| While used primarily as a means to keep warm, it also served, for some people, as a symbol of authority."Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite ...And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.""And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of The Lord, and The Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel."And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou."Elijah's mantle is perhaps the most famous of the Bible."And it was so, when Elijah heard it that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave."And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.""And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces."And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him."Second Kings 2 contains one of the most spectacular passages in all of the Old Testament.This
chapter tells the miraculous story of the aging prophet Elijah and his servant Elisha.When we pick up the
tale, God has informed Elijah that his ministry on earth is over.Now he is to cross the Jordan River and go
to a certain place, where a heavenly chariot will pick him up and translate him to glory.After visiting both towns, they arrived at the bank of the Jordan River.When they reached the other side, Elijah turned to his servant and said: "Ask what I shall do for thee,
before I be taken away from thee" (verse 9).Without hesitation, the younger man answered, "I pray thee, let
a double portion of thy spirit be upon me" (same verse).He was saying, "If you see me as the Lord is
taking me away, your desire will be fulfilled.As they walked along, suddenly a chariot appeared out of heaven and separated the men.He cried out, "My father, my father, the
chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.When Elisha saw it, he ripped off his own
clothes, tore them into pieces and placed Elijah's mantle on his back.Immediately the waters
parted, and Elisha walked over on dry ground.Thus began the young prophet's own remarkable ministry.God has given us an unmistakable lesson here, with a clear, simple meaning: God wants to do greater
things with each succeeding generation.And each new generation must seek the Lord for its own experience of
the Holy Spirit and its own enduement of power from him.It is wonderful to read about God opening the Red Sea for Moses and parting the Jordan for Joshua.Yet that is exactly what our Lord desires for
us.In this Old Testament scene, Elijah is a type of Christ ascending to the father.And Jesus promises us,
"You're going to do greater works than even I have done, because I go to my father" (see John 14:12).He's
saying, in essence, "You're going to need more of my anointing, power and authority than any past generation
has had.Why did the older prophet want his servant to accompany him to Bethel and Jericho?Surely it wasn't just
a sentimental journey for Elijah, one last trip down memory lane.The two men first came to Bethel, whose name means "house of God."Indeed, Bethel had a great spiritual
heritage.Jacob himself had offered his sacrifice there.Yet, over the years, something had happened to the
city.Jeroboam had set up a golden calf there, and soon the people were given over to idolatry.Things were so bad, these people probably mocked Elijah and Elisha as the two arrived.Just a day or so later, when Elisha came back to Bethel, the young men of the town ran out to mock him.Now, as they walked through the streets, Elijah probably noticed his servant's horror and indignation at
the totally backslidden society.Elijah himself had faced mockers and scoffers in his own day, on Mount
Carmel.But he knew it would take even greater supernatural strength to face this new generation.These young
people were far more hardened and godless than the idolatrous priests he had battled.Elijah decided to test his servant.He most likely suggested,
"Elisha, why don't you settle here and pastor these people?You could help restore Bethel's great heritage."Yet I believe the young
man quickly recalled the story of another prophet.God had sent a certain unnamed spokesman to Bethel to
prophesy against Jeroboam's idolatry.Yet this same holy prophet was
later seduced and compromised by a lack of spiritual power.As Elisha surveyed the situation in Bethel, he knew he wasn't ready to stand up against the wicked
spirits there.Then, scripture says,
"...America's children are murdering one another.We Know This Trip Is
Not for Elisha's Sake Alone,
But to Instruct Every
Succeeding Generation.Elijah and Elisha proceeded to Jericho, which means "a place called pleasant."Everything had withered because a
