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+ The Holy Prophet Elijah +
20 July, Old Testament
The prophet Elijah, whose name means, "My God is Yahweh [the
Lord]," prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, mostly during the reign of Ahab (874 – 853 B.C.).
Ahab, under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel, had encouraged the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom, even as Jezebel sought to get rid of the worship of Yahweh. Elijah was called by God to denounce this idolatry and to call the people of Israel back to the worship Yahweh as the only true God (as he did in
1 Kings 18:20-40).
Elijah was a rugged and imposing figure, living in the wilderness and dressing in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt (
2 Kings 1:8). He was a prophet mighty in word and deed. The Lord worked many miracles through Elijah, including the raising of the dead (
1 Kings 17:17-24) and the effecting of a long drought in Israel (
1 Kings 17:1).
At the end of his ministry, he was taken up into heaven as
Elisha, his successor, looked on (
2 Kings 2:11). Later on, the prophet Malachi proclaimed that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (
Malachi 4:5-6), a prophecy that was fulfilled in the prophetic ministry of
John the Baptist (see Jesus' words in
Matthew 11:1-19).
See
Happenings for a hymn stanza written for the
Commemoration of Elijah.
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Aardvark Alley
+ The Holy Prophet Elijah +
20 July, Old Testament

The prophet Elijah, whose name means, "My God is Yahweh [the
Lord]," prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, mostly during the reign of Ahab (874 – 853 B.C.).
Ahab, under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel, had encouraged the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom, even as Jezebel sought to get rid of the worship of Yahweh. Elijah was called by God to denounce this idolatry and to call the people of Israel back to the worship Yahweh as the only true God (as he did in
1 Kings 18:20-40).
Elijah was a rugged and imposing figure, living in the wilderness and dressing in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt (
2 Kings 1:8). He was a prophet mighty in word and deed. The Lord worked many miracles through Elijah, including the raising of the dead (
1 Kings 17:17-24) and the effecting of a long drought in Israel (
1 Kings 17:1).
At the end of his ministry, he was taken up into heaven as
Elisha, his successor, looked on (
2 Kings 2:11). Later on, the Lord proclaimed through the prophet Malachi that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (
Malachi 4:5-6), a prophecy that was fulfilled in the prophetic ministry of
John the Baptist (see Jesus' words in
Matthew 11:1-19).
See
Happenings for a hymn stanza written for the
Commemoration of Elijah.
Tags: Elijah |
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Aardvark Alley
+ The Holy Prophet Elijah +
20 July, Old Testament

The prophet Elijah, whose name means, "My God is Yahweh [the
Lord]," prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, mostly during the reign of Ahab (874 – 853 B.C.).
Ahab, under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel, had encouraged the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom, even as Jezebel sought to get rid of the worship of Yahweh. Elijah was called by God to denounce this idolatry and to call the people of Israel back to the worship Yahweh as the only true God (as he did in
1 Kings 18:20-40).
Elijah was a rugged and imposing figure, living in the wilderness and dressing in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt (
2 Kings 1:8). He was a prophet mighty in word and deed. The Lord worked many miracles through Elijah, including the raising of the dead (
1 Kings 17:17-24) and the effecting of a long drought in Israel (
1 Kings 17:1).
At the end of his ministry, he was taken up into heaven as
Elisha, his successor, looked on (
2 Kings 2:11). Later on, the Lord proclaimed through the prophet Malachi that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (
Malachi 4:5-6), a prophecy that was fulfilled in the prophetic ministry of
John the Baptist (see Jesus' words in
Matthew 11:1-19).
See
Happenings for a hymn stanza written for the
Commemoration of Elijah.
Tags: Elijah |
Prophet Elijah |
Elisha |
Ahab |
Jezebel |
Israel |
prophecy |
Messianic prophecy |
Jesus |
Christ |
John the Baptist |
Malachi |
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Aardvark Alley
+ The Holy Prophet Elijah +
20 July, Old Testament

