prophets and kings-第20章
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s hands； were multiplied。 The air was polluted with the smoke of the sacrifices offered to false gods。 Hill and vale resounded with the drunken cries of a heathen priesthood who sacrificed to the sun； moon； and stars。
Through the influence of Jezebel and her impious priests； the people were taught that the idol gods that had been set up were deities； ruling by their mystic power the elements of earth； fire； and water。 All the bounties of heaventhe running brooks； the streams of living water； the gentle dew； the showers of rain which refreshed the earth and caused
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the fields to bring forth abundantlywere ascribed to the favor of Baal and Ashtoreth； instead of to the Giver of every good and perfect gift。 The people forgot that the hills and valleys； the streams and fountains； were in the hand of the living God； that He controlled the sun； the clouds of heaven； and all the powers of nature。
Through faithful messengers the Lord sent repeated warnings to the apostate king and the people； but in vain were these words of reproof。 In vain aid the inspired messengers assert Jehovah's right to be the only God in Israel； in vain did they exalt the laws that He had entrusted to them。 Captivated by the gorgeous display and the fascinating rites of idol worship； the people followed the example of the king and his court； and gave themselves up to the intoxicating； degrading pleasures of a sensual worship。 In their blind folly they chose to reject God and His worship。 The light so graciously given them had become darkness。 The fine gold had become dim。
Alas； how had the glory of Israel departed！ Never before had the chosen people of God fallen so low in apostasy。 Of 〃the prophets of Baal〃 there were 〃four hundred and fifty；〃 besides four hundred 〃prophets of the groves。〃 1 Kings 18：19。 Nothing short of the miracle…working power of God could preserve the nation from utter destruction。 Israel had voluntarily separated herself from Jehovah； yet the Lord in compassion still yearned after those who had been led into sin； and He was about to send to them one of the mightiest of His prophets； through whom many were to be led back to allegiance to the God of their fathers。
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Prophets of the Northern Kingdom
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〃Who is wise； and he shall understand these things？ Prudent； and he shall know them？ For the ways of the Lord are right； And the just shall walk in them： But the transgressors shall fall therein。〃 Hosea 14：9。
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Chapter 9
Elijah the Tishbite
Among the mountains of Gilead； east of the Jordan； there dwelt in the days of Ahab a man of faith and prayer whose fearless ministry was destined to check the rapid spread of apostasy in Israel。 Far removed from any city of renown； and occupying no high station in life； Elijah the Tishbite nevertheless entered upon his mission confident in God's purpose to prepare the way before him and to give him abundant success。 The word of faith and power was upon his lips； and his whole life was devoted to the work of reform。 His was the voice of one crying in the wilderness to rebuke sin and press back the tide of evil。 And while he came to the people as a reprover of sin； his message offered the balm of Gilead to the sin…sick souls of all who desired to be healed。
As Elijah saw Israel going deeper and deeper into idolatry； his soul was distressed and his indignation aroused。 God had done great things for His people。 He had delivered
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them from bondage and given them 〃the lands of the heathen； 。 。 。 that they might observe His statutes； and keep His laws。〃 Psalm 105：44； 45。 But the beneficent designs of Jehovah were now well…nigh forgotten。 Unbelief was fast separating the chosen nation from the Source of their strength。 Viewing this apostasy from his mountain retreat； Elijah was overwhelmed with sorrow。 In anguish of soul he besought God to arrest the once…favored people in their wicked course； to visit them with judgments； if need be； that they might be led to see in its true light their departure from Heaven。 He longed to see them brought to repentance before they should go to such lengths in evil…doing as to provoke the Lord to destroy them utterly。
Elijah's prayer was answered。 Oft…repeated appeals； remonstrances； and warnings had failed to bring Israel to repentance。 The time had come when God must speak to them by means of judgments。 Inasmuch as the worshipers of Baal claimed that the treasures of heaven； the dew and the rain； came not from Jehovah； but from the ruling forces of nature； and that it was through the creative energy of the sun that the earth was enriched and made to bring forth abundantly； the curse of God was to rest heavily upon the polluted land。 The apostate tribes of Israel were to be shown the folly of trusting to the power of Baal for temporal blessings。 Until they should turn to God with repentance； and acknowledge Him as the source of all blessing； there should fall upon the land neither dew nor rain。
To Elijah was entrusted the mission of delivering to Ahab Heaven's message of judgment。 He did not seek to
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be the Lord's messenger； the word of the Lord came to him。 And jealous for the honor of God's cause； he did not hesitate to obey the divine summons； though to obey seemed to invite swift destruction at the hand of the wicked king。 The prophet set out at once and traveled night and day until he reached Samaria。 At the palace he solicited no admission； nor waited to be formally announced。 Clad in the coarse garments usually worn by the prophets of that time； he passed the guards； apparently unnoticed； and stood for a moment before the astonished king。
Elijah made no apology for his abrupt appearance。 A Greater than the ruler of Israel had commissioned him to speak； and； lifting his hand toward heaven； he solemnly affirmed by the living God that the judgments of the Most High were about to fall upon Israel。 〃As the Lord God of Israel liveth； before whom I stand；〃 he declared； 〃there shall not be dew nor rain these years； but according to my word。〃
It was only by the exercise of strong faith in the unfailing power of God's word that Elijah delivered his message。 Had he not possessed implicit confidence in the One whom he served； he would never have appeared before Ahab。 On his way to Samaria； Elijah had passed by ever…flowing streams； hills covered with verdure； and stately forests that seemed beyond the reach of drought。 Everything on which the eye rested was clothed with beauty。 The prophet might have wondered how the streams that had never ceased their flow could become dry； or how those hills and valleys could be burned with drought。 But he gave no place to
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unbelief。 He fully believed that God would humble apostate Israel； and that through judgments they would be brought to repentance。 The fiat of Heaven had gone forth； God's word could not fail； and at the peril of his life Elijah fearlessly fulfilled his commission。 Like a thunderbolt from a clear sky； the message of impending judgment fell upon the ears of the wicked king； but before Ahab could recover from his astonishment； or frame a reply； Elijah disappeared as abruptly as he had come； without waiting to witness the effect of his message。 And the Lord went before him；
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making plain the way。 〃Turn thee eastward；〃 the prophet was bidden； 〃and hide thyself by the brook Cherith； that is before Jordan。 And it shall be； that thou shalt drink of the brook； and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee。〃
The king made diligent inquiry； but the prophet was not to be found。 Queen Jezebel； angered over the message that had locked up the treasures of heaven； lost no time in conferring with the priests of Baal； who united wit
