Elijah

Bible Study Guides – An Ancient Reformer

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January 8, 2017 – January 14, 2017

Key Text

“Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before Whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (I Kings 17:1).

Study Help: Prophets and Kings, 119–128.

Introduction

“Far removed from any city of renown, and occupying no high station in life, Elijah the Tishbite … entered upon his mission confident in God’s purpose to prepare the way before him and to give him abundant success.” Prophets and Kings, 119.

Sunday

1 ELIJAH’S ORIGIN AND CALLING

  • Who was Elijah, and what type of man was he? I Kings 17:1; James 5:17.

Note: “Elijah … was born among the mountains of Gilead, east of the Jordan, and came from a nation that was overspread with the abominations of the Amorites. But he entered upon his work with the word of faith and power on his lips, and his whole life was devoted to the work of reform.” The Review and Herald, August 14, 1913.

  • What kind of person does God often pass by, and whom does He call instead? I Corinthians 1:26–28.

Note: “In the common walks of life there is many a toiler patiently treading the round of his daily tasks, unconscious of latent powers that, roused to action, would place him among the world’s great leaders. The touch of a skillful hand is needed to arouse and develop those dormant faculties. It was such men whom Jesus connected with Himself; and He gave them the advantages of three years’ training under His own care. No course of study in the schools of the rabbis or the halls of philosophy could have equaled this in value.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 511.

Monday

2 MEETING APOSTASY

  • Why did Elijah enter into the king’s palace to give a public rebuke of Israel’s apostasy? John 16:8; 3:20; I Timothy 5:20.

Note: “To Elijah was entrusted the mission of delivering to Ahab Heaven’s message of judgment. He did not seek to be the Lord’s messenger; the word of the Lord came to him. And jealous for the honor of God’s cause, he did not hesitate to obey the divine summons, though to obey seemed to invite swift destruction at the hand of the wicked king. The prophet set out at once, and traveled night and day until he reached Samaria. On reaching the palace, he solicited no admission, nor waited to be formally announced. Clad in the coarse garments usually worn by the prophets of that time, he passed the guards, apparently unnoticed, and stood for a moment before the astonished king.

“Elijah made no apology for his abrupt appearance. A greater than the ruler of Israel had commissioned him to speak, and lifting his hand toward heaven, he solemnly affirmed by the living God that the judgments of the Most High were about to fall upon Israel. ‘There shall not be dew nor rain these years,’ he declared, ‘but according to my word’ (I Kings 17:1).” The Review and Herald, August 14, 1913.

  • For what purpose did Elijah later rebuke the King? I Kings 18:17, 18; Job 17:8.

Note: “It was disregard of the law of God on the part of Ahab and his people that had brought all their calamities upon them; and Elijah hesitated not to declare the whole truth to the guilty king. The world is full of flatterers and dissemblers, both in palaces and in the ordinary walks of life; but how few there are who have the courage that Elijah manifested—how few who will stand in defense of the broken law of God in opposition to the great men of earth.” The Signs of the Times, December 18, 1884.

“The Lord seeks to save, not to destroy. He delights in the rescue of sinners. ‘As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked’ (Ezekiel 33:11). … He gives His chosen messengers a holy boldness, that those who hear may fear and be brought to repentance.” Prophets and Kings, 105.

Tuesday

3 THE CALL TO CHOOSE

  1. When he was on Mount Carmel, calling for reform, what was Elijah’s challenging question? I Kings 18:21.

Note: “Elijah, amid the general apostasy, did not seek to hide the fact that he served the God of heaven. Baal’s prophets numbered four hundred and fifty, his priests, four hundred, and his worshipers were thousands; yet Elijah did not try to make it appear that he was on the popular side. He grandly stood alone. … Where are the Elijahs of today? …

“Nothing is gained by cowardice or by fearing to let it be known that we are God’s commandment-keeping people. Hiding our light, as if ashamed of our faith, will result only in disaster. God will leave us to our own weakness. May the Lord forbid that we should refuse to let our light shine forth in any place to which He may call us. If we venture to go forth of ourselves, following our own ideas, our own plans, and leave Jesus behind, we need not expect to gain fortitude, courage, or spiritual strength. God has had moral heroes, and He has them now—those who are not ashamed of being His peculiar people. Their wills and plans are all subordinate to the law of God. The love of Jesus has led them not to count their lives dear unto themselves. … ‘Fidelity to God’ is their motto.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 526–528.

