1 Kings 21:17-19
“Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you killed and also taken possession?”’ And you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.”’
Several years had elapsed since the word of the Lord had come to Elijah. We don’t know what Elijah was doing during that time, but we do know it was his responsibility to be available when the Lord called upon him. The Lord did call, and Elijah was ready. As before, his task was to confront king Ahab and pronounce God’s judgment.
The faith and courage that Elijah now displays stands in stark contrast to the fear and despondency that drove him to hide in a cave in the wilderness of Sinai. Once again the great prophet is walking in the power of the Holy Spirit and responding to the call of God.
The prophetic ministry requires inner strength. It is not for the timid or faint of heart. Therefore, the Lord calls His faithful prophets to be people of inner strength, toughness, and courage.
Note what God said to the prophet Ezekiel: “All the house of Israel have a hard forehead and a stubborn heart. Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces, and your forehead as hard as their foreheads. Like emery harder than flint have I made your forehead. Fear them not, nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.” (Ezekiel 3.7-9)
And here is what Micah said about the Lord empowering his prophetic ministry: “But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.” (Micah 3.8)
The same can be said for us in our time. As I wrote earlier in our study of Elijah, while Christians do not hold the office of prophet, we do play a prophetic role. We are ambassadors for Christ. The Lord works through us to speak to the world in our time and place in history.
More tomorrow …
