Elisha - Seeing Double. 2 Kings 1-8

Reading through the stories of Elisha, you'd be forgiven for getting a distinct sense of deja vu. Many things that Elisha does seem remarkably similar to things that Elijah did. Even the names are easily confused (double checks to make sure I've written the right name where I want to). These two men show one of the greatest stretches of God's miracles ever recorded.

Elisha is called immediately after Elijah has his God's-whisper-in-a-cave experience, as per God's instructions. He is to be a prophet in Elijah's place (1 Kings 19.16). Elisha kisses his parents goodbye, and sacrifices the oxen he had been plowing with, burning the yokes in the process. So there goes his job and his livelihood, and there can be no turning back.

He's not mentioned (as far as I can see) in the rest of 1 Kings, and is simply "assisting" Elijah. The transfer of power comes in chapter 2 of 2 Kings. Even knowing that Elijah is going to be taken away by the Lord, he refuses to leave. In fact, three times he says to Elijah "As the Lord lives, and as you live, I will not leave you". His loyalty is rewarded when Elijah tells him "Ask what I shall do for you". Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah's spirit. He has seen what God has done through Elijah, and wants all that plus more. So as Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elisha picks up Elijah's cloak, and with it God's spirit.

There are many example where Elijah has performed a miracle, and Elisha performs a similar miracle twice. Elijah parted the water once; Elisha parted the water twice, once to get through, once to retrieve an axe head. Elijah provided food for the widow at Zarephath in the form of a jar of oil that never ran dry. Elisha provided abundant oil for a widow, and abundant food for the man from Baal-shalishah. Both Elijah and Elisha raised a widow's son from the dead. But even in death, Elisha's bones were able to raise a dead man to life (2 Kings 14.21). Basicly, it's like Elisha's saying to Elijah "Anything you can do, I can do better".

The lives of Elijah and Elisha raise two questions for me. First, are setting our sights too low? Elisha didn't set his vision as 'I want to do what you do', but as 'I want to do more'. Of course, the mathematics of God is not the arithmetic that we're used to, so concepts of 'more' and 'double' are not what we might expect. But God honored and answered Elisha's desire: If you've got the faith, I've got the power.

Second, are we passing the baton well? Elijah set his apprentice up to do even more than he himself. That takes courage and humility. A good teacher can teach all they know, and the student can be as good as the teacher. But the great teacher can teach so that the student far surpasses the teacher. It's like my old school motto: Lumen accipe et imperti. Receive the light and pass it on. And may the light burn ever more brightly than before.

Adventure 28-29, Nehemiah: The God behind it all

The book of Nehemiah continues on the story of the rebuilding of Israel shortly after the events of Ezra. Much of the book is written in the first person by Nehemiah, but it is understood that Ezra was the overall author/editor of the book.

The themes I considered on reading through the book were threefold (easy to think in terms of threes!). Firstly, there is a continually mention of God behind events, motivations, and actions. Secondly, there is a theme of protection - the walls being built, the weapons held and the watch set, the cancellation of debt for the oppressed. Finally, there is a theme of preparedness - being ready with the next step, considering carefully before responding.
As with Ezra, there are also the themes of reliance on the Law for guidance, teaching, instruction. There is opposition, and there is respect to the appropriate authorities.

The theme of God behind events comes out strongly. Nehemiah was very mindful of it, evidencing due humility before the Lord as to his part in these events. Twice the phrase "that God put it into my heart" occurs, and we see that prayer is an important part of his life. God also influences the opposition - in chapter 4 we see that God frustrated their plan.

