Elijah

Elijah the Tishbite, from Gilead's rugged terrain, appeared suddenly in Scripture's narrative to confront Ahab and Jezebel's Baal worship with uncompromising boldness. His very name—'My God is Yahweh'—proclaimed his message. He announced a three-year drought, was fed by ravens at Cherith and by a widow at Zarephath (where he raised her son from death), and challenged 450 prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. There, fire from heaven consumed his sacrifice, vindicating Yahweh and leading Israel to cry, 'The LORD, he is the God!'

Yet immediately after this triumph, Elijah fled from Jezebel's death threat, experiencing such despair that he requested death. God met him at Horeb (Sinai) not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a still small voice, commissioning him to anoint kings and his prophetic successor. Elijah confronted Ahab again over Naboth's vineyard, pronouncing doom on his dynasty.

His ministry concluded uniquely: he did not die but was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire with horses of fire, parting from Elisha with a whirlwind. Malachi prophesied Elijah's return before the Day of the LORD, which Christ identified with John the Baptist's ministry. At the Transfiguration, Elijah appeared with Moses, witnessing to Christ as the fulfillment of Law and Prophets.Elijah's translation without death parallels only Enoch's experience (Genesis 5:24). Jewish tradition expected Elijah to return personally, leading some to ask John the Baptist if he was Elijah (he denied being Elijah literally returned but fulfilled the Malachi prophecy in Spirit). The 'spirit and power of Elijah' characterizes prophetic ministry that confronts apostasy and calls for decision. James cites Elijah's prayer as exemplary: 'Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly' (James 5:17).