stream of poison had infiltrated Jericho's water supply.Jesus describes in Revelation this way: "...Now, these strong young men of God were students of the scriptures.But something was clearly missing in them: the power, anointing and authority of the Holy Spirit.They were totally ignorant of the ways and
workings of the Holy Spirit.God's power for themselves.And he must have wondered if his servant
discerned where this fleshly ministry was headed.It appears he suggested, "Elisha, you're looking at the next generation of ministry.You're just the man to awaken this dead, dry, intellectual church."What doctrines
did he preach?"We study past movements and revivals, looking for keys,
trying to discover methods to bring down fire from heaven.Yet this all stems from a desire to see God recreate something he
did in the past.He couldn't
rely on Elijah's great works.And I have to have a greater touch from him than anything seen
before."He wanted to challenge Elisha, as if to say: "When you
start your own ministry, and you preach that God is a God of miracles, you have to testify of what he has
done for you personally.And tomorrow, when you return to this river, I
want you to go back across the way you came.Most of us don't have faith to believe God for our own miracles today.He offered it to Elisha as a godly teacher in the faith.It was one last test, and he wanted to see how his
young charge would respond.Christians today would have answered, "Society is warped, and things are getting more
chaotic all the time.It is now dangerous just to
be alive.Elijah, take me with you.Surely there's room for two in that chariot."Go, tarry
until I come again."He knew that God still wept over the rebellious
children of Bethel and the barren church in Jericho.And he knew what was needed: He had to remain and take
on the responsibility of facing an evil society and a dead religious system.I'm sure he told Elijah, "You've shown me the condition of this society and this church.When Elijah heard this, he answered, "Thou hast asked a hard thing..."Yet, who exactly would
this task be hard for?Would it be hard for God?Would it be hard for Elijah, a man who had raised the dead
and called down fire from heaven?They were inserted later into the text of the King James.You don't need me, Elisha.He will answer your cry."And as he stood at the Jordan and struck the water, the words he cried
out were, "Where is the God of Elijah?"The young prophet was saying, "Lord, all of my spiritual forefathers
are dead and gone.And his first stop was
Jericho.The college of fifty prophets immediately recognized God's touch on him, saying, "The same spirit
that was on Elijah is now on Elisha."It was obvious to all that this hidden servant was moving in a deeper
power and authority of the Spirit.The young prophets told Elisha, "...Yet, apparently, these fifty men of God were powerless to stop the poison from
bringing death to Jericho.Also, water here represents
the word of God.The poisoned waters of Jericho signify the polluted word being preached from the
town's pulpits.These men of God had never dealt with their own sins, so their sermons were full of poison
from corrupted hearts.I'll show you a church that's dying because of the poison spewing out of his heart.What was the cure for the poison in Jericho?It was to purify the water supply.Of course, the salt Elisha used represents the gospel of purity and holiness.And the clean vessel he
used represents ministers who have been cleansed by Christ's blood and sanctified by the Spirit's purifying
fire, prepared to preach a pure gospel.But the words "little children" here are a poor translation.In the original Hebrew this phrase reads
"young men" (Spurrell, Hebrew).This godly man was moving
under the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.The fact is, those mocking young men had committed an
unspeakable sin.Undoubtedly, the boys had heard about Elijah's translation into heaven.Yet now, by taunting Elisha with
the cry, "Go up, baldy," they were ridiculing the work of the Spirit.For many years God was patient with the fallen church in Bethel.Multitudes flocked there to worship at
an altar of accommodation.And the Lord sent many prophets, including Elijah himself, to speak warnings.Elisha moved with authority in
Bethel, preaching judgment against their sin.They are bringing into God's house the very music that first incited rebellion and sensuality in this
nation.Militant homosexuals scoff at
God's word.Prestigious museums in New York City proudly display blasphemous art: the cross of Christ
submerged in a vat of urine; a portrait of the virgin Mary smeared with elephant dung.And they are all hearing the same message
from the Lord: Judgment is at the door.The time has come to warn all Christ haters: Their