Walls of protection were an important thing for any city in those days - they made defence much easier, and enabled control of who came in or went out, if necessary. If the city was provided with a water source (which Jerusalem had), and either stockpiles or a source of food, it could protect those within it for a long time. The walls also provide a high point to watch for approaching enemies. Until the walls went up, Nehemiah ended up setting a guard rotation on, in order to be ready for attacks.
Equally, in our lives we need to be watchful for opposition - attacks can come on many levels, subtle or obvious, powerful or weak, intellectual or emotional - and each can impact on our spiritual wellbeing if we are not prepared to watch and withstand or fight. People today extol an 'open mind' - but as with any good thing, it can be taken too far, and often is. It is fine and indeed exemplary to be willing to listen to a well-reasoned idea, and consider it on its merits even if it challenges what you originally thought. What is not wise is to naively accept anything, or to listen/watch any opinion without considering it carefully. Much can enter through conversation, the media, or entertainment that can influence our ideas unless we are considering critically - watching the gates of the city to only allow the good to remain inside.
The other aspect of protection evident in the passage is that of justice for the oppressed. Despite having the 'right' to a large salary/provision in his role as governor, Nehemiah refused to accept it, because he knew it would be oppressive to the people. Equally, he was outraged to see the wealthy in the land exploiting the workers of the land, requiring high interest rates to maintain mortgages they had to take to pay the taxes to the king, and instituted reform that saw the land and produce returned to the people so they could again succeed. Again, Nehemiah leads by example, lending grain and money to the people without requiring interest.

Finally, the theme of preparedness. This theme is strongest in the first part of the book, where Nehemiah is confronting new situations. When he hears the news about the walls in Jerusalem still being in ruins, he turns immediately to God. When he goes in to see the king as a cupbearer, he has not only considered the problem, but also has a solution prepared if asked. When he comes to Jerusalem, before he tells anyone why he is there, he goes out to assess the situation himself. When he responds to the opposition, the answer is always careful and considered - not an angry retort. When the suggestion is made to protect himself in the Temple, again, he carefully considers the situation and realises that response to danger is wrong, and the suggestion is a trap. When he assigns people to build the wall, there are many assigned beside their own houses - people will make sure it is a good job if they benefit directly from doing their best. He prepares the builders in case of attack. Later, after the wall is built, there is the reading of the law, to protect the people from themselves (sinning against God, and falling again into judgement). We, too, need to prepare ourselves for situations by reading God's Word, and carefully consider situations, and anticipate solutions. Always remembering, of course, on Whom we rely for the outcome, and the wisdom to respond rightly.

Adventure 17,18 &19 [2Kings] "What Faith Can Do"

Just the night before I watched a testimonial video of a man who had a major heart attack as he stumbled through the hospital doors. He was immediately sent to the emergency department where they resuscitated him and tried to keep him alive. But their attempts were futile and his life left him. The doctor in charge gave up, and left the patient. Later, the doctor heard a voice saying, “Go back and pray for that man”. Thinking it silly, the doctor disregarded the voice. Again, the voice repeated, “Go back, and pray for that man”. Finally, the doctor gave in, and returned to where the dead man lay. He laid his hands on the man, and prayed these words, “Dear God, If this man does not know you, I pray that you raise him from the dead.” The doctor then called another doctor to resuscitate the man once again. “But the man is already gone!” was the reply. But he did it anyway. To his surprise, the man’s pulse returned, and the man came back to life!

Reading through 2 Kings, one theme that struck me was the theme of Faith. In 2 Kings 4:1-7 we read about the story of a poor widow who had nothing left but a flask of olive oil. A creditor was threatening her and her two sons, and she begged Elisha for help. He told her to borrow empty jars from her friends and neighbors, and fill them with the olive oil. “And she did what she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim!” [2 Kings 4:5-6] If she did not have the faith to do as she was told, asking her neighbors for as many empty containers as possible, she wouldn’t have seen the miracle.

Further on in the chapter we see two other stories of similar faith. One was when a woman from Shunem asked Elisha to save her dead child. The woman had the faith to chase Elisha down; and when her husband asked her what the matter was- without knowing about his son’s death, she said, “It will be all right”, knowing that Elisha’s God would save her son. And sure enough, when Elisha stretched himself out on the boy, the dead child came back to life!

A little later in the chapter we see how Elisha feeds a hundred people with a sack of grain and 20 loaves of barley bread during a famine! “And when they gave it to the people, there was plenty for all and some left over, just as the Lord had promised.” [2 Kings 4:44] (Does this story sound familiar?)

Earlier in 1 Kings 17:8-24, we saw a similar faith filled story of a widow from whom Elijah asks for bread.  She sorrowfully replied that she had only enough to make a last meal for her son and herself before they died of hunger. Elijah replied, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son.” The woman did as she was told, and they all continued to eat for many days, and there was always enough to eat. Later, her son became sick and died. Elijah stretched himself out on the boy and brought her dead child back to life again. (Doesn't this sound parallel to Elisha's stories?)

