Elijah 6 - Faith Severely Tested

He heard God's command, confronted the priests of a false god, and when his work was done, God provided him with a successor.  The story of Elijah in 7 parts.  Written by Noel Speers. 

Produced by Commission Christian Radio

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:09

Commission presents Elijah by Noel Spears. Episode six. Faith Severely Tested.

SPEAKER_02 0:25

The nation of Israel had begun to take an undue interest in Baal, a deity revered by many of the surrounding nations. In particular, the people had become very obsessed with this false god, which King Ahab had imported with his new Phoenician wife, Jezebel. My story is largely about the Israelite prophet Elijah, who was so concerned about this that he challenged the king face to face, and as a result met with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel to demonstrate which God was true.

SPEAKER_03 1:03

What do you say now, Obadiah, my Lord Chamberlain friend? Well, Elijah, you challenged these prophets of Baal to sacrifice a young bull to their god, but without putting any fire onto the wood. Indeed, that's what I did. And I, those priests, my how they worked to have their god Baal to light the sacrifice, and all to no avail.

SPEAKER_07 1:24

Obadiah, our Lord God may have demonstrated by lighting the sacrifice to him that he is the Lord God. But has the nation suddenly turned around, rejected Baal, and turned back to the God of Israel? Perhaps I'm expecting too much. Careful now, Ahab is just behind you.

SPEAKER_04 1:42

Elijah, you may have had your God light at sacrifice. You may also have stopped the rain for three and a half years, and you may also have killed all the prophets of Baal, but our disagreement is not settled.

SPEAKER_07 1:56

Your Majesty, my advice to you now is very simple. And what might that be? Go now. Enjoy a good meal, but return to the palace quickly. And pray why? Simply, your majesty, I hear a mighty rainstorm coming. Leave him.

SPEAKER_04 2:17

We have other things to do. Like this me.

SPEAKER_07 2:21

Let's go to the top of Mount Carmel to watch for the rain.

SPEAKER_02 2:26

It seemed such a stupid thing to do. The country hadn't seen any rain for three and a half years. There wasn't a cloud in sight. But well, Elijah was so insistent. And as I had expected, there was no sign of rain. No, sir. Not a cloud in the sky. I didn't see a thing.

SPEAKER_07 2:51

Well, go again. There will be rain. But sir, is this not foolish? It may appear like that to you, but I know. Sorry, sir. I will go once more.

SPEAKER_02 3:03

And I did go, and again there was no sign of rain. In all I was disappointed another six times. Not a cloud to be seen. But then, on the seventh time, my report changed. Sir, sir, I I'm I'm so sorry.

SPEAKER_07 3:22

Well, Jasil, what is your report now? Well, sir, it it's just Out with it?

SPEAKER_02 3:28

What news have you got for me? News, yes. There is a small cloud, maybe the size of my hand. It's strange. Just the size of my hand?

SPEAKER_07 3:39

I knew the rain would come. You say it's only the size of a man's hand. You wait, and it will soon cover the whole sky. All will be black with clouds. Really? Oh, that'll be good. The country needs rain after all this drought. I knew the rain would come. Now, Jay Zil, quickly tell King Ahab to hurry, get into his chariot, and get down the mountain and go back to the palace. Otherwise, we will all be stopped by this rain.

SPEAKER_02 4:08

I didn't have to repeat my message to the king, for all could now see the blackening sky, and everyone hurriedly packed up their belongings and made toward Jezreel. I was fortunate in being able to travel with the king's party while Elijah ran on ahead of the chariots to the entrance of the city of Jezreel. It was as though Elijah had been given some special strength, for he outran the king's chariot, arriving at the city before anyone else. There was only one topic of conversation back in the palace.

SPEAKER_00 4:44

Husband, just tell me all that happened. The wife of the king must be well informed about all that goes on.

SPEAKER_04 4:52

No, you don't want to know all the tiny details. It'll only bore you.

SPEAKER_00 4:55

Very well. But I do want to know some of the details. For instance, what has that character Elijah been up to?

SPEAKER_04 5:05

Oh Elijah's made himself very busy. It'll take too long to tell you.

SPEAKER_00 5:09

I don't care how long it takes. Tell me everything.

SPEAKER_02 5:15

Once the Queen learnt of all that had happened, including the slaughtering of the prophets of Baal, she was furious. No one dared to speak with her. Indeed, everyone tried to stay away, out of her company.

SPEAKER_00 5:33

I just wonder where they have all gone. Ah! Ahab, where is everyone? For the last week it's as though everyone has been trying to avoid me. Even you seem to be hiding from me.

SPEAKER_04 5:46

Well, perhaps I have been.

SPEAKER_00 5:48

Hiding from me? Just why?

SPEAKER_04 5:51

For one very simple reason, my dear. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 5:55

And what might that be? Why are you trying to avoid me?

SPEAKER_04 6:00

Well, ever since I returned from Mount Carmel and told you what Elijah had done there about him killing the prophets of Baal and all that. You've been in a foul temper. Unbearable.

SPEAKER_00 6:11

And don't you see why? No, I don't understand. Do you not think that I should have reacted to the news of the slaughter of the prophets of Baal as I have done?

SPEAKER_04 6:21

Well, don't forget that I am the king of Israel, and you, my queen, mustn't um mustn't react so uh emotionally.

SPEAKER_00 6:30

Emotionally? I am angry with that prophet Elijah. Have someone send him the following message. Must you? Yes. I must tell Elijah you killed my prophets. And now I swear by the gods that I am going to kill you by this time tomorrow night.