time is up.God is going to bankrupt them with awesome judgments.And when that happens, even the most
hardened will say, "This is God's doing."It may not
be altered or edited in any way.It may be reproduced only in its
entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge.This includes all of its content with the exception of a few
brief quotations.Net Chapel
holds exclusive rights from World Challenge, Inc.You are free to download,
copy, print and distribute this material, so long as you do not
post it on a different Internet site.You may, however, link this
site to reference these messages.Music and Dramatic Arts.He is now a composer working
under the project title Elijah's Mantle.De Nova Da Capo label that he founded in 1993.Lord has sent me to
the Jordan.Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up and struck the
water with it.The water divided to the right and to the left,
and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.Tell me, what can
I do for you before I am taken from you?And Elisha saw him no more.Elijah and went back
and stood on the bank of the Jordan.Then he took the mantle
that had fallen from him and struck the water with it.When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the
left, and he crossed over.The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.Because I have said these things, you are filled
with grief.Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all
truth.All that belongs to the Father is mine.Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to
you.Elisha, symbolized the power of Divine truth in
its most external form.Elijah and went back
and stood on the bank of the Jordan.Today, as we look
around the church, hardly any of that generation is left.There isn't any other church but us.But along with that money,
we have inherited the church itself.It's a little like the difference between
Christmas as a child and Christmas as an adult.Because they're not the ones making
Christmas happen!Robots, but your parents didn't like fighting games, so they
wouldn't get them for you.So you had to settle for other presents that may
have been good, but they weren't the thing you wanted most.Even if we had different
ideas, they were still in charge.This could sometimes leave us out in the
cold.And we know that many have left, and so far have
not come back.And we can make this church into whatever we want it to
be.We can renew
the church in ways that are more meaningful to us.It is an ongoing process.And we have made many other
changes, small and large.Others, perhaps, couldn't wait for things to change in
one area or another, and don't miss the old at all.And yet, they are necessary to keep us from stagnating.We may mourn the passing of
the old.He has told them that he is going to go away
from them to the one who sent them.But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he
will guide you into all truth.Lord should no longer be physically
present with his disciples?How could anything be better than that?Lord nor our loved ones who have died are absent from us.As a man of God you are called to be a leader.You are called to be bold and uncompromising.Elijah carried a special prayer anointing.Baptism in the Holy Spirit.If you will be attending
a Camp Meeting, you may leave the form at the resource tables.Receive special Insight letters and cassette tapes throughout the
year.Be a part of the growing ministry through the Voice of Evangelism.If you wish to join the men of Elijah's Mantle, please fill out the
form below.Alexandria, Ohio 43001
Fax: 1.This article is about the prophet in the Hebrew Bible.For other uses, see Elijah (disambiguation).According to the Books of Kings, Elijah raised the dead, brought fire down from the sky, and ascended into heaven on a whirlwind.Based on a prophecy in Malachi, many Jews still await his return as precursor to the coming of the Messiah.He is a major part of the Jewish brit milah and Passover seder ceremonies, as well as traditions involving Lillith and the angel Sandalphon.In Christianity, he is expected to arrive either before the Second Coming of Jesus, or thought to have already arrived at the Mount of Transfiguration before the Crucifixion.Etymology
2 Elijah in the Hebrew Bible
2.The Vineyard of Naboth
2.Rabbi Joshua ben Levi
4.Considered a Prophet Saint
5.Christian controversy over Elijah's ascension into heaven
6.History of the period
9.In folklore and tradition
