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THE MINISTRY OF THE PROPHET

Text: 1 Kings 17
28 July 2009

(I) THE MINISTRY OF THE PROPHET

“And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab,

‘As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand,

there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.’ ” 1 Kings 17:1

1. Identification of the prophet

a) Historical

b) Personal

c) Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead

2. Addressee

Ahab, son of Omri, king of Israel (1 King 17:1)

a) Spiritual authority

b) Divine authority

c) Versus human (though kingly) authority

3. Authority of Elijah

a) From the LORD God of Israel

b) A servant of God who stands ministering before Him

4. Prophetic Message

a) There shall be no dew

b) No rain

5. Power of the Ministry of the Word

a) God’s word

b) Elijah’s word

“Except at my word” 1 Kings 17:1

(II) A PERSONAL WORD TO THE PROPHET

“Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying,

‘Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 1 Kings 17:2-4

1. “Then the word of the Lord came to him”

a) The significance of “the word of the Lord”

b) It can be a word to the king

c) It can also be a very personal word

2. Plan of God revealed

a) To hide by the Brook Cherith

b) To drink from the Brook

c) To trust in God’s provision

i) Unusual

ii) Humbling

3. Lessons that must be learned well

a) Faith

b) Obedience

c) Lessons learned in the wilderness

i) Resilience

ii) Strength

iii) Trust

(III) GOD’S PROVISION (1 Kings 17:5-7)

1. Water from the Brook Cherith

2. Food from the ravens