The prophet Elijah

1. The prophet Elijah

2. Elijah’s context • 9thcentury BCE • Omri founds a dynasty • Very successful • Peace and stability • Treaties with neighbouring kingdoms • Downside: recognition of their gods • Built new capital, and fortified it • Downside: further taxation and exploitation of labour ... Oppression of poor • Ahab succeeds his father as king (1 Kings 16:29-34) • “Ahab took as his wife Jezebel daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians and went and served Baal and worshiped him. He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria.” (1 Kings 16:31-32)

3. Elijah - introduction • “a hairy man with a leather belt around his waist” (2 Kings 1:8) • Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.’ (1 Kings 17:1) • Elijah’s Name means “My god is Yahweh” • The God of Israel challenges the king of Israel, who has officially sanctioned Baal worship in Israel • Baal is the Canaanite storm god, who ensures fertility and crops by sending the rain • Yahweh shows his power over Baal by withholding the rain

4. 1 Kings 17 • God withholds rain, but keeps his prophet alive • First, at the brook, fed by ravens • When the brook dries up, he goes to a widow of Zaraphath • In Sidon – Baal’s territory! • The oil and flour that do not run out • Raising of the widow’s son – Yahweh has the power of life and death

5. 1 Kings 18 – Mount Carmel • Calling the people back to covenant faithfulness • Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ The people did not answer him a word. (1 Kings 18:21) • The Contest • the god who answers by fire is indeed God.’ • Elijah’s Prayer: •  ‘O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your bidding. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.’ (1 Kings 18:36-37) • The response • Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt-offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and even licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, ‘The Lord indeed is God; the Lord indeed is God.’ (1 Kings 18:38-39) • Only after Baal is shown to be powerless, does God send the rain

6. 1 Kings 19 • Elijah flees to toHoreb (=Sinai) • Moses and burning bush • Covenant at Sinai • A theophany with a difference • Earthquake, wind and fire – traditional symbols of theophany • “God was not in them” • The ‘sound of sheer silence’ • A new experience of Yahweh (“I am who I am”)

7. 1 Kings 21 • Prophet for social justice • Naboth’s land – his family inheritance. • If he sells, he gives up his family’s independence • Ahab accepts this, grumpily • Jezebel – used to a different model of kingship – kings have the power to do what they want • (Mis)uses Israelite law to have Naboth killed • Ahab seizes the land • Elijah pronounces God’s judgement • Ahab repents – judgement is delayed

8. Elijah in later Tradition • Malachi 4:5-6 – The archetypal prophet, preparing the way for God’s coming • New Testament • John the Baptist is like Elijah • Transfiguration – Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus