Prophet Elijah
Dear Children of God, how are you? How have you been in this fasting season of the prophets? Are you fasting and praying through it? What about attending Churches specially on the Sabbaths? Children, these are vital (very important) matters and Christian endeavors (works) that we are expected to perform in our spiritual lives. In addition, we must develop our knowledge of theology (a study of existence of God and religious) and Church education as well.
Children, do you remember our lesson about prophets and their service to the Lord? if so good! And for now we will tell you the story about Prophet Elijah, in which his feast days are Tahesas 1 and Tir 6.
He was born from his righteous father and mother Iyasenyu and Tona. On the eight day of his birth, they named him Elijah which means, “a lamb to the house of God.” He was raised by law of God and good endeavors. When he grew up, he went to the monastery and live as a hermit.
In the era where he lived, there were kings called Ahab and his wife Jezebel who did not have faith in God and worship idols (Satan’s servants). But even living amongst these devil worshipers, Elijah was a man of God. So the Lord called him to be a prophet and he accepted willingly. For this work of God, he made his daily life on the mountains and in the wild. Specially Mount Carmel was his house. (Prophet Elijah’s Homily of Tahesas)
However, the people were worshiping idols and thus he went and rebuke them by the order of the Lord without fear. He also told them about what is to come if they do not stop worshiping the devil saying, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” (1 Kings 17:1)
According to Prophet Elijah’s word, rain stopped to rain for three years. Then the people starved (be hungered) due to lack of grain. But, the prophet was fed by raven (a kind of bird) whilst he was in his cave and drink water from gushed water.
Feeling sympathy (sorry) for the people, God ordered the raven not to take food for Prophet Elijah so that he could see their starvation (being hungry). Then in search of food, Elijah went to a place called “Sarepta.” There he met a widow (a woman whose husband died) who had a son called Jonah. He asked her for food and then her house was filled with blessing. But, her son died and Prophet Elijah prayed upon him. Soon, the child was raised from the dead. (I Kings 17:17)
Dear Children of God, though the people were punished for worshiping Idols, God felt sorry for them and Prophet Elijah also prayed for the rain to rain. Then the people brought the scarification to God. But as they were worshipping idols it was not accepted by the Lord. Instead, God accepted the scarification of Prophet Elijah. By this, the people understood God is the Lord of all and the valueless of the Idols. Then, Queen Jezebel hunted to kill him and so he fled to another place.
Children, Prophet Elijah has performed many miracles in his time. He was a true witness to truth and God. He also defended the oppressed (people who been treated badly). For instance, Queen Jezebel killed Naboth and took his land. Then Prophet Elijah went to the King and Queen confronting them as to why they took his belongings. Therefore, they hunted to kill him but was unable to as God was in his safeguard.
After many years of preaching God’s word, doing many miracles and changing the gentiles (non-believers and idol worshipers) to people of God, his time of departing to the heaven came. He then appointed his disciple (follower) Prophet Elisha by giving him his cloak. After on, God took him to the heaven by a chariot of fire.
Dear Children, his life story is very wide and remarkable but we could only tell you some of his outshined deeds (works). You can read the bible and see the rest of the story. But for now you need to realize what things you have learned from his short version of the story. It is clear to see how the value of prayer and listening of God’s words in our lives. We shall also realize the hardship and punishment if we defy (refuse to keep) His law and worship idols.
Farwell, we hope you have understood our lesson and read about the story of Prophet Elijah and commemorate his feast days on Tahesas 1 and Tir 6.
May God’s mercy, protection and guidance be with us, Amen!