Truth Magazine

By Verna McKee

During the seventy year period of Babylonian captivity, under the rule of King Ahasuerus (commonly thought to be King Xerxes), the Lord has seen fit to leave us a bit of history to give us courage in times of distress. On the seventh day of a heathen orgy, Ahasuerus so forgot himself as to send for his queen Vashti to make an appearance before the king’s drunken guests. Vashti refused to come and angered the king. The princes who witnessed the refusal, fearing lest her example would be followed by their women, recommended that Vashti be put away and another queen found to take her place.

A Humble Virgin

The king sent his officers to all the provinces of the kingdom to gather fair young virgins. They were brought to Shushan the palace and placed in the care of Hegai the king’s chamberlain, keeper of the women, and given all the rites of purification. Living near the palace was a Jew named Mordecai who had in his care the daughter of his uncle. Her name in the Persian language was Esther. This girl entered no beauty contests. She never pushed herself forward to seek the crown of Vashti. She was found, however, and taken with the other young virgins to Sushan. They were all given special privileges and allowed all they demanded – but Esther only asked for what Hegai thought she should have. In this way she won, not only his favor, but that of all who looked upon her.

An Obedient Daughter

Although Esther was an orphan, she was reared by Mordecai as a daughter and honored him as a father. When she was one of those chosen, Mordecai told her not to show her people and kindred; she told no one that she was a Jewess. Mordecai walked every day before the court of the women to know of the fate of Esther. As each virgin spent the night with the king after her twelve month purification, she was sent on to the second house of the women to be a part of the harem only called to the king by name if he ever wanted her again. After Esther’s night of testing, King Ahasuerus loved her above all women, set the royal crown upon her head in place of Vashti, and made a royal feast to praise her before all the kingdom. Yet Esther obeyed Mordecai and did as he charged; she didn’t tell who her people were.

A Faithful Wife

In Mordecai’s sitting in the king’s gate, he learned of treachery against the king by two of his chamberlains. When Esther was told of this by Mordecai, she gave the information to the proper authorities who had the matter proved and the guilty men hanged. Esther had Mordecai’s name given credit for saving the life of her husband and the record was made in the book of the chronicles of the king.

A man called Haman had been given a high rank in the kingdom by Ahasuerus. He became a bitter enemy to Mordecai. Mordecai was a Jew and he refused to bow and reverence Haman as he passed as the other king’s servants did. In Haman’s pride he determined to wipe out all of Mordecai’s nationality. By misrepresenting the Jews and offering to pay ten thousand talents of silver for the carrying out of the decree, Haman influenced the king to sign and mark with his ring a seal, dooming all Jews to death.

A Brave Queen

When word of Haman’s decree went throughout Shushan, there was fear, tears, fasting and wailing in sackcloth and ashes among the Jews, including Mordecai. Esther tried to encourage Mordecai but he knew too well the end for the Jews unless something could be done. He sent Esther a copy of the decree by the king’s chamberlain appointed to wait on Esther, and charged her to go to the king to plead for her people. The law of the kingdom decreed death to any who,went before him without invitation if the king’s scepter was not held out, that he might live. Mordecai’s message to Esther is one of the most quoted Old Testament passages as he warned her that being Queen would not save her if all Jews were killed. “For if thou altogether hold thy peace at this time, then there shall relief arise to the Jews from another’s place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther sent word to Mordecai that she would go in to the king even if she perished for it but she wanted all the Jews in Shushan to join with her and her maidens in three days of fasting to precede her effort.

A Clever Hostess

After her favorable reception by the king and his offering her any request even to the half of his kingdom, all that Esther requested was that the king and Haman be her guests that night at a banquet she would prepare. Her request at the first banquet was that they join her at a second banquet the next day. Haman was so elated that he rushed home to tell his family how honored he had been. Even this was spoiled by passing Mordecai who still refused to give him honor. At that, even knowing Mordecai would perish with the other Jews was not enough; he erected a gallows on which to hang this enemy to his pride and pleasure with himself.