SPEAKER_04 6:57

You can't send a message like that. You forget that Elijah's a prophet of the Lord God of Israel.

SPEAKER_00 7:03

And you think that will frighten me? I. I still want him dead. And I will have it done. Now.

SPEAKER_04 7:13

Well, there's another problem, my dear.

SPEAKER_00 7:15

Problem? What problem?

SPEAKER_04 7:17

We don't really know where Elijah is at present. Wasn't he at Mount Carmel? Yes, he was there last week. But he can be elusive. Not this time.

SPEAKER_00 7:27

Your men will find him now.

SPEAKER_04 7:30

You're asking the impossible from our army. As I said, Elijah is evasive.

SPEAKER_00 7:35

Elusive. Evasive. I don't care. Find him. Elijah has caused too much trouble to us. Do it now.

SPEAKER_04 7:46

Yes, dear. You want him dead.

SPEAKER_00 7:49

Yes. Elijah thought that his spectacle on Mount Carmel and killing the prophets might remove the worship of Baal and give him freedom to go about our country. Not so. I do want him dead, and I want it done now.

SPEAKER_02 8:06

Elijah took notice of Queen Jezebel's threat and fled for his life, going directly to the city of Beersheba in Judah. But he did not remain there. He went on alone into the wilderness, travelling all day. He travelled on into the wilderness for several more days until he came to an area in which there were just a few bushes. By now, exhausted, the prophet sat down in the shade of a tree.

SPEAKER_07 8:37

Oh, I have had enough. Lord God, I cannot go any further. I know that together we have done wonderful things on Mount Carmel, but now I have lost all strength. Oh my courage. I cannot go on. I've got to die sometime, and it might as well be now. Lord God, take me away.

SPEAKER_02 9:10

Let me die in this place. Elijah lay down where he had been sitting and fell asleep. He must have slept for a number of hours, for when he awoke he was much brighter and more alert.

SPEAKER_07 9:26

That's better. I must have been here all night. I do feel better. And look at this. That jar of water wasn't here earlier. And who could have left this bread? It's fresh. It's been big just now in these hot stones. Thank you, Lord God. How dare I doubt your provision for me, your servant?

SPEAKER_02 9:55

Elijah fell asleep once more and slept for some time. He was awakened to find another meal freshly prepared and waiting for him to eat. Strengthened by this second repast, Elijah travelled for some days until he reached Mount Horeb to the south, where he found a cave in which he rested for that night.

SPEAKER_05 10:16

Elijah! Elijah, awake! What are you doing here, Elijah?

SPEAKER_07 10:23

I have worked very hard for you, the Lord God of the heavens, but the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you and torn down the altars and killed your prophets. Only I am left now, and they are trying to kill me too.

SPEAKER_05 10:38

Elijah, go out of that cave you're covering in, and stand there before me on the mountain. Do it now, Elijah.

SPEAKER_02 10:50

Very cautiously, Elijah walked towards the entrance of the cave and watched as the Lord God of Israel passed by in a mighty windstorm. But to Elijah, it seemed as if the Lord God was not in the wind. After that there was an earthquake and a fire. But again, the Lord God did not seem to be there.

SPEAKER_07 11:23

No, he is not in the wind. The earthquake is not the Lord God. Why are you here, Elijah? Lord God, you know that I have been working very hard for you. Elijah. Yes, Lord God.

SPEAKER_05 11:41

You want me? Go back by the desert road to Damascus. And when you arrive there, I want you to anoint Hazel to be king of Syria. Are you sure, Lord God? Elijah. Then anoint Jehu to be king of Israel. You mean the son of Himshe? And further, I want you to anoint Elisha. Yes. Anoint Elisha. Yes, charge Elisha from Abel Mahola to replace you as my prophet.

SPEAKER_07 12:20

Yes, Lord God, I will do as you command.

SPEAKER_05 12:24

Elijah, there are seven thousand men in Israel who have never bowed to Baal nor kissed him.

SPEAKER_07 12:36

Oh forgive me, Lord God, for ever doubting you. I will go now as you instruct, and truly I now know that I am not alone.

SPEAKER_02 12:47

And there and then Elijah went directly to Abel Mahola, where he found Elisha who was ploughing. Elijah threw his cloak across the younger man's shoulders as a sign of anointing.

SPEAKER_06 13:02

The Lord God has a task for you, Elisha. You must be the prophet Elijah. Please allow me to go and say goodbye to my mother and father. Then, if you permit, we will sacrifice a bull as an offering. After that, I will go with you.

SPEAKER_07 13:19

As you wish, young man. But the Lord God has work for us both.

SPEAKER_02 13:27

Soon after, Ahab, king of Israel, was attracted by a piece of land which included a fine vineyard beside his palace. He spoke with his chamberlain, Obadiah.

SPEAKER_04 13:43

I want that vineyard to be added to the palace gardens.

SPEAKER_03 13:47

But my lord, it belongs to one Naboth and has been in his family for generations. He will not be separated from it.

SPEAKER_04 13:53

I don't care. Offer him money or another piece of land if he wishes, but I want that vineyard. It will make a fine garden.

SPEAKER_03 14:02

It may be a difficult task, I fear, your majesty.

SPEAKER_04 14:06

As I said, I don't care. Get it for me.

SPEAKER_01 14:13

In Elijah by Noel Spears, the part of Elijah was played by Peter Richardson. The programme was produced by Jennifer Hobson and recorded at Commission Studios in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Episode seven is entitled Consequences.