In 2 Kings chapter 5, Naaman, the King of Aram’s army commander, went to Elisha to ask for healing from his leprosy. Elisha sent a messenger to tell him to wash himself in the Jordan river 7 times. At first Naaman stormed off, saying, “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me!” In his mind, he couldn’t comprehend the seemingly silly act of washing himself in a river no different than any other river. Then, he decided otherwise, and obeyed Elisha. Immediately he was healed!

In chapter 7 we see what happens when someone follows the path of disbelief. Elisha told the king and his officer during the famine that the prices of food was going to drop significantly the next day. And the officer replied, saying, “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of heaven!” Elisha replied, “ You will see it with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!” And sure enough, the officer saw the miracle, but was trampled to death at the gates before he could taste the food.

In chapter 6, the King of Aram sent a great army to capture Elisha. Elisha’s servant began to panic. “Oh sir, what will we do now?” Elisha replied, “Do not be afraid! For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then the Lord opened the young man’s eyes and he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. Indeed, when we are on the Lord’s side, we can have faith in the things unseen, believing in the miracles that He has promised.

                  There are many debates upon the relevance of miracles today, and I myself have been pretty cynical, and still am sometimes. But I will end with this story that my papa told me last night when I asked him for his opinion on miracles today. My father is a doctor, specializing in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. About more than 20 years ago, he had a patient who was bleeding profusely after her delivery. Even after giving her blood transfusions, it wasn’t enough to replace the amount of blood lost! Her pulse weakened and blood pressure dropped, and she became very pale. Moments later, she stopped breathing. She was clinically, dead. Calling his doctor friend into the clinic, my father prayed for her, acknowledging Jesus as the greatest physician. After about a minute of prayer, he looked up to see her face back to its color, and her pulse back to normal again! It was indeed a miracle. When slightly recovered, she looked at the doctors and whispered, “I heard you pray to Jesus for me”.

                  Though sometimes people abuse the gift of healing, or misunderstand the concept of faith in healing, I believe that as the Bible says, “without faith it is impossible to please God” [Hebrews 11:6]. With faith as small as a mustard seed in who Jesus is – the greatest physician, the teacher, the multiplier – we will see great things happen. Faith shouldn’t be purely in what we think should happen, but rather based in our belief of who God is, what He has promised us, and what He can do. Faith is perspective changing, and it is life changing. It is a gift God gave us to see beyond the ordinary, and peek into the extraordinary. This, is what Faith can do. 

Text 1: Genesis 1-9

The passage is familiar to many people - particularly Genesis 1 & 3. The themes are grand, and the issues raised are controversial, going to the heart of the question of whether the Christian faith is true and believable, and whether or not it has real significance for how we are to relate to each other, to the world, and to God.

What struck me as I read these chapters?

Genesis 1: Two things - the distinctions made, and God's generosity reflected in the abundance and proper functioning of creation; "I give you ...", "be fruitful", etc. There are three big distinctions made that stood out: firstly between God and the world, secondly between humans and animals, and thirdly between animals and the rest of the (inanimate) world including plants. God and the world are completely 'other', in the first instance - God acts, and the world does as it is told. Animals are part of the world (e.g. produced, in some sense, by the land - vs 24), but are given a task - to fill the earth (vs 20), and rights - at least the right to eat plants! (vs 30). Humans are given the same right as animals to eat plants, and as birds and fish to fill the earth, but are also dramatically distinct from the rest of creation - they are given authority to rule over other creatures, and are specially made to represent God (vs 26). The whole chapter seems to be very much about ordering the world, and setting up distinctions. This leaves open, of course, the many questions about chronology and methodology which our scientific age will raise; I don't see them being the main function of this text, or even really addressed by it.

Genesis 2: The focus now zooms in towards humankind and their relationship with their creator and with each other, having been made male and female.

Genesis 3: God's had generously provided many options for life, including a range of food sources, with one proviso - don't eat from one tree, associated with moral knowledge (in some way). But it turns out that that particular tree had very desirable fruit (vs 6); it seems it was nutritious, looked good, and made whoever ate it smarter/wiser - the ultimate health food, perhaps. The serpent's role here was not hard. But the consequences of eating from that tree, in disobedience to God, were death in the long term, separation from God now, and broken/trouble-ridden human relationships now too.