  • What did Elijah do as a first step in the work of reform? I Kings 18:30.

Note: “Like a dark cloud, deception and blindness had overspread Israel. Not all at once had this fatal apostasy closed about them, but gradually, as from time to time they had failed to heed the words of warning and reproof that the Lord sent them. Each departure from rightdoing, each refusal to repent, had deepened their guilt and driven them farther from Heaven. And now, in this crisis, they persisted in refusing to take their stand for God.

“The Lord abhors indifference and disloyalty in a time of crisis in His work. The whole universe is watching with inexpressible interest the closing scenes of the great controversy between good and evil. The people of God are nearing the borders of the eternal world; what can be of more importance to them than that they be loyal to the God of heaven?” Prophets and Kings, 147, 148.

Wednesday

4 GOD’S POWER REVEALED

  • Name some reformers from the past. Luke 1:17; Genesis 32:28; Exodus 9:16. How did they obtain the power needed to fulfill their mission? Psalms 27:14; 28:7.

Note: “If men will walk with God, He will hide them in the cleft of the Rock. Thus hidden, they can see God, even as Moses saw Him. By the power and light that He imparts they can comprehend more and accomplish more than their finite judgment had seemed possible.” The Acts of the Apostles, 363.

“Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His experience testifies to the power of importunate prayer. It is now that we are to learn this lesson of prevailing prayer, of unyielding faith. The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth or the favor of men. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power.

“Those who are unwilling to forsake every sin and to seek earnestly for God’s blessing, will not obtain it. But all who will lay hold of God’s promises as did Jacob, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. ‘Shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily’ (Luke 18:7, 8).” Patriarchs and Prophets, 203.

  • What promises can today’s reformers claim when they see their need of divine power? Psalm 68:35; 2 Samuel 22:32, 33.

Note: “Not alone for men in positions of large responsibility is the lesson of Elijah’s experience in learning anew how to trust God in the hour of trial. He who was Elijah’s strength is strong to uphold every struggling child of His, no matter how weak. Of every one He expects loyalty, and to every one He grants power according to the need. In his own strength man is strengthless; but in the might of God he may be strong to overcome evil and to help others to overcome. Satan can never gain advantage of him who makes God his defense. ‘Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength. … In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory’ (Isaiah 45:24, first part, 25).” The Review and Herald, October 30, 1913.

Thursday

5 STANDING ALONE?

  • In vindicating God and His law, was Elijah alone? Why or why not? Psalms 34:7; 91:11; 103:20.

Note: “Facing King Ahab and the false prophets, and surrounded by the assembled hosts of Israel, Elijah stands, the only one who has appeared to vindicate the honor of Jehovah. … But Elijah is not alone. Above and around him are the protecting hosts of heaven—angels that excel in strength.” The Review and Herald, September 18, 1913.

  • When standing alone in defense of truth and righteousness, what should we remember? I Kings 19:18.

Note: “Not all in the world are lawless and sinful; not all have taken sides with the enemy. God has many thousands who have not bowed the knee to Baal, many who long to understand more fully in regard to Christ and the law, many who are hoping against hope that Jesus will come soon to end the reign of sin and death. And there are many who have been worshiping Baal ignorantly, but with whom the Spirit of God is still striving.” Prophets and Kings, 171.

“When you suffer reproach and persecution, you are in excellent company; for Jesus endured it all, and much more. If you are faithful sentinels for God, these things are a compliment to you. It is the heroic souls, who will be true if they stand alone, who will win the imperishable crown.” The Youth’s Instructor, May 28, 1884.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 From where does God often call people and why?

