Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Sunday, November 25, 2012 Read – 1 Kings 17 & 18 The stories of Elijah and his successor, Elisha, are some of the most important stories in the Old Testament as they relate to the story of Jesus in the New Testament. Many of these Elijah/Elisha stories are echoed in the New Testament story of Jesus. Chapter 17 introduces us to Elijah. God is working through Elijah and the first story is one of a great drought that lasted for over three years. We should note that God has mostly been absent again from the story we have been reading. Now God appears in a powerful way through his prophet, Elijah. God is behind the drought. And Elijah is the messenger of God’s actions. Two stories about Elijah’s encounter with a gentile woman are important, not only for their part in the Old Testament story, but for their inclusion in the New Testament. Jesus will refer to this gentile widow of Zarephath as Jesus begins his ministry according to Luke’s gospel. The story of Elijah is filled with miraculous events. The widow’s food source does not give out because of Elijah’s prayers. And, when her son dies, Elijah raises him back to life. Both of these stories are echoed in the actions of Jesus – providing food for the many who are hungry and raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead. Eventually, the story moves to the encounter between Elijah and Ahab. They have been on a collision course. God has been the source of the drought that has been troubling Ahab and his kingdom and now through Elijah’s word the drought is ended. This is meant as a sign to Ahab. Ahab does not respond properly. Eventually Elijah’s words will mean the end for Ahab. The next story is a well known one – the contest on Mount Carmel between Elijah and the priest of Baal. Ahab, because of his wife Jezebel, has become a worshiper of Baal. In fact the whole Northern Kingdom is now depicted as being influenced by Baal worship as the “state” religion. To be sure there most likely were many Israelites who did not buy into this Baal worship. The point is that the “state” religion is Baal worship. In the contest, Baal is no match of the God of Elijah. The story pokes fun at false gods like Baal. The story is loaded with humor and we shouldn’t miss that.