That very night, unable to sleep, the king called for the book of the records of the chronicles of the king to be read to him. For the first time, the king learned of Mordecai’s part in saving his life. The next day Ahasuerus turned to Haman for advice about the best way to honor a man the king delighted to honor. With the’exalted opinion Haman had of himself, he could think of no one else to whom the king would refer. He outlined what he would want: putting on the king’s royal apparel, wearing the king’s crown, riding the king’s horse, led by one of the king’s most noble princes through the street of the city proclaiming, “Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delights to honor.” Immediately the king told Haman to make the arrangements and to honor Mordecai in this way for saving his life. Haman obeyed but went home mourning.

At the second banquet Esther had for the king and Haman, she asked for her life and the life of her people. The king was so angry when he learned that his trusted Haman had endangered his beloved Esther and her people that he went in wrath to the palace garden. In Hamqn’s fear at the evil determined against him by the king, his nerve broke and he pled with the queen for his life. Just as the king returned to the banquet hall, Haman fell upon the bed where Esther was. When the king thought Haman was trying to force the queen, Haman’s doom was sealed. When told of the gallows Haman had prepared for Mordecai, the king had Haman hanged there.

An Honored Jewess

King Ahasuerus gave to Esther all that Haman owned. He told Esther and Mordecai the Jew~to write a device and seal it with his ring for the relief of Esther’s people. According to the law, Haman’s writing to destroy the Jews could not be reversed because it was sealed with the king’s ring. However, word was sent throughout the land, wherever Haman’s laws had gone, giving the Jews the right to gather together in every city, to stand for their life, to destroy, the slay, and to cause, to perish all who would work to destroy them and the Jews were to take spoil of all who would try to make them prey.

Mordecai was given honor and dressed as a prince to sit in Shushan the palace and his fame went throughout the land. The Jews overcame Haman’s followers, not only in far places but in Shushan itself and Haman’s ten sons were hanged upon the gallows.

Esther the queen and Mordecai the Jew proclaimed a new feast to commemorate the rest that they had from their enemies. Each year the fourteenth and fifteenth days of Adar were to be celebrated with gladness and feasting and sending portions one to another and gifts to the poor.

These days were to be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, every city. These are called the days of Purim and given so that the Jews would never forget the deliverance obtained for them by Mordecai the Jew and his niece, Queen Esther, wife of Ahasuerus.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 17, pp. 528-529
September 1, 1983

There are few things more pleasing to me than to see a young Christian willing to take a bold stand for what is right. Instead of giving in to peer pressure, which is characteristic of most teenagers, occasionally you will see some who remember their Creator in the days of their youth (Eccl. 12:1). Robin Underwood is such a young Christian.

Robin likes to play basketball. From what I understand she is pretty good at playing basketball. Robin wanted to play on the school’s team. Of course, she knew the uniform of the girl’s basketball team was unbecoming for one professing godliness (1 Tim. 2:9-10). So she decided that she would play only if she was allowed to wear her warm-up pants. This attire was permitted by the coach, so Robin is now playing on her school’s team.

Robin is a fine example of how one can enjoy life while at the same time putting God first in her life. One can engage in wholesome activities without performing in immodest apparel. One can make time for proper secular events without sacrificing service to God. You can “rejoice … during your childhood” and “yet know that God will bring you to judgement for all these things” (Eccl. 11:9).

Those young girls who believe that they must strip before the world in order to play basketball need to reconsider. Those young girls who believe they must appear naked (the Bible uses that word for the improperly clothed) before they can lead their band in marching need to stop and think again. Those young girls who believe they must appear in lewd dress and actions before they arouse the cheers of the crowd need to restudy their decision. Robin didn’t have to compromise with the world; why do you?

What is more important? Is a winning trophy worth the price of modesty? Is a high kick worth the price of purity? Is a split worth the price of godliness? “For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26)

Robin is the oldest daughter of John and Rosetta Underwood of Route 1, Box 210, Middlebourne, WV 26149.