2 Instead of rebuking sin, what do most people do instead?

3 What does it show if we hide our light, and what will be the result?

4 How do we obtain the blessing of having God’s power working in our life?

5 When we are the only ones standing for the truth, why are we not really alone?

Copyright © 2016 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

 

Bible Study Guides – Another Elijah

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February 5, 2017 – February 11, 2017

Key Text

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5, 6).

Study Help: Counsels on Diet and Foods, 225–247.

Introduction

“In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. Just such a work as that which John did, is to be carried on in these last days.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1184.

Sunday

1 LIVING IN THE END OF TIME

  • What significance is there to the times in which we are now living? Malachi 4:1, 5.

Note: “He [John the Baptist] was a representative of those living in these last days, to whom God has entrusted sacred truths to present before the people, to prepare the way for the second appearing of Christ. John was a reformer.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 70.

  • What kind of service is called for as we face the end of time? 2 Peter 3:11; Luke 16:13; 10:27.

Note: “He who would build up a strong, symmetrical character, he who would be a well-balanced Christian, must give all and do all for Christ; for the Redeemer will not accept divided service.” The Acts of the Apostles, 483.

“We must work with one spirit, even with the mind of Christ; and if we do this, new life will come into the church.” The Review and Herald, November 29, 1898.

Monday

2 BEING A WATCHMAN

  • What is the responsibility of a watchman? Ezekiel 33:6–9.

Note: “The watchmen anciently placed upon the walls of Jerusalem and other cities occupied a most responsible position. Upon their faithfulness depended the safety of all within those cities. When danger was apprehended, they were not to keep silent day nor night. Every few moments they were required to call to one another to see if all were awake and no harm had come to any. Sentinels were stationed upon some eminence overlooking the important posts to be guarded, and the cry of warning or of good cheer was sounded from them. This was borne from one to another, each repeating the words, till it went the entire rounds of the city.

“These watchmen represent the ministry, upon whose fidelity depends the salvation of souls.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 402, 403.

“It is now no time to relax our efforts, to become tame and spiritless; no time to hide our light under a bushel, to speak smooth things, to prophesy deceit. No, no; there is no place for sleepy watchmen on the walls of Zion. Every power is to be employed wholly and entirely for God.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 720.

  • What should we consider as we view the times in which we live today? 1 Corinthians 15:34; Romans 13:11, 12.

Note: “My brethren, we are living in a most solemn period of this earth’s history. There is never time to sin; it is always perilous to continue in transgression; but in a special sense is this true at the present time. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world and stand in a more solemn relation to time and to eternity than ever before.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 147.

“Enoch had temptations as well as we. … He was unsullied with the prevailing sins of the age in which he lived. So may we remain pure and uncorrupted. He was a representative of the saints who live amid the perils and corruptions of the last days. For his faithful obedience to God he was translated. So, also, the faithful, who are alive and remain, will be translated. They will be removed from a sinful and corrupt world to the pure joys of heaven.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 122.

Tuesday

3 COMMISSIONED TO PREPARE THE WAY

  • Who is to proclaim the final gospel messages? 2 Timothy 4:2; Revelation 14:6, 7; Malachi 3:1.

Note: “[Revelation 14:6, 7 quoted.] This message is declared to be a part of ‘the everlasting gospel’ (Revelation 14:6). The work of preaching the gospel has not been committed to angels but has been entrusted to men. Holy angels have been employed in directing this work, they have in charge the great movements for the salvation of men; but the actual proclamation of the gospel is performed by the servants of Christ upon the earth.” The Great Controversy, 311, 312.

  • What shows that we are to prepare the way for Christ’s second advent, as John the Baptist did for His first advent? Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23; Hebrews 12:13.