9.His name, Elijah, "The LORD is God," may be a name applied to him because of his challenge to Baal worship.In what is a characteristic of Elijah, his challenge is bold and direct.Baal was the local nature deity responsible for rain, thunder, lightning, and dew.Map of Israel in the 9th Century BC.It was in this situation that Omri became king of Israel.The task of centralising the government had a relatively straightforward solution: Omri built a new capital at Sameria on a hill 300 feet above the countryside.The first was to encourage the building of temples (altars where sacrifices could be offered) at local sites within the borders of Israel.Secondly, priests were appointed from outside the family of the Levites.They had all been begun with the reign of Jeroboam.Omri added a new dimension.In order to bring security with the outside world, Omri sought a marriage alliance.He was able to arrange the marriage of his son Ahab to princess Jezebel, daughter of the king of Sidon in Phoenicia.All of these solutions brought security and economic prosperity to Israel for a time.However, it did not bring peace with the prophets of Yahweh, who were interested in a strict deuteronomic interpretation of Mosaic law.He not only allowed the worship of a foreign god within the palace (Solomon also did this), he also built a temple for Baal, and allowed Jezebel to bring a large entourage of priests and prophets of Baal and Asherah into the country.The widow of Zarephath
After Elijah's confrontation with Ahab, God tells him to flee out of Israel, to a hiding place by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan, where he will be fed by ravens.When the brook dries up, God sends him to a widow living in the town of Zarephatho in Phoenicia.When Elijah finds her and asks to be fed, she says that she does not have sufficient food to keep her and her own son alive.While on his way, Elijah meets Obadiah, the head of Ahab's household, who had hidden a hundred prophets of Yahweh the God of Israel when Ahab and Jezebel had been killing them.Elijah in the Cave of Elijah, Mount Carmel, Israel.Elijah responds by throwing the charge back at Ahab, saying that it is Ahab who has troubled Israel by allowing the worship of false gods.The people of Israel, 450 prophets of Baal, and 400 prophets of Asherah are summoned to Mount Carmel.Two altars are built, one for Baal and one for Yahweh.Wood is laid on the altars.Elijah then invites the priests of Baal to pray for fire to light the sacrifice.They respond by cutting themselves and adding their own blood to the sacrifice.They continue praying until evening without success.Elijah now orders that the altar of Yahweh, and its sacrifice, be drenched with water (twelve barrels of water).The people who witness this immediately begin worshiping Yahweh.This episode ends with the return of rains to Israel, signaling the end of the famine.He falls asleep under the tree; an angel touches him and tells him to wake and eat.When he wakes he finds a bit of bread and a jar of water.God again speaks to Elijah (1Kings 19:9): "What doest thou here, Elijah?"Up until this time Elijah has only the word of God to guide him, but now he is told to go outside the cave and "stand before the Lord."God is not in the earthquake.Then a "still small voice" comes to Elijah and asks again, "What doest thou here, Elijah?"Elijah responds again with his complaints and his sense of hopelessness.God responds by sending him out again, this time to Damascus to anoint Hazael as king of Syria, Jehu as king of Israel, and Elisha as his replacement.The Cave of Elijah, Mount Carmel, Israel.He offers a better vineyard or a fair price for the land.But Naboth tells Ahab that God has told him not to part with the land.She sends letters, in Ahab's name, to the elders and nobles who lived near Naboth.They are to arrange a fast and invite Naboth.At the fast, false charges of cursing God and Ahab are to be made against him.The plot is carried out and Naboth is stoned to death."In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick up your own blood" (1Kings 21:19)."Ahab begins the confrontation by calling Elijah his enemy.Elijah responds by throwing the charge back at him, telling him that he has made himself the enemy of God by his own actions.Elijah intercepts his messengers and sends them back to Ahaziah with a message.In typical Elijah fashion, the message begins with a blunt, impertinent question: "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron?"They tell him he wore a hairy coat with a leather belt and he instantly recognizes the description as Elijah the Tishbite.Ahaziah sends out three groups of soldiers to arrest Elijah.The first two are destroyed by fire which Elijah calls down from heaven.Elijah agrees to accompany this third group to Ahaziah, where he gives his prophecy in person.Elijah's Departure