Genesis 4: Cain, the horticulturalist, didn't give God what God wanted. Not sure what to make of this, but perhaps it goes back to the earlier animate/inanimate distinction from Genesis 1. Maybe we can say, borrowing from Leviticus, that only the death of something that had the breath of life in it is deemed to be of religious importance.

Genesis 5: Work is hard (vs 29), as should be expected from earlier chapters.

Genesis 6: Humans were completely corrupt, and for once in the Bible, got the fitting punishment - complete destruction. It's not a happy story. The exception was Noah, who was - it seems uniquely - in relationship with God. He sounds like a great guy until we get to chapter 9. It's helpful to read a chapter like this in light of what the New Testament teaches - that the appropriate response by God to human error is indeed, uncomfortable as it is, to end human error by ending human life, but an alternative has been provided in Jesus.

Chapter 7: This was a big flood.

Chapter 8: after chaos, God re-establishes order, and adds a dimension of promise (building on earlier promises) to His relationship with humans.

Chapter 9: Just in case you were tempted to leave this story saying "wow, how awesome was Noah?!"
God's promises/gifts were unconditional here -it's worth reflecting on.

So, those were the first nine chapters of what God has spoken to human beings - I've just scratched the surface, but there's plenty to think about. 

Adventure 27, Ezra: Politics as usual?

Having left behind the kings, we return to the people of Israel (not referring to the northern kingdom now, but the returned captives and people left in the land) after the 70 years of captivity are over. Ezra is considered the author of this book which bears his name, even though he is not mentioned by name in the book. he is probably also the author of Nehemiah, which may have originally been one book with this one, and possible of the Chronicles. He was a priest, and thus a fitting person to lead the people in the rebuilding of the temple, but he did take on a few other roles also - in some ways he is a governor, a (peaceful) soldier, being God's prophet, politician, and scribe.

There are three main themes in this book that I dwelt upon. The first is the centrality of God, and with this the purifying of the people. The second is diligence, and reliance upon God. The third is politics, and respect to authority.

A lot of the book is about the temple, and the centrality of God comes out clearly just in that. I remember Haggai's words from earlier:

"Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" (Hag 1:4)

A bit like our personal lives - sometimes we focus too much on getting our 'own lives' sorted without making time/place for God - Who should be part of everything in our life, of course, but it is sometimes all too easy to work on that bit of ruined building last when it should be our first priority. Notice that the first thing they did was to set up the altar (sacrifices for sin, and sacrifices for worship).

With the place of worship returned, its other purpose (thinking of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the first Temple) as a place of repentance is also put to use. Part of the problem that caused the captivity was the intermarriage and general wanting to be like the other nations. The people were still doing that - but here was a time for purification. They had returned to the land, rebuilt the Temple, and now they needed to sort out their personal lives as well, and put away their foreign wives who served foreign gods.

It took diligence to continue building the Temple. The others around them that did not want this were apparently powerful. The same people (or similar) later objected also to the rebuilding of the walls under Nehemiah, and the threat was great enough to arm the builders. But God is strong and protected them. They had celebrated the feast of booths (a remembrance of the exodus from Egypt and wandering in the wilderness, and God's faithfulness in those times), and relied on Him again here at the end of another exodus.

Notice how the adversaries worked - they pretended to be on God's side first, but Ezra sees through their pretentions and answers them respectfully but firmly in the negative.

When that didn't work they tried to make life as hard as possible for the workers on the temple. Things get political, with the bribing of counselors, and writing a letter to the king with false accusations. It works initially, but Ezra doesn't give up, resign himself to 'that's just the way the world is' or burst out angrily at anyone. Instead, he works within the system, replying to the king's edict with a respectful letter asking for the facts to be checked, and declares the true intentions of the Israelites. It seems very similar in many ways to the political situation in NZ (or other western nations). We don't have kings, but we do have people in government that can be written to respectfully seeking to promote the truth, and uphold the things of God. Here Ezra's efforts are rewarded, and there is a renewed commitment of supplies and provisions for the build of the temple. The answer is not always going to be yes when we get involved with these things, but can like Ezra show initiative, respectfully speak up where appropriate, and rely on God for the outcome.

