“And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty.” 2 Kings 1:9,10
When Elijah was confronted with one of Ahaziah’s commanders, he was addressed as being a “man of God.” It is very evident that the captain that Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, sent to apprehend Elijah, did not truly believe that Elijah was a man of God. This is evident by what occured shortly afterward. Elijah would then say to the captain of fifty soldiers, “If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee, and thy fifty.” (v.10) The result was devastating, as all the fifty one men perished in the fire from heaven. Now, why is it that the captain of fifty was consumed by fire? It must be remembered that this was not the first time that Elijah acted according to the word of the Lord, and fire came down out of heaven. At the occasion of the gathering of all the prophets of Baal, and all who sat a Jezebel’s table, who had come by order of Ahab to Mt. Carmel, Elijah sought the Lord in the presence of all gathered, both prophets and people alike, to send fire upon the sacrifice that he had prepared. The result was that fire came down and consumed the sacrifice. It would be later, at the occasion of the Ahaziah’s soldiers who came seeking Elijah, that this prophet had again become persuaded that the Lord would protect him, and at the same time prove to all concerned that the Lord was the true God, and this by sending fire out of heaven and consuming them. Ahaziah, being the wicked king that he was, with no regard to the lives of his soldiers or his people, sent another captain of fifty soldiers, commanding Elijah again to “come down.” Elijah responded in the same manner, and again, the fire from heaven descended and consumed them also. Godless, and idolatrous Ahaziah and his unbelieving men, would defy the King of Heaven by seeking to apprehend the Lord’s servant, Elijah. It would not be until the third captain would be sent that we see a stay in the judgment of God, for in this man, there was not only faith, but humiliy, and certainly the fear of God. He would approach Elijah, and likewise call him, “… man of God.” (v.13) However, this man would fall on his knees and beseech Elijah to “…let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.” (v.14) The result of the humility of this man would not only be the saving of his entire troupe, but Elijah’s response of willingness to go down and follow him. So, not only is the prophet declared to be “a man of God” by unbeliever and believer alike, but he calls himself a man of God. What distinguishes him from all others, and how can he have such confidence that this is so?
Elijah had walked with, and served God, for many years. He was at the end of his journey on earth, and had come to know with certainty the God that he served. That which made him the man of God that he was, was the clear channel of communication and fellowship with God that was maintained, being manifested by God’s blessing. Elijah was a man, as James the Apostle put it, “…of like passions as we.” In other words he was not a perfect man, but he learned to live with a perfect attitude of faith in the faithfulness of God. The distinguishing factor that identified him being a man of God was the blessing of God upon him. His words were those given to him by God for the people. He was unrelenting in his pursuit of God, defiant in his opposition to that which was not of God. His objective was God’s glory.
Dear Father, We would BE Thine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.