The biblical story of Elijah's departure is unique.The water immediately divides and Elijah and Elisha cross on dry land.Suddenly, a chariot of fire and horses of fire appear and Elijah is lifted up to heaven in a whirlwind.It tells him that he has led the people of Judah astray in the same way that Israel was led astray.This letter is a puzzle to readers for several reasons.Yahweh the God of Israel."VanSeters, however, rejects the letter as having any connection with the Elijah tradition."Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.That day is described as the burning of a great furnace, "...Traditionally, in both Judaism and Christianity, this is taken to mean that Elijah will come before the coming of the Messiah.In the New Testament, both John the Baptist and Jesus excited interest as to whether they were Elijah, come before the "great and terrible day" as predicted by Malachi.All of this was done in a style that immediately recalled the image of Elijah to his audience.He wore a coat of animal hair secured with a leather belt (Matthew 3:4, Mark 1:6).John was Elijah but was not recognized as such.Jesus
Jesus's ministry had little in common with that of Elijah; in particular, he preached the forgiveness of one's enemies, while Elijah killed his.In the Gospel of Luke, Herod Antipas hears some of the stories surrounding Jesus.Others tell him that it is Elijah.Peter's answer includes Elijah among others.Elijah will come to rescue him.The disciples who are with him hear the voice of God announce that Jesus is the "Son of God."The disciples also see Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Jesus.Other references to Elijah
Elijah is mentioned three more times in the New Testament: in Luke, Romans, and James.Paul cites Elijah as an example of God's never forsaking his people (the Jews).Elijah in Jewish tradition and folklore
The volume of references to Elijah in folklore and tradition stands in marked contrast to that in the canon.His career is extensive, colorful, and varied.He has appeared the world over in the guise of a beggar, scholar.Many of the stories have their origins in the canon while others owe their existence entirely to the minds of their creators.In 1Kings 18, Elijah uses 12 stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, to build an altar.When forced to choose between death and dishonor, Rabbi Kahana chose to leap to his death.Sandalphon had appeared to catch him.Rabbi Joshua ben Levi
References to Elijah in Jewish folklore range from short observations (e.One such story is that of Rabbi Joshua ben Levi.The rabbi answered only that he be able to join Elijah in his wanderings.He agreed and they began their journey.The first place they came to was the house of an elderly couple who were so poor they had only one old cow.The old couple gave of their hospitality as best they could.The second place they came to was the home of a wealthy man.Elijah prayed that the wall be repaired and it was so.Next, they came to a wealthy synagogue.They were allowed to spend the night with only the smallest of provisions.Finally, they came to a very poor synagogue.At the house of the old couple, Elijah knew that the Angel of Death was coming for the old woman.At the house of the wealthy man, there was a great treasure hidden in the crumbling wall.The story ends with a moral: A synagogue with many leaders will be ruined by many arguments.Rabbi Eliezer
The Elijah of legend did not lose any of his ability to afflict the comfortable.The rabbi was known as much for his conceit as he was for his learning.Peace be with thee, Rabbi.The rabbi realized his wrong and asked for pardon.But Elijah would not give it until the entire city had asked for forgiveness for the rabbi and the rabbi had promised to mend his ways.This was found in the person of Lilith.Lilith in legend was the first wife of Adam.She rebelled against Adam, the angels, and even God.Elijah encountered Lilith and instantly recognized and challenged her, "Unclean one, where are you going?"Unable to avoid or lie to the prophet, she admitted she was on her way to the house of a pregnant woman.Her intention was to kill the woman and eat the child.Elijah pronounced his malediction, "I curse you in the Name of the Lord.She promises to "forsake my evil ways" if Elijah will remove his curse.This custom stems from the incident at Mount Horeb (1Kings 19).Elijah is asked by God for an explanation of his presence on Mt.This was patently untrue (1Kings 18:4 and 1Kings 19:18), but since Elijah had made the charge that Israel had failed to uphold the covenant (brit), God would require Elijah to be present at every covenant of circumcision (brit milah).Cup (koso shel Eliyahu)
