Tag: the prophet Elijah

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 8, Day 2: 2 Kings 2:1-12

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 2 KINGS 2:1-12

Elijah and Elisha were on their way to Gilgal. Elijah tried to make Elisha stay behind instead of accompanying him to Bethel, but Elisha insisted on going. He also insisted on going to Jericho and the Jordan. 50 prophets stood at a distance while Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up, and struck the Jordan River with it. It divided so they could cross on dry ground.

Elijah asked Elisha if there was anything he wanted before he was taken to heaven. He asked to inherit a double portion of his spirit. Elijah said if he sees him when he is taken, he will have it. A chariot of fire and horse of fire appeared, separated them, and took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha cried out and then saw him no more. He took his own clothes and tore them in grief.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 8, Day 2: 2 Kings 2:1-12

3) Close. Elisha did not want to let Elijah go.

4) Elisha asked Elijah to inherit a double portion of his spirit, probably meaning to be as wise as he was.

5) A chariot of fire and horse of fire appeared, separated them, and took Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind. It’s a cool way to get to heaven. It’s very unique, so it makes me wonder just how important Elijah must have been to not have to suffer death like we all have to.

6a) God cares for all of His people, providing their every need.

b) He always provides. Always.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 8, Day 2: 2 Kings 2:1-12

I love this scene. So encouraging and inspiring. I love the relationship between Elijah and Elisha, too. Great stuff!

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 8, Day 2: 2 Kings 2:1-12

Commentators believe that Elijah is testing Elisha’s devotion as he moves from place to place as his death nears.

Elisha could have asked for wealth, but instead he wanted the Spirit of God. The double portion refers to the what the first born son receives Deuteronomy 21:17. Itshows Elisha’s commitment to continue Elijah’s work.

Elijah had the strength of Israel with him. We’ll see these same words uttered at Elisha’s death (2 Kings 13:14)

Fun Fact: Only 2 men in the entire Bible, Enoch (Genesis 5:24) and Elijah, avoided death to get to heaven.

The company of prophets were most likely prophets in training.

Elijah’s miraculous crossing of the Jordan is reminiscent of Moses’s parting of the Red Sea as the Israelites fled Egypt.

Elijah to Elisha foreshadows John the Baptist to Jesus. One preceeded the other and followd with reconciliation and healing. God is preparing His people for His Son.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF 1 KINGS 15:25-17:6

Nadab became king of Israel and he reigned over Israel 2 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Baasha killed Nadab and succeeded him as king. He killed Jeroboam’s whole family. Baasha became king of Israel and he reigned 24 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. The prophet Jehu told Baasha that God was angry with him for his actions and God will destroy him.

Elah succeeded Baasha as king. He ruled 2 years before he was struck down by Zimri, who succeeded him. He killed Baasha’s whole family. He ruled 7 days before Omri was proclaimed king. Omri became king of Israel and he reigned 12 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him. Ahab, Omri’s son, succeeded him as king of Israel. He reigned 22 years and did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any before him. He married Jezebel, daughter of the king of the Sidonians and began to serve Baal.

By rebuilding Jericho, Hiel endured the curse of the Lord as spoken by Joshua in Joshua 6:26.

Elijah the prophet proclaims to Ahab that a famine is coming for a few years. The Lord sent Elijah to live in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. The river and ravens will feed and water him.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6

3)

  1. Nadab. He caused Israel to commit sins.
  2. Baasha. Baasha killed Nadab and succeeded him as king. He killed Jeroboam’s whole family
  3. Elah. He got drunk and was struck down.
  4. Zimri. He killed Elah and Baasha’s whole family. He set the royal palace on fire and he died as a result of the fire and of his sins.
  5. Omri. He caused Israel to commit sins and brought worthless idols to the nation.
  6. Ahab. He began to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal and made an Asherah pole.

4a) Elijah the prophet proclaims to Ahab that a famine is coming for a few years

b) The Lord sent Elijah to live in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. The river and ravens fed and watered him during this time.

c) God cares for his people. All it takes is simple faith and obedience and God will provide.

5) My whole life really. He always provides everything I need and blesses me everyday with a wonderful life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6

Lots of “doing evil in the eyes of the Lord.” Truly disheartening.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6

You must remember that the books of Kings are more concerned with the ruler’s spiritual health than anything else, which is why the books are written like they are, pointing out who did good in the eyes of the Lord and who did bad.

Baasha conspired to murder Nadab. Little did Baasha know, he was the instrument of God’s judgment against the house of Jeroboam. Baasha faces the same judgment in his death, too.

Assassination to get the throne was common in ancient times, as was the assassination of the entire family so that no claims to the throne could be made.

God exterminated every member of the first two dynasties of Israel.

Fun Fact: Zimri is one of only a handful of suicides mentioned in the Bible. Some of the others are: Samson (Judges 16:28-30), Saul (1 Samuel 31:4) and Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23). This is because God does not approve of suicide and therefore does not want to approve of it in any way.

Omri defeated Tibni in a civil war, presumably killing him. He built what would become the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria. He is regarded by historians as one of the strongest kings of Israel. The location he chose for the capital guarded all routes north and south into the city, a perfect defensive position. He was the 6th king of Israel since the split into two kingdoms.

In 41 years, Israel had 7 different kings.

Ahab was worse than all of the other previous kings. This is because he introduced the worship of new, pagan gods and made people worship them. This is why God was so angry. Both Omri and Ahab did this; whereas, Solomon only worshipped pagan gods himself. Marrying Jezebel only took the country further into idolatry.

Who is Elijah?

God brings Elijah up in order to try to bring light into this dark time of Israel’s history. Elijah means “Yahweh is my God.” The nation was headed deeper into idolatry. Israel needed a prophet to bring them back to God. Elijah came from nowhere to appear on the scene.

Elijah prayed for a drought and God answered his prayer. God has granted Elijah great power in order to bring Israel back to Him.

God protects and preserves Elijah during the drought by taking him some place to be alone so He could provide for him. Here, Elijah would learn total dependence on God as God fed and watered him every day like God did the Israelites in the desert.

So must we trust God to provide for us.

God told him the specific place. So must we listen to where God wants us, too.

Fun Fact: Elijah is the most mentioned Old Testament prophet in the New Testament.

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Who is Elijah?

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

If someone were invited to one of the most important gatherings ever, you would think they were important, correct?

Considering Elijah was invited to see Jesus’ transfiguration, this would be a clue of his importance in Biblical history. So who is Elijah?

Who is Elijah?

Elijah was a prophet when the kingdoms of Israel and Judah had first separated. He had a powerful faith that God rewarded by answering his prayers. Eight miracles are recorded in the Bible that God worked through Elijah in an effort to win his people back to him. From the first miracle of having the rain stop and bringing a drought upon the land to seeing him defeat almost 1,000 prophets, God used Elijah in great ways for his glory.

Yet, Elijah was human. We see Elijah as depressed and afraid, yet God speaks to him in a whisper, gently reassuring him of his path.

He was unassuming, dressing like a bum in black camel hair. He sleeps in the wilderness and prays for food and water.

Before Elijah shows up to confront the 850 prophets of Baal, he has become the most wanted man in Israel. He alone commanded the rain to stop and he has foretold that he alone has the power to make it rain again. Of course, Ahab wants to find him to try to make him make it rain. Now, Elijah shows up, telling and showing the people who the One True God is.

Elijah lived in a time when God was performing miracles left and right in order to try to win back his people. Sadly, nothing worked, and his people will be scattered and imprisoned. Yet, prophets like Elijah who lived only for God give us hope and encouragement in what a life can look like when lived for God.

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