Finally, I want to just mention another significant incident in this book - Ezra's trust in God for safety on the journey. There is a hint of natural human fear here, and he is right to be concerned for the safety of the people in his group. But though he fears, he trusts in God more, and knows His ability to provide safe passage. He also is concerned for the testimony of the Lord to others. Having assured the king that God is powerful to protect His own, he lives this out, but does not take it for granted. He and the people fast and pray, recognising their own dependence on God for safety.

Adventure 23-26, II Chronicles: Where do our loyalties lie?

Continuing the theme of order from the previous book, there is a lot of detail given about the building and dedication of the temple, Solomon's wealth, and later the sacrifices of kings who turned back to God.

Leaving that theme behind, in this book I considered the emphasis on loyalty - particularly to the Lord, and the kings' trust in Him. Solomon's pray in chapter 6 seems to be a forewarning of what is coming. He acknowledged the reality that he and future kings would sin against the Lord - for there is no one who does not sin - and the Temple is to be a place to bring the people back to God in repentance. But they did not often do so.

For almost all the kings we have a short statement that sums up their life, and showed where their loyalty lay. They either did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, or did evil.

There are more grey 'report cards', though. Amaziah did what was right, but not with a whole heart - not fully loyal to God. This becomes clear after his conquest of Edom. He sought God's help to conquer the nation, which was granted. He then took Edom's idols, and set up places of worship for them. Some gratitude!

The other example is Jehoshaphat, who was courageous in the sight of the Lord. He seems to be similar to others who did right in the Lord's eyes, but his marriage alliance and willingness to be hang around and go to war alongside the evil house of Ahab trains his record. He leaves a good personal testimony in terms of his insistence on consulting the Lord's prophet before war, but doesn't follow the advice well. He also sets a strong example of faith as he goes into battle with only musical instruments and praise to God. However, his divided loyalty between God and the house of Ahab seems to lead the next generation to turn away from God. This breaks a line of kings that did 'what was right in God's sight'. Jehoram and Ahaziah both turn away from God, and are even closer to the house of Ahab. Jehoram also marries the house of Ahab, and his wife Athaliah rules as queen for a short time when Ahaziah is killed, continuing the evil reign.
This reason for this change in the line of kings from good to evil does not lie solely with Jehoshaphat, but his alliance with the house of Ahab does seems to be a major contributor. It reminds me of the importance of seeking Godly companions, and not making strong alliances with people whose loyalty does not lie with God, for they will try to drag my loyalty to Him away.

Jehoiada turns the next king's loyalty back to the Lord, and his faith in protecting Joash as a child and setting him up as king is remarkable testimony to his loyalty to God. Joash reigns well while Jehoiada lives, but turned back to idolatry when Jehoiada died, ignoring the warning of Jehoiada's son Zechariah.

Hezekiah also shows strong loyalty to God in the face of very difficult circumstance. In today's terms, Sennacharib's invasion could be thought similar to the US or China invading NZ, or any other small country. Unlike other kings before him, Hezekiah turns not to other kings about him for help, but turns to the Lord, and the Lord rewards his loyalty and smites the Assyrian army Himself. In the end of his days his heart turned to pride and self-interest, but he did humble himself before God when confronted.

Manasseh his son began with his loyalty fixed on idolatry and false gods, but humbled himself and turned his loyalty to God. His son also turned to idols, but his loyalty did not change, refusing to humble himself.

Finally, we get to Josiah! How good it is to see the testimony of a man who turned the people back to following God, and where the people did not turn away from God all the days of his life! He was a loyal king indeed, loyal first to God, and to his people in leading them to God - reminding them of the law, and turning all again to the feasts held in remembrance of all that God had done for them. Challenging to think about how loyal I am to the people around me in reminding them of all God has done!

The final kings are not loyal either to God or to their word when conquered by Babylon. Yet God is shown loyal to His word by Isaiah - Cyrus proclaimed the return of the captives to Judah.

So where do our loyalties lie? With God, or with idols (whatever form they take today)? If to God, is our heart constant, or do we hold something back - or compromise our witness by allying with evil. And do we seek to remind others of God and draw their loyalty to Him (through His power of course, not our own)?