The prophet Elijah, whose name means, "My God is Yahweh [the
Lord]," prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, mostly during the reign of Ahab (874 – 853 B.C.).
Ahab, under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel, had encouraged the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom, even as Jezebel sought to get rid of the worship of Yahweh. Elijah was called by God to denounce this idolatry and to call the people of Israel back to the worship Yahweh as the only true God (as he did in
1 Kings 18:20-40).
Elijah was a rugged and imposing figure, living in the wilderness and dressing in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt (
2 Kings 1:8). He was a prophet mighty in word and deed. The Lord worked many miracles through Elijah, including the raising of the dead (
1 Kings 17:17-24) and the effecting of a long drought in Israel (
1 Kings 17:1).
At the end of his ministry, he was taken up into heaven as
Elisha, his successor, looked on (
2 Kings 2:11). Later on, the Lord proclaimed through the prophet Malachi that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (
Malachi 4:5-6), a prophecy that was fulfilled in the prophetic ministry of
John the Baptist (see Jesus' words in
Matthew 11:1-19).
See
Happenings for a hymn stanza written for the
Commemoration of Elijah.
Tags: Elijah |
Prophet Elijah |
Elisha |
Ahab |
Jezebel |
Israel |
prophecy |
Messianic prophecy |
Jesus |
Christ |
John the Baptist |
Malachi |
prophet |
sin |
judgment |
Bible |
Old Testament |
Bible history |
Church Year |
liturgical calendar |
Christianity |
Christian |
Lutheran |
Lutheranism |
Christian feasts |
biography |
hagiography |
saint |
commemorations |
lectionary |
exegetical theology |
Aardvark Alley
The Holy Prophet Elijah
20 July, Old Testament
The prophet Elijah, whose name means, "My God is Yahweh [the
Lord]," prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, mostly during the reign of Ahab (874 – 853 B.C.).
Ahab, under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel, had encouraged the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom, even as Jezebel sought to get rid of the worship of Yahweh. Elijah was called by God to denounce this idolatry and to call the people of Israel back to the worship Yahweh as the only true God (as he did in
1 Kings 18:20-40).
Elijah was a rugged and imposing figure, living in the wilderness and dressing in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt (
2 Kings 1:8). He was a prophet mighty in word and deed. The Lord worked many miracles through Elijah, including the raising of the dead (
1 Kings 17:17-24) and the effecting of a long drought in Israel (
1 Kings 17:1).
At the end of his ministry, he was taken up into heaven as
Elisha, his successor, looked on (
2 Kings 2:11). Later on, the prophet Malachi proclaimed that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (
Malachi 4:5-6), a prophecy that was fulfilled in the prophetic ministry of
John the Baptist (see Jesus' words in
Matthew 11:1-19).
Technorati Tags:
Elijah |
Prophet Elijah |
Elisha |
Ahab |
Jezebel |
Israel |
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Jesus |
Christ |
John the Baptist |
Malachi |
prophet |
sin |
judgment |
Bible |
Old Testament |
Bible history |
Church Year |
liturgical calendar |
Christianity |
Christian |
Lutheran |
Lutheranism |
Christian feasts |
biography |
hagiography |
saint |
commemorations |
lectionary |
exegetical theology
The Holy Prophet Elijah
20 July, Old Testament
The prophet Elijah, whose name means, "My God is Yahweh [the
Lord]," prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, mostly during the reign of Ahab (874–853 B.C.).
Ahab, under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel, had encouraged the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom, even as Jezebel sought to get rid of the worship of Yahweh. Elijah was called by God to denounce this idolatry and to call the people of Israel back to the worship Yahweh as the only true God (as he did in
1 Kings 18:20-40).
Elijah was a rugged and imposing figure, living in the wilderness and dressing in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt (
2 Kings 1:8). He was a prophet mighty in word and deed. Many miracles were done through Elijah, including the raising of the dead (
1 Kings 17:17-24), and the effecting of a long drought in Israel (
1 Kings 17:1).
At the end of his ministry, he was taken up into heaven as Elisha, his successor, looked on (
2 Kings 2:11). Later on the prophet Malachi proclaimed that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (
Malachi 4:5-6), a prophecy that was fulfilled in the prophetic ministry of John the Baptist (
Matthew 11:14).
Technorati Tags:
Elijah |
Prophet Elijah |
sin |
judgment |
Ahab |
Jezebel |
Israel |
prophecy |
Messianic prophecy |
John the Baptist
+ The Holy Prophet Elijah +
20 July, Old Testament

