A MATRIX OF EVIL

          One can never determine the true metal of a person without a thorough understanding of the times in which they lived.  Such is true con-cerning Elijah the Tishbite.  With the Egyptian Empire in a state of decline and the Assyrian Empire still in embryonic form, the nation of Israel had come to be one of the most powerful and influential nations in the world.  Around 1,000 B.C., during the reign of King David, Israel saw its heyday

- - a highpoint that continued throughout the reign of King Solomon who erected a magnificent temple; established a strong navy that secured key trade routes to India and Africa; and devoted himself to farsighted public works projects.  However, after Solomon’s death a seismic shift occurred that spelled severe trouble for the nation of Israel, bringing difficulties from which she would never fully recover.

          It began with a split - - one nation under God became two kingdoms at odds with another.  The Northern Kingdom (Israel) under the leader-

ship of Jeroboam seceded from the Southern Kingdom (Judah) ruled by Rehoboam.  The Northern Kingdom would remain for another 210 years before being taken into captivity by the Assyrians in 722 B.C..  About the time that Jehovah God aroused the prophet Elijah, the North had already  tasted the reigns of six ungodly kings:  Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri and Omri.  And now, King Ahab, a seventh king and the worst of the worse (1Kgs.16:30) had ascended the throne.  These first seven kings of the Northern Kingdom created a matrix of evil that spanned eight decades and spawned a spiritual death spiral.  King Ahab and wicked Jezebel had opened wide the door and thrown out a welcome mat for full-blown idol-atry in the form of Baal worship.  This abominable evil was not only tolerated, it was actually celebrated (cf. 1Kgs.16:31 with Rom.1:32).

          Who was this mysterious mountain man named Elijah who arose to confront King Ahab and Queen Jezebel?  Although he sometimes appears to be truly extra-ordinary, one New Testament writer assures us that Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (Js.5:17).  Empowered by Almighty God, this righteous man was able to accomplish much (Js.5:16b).  If and when our circumstances seem dark and dreary and things seem to be head-ing pell-mell on crash and burn flight path, we must not underestimate THE ELIJAH FACTOR:  God plus one equals a majority!        

                                                                                            Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