A Faithful Prophet
“After the earthquake a fire; but the Jehovah was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12, scriptures from RVIC unless otherwise noted).
— Leonard Griehs
The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award was established in 1989 to not only honor the former president but also to recognize public officials whose actions demonstrated the qualities of courageous leadership by taking unpopular stands for the greater good.
The Bible also highlights courageous leadership through the examples of many Old Testament heroes, as Paul describes in Hebrews 11:2: “remember great people who lived in the past” (New Century Version). Although not named directly, Elijah would definitely qualify as one of the prophets referred to in verse 32. He took an unpopular stand as he rebuked Israel for its idolatry and lack of faith in Jehovah.
The name “Elijah” comes from the Hebrew (Eliyahu), meaning “My God is Yehovah” or “Yehovah is my God.” This name is highly meaningful because it openly declares loyalty to the God of Israel — Jehovah. During Elijah’s time, Israel practiced wide-spread idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal, which was largely encouraged by King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31‑33; 21:25‑26). The people were turning away from Yahweh, the God of their ancestors, and embracing foreign gods. Against this background, Elijah challenged them to return to Yahweh. His ministry was a declaration of steadfast loyalty and a call to return to the true God. His example provides a living testimony to courage practiced in a completely hostile environment of spiritual apostasy and indifference. It is not unlike our day, where the Laodicean Christian church has become lukewarm (Revelation 3:15‑16).
Elijah’s Confrontations with Apostasy
Elijah, a prophet from Tishbe in Gilead, emerges during the reign of King Ahab, between 874‑853 BC.1 As noted earlier, this was a period of significant moral and spiritual decline in the northern kingdom of Israel. King Ahab, influenced by his wife Jezebel, steered the nation away from the worship of Yahweh toward the worship of Baal, a Canaanite deity. It is in this idolatrous environment and royal oppression that Elijah’s courage stands out most.
Importantly, Elijah’s courage did not stem from personal pride or a desire for conflict. Instead, it arose from a deep sense of obedience to God. Elijah understood the dangers of condemning the king; yet he confronted even royalty and the nation’s prevailing beliefs, initially thinking he alone remained true to Jehovah. This willingness to speak truth to power, even at great personal risk, embodies the essence of spiritual courage (2 Peter 1:21).
Elijah was willing to face the worldly consequences of his actions. After confronting Ahab, Elijah became a fugitive, relying on
(1) Chronology of the Hebrew Kings, Edwin R. Thiele, Zondervan Corporation, 1977.
God’s care in the wilderness. It is important to recognize that true spiritual courage often entails overcoming fear and uncertainty with God’s assurances. “Have I not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage. Be not affrighted neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).
Elijah’s first encounter with Ahab is notable for its boldness. The prophet suddenly appears before the king. “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the sojourners of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As Jehovah, the God of Israel, liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (1 Kings 17:1). By making this proclamation, Elijah directly challenges the king’s authority and attacks the legitimacy of Baal, who was believed to control rain and fertility. This act was not only a political risk — since Ahab could punish or execute dissenters — but also a spiritual challenge, as Elijah demonstrates his trust in God’s promise in opposition to the prevailing religious practices of his time. This initial confrontation with King Ahab exemplifies both moral and spiritual bravery. Elijah’s actions remind us that standing up for what is right in God’s eyes often means facing ostracism and the abandonment of family and friends. Such courage, rooted in conviction and faith, can be an inspiration to others when we must stand up to evil or error. “Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.” (Matthew 5:11, 12).
Overcoming Timidity
“Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, am left a prophet of Jehovah; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred fifty men” (1 Kings 18:22).
In the third year of Elijah’s sojourn at Zarephath — the fourth year without rain — actually three and a half years after Elijah’s pronouncement to King Ahab (Luke 4:25, James 5:17) — the LORD sent his Prophet back into the land of Israel to Ahab. A less courageous man may have hesitated, for he undoubtedly knew that the king had instituted a search for him in every direction, probably with the intention of having him break the spell upon the weather and bring rain — or to put him to death in the event he did not do so, or both.
On his way to Israel, Elijah met Obadiah, a faithful servant of God who served in King Ahab’s court. Obadiah had secretly protected and cared for a hundred prophets, hiding them in caves and providing them with food and water (1 Kings 18:3‑4, 13). This encounter was a clear sign to Elijah that he was not truly alone — there were others faithfully serving God, even in dangerous circumstances.
Elijah executed whatever commands he received from Jehovah, and in this instance he would be encouraged by the thought that his mission to Ahab would be most acceptable, since the Lord had assured him that the time had come to send rain.
At Mount Carmel, Elijah gathered all Israel and the prophets of Baal. Although Elijah was the only prophet of Jehovah present (1 Kings 18:22), the public contest demonstrated that God was ready to be active in Israel. After God answered Elijah’s prayer with fire from heaven, the people fell on their faces and exclaimed, “The Lord — He is God! The Lord — He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39). This renewed public acknowledgment of Yahweh confirmed to Elijah that the heart of the people could still be turned back to God.
Note this prophetic application in Reprint 3401: “Elijah stands for or represents the little flock with whom the Lord is especially pleased and who will with the Redeemer constitute the Kingdom class by and by. We rejoice also with the believers, the partially consecrated ones, represented by Obadiah, yet we could sincerely wish for them the blessing of greater zeal in the Lord’s service — less care for the friendship of those who are God’s enemies and greater bold-ness in the advocacy of the Lord’s cause and in proclaiming themselves in every proper manner his servants.”
“How Long Halt Ye Between Two Opinions?”
The Israelites “halted between two opinions” in 1 Kings 18:21 because they were weak in faith. Despite all Jehovah had done to protect them, they still worshiped Baal. Their lack of acting in faith teaches us important lessons today in a culture of secular religion.