In the Talmudic literature, Elijah would visit rabbis to help solve particularly difficult legal problems.The next verse, "And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession.During the seder, the door of the house is opened and Elijah is invited in.As part of the concluding hymn, an appeal is made to God that Elijah will come during the following week.Let him come quickly, in our day with the messiah, the son of David.Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine Rite, and the Eastern Orthodox Church on July 20.After the confrontation on Mt.Elijah is revered as the spiritual Father and traditional founder of the Catholic religious Order of Carmelites.In addition to taking their name from Mt.Similar to the story in the Hebrew Bible, Elijah preaches in opposition to Baal, pleading with the people not to forsake Allah.Saints also acknowledges Elijah as a prophet.Kirtland Temple as a resurrected being.Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors.Faith as the return of Elijah and John the Baptist.When they became tired and hungry they stopped to dine.They saw a Georgian shepherd and decided to ask him to feed them.George attempt to get help and eventually succeed).Elohim (in this group, the "people from the sky") that the Elohim had previously contacted several people to act as their prophets on Earth, including Moses, Elijah, Buddha, and others.The Miracle of the Ravens
The ravens that fed Elijah by the brook Cherith have been queried.The parallelism with the incident that follows, where Elijah is fed by the widow, also suggests a human, if mildly improbable, agent.John Gray chooses Arabs, saying "We adopt this reading solely because of its congruity with the sequel, where Elijah is fed by an alien Phoenician woman."They claim the letter is written after Elijah leaves Elisha due to the fact that King Jehoram ruled after the separation of Elijah and Elisha; for eight years starting from 913 B.Judah while the Tishbite was a prophet of the northern kingdom.Also, the events of 2Kings 2 may not be recorded in chronological order, and thus there may be room for the opinion that Elijah was still alive in the beginning of Jehoram's reign.At one point during the feast, participants may open a door in hopes that he will appear as a guest.Similarly, an empty chair is left in the room during a circumcision.Saint' section, believes that Elijah returned on April 3, 1836 in an appearance to Joseph Smith, fulfilling a prophecy in Malachi.Arts and Literature
Felix Mendelssohn composed an oratorio "Elijah".Lorenzetto created a statue of Elijah with assistance of the young sculptor Raffaello da Montelupo, using designs by Raphael.The Fifth Mountain by Paulo Coelho was published in 1996 and was his fourth major publication.New York: Doubleday, 2001.Modern Library: New York.Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1979.The Interpreter's Bible: Volume 3.Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006.The Anchor Bible: Matthew.New York: Doubleday, 1981.New York: Schocken Books, 1992.Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1956.Tree of Souls: The Mythology of Judaism.Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society of America, 1956.Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.Jerusalem: Keter Publishing House, 1971.Dictionary of Jewish Lore and Legend.Tess Hyams Judaica Museum.The Mythology of All Races: Vol III.Stories of Elijah and medieval Carmelite identity.Institute of Carmelite Studies Publications, 2003.Razyskanija v Oblasti Slavjanskix Drevnostej."The Slavic and East European Journal.Retrieved 12 March 2007.Bibliography
Elijah: Prophet of Carmel, by Jane Ackerman, ICS Publications, 2003.History of Ancient Israel and Judah.Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004.Wolfson, Ron and Joel L.The Secret of the Sabbath Fish.ISBN 0827601107
Goldin, Barbara.New York: Harcourt Brace, 1999.ISBN 0152004459
Jaffe, Nina.The Mysterious Visitor: Stories of the Prophet Elijah.ISBN 0590484222
Jaffe, Nina.The Way Meat Loves Salt: A Cinderella Tale from the Jewish Tradition.New York: Holt Publishing, 1998.Mahwah, NJ: BridgeWater Books, 1996.ISBN 0816737983
Sydelle, Pearl.Elijah's Tears: Stories for the Jewish Holidays.New York: Holt Publishing, 1996.ISBN 0805046275
Thaler, Mike.Elijah's life, regarding him as their founder.The Rabbi and the Cow by Shoshannah Brombacher A retelling of the rabbi Joshua ben Levi story.The Silent Cup by Israel Rubin Elijah's cup.Elijah the Prophet in Minsk by Yitzchak Buxbaum An Elijah story with a nice twist.English) See also translations of names.This page was last modified 23:52, 5 January 2008.All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. |
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