Note: “The work of John the Baptist represents the work for these times. His work, and the work of those who go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to arouse the people from their apathy, are the same in many respects. Christ is to come the second time to judge the world in righteousness. The messengers of God who bear the last message of warning to be given to the world are to prepare the way for Christ’s second advent as John prepared the way for His first advent.” The Youth’s Instructor, May 17, 1900.

  • Why is preparation required? Hebrews 12:14; Luke 12:39.

Note: “Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they should make by diligently studying the word of God and striving to conform their lives to its precepts. … God calls for a revival and a reformation.” Prophets and Kings, 626.

“God desires His people to prepare for the soon-coming crisis. Prepared or unprepared, they must all meet it; and those only who have brought their lives into conformity to the divine standard will stand firm at that time of test and trial.” The Acts of the Apostles, 431, 432.

Wednesday

4 TURNING THE HEART OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN

  • What is the special work parents are called to do? Luke 1:13–17; Proverbs 22:6.

Note: “An angel from heaven came to instruct Zacharias and Elizabeth as to how they should train and educate their child, so as to work in harmony with God in preparing a messenger to announce the coming of Christ. As parents they were to faithfully cooperate with God in forming such a character in John as would fit him to perform the part God had assigned him as a competent worker. John was the son of their old age, he was a child of miracle, and the parents might have reasoned that he had a special work to do for the Lord, and the Lord would take care of him. But the parents did not thus reason; they moved to a retired place in the country, where their son would not be exposed to the temptations of city life, or induced to depart from the counsel and instruction which they as parents would give him. They acted their part in developing a character in the child that would in every way meet the purpose for which God had designed his life. By no careless neglect on their part shall their son fail to become good and wise, [Luke 1:79 quoted].” The Signs of the Times, April 16, 1896.

  • What special personal work is each one called to do? Malachi 4:4–6.

Note: “Fathers and mothers, turn your hearts to seek the Lord; for a great responsibility rests upon you to give your children a correct mold of character. Keep ever before you their eternal interests. Educate them to be refined, pure, noble, revealing the highest traits of character, and before the world and heaven to make known that they have chosen to serve God. …

“Great blessings and spiritual strength will come to the families who will determine to put away those things which are unessential, and will resolutely take up the work of preparation for the coming of the Lord. God has entrusted parents with the work of helping their children to gain a Christlike experience. …

“Reveal in your own lives conformity to the image of Christ. Improve the talents you have; cultivate the powers of mind and body; increase your knowledge of the word of God; improve the gift of speech; by the witness of a godly example uplift before others the power of the Word to transform the character.” The Review and Herald, October 5, 1911.

Thursday

5 A WORK FOR BOTH PARENT AND CHILD

  • Why was it necessary for John’s parents to bring him up with a strict diet? Luke 1:15; Matthew 3:4.

Note: “The child will be affected, for good or evil, by the habits of the mother. She must herself be controlled by principle, and must practice temperance and self-denial, if she would seek the welfare of her child. …

“God had an important work for the promised child of Zacharias to do; a work that required active thought and vigorous action. He must have a sound physical constitution, and mental and moral strength; and it was to secure for him these necessary qualifications that his habits were to be carefully regulated, even from infancy. … We urge that the principles of temperance be carried into all the details of home life; that the example of parents be a lesson of temperance; that self-denial and self-control be taught to the children and enforced upon them, so far as possible, even from babyhood.” Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 208, 209.

  • Why is it so important to focus so much of our effort on training our children? Proverbs 22:6; Psalm 127:3.

Note: “More than any natural endowment, the habits established in early years decide whether a man will be victorious or vanquished in the battle of life. Youth is the sowing time. It determines the character of the harvest, for this life and for the life to come.” The Desire of Ages, 101.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 If we love God supremely, how will this affect how we live our life?

2 How should a faithful watchman behave today?

3 How can we prepare for the coming crisis?

4 What is the special work God wants done in families today?

5 How can we teach our children lessons in temperance, and what will this knowledge do for them later in life?

Copyright © 2016 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.