Elijah’s Journey — The Trials and Triumphs
I have always been fascinated by the Prophet Elijah and love studying about his life and ministry.
I want to share a little about his background before I share the word that The LORD is giving me.
We read in 1 Kings 17 where Elijah made his appearance, but the bible doesn’t say anything about his past.
The name Elijah is of the Hebrew origin, and it’s derived from the Hebrew words “Eli” meaning “My God” and “Jah” which is a shortened form of “Yahweh” which is the name of God.
So his name would mean “My God is The LORD.”
One of Elijah’s first confrontations was with the wicked King Ahab, who was married to the notorious Jezebel.
Elijah boldly confronted Ahab, prophesying:
“As The LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” 1 Kings 17:1.
Could you imagine having the authority to bring a drought for three and a half years? (Luke 4:25)
The LORD then told Elijah to go and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows from the river Jordan, where He would provide water from the brook, and command ravens to feed him.
Elijah was a rugged, wilderness dwelling prophet who was bold and fearless. The Bible says that he wore a hairy garment and leather belt, which reflected his wilderness lifestyle, likely crafted from animal hides he hunted and skinned himself.
There is also a parallel between Elijah and John the Baptist who wore a garment made of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist.
In Matthew 11 Jesus said (speaking of John the Baptist)
“And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.” Matthew 11:14.
In Luke 1, the angel Gabriel said to Zechariah (Speaking of John the Baptist)
“And he will go on before The LORD, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for The LORD.” Luke 1:17.
In 1 Kings 19, on Mount Carmel, Elijah boldly challenged the prophets of Baal, calling down fire from heaven in a dramatic display of Gods power.
He knew his authority as a prophet of The LORD, and in the end destroyed all the false prophets. Jezebel’s husband King Ahab told her everything that Elijah did and how Elijah had killed all the prophets of Baal with a sword. Jezebel who was a devoted supporter of Baal worship was furious and sent a messenger to Elijah saying:
“May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 1 kings 19:2.
He believed she would kill him since she already killed numerous prophets of The LORD.
As bold and courageous as Elijah was, he fled in fear from Jezebel’s threats and journeyed into the desert.
He was exhausted and collapsed under a Juniper tree, praying for God to take his life. He fell asleep and God sent an angel to revive him, who fed him a cake baked on hot coals and water to refresh him.
The angel came to him twice and encouraged him to eat, to get strength to carry on. He later joined with Elisha who followed him everywhere to serve him, be mentored by him, and inherit his anointing.
Elijah was such a powerfully anointed prophet of God who ministered in miracles, signs and wonders and also raised the dead.
So how was he intimidated by one wicked woman Jezebel? It’s because her evil influence was fueled by dark spiritual forces — demonic powers and principalities that operated through her.
These same spirits, which drove her, remain active today. They not only work through false prophets, but there are spirits of Jezebel that are trying to destroy prophets and ministers today just as they did thousands of years ago.
Jezebel represents a demonic principality, the spirit of control and manipulation, and also one that is trying to silence the voice of God.
The Holy Spirit is showing me that some of you had ministries where you moved in signs and wonders but you ran from that calling just as Elijah did.
The LORD wants to restore you and restore your healing anointing to usher in the end time revival.
Some of you had prophetic callings just as Elijah but you were hunted down by the enemy. You ran in fear and hid, just like Elijah did when Jezebel threatened his life.
He is calling you back to release the word of The LORD to bring vision, clarity, edification and encouragement to the people. He wants to stir up that prophetic gift once again.
For those of you who are weary, in the wilderness, or in a dry place, The LORD wants to feed you hot bread and water.
The bread represents The Living Word, fresh revelation. Jesus is The Living Bread of Life.
The water represents The Holy Spirit. He wants to feed you to sustain you for the journey ahead.
Many of you are experiencing such vicious attacks from the enemy that you are actually asking Jesus to take your life.
You are telling The LORD that the battles are too intense for you to handle and it would be so much easier to go and be with The LORD.
There is a time when the warfare will increase just before your greatest victory and breakthrough, but as you remain immovable, steadfast and stand your ground, The LORD will show Himself strong on your behalf.
The LORD says not to allow adverse situations to overwhelm you, but use these things as an opportunity to trust Him and strengthen yourself in His word.
The LORD is saying, that as you come out of hiding in fear and return to the promises and prophetic words that He once gave you, He will provide for you and sustain you in difficult times.
He is your protection from those who rise up against you, and your advocate against every word curse that has been spoken over your life.
No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that rises up against you in judgement you shall condemn.
This is your heritage and your vindication from The LORD.
2 Kings 9:33-37 (below) speaks about the violent death of Jezebel which was prophesied by Elijah.
Many of you are frightened by bad reports. Don’t be moved or shaken by what you hear.
In the same way that Jezebel planned on executing Elijah, The LORD says, “I will rescue you and deliver you, and My plans will be accomplished in your lives and ministries,” says The LORD.
“Then he said, “Throw her down.” So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot. And when he had gone in, he ate and drank. Then he said, “Go now, see to this accursed woman, and bury her, for she was a king’s daughter.” So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. Therefore they came back and told him. And he said, “This is the word of The LORD, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field, in the plot at Jezreel, so that they shall not say, “Here lies Jezebel.” ’ ”” 2 Kings 9:33-37.
Elijah Escapes from Jezebel
“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”
Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the angel of The LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of The LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
So he said, “I have been very zealous for The LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.””
God’s Revelation to Elijah
“Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before The LORD.” And behold, The LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before The LORD, but The LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but The LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but The LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
And he said, “I have been very zealous for The LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
Then The LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.””
Elisha Follows Elijah
“So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.”
And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”
So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.”” 1 Kings 19:1-21.
Blessings in Christ Jesus,
~ Elaine
Elaine Tavolacci
Staten Island, NY
awordinseason.info
www.TheVoiceOfBreakthrough.com
Amen.