The prophet Elijah, whose name means, "My God is Yahweh [the
Lord]," prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, mostly during the reign of Ahab (874 – 853 B.C.).
Ahab, under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel, had encouraged the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom, even as Jezebel sought to get rid of the worship of Yahweh. Elijah was called by God to denounce this idolatry and to call the people of Israel back to the worship Yahweh as the only true God (as he did in
1 Kings 18:20-40).
Elijah was a rugged and imposing figure, living in the wilderness and dressing in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt (
2 Kings 1:8). He was a prophet mighty in word and deed. The Lord worked many miracles through Elijah, including the raising of the dead (
1 Kings 17:17-24) and the effecting of a long drought in Israel (
1 Kings 17:1).
At the end of his ministry, he was taken up into heaven as
Elisha, his successor, looked on (
2 Kings 2:11). Later on, the Lord proclaimed through the prophet Malachi that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (
Malachi 4:5-6), a prophecy that was fulfilled in the prophetic ministry of
John the Baptist (see Jesus' words in
Matthew 11:1-19).
See
Happenings for a hymn stanza written for the
Commemoration of Elijah.
Labels: ahab, biography, commemorations, elijah, elisha, hagiography, israel, jezebel, john the baptist, old testament, prophet
+ The Holy Prophet Elijah +
20 July, Old Testament

The prophet Elijah, whose name means, "My God is Yahweh [the
Lord]," prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, mostly during the reign of Ahab (874 – 853 B.C.).
Ahab, under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel, had encouraged the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom, even as Jezebel sought to get rid of the worship of Yahweh. Elijah was called by God to denounce this idolatry and to call the people of Israel back to the worship Yahweh as the only true God (as he did in
1 Kings 18:20-40).
Elijah was a rugged and imposing figure, living in the wilderness and dressing in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt (
2 Kings 1:8). He was a prophet mighty in word and deed. The Lord worked many miracles through Elijah, including the raising of the dead (
1 Kings 17:17-24) and the effecting of a long drought in Israel (
1 Kings 17:1).
At the end of his ministry, he was taken up into heaven as
Elisha, his successor, looked on (
2 Kings 2:11). Later on, the Lord proclaimed through the prophet Malachi that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (
Malachi 4:5-6), a prophecy that was fulfilled in the prophetic ministry of
John the Baptist (see Jesus' words in
Matthew 11:1-19).
See
Happenings for a hymn stanza written for the
Commemoration of Elijah.
Labels: 1 kings, 2 kings, ahab, biography, commemorations, elijah, elisha, hagiography, israel, jezebel, john the baptist, old testament, prophet, transfiguration
+ The Holy Prophet Elijah +
20 July, Old Testament

The prophet Elijah, whose name means, "My God is Yahweh [the
Lord]," prophesied in the northern kingdom of Israel, mostly during the reign of Ahab (874 – 853 B.C.).
Ahab, under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel, had encouraged the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom, even as Jezebel sought to get rid of the worship of Yahweh. Elijah was called by God to denounce this idolatry and to call the people of Israel back to the worship Yahweh as the only true God (as he did in
1 Kings 18:20-40).
Elijah was a rugged and imposing figure, living in the wilderness and dressing in a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt (
2 Kings 1:8). He was a prophet mighty in word and deed. The Lord worked many miracles through Elijah, including the raising of the dead (
1 Kings 17:17-24) and the effecting of a long drought in Israel (
1 Kings 17:1).
At the end of his ministry, he was taken up into heaven as
Elisha, his successor, looked on (
2 Kings 2:11). Later on, the Lord proclaimed through the prophet Malachi that Elijah would return before the coming of the Messiah (
Malachi 4:5-6), a prophecy that was fulfilled in the prophetic ministry of
John the Baptist (see Jesus' words in
Matthew 11:1-19).
See
Happenings for a hymn stanza written for the
Commemoration of Elijah.
Labels: 1 kings, 2 kings, ahab, biography, commemorations, elijah, elisha, hagiography, israel, jezebel, john the baptist, old testament, prophet
+ The Holy Prophet Elisha +
14 June, Old Testament

After the prophet
Elijah defeated the priests of Baal and then fled Jezebel's wrath, The Lord came to him on Mount Horeb. He told him to anoint new kings of Syria and Israel. He also commanded Elijah to anoint "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, (
1 Kings 19:16)" a member of the tribe of Issachar, to replace Elijah as the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C.
During Elijah's final days on earth, Elisha refused to leave his mentor's side. Elisha asked Elijah to grant him a final blessing, saying, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me. (
2 Kings 2:9)" Once he saw the elder prophet taken up into heaven, Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and assumed the prophetic office (
2 Kings 2:1-14).
Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, foreshadowing the miracles of God's own son. Among these, he cured the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (
2 Kings 5:1-27), fed a multitude of hungry men (
2 Kings 4:42-44), and restored life to the son of a Shunammite woman (
4:8-37). A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means "my God is salvation."
Tags: Elisha |
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Naaman |
prophet |
prophecy |
Shunammite woman |
Bible |
Old Testament |
Bible history |
Church Year |
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Christianity |
Christian |
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commemorations |
lectionary |
exegetical theology |
Aardvark AlleyLabels: biography, christianity, commemorations, elijah, elisha, hagiography, lutheranism, old testament, prophet
+ The Holy Prophet Elisha +
14 June, Old Testament
After the prophet
Elijah defeated the priests of Baal and then fled Jezebel's wrath, The Lord came to him on mount Horeb. He told him to anoint new kings of Syria and Israel. He also commanded Elijah to anoint "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, (
1 Kings 19:16)" a member of the tribe of Issachar, to replace Elijah as the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C.
During Elijah's final days on earth, Elisha refused to leave his mentor's side. Elisha asked Elijah to grant him a final blessing, saying, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me. (
2 Kings 2:9)" Once he saw the elder prophet taken up into heaven, Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and assumed the prophetic office (
2 Kings 2:1-14).
Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, such as curing the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (
2 Kings 5:1-27) and restoring life to the son of a Shunammite woman (
4:8-37). A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means "my God is salvation."
Technorati Tags:
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Elijah |
Naaman |
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Shunammite woman |
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Christianity |
Christian |
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Lutheranism |
Christian feasts |
biography |
hagiography |
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exegetical theology |
Aardvark Alley
+ The Holy Prophet Elisha +
14 June, Old Testament