Ronny Millner

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 17, p. 527
September 1, 1983

By Gary Henry

How can a godly person navigate dangerous spiritual straits, achieve secular success, and still remain true to his faith? When the challenges of society constantly change, how can the victory of faith be won repeatedly by a man determined to do right in every circumstance? The encouraging example of Daniel in the Old Testament illustrates how these questions can be answered. To think of Daniel is to think of both “faith” and “success,” and to study Daniel is to learn how faith and success can be joined harmoniously in the life of one good man.

In the World Vs. Of The World

Uprooted from the security of his homeland and taken captive to pagan Babylon, Daniel was soon recognized as a promising candidate for government service under Nebuchadnezzar. But the training regimen for this position included a diet which Daniel could not eat, and he “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank” (Dan. 1:8). Daniel risked his career on this decision, but the risk was a wise one – eventually Nebuchadnezzar found Daniel and his friends “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in his realm” (1:20). Godliness did not obstruct Daniel’s career. It advanced it!

The distinguished service rendered by Daniel throughout the reigns of successive Babylonian and Medo-Persian kings strikingly demonstrates that the godly can take their place in the society where they find themselves and play their part in current affairs. They can remain true to God, bringing glory to God and blessing to men. Daniel’s attitude is-exceptionally fine. He lost no time moaning about how much easier it was back home to be faithful to God. He chose not to stick his head in the sand and hide from his new environment. He made no attempt to isolate himself. Instead, Daniel faced the challenge of the present moment and dared to exercise the courage of his convictions where he was. In doing so, he gained the unqualified respect of his superiors, and ultimately rose to a position second only to the king himself (cf. 2:46-48; 5:11, 12; 6:1-3, 28).

Today, men and women are needed who understand that God is not served in the monastery, but in the marketplace. The Christian refreshes and strengthens himself among fellow believers, but his service to God cannot end there. Inevitably, he must live and work among unbeliever s, and when he does, he will need the encouragement of a Daniel, who knew that one tan penetrate the world without imitating it, that one can be in the world without the world getting in him. He will need to remember the prayer of Jesus for His apostles: “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” (Jn. 17:15). It is not only impossible to go “out of the world” (1 Cor. 5:10), it is a mistake to try. Jesus said His followers were the “salt of the earth” (Mt. 5:13), and salt which remains in the salt shaker does little good for anyone.

Not everyone, of course, has the strength of character and faith Daniel had. Many are the modern-day Christians who could not handle the special risks of Daniel’s high position. The potentially compromising situations, the scheming of envious rivals, and the unrelenting criticism which go with leadership careers have been the undoing of more than a few who rashly involved themselves in spiritually hazardous circumstances. Daniel shows only that survival is possible, not that it is easy. There is a large difference between “courage” and “foolhardiness” – the weak are far better off to stay out of places and positions that threaten their spiritual well-being. It is well to remember that the good Daniel was able to do in his high office would have been as nothing compared to the damage he would have done had he broken under the pressure and compromised his faith.

But it is heartening to know that Daniel did not break. His character was so unimpeachable and his reputation so clean that even his keenest critics took it for granted that his God would come first, no matter what. Only that kind of consistency can gain the respect Daniel enjoyed. Watered-down, easily-compromised “convictions” not only are repugnant to God, they are rarely admired even by the world. The “cultural chameleon,” who has no identity of his own but merely changes his colors to match society around him, has the respect of few. Daniel’s success among unbelievers is impressive evidence that one can grow in favor with God and man, but it takes a consistency that is extraordinary. Let those of us take notice who think one must copy the world to have its respect. It is not so!

Obedience Vs. Expedience

Daniel’s career spanned the governments of several kings. His service was rendered over many years in situations that were frequently changing. Had he not understood the difference between “obedience” and “expedience,” it is unlikely that Daniel could have maintained his consistent character amid these shifting scenes. There surely must have been times when he was tempted to conform his conduct to the dictates of good “politics,” but he perceived that true obedience to God demands rising above such considerations. We can be thankful for the example of this man who never flattered anyone to gain personal advantage. In his interpretation of dreams, for example, he never doctored the message to suit what his superiors would want to hear. His faithfulness did not depend on any particular set of favorable circumstances. He was as loyal in any one situation as another, showing himself to be a man of substance, interested above all else in pleasing God.

