Today we begin a new series on the man Elijah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let me clarify first\u2014we’re talking about the original<\/em> Elijah. I know many babies have been named after him over the years, but I mean the<\/em> Elijah. The prophet, not the professor. And yes, while \u201cProf\u201d might suggest academia, in Elijah\u2019s case it stands for Prophet<\/em>\u2014God\u2019s mouthpiece in a time of national crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we first meet him in the book of 1 Kings, he\u2019s introduced as Elijah the Tishbite from Gilead<\/strong>. As a writer, that detail caught my eye. Why such specific mention of where he\u2019s from?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine someone reporting, \u201cA man named Mugisha from Rwanda.\u201d That feels redundant if you\u2019re already in Rwanda. But say, \u201cA woman named Carol from Kenya\u201d\u2014while in Rwanda<\/em>\u2014and it makes more sense. It means she\u2019s not from around here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turns out, the Tishbites were a small group of immigrants who had settled in Gilead. So Elijah was more than just a prophet. He was an outsider<\/em>\u2014a man from a lesser-known background whom God raised up to confront kings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now picture this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n One morning, I wake up and say to my husband, Now imagine this isn\u2019t even the first time I\u2019ve said something like that. God has sent me to speak difficult truths before\u2014to friends, family, even local leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But this time? I\u2019m aiming higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He pauses, then gives me that serious look. He means well. He knows I honor God. But this feels crazy.<\/em> Still, when he sees how deeply I believe it\u2019s from God\u2014and not just ambition\u2014he backs off. He starts to pray. He won\u2019t stand in God\u2019s way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And I start to prepare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Back to Elijah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1 Kings 17 opens with a bang: This wasn\u2019t just any king. Ahab was notorious\u2014he had provoked<\/em> God more than any king before him. He was the son of Omri, a general who rose to power through force. Ahab married Jezebel\u2014yes, that Jezebel\u2014the Sidonian queen who introduced Baal worship in Israel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, Ahab and Jezebel promoted full-blown idolatry. They built temples to Baal, erected Asherah poles, and slaughtered the prophets of Yahweh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So Elijah walking into that palace? Already a miracle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now imagine this: Ahab, curious and cautious, allows him in\u2014after a thorough search for weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elijah walks in. No bodyguards. No titles. Just truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the name of the Lord, the Living God of Israel\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahab interrupts. \u201cWhich<\/em> god exactly?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elijah doesn\u2019t flinch. It was a direct challenge to Ahab\u2019s lifeless idols.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then Elijah delivers the message:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs the Lord God of Israel lives, whom I serve, there will be no dew or rain for the next few years\u2014until I say so.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n At first, the room erupts in laughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ahab scoffs, \u201cThat\u2019s it? You\u2019ll stop the rain? You plan to collect the clouds and hide them?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even Jezebel shows up to see the commotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But Elijah stands firm. Suddenly, the mocking stops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArrest him,\u201d Jezebel snaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Guards rush out\u2014but Elijah is already gone. Slipped through their fingers like mist. No horse. No chariot. No escape plan. Just\u2026 gone.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n They return empty-handed. Heads bowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From that moment on, Elijah became a national fugitive.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n And still, no one took the message seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Until the rainy season came.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And not. One. Drop. Fell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n To read part 2<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Sweetie, God spoke to me last night. I have a message for President Kagame.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCarol,\u201d he says (only using my full name when he\u2019s dead serious), \u201cHave you thought that maybe\u2026 this is your subconscious speaking? You\u2019ve always dreamed of meeting important people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Elijah walks straight into the palace to confront King Ahab.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
King Ahab is mid-lunch when a guard rushes in:
\u201cThere\u2019s a man at the gate. Says he\u2019s got a message\u2026 from God.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Living<\/em> God of Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere will be no rain or dew until I say so. Period.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n