Elijah’s First Appearance Before Ahab

The first book of Kings begins with the history of Solomon who became king in the stead of his father David. It was a blessed time in Jerusalem; the temple was built and there were rest and peace in the land. However, there was a shadow, namely, the idols of Solomon’s wives and the influence of those wives upon the king. This was the cause of the judgments of the Lord over Israel. After the death of Solomon, his kingdom was divided. Out of fear that his subjects would return to the house of David, Jeroboam, the king over the ten tribes, made golden calves at Dan and Bethel which remained in this kingdom.

The reign of Ahab, the seventh king of Israel, is written with black letters because of his wickedness. His royal residence was at Samaria. He reigned for twenty-two years and sinned so much that it is written that he provoked the Lord to anger. He continued in the path of Jeroboam, worshipping calves, which is a sin against the second commandment. We may not worship images. But Ahab went further and removed the remnants of the service of the living God and brought idol worship into the land. This is a sin against the first commandment which forbids us to have other gods. The gods Baal and Ashtoreth were worshipped.

Ahab’s wife Jezebel was a great deceiver. This beautiful princess was the daughter of Ethbaal, the king of Zidon. He had been the high priest of Baal, but he killed the king of Zidon and became king in his stead. Thus the daughter of a king’s murderer and a priest of Baal became the wife of Ahab. With such a background you will realize that much could not be expected for the service of the Lord. It is written of Ahab that he sold himself to do evil and that he was stirred up by Jezebel.

This marriage shows the danger of mixed marriages. The first pages of God’s Word speak of it also: “The sons of God took them wives of the daughters of men.” This means that the family of Seth and Cain intermixed. Did the husbands out of the family of Seth exercise good influence on their wives? No, the opposite was true; they were drawn along, sin was multiplied, and the world made itself ripe for the flood. We find the same in the life of King Ahab. In the early years of his reign he was not completely loosened from the God of Israel, but because of his marriage with this heathen princess, he broke completely with the Lord.

Jezebel could not rest until true religion was destroyed. How often boys and girls of Christian families go the same way. All the warnings do not help. When you speak with them, they sometimes have a great zeal to work as an evangelist. They hope to convert their friend. In the beginning it seems to go well. They go to church together, but as soon as the marriage is solemnized, a change becomes evident. Often the promises are broken; the one may no longer attend church and the other soon follows. The Bible which they received at their marriage remains closed and prayer also gradually disappears. Then we know how the upbringing of the children will be, namely, without true religion. Many Jezebels have drawn their Ahabs away from the truth so that they bow their knees before the gods of our time. Great were the consequences for Israel to have such a king as Ahab!

What were the political repercussions of Ahab’s reign? We do not hesitate to say that he was a curse, because his wicked example was followed by Israel. Baal and Ashtoreth were worshipped. Baal was their god of fruitfulness, symbolized by the sun. Ashtoreth was their goddess of the night and of sensuality. In our days it is the same. Our governments are just as guilty as Ahab was, because there are no brakes applied in our days. The law is undermined and everything is allowed, even the murder of unborn children by abortion. Terrible sins are committed against the Creator of heaven and earth, against Him who cannot have communion with the works of darkness. The angels cry out: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord!” How deeply was Israel sunk, but this is also applicable for our country. When the Lord may give a little light in our hearts, then we must confess it is not any better with us personally or with our families. How many idols do we have in our homes and in our lives? Do you think this can continue this way? No, definitely not, because God is still alive and will punish our sins. His longsuffering is great, but at His time He will come with judgments, as Israel experienced in a hard way. How did this happen?

Suddenly a man came to Ahab at the palace in Samaria. His name was as a thunderclap in the ears of the king: Elijah, which means “my God is Yahweh.” Your god is Baal, but my God is Yahweh who is yesterday, today and forever the same. The conflict between Baal and Yahweh would come to a head on Carmel, where Elijah would stand as the representative of Yahweh.

Elijah was surrounded with an air of secrecy; suddenly he was there. The most important thing is not the person, but the message. This is not so easy for us who seek ourselves so often; only by the grace of God can we stay in the background. John the Baptist did not say, “I am the forerunner of the Messiah.” No, he said, “I am the voice in the wilderness.” Elijah said, “My God is Yahweh.” We read of him: “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead.” According to the Hebrew it is not certain whether he lived there or whether he just came from there when he was sent by God. Very likely he was born in Thisbe in Gilead, but we don’t know where it was situated. Gilead is an outlying district beyond the Jordan River, far from the then civilized world.

Elijah said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand.” What a blessing when we may say this! By nature we are far from God and do not ask for God. We are unable and unwilling to draw nigh to God.

How was it possible that Elijah could say this? God took reasons out of Himself to form a people which will praise Him. There are no reasons in man, but in the Lord only. The Lord seeks sinners who are on the way to destruction and He stops them by Word and Spirit so that they become sinners before God. Their self-righteousness becomes as filthy rags and they are leprous from top to toe. It is a frightening discovery when sinners are called before the Lord; the proud fall from their pedestal, the self-righteous lose their riches, and those who were at ease become afraid when they see their sins. The Lord humbles His people to raise them up again. By Word and Spirit man is not only discovered, but also emptied, in order to feel the necessity of the Mediator. We must not forget that when Adam is not known, Jesus is not my own. It is necessary that the Lord leads us back to Paradise where we broke the covenant of works, before there is room for Christ.

What a comfort for such a sinner — when the Word is opened to see something of Christ and he may meditate on His blessed work! In those moments the Lord is closest to them. The heavens are so low that they think they have everything they need; great is the joy in the Lord and His manifold blessings. But, although it is a great blessing to be in such condition, it is so necessary that God the Father as Judge acquits us on the ground of Christ’s merits. Then we may not only see His mediatorial work, but also embrace it. It becomes such a wonder that the Lord looked upon me! I will praise the name of the Lord for what He has done. When we are brought in the way of righteousness, we are then ready to do His service. “What wilt Thou have me to do?”

By regeneration and by faith Elijah had come upon the narrow path out of free grace. He knew of misery, deliverance and gratitude. God’s Name was reality, “My God is Yahweh.” Therefore He could say: “As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand.”

In the east the servants stand before their master to wait for his command. So also Elijah was always ready for the commandment of the Lord. This is necessary for all God’s servants in order to bring His Word. With a praying heart they must use the sword of the Word to wound, to make an end of false rest, and to show that there is deliverance for sinners in the gospel, of which Jesus Christ is the center.

Now that we have shown the circumstances of Israel and their king, you will comprehend that it was impossible for Elijah, which means “my God is Yahweh,” to speak of grace since the cup of sin was full. The Lord’s longsuffering was coming to an end. Elijah confirmed it with an oath; it would surely come to pass: “As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years.” He spoke of a drought which as we know lasted for three and one-half years. Elijah did not mention the time, because this would weaken the threat. If they knew how long it would last, they could take measures of security, or they could comfort themselves that soon it would end. But now it was unlimited.

The drought would be complete — neither dew nor rain. It seemed that Elijah was an enemy of the people, but this was not true. It was also very difficult for him, but it was to their welfare, he hoped. Elijah loved the Lord, but also Israel, and he prayed they would return in the way of judgment. He could not bear that Jehovah, the God of Israel, their Benefactor, was left so faithlessly. The honor of the Lord and the welfare of Israel were bound upon his heart. James said, “He prayed earnestly.” He was driven by the Holy

Spirit to pray that the Lord would reveal His power and majesty.

This was not a striving between Ahab and Elijah, but between Jehovah and Baal. Baal was the god of the sun, by which everything would wither away. Ashtoreth was the god of the night, but no dew would refresh the fields. This punishment did not only strike the king and the nation but, above all, the reputation of these idols was harmed. At that moment nature seemed to mock with this threat: The fields were yet green and fountains of water seemed to cry to each other, “It will not happen.” But when the God of heaven and earth closes, who will be able to open? The Lord reigns.

The church also knows times of drought — when it seems there is no rain and dew for their souls. Before they were prosperous, but now it can be so dry. What is the reason? Probably, as Israel, we have forgotten the Lord. We should examine ourselves in the light of His Word. Do we serve idols instead of the Lord? Do we love father or mother, husband or wife, son or daughter above the Lord? The Lord cannot tolerate this and withholds the dew and the rain. Ask the Lord to reveal the cause in our life. When we cover up our sins, then we will not be prosperous, but if we may refrain from sin and humble ourselves before the Lord, then we will receive mercy. To break with sin is the way that leads to the return of God’s favor.

Elijah ended his message with these words: “But according to my word.” Was this not pride speaking? No, he was the servant of the Lord and spoke in His Name. Israel would be delivered, even when they would superficially acknowledge the Lord.

People of God, is it still dry in your life? Remember, there is an Intercessor at the right hand of the Father who prays for the welfare of His children, whom He never will forsake. May the Lord grant yet that the dew and the rain of God’s favor may fall again upon us as in former days.

Rev. A.M. den Boer is pastor of the Netherlands Reformed congregation of Sunnyside, Washington.

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