Peer pressure was as powerful in Daniel’s day as it is now, but so far as we know he never yielded to it if it meant disobeying God. Daniel had more conviction than to go with the flow, carried along with the tide of popular opinion. He steered a course of his own choosing, governing his actions by values and principles he had already decided on. In this respect, Daniel proved himself superior to most of us, who tend to make up the rules as we go. Regardless of what others might be doing, Daniel’s ultimate concern was with the question: what is right? His conscience would not allow him to ignore the fixed rules of righteousness, no matter how great the pressure of his peers.

Sacrificial Faith Vs. Superficial Faith

Daniel’s conduct in various crises reflects the fact that his faith in God was deep and genuine. There was no shallowness or superficiality about him. His commitment was authentic. He actually relied on God. And it was this utter dependence upon God that saved him from danger in the lions’ den: “Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God” (6:23). Like the faith of Noah, Abraham, David, and many others before him, Daniel’s commitment to God was in the heart, as well as the head. He knew God, as well as the Scriptures of God. Those of us who read of Daniel may never be thrust into the physical dangers he was, but it is important to understand that the reliance upon God which turned out to be Daniel’s salvation was built up in the years before he knew exactly how it was going to be needed!

Faith of the quality of Daniel’s is not available to be “turned on” in some unexpected crisis if there are no reservoirs to draw from. These reservoirs are filled only by daily communion with God. It is ironic that the thing for which Daniel was sentenced to death, his praying, was the very thing that had prepared him to survive the ordeal unscathed. The relation between his faithfulness and his prayerfulness is no coincidence. Each reinforced the other. Daniel had confidence in God because he daily communicated with God. Having regularly built up his trust in God over the course of many years, Daniel was able in occasional special difficulties to call upon a faith that he knew would be there. How very different from us who neglect our daily devotional activities and then are dismayed to find that we have no faith when we need it most.

Daniel was used to praying. It had become a regular part of his daily activity, probably from childhood. Without a doubt, Daniel’s praying was more than habit, but it is significant that it was his custom, his daily practice. Threatened with death if he continued to pray, he went home, “and in his upper room, with his windows opened toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (6: 10). Over 90 years old at this time, Daniel simply did what he had long before trained himself to do. It was not the first time nor the last, when Satan’s onslaughts were thrown back by the force of good habits.

The experience of Daniel illustrates why it is so important for parents to teach their children to pray daily, and to attend to the other activities that build spiritual vitality and strength. It is impossible to know in advance what our children may have to face when they are Daniel’s age. When the time comes for their faith to be tested, it will be greatly to their advantage to be accustomed to doing the right thing. Parents who fail to weave such habits into the fabric of their children’s lives are depriving them of the crucial advantage of being able later to fall back on childhood training as a reserve of power and protection. When temptation rears its ugly head, that resource may mean the difference between standing and falling. What a pity if, in the hour of trial, our children are missing the sturdiness of habits we could have helped them acquire!

Because of Daniel’s total confidence in God’s wisdom and power, he was a man of courage. Morally, as well as physically, he was brave. No threat of danger could unnerve him spiritually. And Daniel’s gallantry is- all the more astounding when we recall that he sometimes stood alone. He would surely have been able to identify with what Paul later wrote: “At my first defense no one stood with me, but allforsook me … But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, . . . And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion” (2 Tim. 4:16, 17). Like Daniel and Paul, we may never know God is all we need until God is all we have. Stripped of every means of external human support, we may learn what Paul meant when he said, When I am weak, then I am strong ” (2 Cor. 12: 10).

The faith and courage of Daniel together produced an impressive decisiveness that is sorely needed by many of us now. When the path of duty was clear to Daniel, he promptly acted. He wasted no time in hesitation, trying to figure a way of having it both ways. Faced with important choices, he chose! Progress nearly always comes from having the will to choose between alternatives, rather than trying to combine them. The success which attended Daniel’s daring decisiveness warns us against that dangerous moral wishy-washiness that wavers between right and wrong.

