Real Life by Peggi Tustan

Welcome to Real Life . Circumstances rise and fall. God is present on the mountain; he is present in the desert wilderness. “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life; I’m no better than my ancestors.”  Elijah just experienced two mountaintop victories over the prophets of Baal and the drought (see previous blog ). Life is good… until Queen Jezebel hears the news. She, a devoted worshiper of Baal, is incensed that he slew her prophets. She puts out a contract on Elijah’s life. Terrified, Elijah flees. He runs to the desert, lies down under a broom tree, and asks God to take his life. Wait just a minute… Isn’t this Elijah—the mighty prophet? Yesterday, he stood alone against 450 prophets of Baal. Today, one little woman has him running scared? Yes, Elijah is a powerful prophet. But, he is also a man “just like us.” [1] After the events and excitement of the previous day, Elijah is utterly exhausted. In his weakened state, Jezebel’s threat is the straw that breaks the pro...

Welcome to Real Life . Don’t blame the messenger. “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” King Ahab said to Elijah. Israel was deep in suffering from a famine, due to drought—a drought the prophet Elijah foretold three and a half years earlier. Elijah did not cause the drought. He simply relayed God's message. Israel’s King Ahab married Jezebel, a zealous worshiper of Baal. [1]  In the Promised Land, God's country, Ahab allowed Jezebel to institute Baal worship as the national religion. In addition, she drove the priests and prophets of the Lord underground, threatening their lives. Ahab built a temple to Baal for her on Mt. Carmel right next to the altar of the Lord (which fell into ruin from disuse). God was not pleased! So, he sent Elijah with this message for Ahab: “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1) . Three years later, in the midst of famine, Elijah reap...