with the name "Jehovah, He is God" to remind His people of its verity. Years must have passed. God dose not use a novice to do a man’s work. Elijah was a man of God. The mission before this honored servant was one of great importance. It required of the servant that he have God's mind, the result of communion, that he be wholly separated as a vessel for the Master's use, and that whatever was said or done would be on the principle of faith, for "without faith it is impossible to please him" (Heb. 11:6). The ear must be opened to hear before the tongue is loosed to speak (Psa. 40:6).
Self-control should be in exercise if God is to use a servant. Leaning on God alone is needful. "My heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord" would be the inward sentiment of a newborn soul in the power of faith and felt communion, arising from repeated experiences of testing so as to render the soul meek. It was never said that Moses was meek until after his exile in Midian. Paul could say, "I have learned," in his later years. It was David who said, "My soul is even as a weaned child." Ephraim cries out at last, "What have I to do any more with idols? I have heard him, and observed him."
It would be difficult to believe, from the account given us, that Elijah came short of at least some of these experiences. Moral power, which is greater than physical power, was needed. This required spiritual training.
Idolatry and unbelief had risen to such an alarming height that God's repeated warnings to Israel had no effect. Open defiance of God had replaced the spirit of submission which once clothed Israel upon their leaving Egypt for Canaan. How would God answer this? His people would be set aside and likened to a valley of dry bones (Ezek. 37:1,2).