Conclusion

Daniel had his priorities straight. Putting God first was not a matter of convenience – it was a settled conviction. His values and principles were not for sale at any price, nor would they be surrendered under threats of physical punishment. His integrity was far more valuable to him than anything he could have gained by compromising it. We can learn from Daniel that the unpleasant pressures that are brought to bear upon the man of integrity are at the worst annoyances. They can do no real harm, nor can they keep him from the success that really counts.

Let us remember, however, that Daniel was a man of faith, as well as integrity. His honesty and straightforwardness were founded on his godliness. His many victories were the victories of genuine trust in the God of heaven. The depth and substance of his character are attributable to his fellowship with his Creator. The quality of his faith enhanced the quality of his life. And, because he was thoroughly committed to God, he altered the world he lived in. His life powerfully demonstrates that men of commitment move the world – because the world cannot move them. Were Daniel alive today he would no doubt frequently recall us to what was written by the apostle John: “Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 Jn. 5:4).

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 17, pp. 525-526
September 1, 1983

By Mike Willis

The political condition of Israel was somewhat stabilized when the house of Omri became the royal family. From the time when the last descendant of king Jeroboam, the leader responsible for dividing Israel from Judah, was slain, political upheaval prevailed. After Jeroboam’s death, Nadab ruled for two years before Baasha conspired against him; Baasha ruled twenty-four years. After his death, Elah ascended the throne but ruled only two years before Zimri killed him. Zimri ruled only seven days when Omri killed him. After a period of some division, he was able to unite all of Israel behind his able leadership. His political and military sagacity is seen in his selection of the hill Samaria for his capital (1 Kgs. 16:24). His reign is also known for its wickedness (1 Kgs. 16:25).

Upon his death, Ahab ascended the throne of Israel. In order to further secure the kingdom, Ahab entered a political alliance with Zidon, having it sealed by his marriage to Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal who was king of Zidon (Kgs. 16:31). “For the first time the chief wife of an Israelite king was one of the old accursed Canaanite race” (Arthur P. Stanley, Lectures on the History of the Jewish Church, Vol. 11, p. 317). Ahab was a rather weak man, easily influence by those near to him.

Jezebel was a domineering woman who was steeped in idolatry, in the worship of the Sun-god Baal. Ahab reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove” (1 Kgs. 16:32-33). Jezebel not only wanted idolatry practiced in Israel, she also instituted religious persecution in the systematic elimination of the prophets of Jehovah (1 Kgs. 18:4). Prophets hid in caves to escape the sword of Ahab and Jezebel. Those who were faithful to the Lord were suffering persecution. With the power of the throne being used to establish Baalism and to eliminate the worship of Jehovah, the future of God’s people looked bleak.

God’s Servant Elijah

Into this situation, God’s servant Elijah (“Jehovah is my God”) appeared. He was from Gilead (1 Kgs. 17: 1) and was known as the “Tishbite.” He was a hairy man who wore a leather girdle around his loins (2 Kgs. 1:8). This rugged prophet fearlessly appeared before king Ahab and announced, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (1 Kgs. 17: 1).

The judgment of a drought was quite fitting inasmuch as Baal was the Sun-god “The Phoen writer Sanchuniathon (Philo Byblius, Fragmenta II) accordingly says that the children of the first generation of mankind ‘in time of drought stretched their hands to heaven toward the sun; for they regarded him as the sole Lord of heaven, and called him Beel-samen, which means “Lord of Heaven” in the Phoen language and. is equivalent to Zeus in Gr… (A.H. Sayce, “Baal, ” L S. B. E, Vol. 1, p. 345). Baal’s consort was Astarte; together they would have been responsible for fruitful seasons and vegetation. But they were powerless before the judgment of Jehovah as announced by the prophet Elijah.

