Jason Dyck Supporter Piano tech and Children's champion for/through Manna Relief

I find that when I am reading something that I don't quite understand, I will reread not merely the sentence with the word that creates the questions, rather, I will read and read the section, sometimes the page, sometimes the whole chapter.

In this case, Elijah's use of the word "IF" has nothing to do with him questioning his own relationship with God; instead, it is a challenge to the men who had been ordered by King Ahab to go and bring him in. 

Those men came and referred to him with the title, Man of God. Elijah used the word "IF" in his response as a way of proving that he was truly a Man of God. "IF" he wasn't a Man of God then nothing would have come of his next statement that fire would come down from heaven and burn up the soldiers. "IF" fire would come down from heaven, that would be more proof that Elijah was who the soldiers said he was, the, not a, Man of God.

In more modern language, the story may have been told in this way.

Some soldiers got back to King Ahab with their story and Ahab sent out fifty soldiers to bring Elijah back any which way they could. When they got to the hill upon which Elijah was sitting, they challenged him and ORDERED him in a very condescending tone with a sneer of derision on their faces, to come on down: "MAN OF GOD!" This order could have been given in a very pompous, egotistical, sarcastic tone of voice. "MAN of GOD! The King wants to see you IMMEDIATELY! Will you come peacefully or do we take you by force?"

Elijah responded with a low, controlled voice with a hint of sarcasm based upon his knowledge and understanding of who he was as a true man of God, "IF I am a man of God like what you called me, then the proof will be your demise by fire from heaven, from out of the blue." and KABAM! Fire spewed out of thin air and totally obliterated the soldiers.

This happened several times because Ahab wanted him badly. 

The captain of the last set of fifty soldiers Ahab sent wasn't as cocky, brash, belligerent, and disrespectful. He had much more wisdom and fear so he spoke to Elijah with respect. He was literally scared for his life. With that captain's respectful and fearful request, Elijah followed the captain to see King Ahab.

March 02 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Billy P Eldred Supporter

Ellijay had no doubt. In fact, God was speaking through him to the King of Israel, Ahaziah. 

In the previous chapter, we see the story of Azariah's father who refused to listen to God's prophet simply because he wouldn't tell him what he wanted to hear and was killed in battle because he refused to heed God's warning. God sent many prophets to the Kings of Israel during this period trying to get them to turn from wickedness and to return to Him. We can see that Jehosephat, King of Judah was spared in the same battle because he was loyal to God. (Remember at this time, the land of Israel was split into two kingdoms, Israel and Judah) 

Ahaziah was next in line in the split Kingdom of Israel. He sent his men to a prophet of Baal because he refused to believe in God. God had Elijah meet them as another warning. His words were chosen by God and when He said "If", God was telling Ahaziah "You judge for yourself. Who is the real God of Israel?" "If" what I say comes to pass, then you should know who is speaking to you. I believe that even at this point, had Ahaziah repented, God would have healed him but Ahaziah stubbornly refused two warnings and forfeited the lives of 100 of his men in doing so, and was willing to sacrifice 50 more. His own death was the result as another judgment on Israel. 

In the New Testament, a similar "If" is used in the story of the Rich man and Lazurus. The Rich man was told "If they refuse to listen to the witness of Jonah and the prophets, they won't believe even 'if' someone is raised from the dead." And of course, Someone was. JESUS. Our warning that we can chose to believe and repent and be healed from our sins or perish as Ahaziah did.

March 02 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Anderson Supporter

You are right, the Bible can be confusing at times. My humble opinion is this. He had just watched and ridiculed the priests of Jezebel for many hours try to have their false God set the sacrifice on fire. Now he was telling them basically, if the God of my people the Jews is real and I am truely one of his Prophets.... Watch this. And boy did God show up.

March 02 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Good question, Hlengiwe! I liked Jason Dyke's modern retelling of this story! Here's mine:

The sun beat down on the rugged hilltop as Elijah stood, cloak rustling in the hot wind. Below, the dust swirled where fifty soldiers and their captain approached, swords at their sides and orders in their mouths.

"Man of God," the captain barked, "The king says: Come down at once!"

Elijah didn’t flinch.

He had seen fire fall before—at Mount Carmel, when he called Israel to choose between Baal and the LORD. He had heard the whisper of God on the mountain, had been fed by ravens in a drought, had outrun a chariot in the power of the Spirit. This wasn’t his first confrontation—and it wouldn’t be the last.

But this felt different.

Ahaziah, Israel’s king, had sent messengers to a foreign god. Now he sent troops to drag Elijah down like a criminal. They weren’t just rejecting the prophet—they were rejecting God.

So Elijah looked the captain in the eye and calmly said,
“If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.”

It wasn’t a boast. It wasn’t uncertainty either. Elijah wasn’t asking for proof for himself—he already knew who he was. He was calling on God to respond, to show the soldiers—and the nation—that this was no man’s game. This was divine territory.

Then came the fire.

No sword needed to be drawn. No argument was had. The soldiers didn’t even reach the prophet. Fire fell from heaven—and fifty-one lives were gone in a flash.

But the king didn’t learn. He sent another fifty.

Again, the demand. Again, the refusal.
“If I am a man of God…”
Again, the fire.

But when the third group came, the captain didn’t shout or threaten. He bowed. “Man of God,” he pleaded, “please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants be precious in your sight.”

No fire this time. Just grace.

And Elijah went with him.

You don’t need to shout to prove who you are. You don’t need to scramble to defend your calling. If you belong to the Lord, let Him speak for you. If you're standing in His will, let His fire, His peace, His timing answer.

Elijah didn't act to protect his pride. He trusted God to uphold His own name... and God did.

2 days ago • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report