- External Pressure
King Ahab and Queen Jezebel forcefully promoted Baal worship, making it the dominant religion in Israel’s leadership and culture. Many Israelites undoubtedly were weak and felt pressured to conform, even if they still believed in Jehovah. Today, we see popular figures proclaiming their faith and thanking Him for their “God‑given” talent or success. It’s more likely a celebration of themselves. Do they also thank God when they lose or are down and out?
- Desire for Security and Prosperity
Baal was considered the god of rain and fertility — key in an agricultural society. The drought in Israel may have led people to “hedge their bets,” hoping that worshiping both Jehovah and Baal would bring rain and prosperity. Today, the “prosperity gospel” encourages many to justify their pursuit of personal wealth and status while still claiming to be devout followers. In reality, these two desires are diametrically opposed.
- Spiritual Compromise
Rather than fully devoting themselves, people sought to combine elements of both religions, resulting in a diluted faith. Syncretism is the integration of multiple beliefs into a coherent framework that affords a sense of religious comfort and helps mitigate persecution or negative feelings. But it is completely improper when dealing with the one true God — Jehovah.
- Lack of Leadership and Clarity
With prophets persecuted and Baal worship encouraged, the Israelites lacked a king like David to lead them in true worship. Many today reject Christianity while still seeking spiritual fulfillment. They see the hypocrisy of leaders involved in schemes or moral failings and have lost faith. Our testimony of God’s plans and purposes has helped many to understand the Bible as God’s word and guided them toward biblical truth and dedication, resulting in a meaningful faith. Elijah confronted the people’s indecision directly. He pointed out their double‑mindedness and called them to make a clear, wholehearted choice. God calls us to do the same.
After his victory over the prophets of Baal, Queen Jezebel threatened to kill Elijah within 24 hours (1 Kings 19:2). Despite witnessing the miracle at Mt. Carmel, Elijah faced a serious and immediate threat — a powerful, relentless enemy who had already murdered many prophets. Confronting hundreds of Baal’s prophets, praying for rain, and running ahead of Ahab’s chariot to Jezreel (about 17 miles) probably left Elijah physically and emotionally exhausted. Exhaustion can push anyone to a point of feeling overwhelmed by adversity.
Elijah may have believed that the miracles at Carmel would spark a national revival, bringing Israel and its leaders back to God. But when Jezebel remained defiant, and the people did not immediately change, Elijah questioned his success — his hopes for lasting change seemed broken.
At this point, Elijah believed he was the only remaining faithful prophet (1 Kings 19: 10). Loneliness can often exacerbate feelings of discouragement and despair. Even the most faithful servants face moments of fear and weakness. Elijah’s story highlights his humanity — he was susceptible to discouragement just like anyone else, especially after intense stress and disappointment. His fear and discouragement stemmed from legitimate threats, emotional exhaustion, disappointment, isolation, and his own human limitations. His experience shows how quickly spiritual highs can turn into deep valleys, and how God’s servants still need encouragement, rest, and reassurance. Jehovah corrected him with compassion and restoration rather than harshness or condemnation. He started by asking Elijah, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9, 13). This question was not meant to condemn but to encourage Elijah to reflect on his actions, motives, and mental state.
Elijah poured out his heart, sharing his feelings of failure, isolation, and fear. God allowed Elijah to express his pain and frustration twice. Then He instructed Elijah to stand on the mountain because He was about to pass by. What followed was a mighty wind, then an earthquake, and finally a fire.2 However, God was not in any of these dramatic displays. Instead, His presence was revealed in a “gentle whisper” (or “still small voice”), which served as a reminder that God’s presence ultimately brings peace and blessing. In our lives, turmoil can cause us to doubt God’s presence. Nevertheless, we will ultimately see that God does not always work through dramatic miracles but often through quiet, persistent, and often un-seen ways.
The results of this experience brought Elijah a renewed perspective. God gave him a new mission: to anoint Hazael as king of Syria, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as his own successor (1 Kings 19:15‑16). He reassured Elijah that he was not alone — there were 7000 in Israel who had not worshiped Baal (1 Kings 19:18). This corrected Elijah’s sense of isolation and demonstrated that a faithful remnant still remained. God’s gentle rebuke in the cave was compassionate and constructive. He listened to Elijah, taught him a lesson about His ways, renewed his purpose, and reassured him that he was not alone. Elijah left the cave with new assignments and a renewed sense of hope and mission.
Final Lessons
Even Elijah, who felt alone and discouraged, was reminded by God that thousands of Israelites remained faithful (1 Kings 19:18). God called Elijah back into action, not into isolation. Likewise, we should be a source of support and encouragement to others. Let us consider how this helps:
- Shared Support. Fellow believers can pray for us, listen to our struggles, and offer wisdom or comfort. Knowing we are not alone in our experiences eases the burden of discouragement.
- Accountability and Perspective. Others can remind us of God’s faithfulness and help us look past our immediate struggles. They may provide fresh perspectives and prevent us from feeling isolated or trapped in negative thoughts.
- Mutual Encouragement. Hebrews 10: 24‑25 encourages believers not to neglect meeting together but to motivate one another, especially during difficult times. Sharing testimonies, worship, and God’s Word lifts spirits and reinforces faith.
- Practical Help. Christian fellowship often provides tangible support‑helping with needs, sharing resources, or simply companionship during difficult times.
While we normally consider Elijah for his prophetic and typical role, let us not overlook that he was also an outstanding example of spiritual courage and steadfastness in the midst of adversity.
(2) Elijah was reminded by God that thousands of Israelites remained faithful.