To preserve himself alive, Elijah resorted to the brook Cherith during the famine where he was sustained by the ravens which came there in search of water (1 Kgs. 17:1-7). The ravens brought him bread and flesh both morning and evening. During this time, Elijah was a hunted man (1 Kgs. 18:10-12). When the brook finally dried up, Elijah went to the Phoenician village of Zarephath where he lived with a Gentile widow and her son throughout the remainder of the famine. God sustained the prophet by miraculously multiplying the bread and oil of the widow (1 Kgs. 17:8-24). During this time, the widow’s son died and Elijah raised him from the dead (1 Kgs. 17:17-24).

The Contest On Mount Carmel

After three and one-half years of drought (Jas. 5:17), the Lord sent Elijah to confront Ahab. Ahab and his chief servant Obadiah (who had hid one hundred prophets of God from Jezebel’s wrath and sustained them) were traveling throughout Israel looking for enough grass to keep the king’s horses and mules alive. Elijah appeared to Obadiah and instructed him to tell Ahab that he would meet with him. When they met, Ahab said, “Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” Elijah replied, “I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim” (1 Kgs. 18:18). Though this king had been responsible for the death of many prophets of God, Elijah courageously confronted and rebuked King Ahab.

Elijah told Ahab to call four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of Astarte together on Mount Carmel along with all of Israel. Elijah stood alone as the prophet of God. He was without fear, knowing that one man standing with God is a majority in any country regardless of the opposition. When the people arrived, Elijah said, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kgs. 18:21). A contest was devised in which the prophets of Baal would build and altar, lay a sacrifice on it, and appeal to Baal to send fire to consume the sacrifice. Elijah would to the same. The God who answered with fire would be the God whom Israel would worship.

The prophets of Baal went first. After building their altar and placing the sacrifice on it, they began crying for Baal to send down fire, a job relatively easy for the Sun god. They cried from morning till noon to no avail. At noon, Elijah mocked them saying, “Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked” (1 Kgs. 18:27).(1) The Baal prophets responded with more intense appeals to their god. “They cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them” (1 Kgs. 18:28).(2) This continued until the time of the evening sacrifice.

Elijah then took his turn. He rebuilt the broken-down attar of Jehovah. He slew the bullock and placed him on the altar after putting wood thereon. He had the altar doused three times with water. Then’, he calmly called on Jehovah to send down fire from heaven. The Lord responded with fire, consuming the sacrifice, the’wood, the altar and the water. When the people saw this, they bowed before Jehovah. Elijah called upon them to slay the false prophets, which they did.

As Ahab sat with Elijah at the sacrificial meal, Elijah prayed for rain. After three and one-half years of drought, Jehovah sent rain.

Flight To Mt. Sinai

When Jezebel heard of the slaughter of the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, she said, “So let the god’s do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time” (1 Kgs. 19: 1). Convinced that the drought and the victory on Mount Carmel had done no good, Elijah fled from Jezreel to Beersheba. He went three days journey into the wilderness, sat under a juniper tree (broom bush), and requested for himself that he might die saying, “It is enough; now, 0 Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers” (1 Kgs. 19:4). An angel of the Lord appeared to him, gave him food to eat on two occasions, and instructed him to go to Mount Sinai.

Arriving on Mount Sinai, Elijah dwelt in a cave. The Lord appeared to him and asked him, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” (1 Kgs. 19:9). Elijah replied, “I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and 1, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (1 Kgs. 19:10). The Lord told Elijah to stand on the mount before the presence of the Lord. Then, the Lord sent a strong wind but the Lord was not in the wind; the Lord sent an earthquake but the Lord was not in the earthquake; the Lord sent a fire but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire, the Lord appeared to Elijah, speaking to him in a still, small voice.(3) The Lord gave Elijah three tasks: (1) Anoint Hazael as king over Syria; (2) Anoint Jehu as king over Israel; (3) Appoint Elisha as his successor as a prophet. The appointment of Elisha would encourage Elijah, showing him that the prophetic office would not be completely destroyed, but would continue. Then Jehovah added, “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him” (1 Kgs. 19:18).

