Jesus In Elijah's Story

Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. [1 Kings 18.21] 

At first I thought it would suffice today to simply re-post my article from this day one year ago: Hobbled About What You Believe? My thought was to only add today that the overwhelming number of false prophets Elijah confronted represents the overwhelming control of debt, insurance, medicine and technology upon our lives today.

However, after further meditation, it occurred to me that I had not yet exhausted what the Spirit of God was saying to me about this topic today... There is much more.

Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down. He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons. He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.” After they had done this, he said, “Do the same thing again!” And when they were finished, he said, “Now do it a third time!” So they did as he said, and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench. [1 Kings 18.30-35]

If we consider the number three in the passage above, we find Jesus. The fact that Elijah made the trench to hold about three gallons and then the fact that he doused the sacrifice with water three times both point to Jesus. It was the third day that Jesus rose victorious from His grave.

As hopeless as it seems to overcome and break away from the idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology today (just as Elijah faced the overwhelming number of false prophets then), the three gallons and three saturations of water give a double (confirming) prophecy of Jesus Who laid in His tomb for three days. The three gallon trench and the three saturations with water did not prevent the fire of God just like the three days in the tomb did not prevent the resurrection of Christ!

So, as we consider just how overwhelming our current "system" is, with the idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology effectively taxing our fears penalizing us for our doubt of God thereby practically controlling our every move, let us consider the liberating power that raised Jesus from His three-day internment that now resides in us by faith!

Father, may we see Jesus in Elijah's story not just for consideration, but for the transformation of our own circumstances as we transcend the worldly influence and control of debt, insurance, medicine and technology and break free from these idols trusting only in Jesus Christ! So be it.