Frances R Havergal:

1. Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
   Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
   Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
   Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
   By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
   We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
2. Not for weight of glory, nor for crown and palm,
   Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm;
   But for love that claimeth lives for whom He died:
   He whom Jesus saveth marches on His side.
   By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
   We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
3. Jesus, Thou hast bought us, not with gold or gem,
   But with Thine own lifeblood, for Thy diadem;
   With Thy blessing filling each who comes to Thee,
   Thou hast made us willing, Thou hast made us free.
   By Thy grand redemption, by Thy grace divine,
   We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
4. Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
   But the King’s own army none can overthrow;
   ’Round His standard ranging, vict’ry is secure,
   For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
   Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
   We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
5. Chosen to be soldiers, in an alien land,
   Chosen, called, and faithful, for our Captain’s band;
   In the service royal, let us not grow cold,
   Let us be right loyal, noble, true and bold.
   Master, wilt Thou keep us, by Thy grace divine,
   Always on the Lord’s side—Savior, always Thine!

Elijah - Jealous for the Lord. 1 Kings 2-22

Most of 1 Kings is taken up with the story of Elijah, one of the greatest prophets in the Bible. He came at a time when the kingdom was divided between Israel and Judah, and Ahab was king of Israel. Ahab did more to provoke God's anger than any previous king, and so God sent a man to speak his word. Cue dramatic music! We need a hero! Enter Elijah.

The message from Elijah was both general and specific. In general, he reminded the people that Yahweh was the one true God, and there is no other. Specifically, he dictated the stopping of the rain, and summoned its return three years later. This was a fulfilment of Solomon's speech years earlier. "When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you (speaking to God)... hear from heaven... grant rain upon your land" (1 Kings 8:35-35). Out of nowhere, Elijah told Ahab that there would be no more rain.

Elijah spent much of the time of the drought in the wilderness, in hiding from the king. His time was marked by dependence on God to provide, through ravens feeding him to relying on miraculously re-filling jars of flour and water.

It was three long dry years before the Showdown at Mount Carmel. Though the conflict is ostensibly between Elijah and King Ahab, or Elijah and the prophets of Baal, he actually directs his words mainly towards the people. His message is that either Yahweh is the one true God and worthy of worship, or that Baal is, and you can't have it both ways. Stop sitting on the fence, and decide. To help you make up your mind, we'll have a challenge, Survivor-style. Because in this game, fire represents your (god's) life; when you fire is gone (or doesn't arrive) so are you. 451 prophets, 1 Survivor!

Elijah also does some trash-talking to the prophets of Baal: Maybe your god's asleep? Or on the toilet! This confidence/arrogance is different to that shown by others. For example, you wouldn't see David doing it, who was much more humble and complimentary to others. But this shows how God works through people with different personalities.

The Baal-ievers cry and dance and cut themselves and still nothing happens. Elijah on the other hand proceeds to build an altar, prepare the wood, and then pour water onto it. Wait, what? There's a drought on, so water is scarce, and also hugely counterproductive to the aim. There's an interesting parallel (using the last of the water) with the widow at Zarepheth giving the last of the flour and oil that she had, as well as with the widow in the temple that Jesus observed giving her last coins. But the message is to give God what you have, rather than focusing on what you don't have. God answered Elijah's prayers for fire and then for rain, and the people were convinced. "The Lord, he is God".

Elijah describes himself as 'jealous for the Lord, the God of Hosts'. What fuels him is this jealousy, this desire for God. He sees the world as having deserted God for other gods, and hungers for God to move again. What must it have been like during those three years of drought, waiting for God to act?
Elijah was in situations where he needed God to come through for him, or else he was dead. And God came through.
Yet even after such a resounding success, Elijah fears for his life and flees. All he wants is God. Not necessarily the power of God, nor the action of God, but the person of God himself. There's a line from a worship song Audience of One, which sums it up: "Seeking your face, not only your hand". We are to seek and worship God for who he is, not just what he can do or what he can do for us. Elijah was jealous for God, and was met in the still small voice.

Elijah was the archetype of the prophet, representing the Prophets at the transfiguration (alongside Moses as the Law). His many miracles prompted many people to believe that Jesus was Elijah, returned from the dead. Yet his hunger was not for the show of God's power itself, but for God himself.