Encouraged by these words of the Lord, Elijah returned to Israel to continue his work. He appointed Elisha to be his successor and, apparently, began several schools of prophets, one in Bethel and another in Jericho (2 Kgs. 2:2-5).

Elijah And The Judicial Execution of Naboth

Sometime later, Ahab desired to purchase the vineyard of Naboth which joined hard to the royal resident in Jezreel. He approached Naboth about purchasing the vineyard but he would not sell his inheritance from his fathers. Ahab went away depressed and pouting like a spoiled brat who did not get his way. When Jezebel saw Ahab’s displeasure, she inquired regarding the cause of it. When she found out that it was caused by Naboth’s refusal to sell his vineyard, she said, “Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? Arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite” (1 Kgs. 21:7).

Then she plotted the death of Naboth. She arranged for a banquet to be given in Naboth’s honor. At the banquet, false witnesses were hired to testify that Naboth had been guilty of blaspheming God and the king. They carried Naboth outside the city and stoned him to death. Jezebel then presented Naboth’s vineyard as a gift to her husband.(4)

Jehovah appeared to Elijah, sending him to rebuke Ahab. Courageouly, Elijah obeyed. Knowing full well that one man had already been killed in order that Ahab could have this vineyard, Elijah went to rebuke Ahab. He found Ahab walking in his new vineyard, no doubt admiring its beauties. Elijah said, “Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession?… In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine” (1 Kgs. 21:19). Of Jezebel, the prophet spoke, “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel” (1 Kgs. 21:23).

The conscience of Ahab was not totally destroyed. He repented himself, rent his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. Because of his repentance, the Lord promised not to bring the evil upon Ahab during his day but after his death. Ahab was a weak man under the influence of a mean, wicked, and dominating woman (1 Kgs. 21:25).

The prophecies of Elijah were later fulfilled when a Syrian soldier shot an arrow at random and struck the disguised king of Israel. He died later. As the soldiers washed his chariot, the dogs licked his blood (1 Kgs. 22:38). Later, the prophesy regarding Jezebel was also fulfilled (2 Kgs. 9:36).

Elijah’s Confrontation With Ahaziah

Ahaziah followed his father as king of Israel. Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria (2 Kgs. 1:2). He was sick and wanted to inquire whether or not he would recover. Instead of inquiring of Jehovah, he sent messengers to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to inquire whether or not he would recover.

Elijah met the king’s messengers on the way and gave them this message: “Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die” (2 Kgs. 1:4). He rebuked Ahaziah for sending to Baal-zebub to inquire saying, “Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?” (2 Kgs. 1:3). Elijah departed and sat on top of a hill. The messengers returned and reported the message to Ahaziah. Ahaziah asked them to describe the man. When his messengers described the prophet as a hairy man gird about with a leather girdle, he knew that the prophet was Elijah.

Consequently, he sent a captain with fifty men ordering Elijah to come down from the top of the hill on which he sat. Elijah replied to the captain’s orders with these words: “If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty” (2 Kgs. 1:10). Fire came and consumed them. A second captain with fifty men was sent and the same things happened to him and his men. A third captain with fifty men was sent. With fear and trembling, this captain petitioned Elijah to spare his life and the lives of his men. Elijah received the captain and sent the message back to Ahaziah, “Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou has sent messengers to enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? Therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die” (2 Kgs. 1: 16). Ahaziah died as the Lord had spoken through Elijah.

Elijah’s Ascension Into Heaven

When the time for Elijah’s departure from this world came, he wanted to visit the schools of the prophets at Bethel and Jericho before his departure. Though Elijah petitioned him to stay, Elisha refused to leave Elijah’s side. At both Bethel and Jericho the prophets prophesied that Elijah would be taken away that day.

After visiting the prophets, Elijah headed toward the Jordan River. Fifty sons of the prophets accompanied Elijah and Elisha to the Jordan. When they arrived at the Jordan River, Elijah and Elisha left them to cross over the river. Elijah smote the river with his mantle and the waters parted before them. Elijah said, “Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee” (2 Kgs. 2:9). Elisha replied, “I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me” (2 Kgs. 2:9). Elijah told Elisha that his wish would be granted on the condition that he would see him when he was taken from this earth.

“And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kgs. 2: 10). Because Elisha witnessed this, he was given a double portion of Elijah’s spirit and the work of the prophet was continued.

His Heavenly Reward

Only two Old Testament characters were given entrance into eternal rest without experiencing death – Enoch (Gen. 5:24) and Elijah. Elijah appeared on another occasion in the Holy Scriptures. He was manifested on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Jesus (Matt. 17:1-5) when the Son of Man was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. Moses was the great lawgiver and Elijah was the representative of the Prophets. Yet, Jesus had superior authority to either the law or the prophets.

Both the nature of his passing and his presence at the transfiguration give indisputable proof that Elijah met the approval of God and died in fellowship with the Almighty. Those of us who so live as to receive eternal life in heaven with God can fully expect to see Elijah there.

Conclusion

Elijah’s life stands out to remind us of the courage which we should have in the service of God. “He shows how one man, strong in the support of God and the right, can by fearless courage and absorbing zeal change the whole course of history in his time; resist and overthrow the most crushing tyranny over conscience, and bring in a new victorious epoch” (Cunningham Geike, Hours With The Bible, Vol. IV, p. 57). May we be impressed with his fearless courage as we stand opposed to the forces of Satan.

Here was a man willing to rebuke sin regardless of who was guilty of committing it. He fearlessly rebuked the king of Israel in spite of the fact that the king and his wife were methodically exterminating the prophets of God. He was fearless and bold in his opposition to Ahab, Jezebel and Ahaziah. Each of us needs to imitate the example of this prophet and be willing to rebuke sin wherever we see it practiced – whether it be in the President of the United States, the house of Congress, the State House, the local community, or the local church. In the local church, we must rebuke sin whether the sinner be an elder, deacon, rich and liberal contributor or a powerless widow. We must rebuke sin even if the sinner is the son of an elder or preacher. Like Elijah, we must be fearless and bold in our opposition to sin.

Furthermore, we need to learn from Elijah’s flight to Mount Sinai and the lesson that he learned when Jehovah told him that He had seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal to trust in God and His work. Sometimes God is working behind the scenes in ways and manners we do not know in order to accomplish His purposes. In an age when wickedness seems to be getting the upper hand in high places, we need to be reminded that God still has thousands of saints who have not turned aside to wickedness. In an era when preachers are forsaking the Lord and their families to become involved in worldiness, we need to remember that there are hundreds of dedicated, faithful men quietly serving the Lord. Like Elijah who was encouraged by the fact that Elisha would continue his work, we need to take heart by taking note of the large number of younger, capable men who have put their hand to the plow to continue the labor of the Lord.

Drawing strength from men such as Elijah, let us persevere with joy in the labor of love which God has commanded. Even as Elijah was received up into glory, so shall an abundant entrance into the heavenly kingdom be granted to us.

Endnotes

1. Such sarcasm and mockery of false religion would not be tolerated by many thin-skinned Christians today. Comments such as, “I agreed with what he said but did not like how he said it or his attitude,” would be heard on every hand if a gospel preacher today acted toward false religion like Elijah did. Perhaps some of us need a good dose of study in the work of the prophets and first century gospel preaching in order to make our skins and spirits tougher.

2. One cannot question the sincerity of these idolaters; the manner in which they abused their body is sufficient testimony to both their honesty and sincerity. Despite the fact that they were Israelites, children of God who were both honest and sincere, they were idolaters separated from God by their sin.

3. The purpose of the Lord’s appearing in a small, still voice seems to be to show Elijah that God was working in quiet ways to accomplish His purpose.

4. One cannot help observing that the morality of paganism is far below the standards of God’s word. Once one has rejected God and His word as the authority for determining right and wrong in his life, any moral conduct is just as good as any other.

Guardian of Truth XXVII: 17, pp. 522-525
September 1, 1983