After the prophet
Elijah defeated the priests of Baal and then fled Jezebel's wrath, The Lord came to him on Mount Horeb. He told him to anoint new kings of Syria and Israel. He also commanded Elijah to anoint "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, (
1 Kings 19:16)" a member of the tribe of Issachar, to replace Elijah as the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C.
During Elijah's final days on earth, Elisha refused to leave his mentor's side. Elisha asked Elijah to grant him a final blessing, saying, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me. (
2 Kings 2:9)" Once he saw the elder prophet taken up into heaven, Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and assumed the prophetic office (
2 Kings 2:1-14).
Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, foreshadowing the miracles of God's own son. Among these, he cured the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (
2 Kings 5:1-27), fed a multitude of hungry men (
2 Kings 4:42-44), and restored life to the son of a Shunammite woman (
4:8-37). A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means "my God is salvation."
Tags: Elisha |
Elijah |
Naaman |
prophet |
prophecy |
Shunammite woman |
Bible |
Old Testament |
Bible history |
Church Year |
liturgical calendar |
Christianity |
Christian |
Lutheran |
Lutheranism |
Christian feasts |
biography |
hagiography |
saint |
commemorations |
lectionary |
exegetical theology |
Aardvark Alley
The Holy Prophet Elisha
14 June, Old Testament
After the prophet
Elijah defeated the priests of Baal and then fled Jezebel's wrath, The Lord came to him on mount Horeb. He told him to anoint new kings of Syria and Israel. He also commanded Elijah to anoint "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, (
1 Kings 19:16)" a member of the tribe of Issachar, to replace Elijah as the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C.
During Elijah's final days on earth, Elisha refused to leave his mentor's side. Elisha asked Elijah to grant him a final blessing, saying, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me. (
2 Kings 2:9)" Once he saw the elder prophet taken up into heaven, Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and assumed the prophetic office (
2 Kings 2:1-14).
Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, such as curing the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (
2 Kings 5:1-27) and restoring life to the son of a Shunammite woman (
4:8-37). A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means "my God is salvation."
Technorati Tags:
Elisha |
Elijah |
Naaman |
prophet |
prophecy |
Shunammite woman |
Bible |
Old Testament |
Bible history |
Church Year |
liturgical calendar |
Christianity |
Christian |
Lutheran |
Lutheranism |
Christian feasts |
biography |
hagiography |
saint |
commemorations |
lectionary |
exegetical theology
+ The Holy Prophet Elisha +
14 June, Old Testament

After the prophet
Elijah defeated the priests of Baal and then fled Jezebel's wrath, The Lord came to him on mount Horeb. He told him to anoint new kings of Syria and Israel. He also commanded Elijah to anoint "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, (
1 Kings 19:16)" a member of the tribe of Issachar, to replace Elijah as the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C.
During Elijah's final days on earth, Elisha refused to leave his mentor's side. Elisha asked Elijah to grant him a final blessing, saying, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me. (
2 Kings 2:9)" Once he saw the elder prophet taken up into heaven, Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and assumed the prophetic office (
2 Kings 2:1-14).
Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, such as curing the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (
2 Kings 5:1-27) and restoring life to the son of a Shunammite woman (
4:8-37). A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means "my God is salvation."
Technorati Tags:
Elisha |
Elijah |
Naaman |
prophet |
prophecy |
Shunammite woman |
Bible |
Old Testament |
Bible history |
Church Year |
liturgical calendar |
Christianity |
Christian |
Lutheran |
Lutheranism |
Christian feasts |
biography |
hagiography |
saint |
commemorations |
lectionary |
exegetical theology |
Aardvark Alley
+ The Holy Prophet Elisha +
14 June, Old Testament
After the prophet
Elijah defeated the priests of Baal and then fled Jezebel's wrath, the Lord came to him on mount Horeb. He told him to anoint new kings of Syria and Israel. He also commanded Elijah to anoint "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, (
1 Kings 19:16)" a member of the tribe of Issachar, to replace Elijah as the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C.
During Elijah's final days on earth, Elisha refused to leave his mentor's side. Elisha asked Elijah to grant him a final blessing, saying, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me. (
2 Kings 2:9)" Once he saw the elder prophet taken up into heaven, Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and assumed the prophetic office (
2 Kings 2:1-14).
Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, such as curing the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (
2 Kings 5:1-27) and restoring life to the son of a Shunammite woman (
4:8-37). A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means "my God is salvation."
Technorati Tags:
Elisha |
Elijah |
Naaman |
prophet |
prophecy |
Shunammite woman |
Bible |
Old Testament |
Bible history |
Church Year |
liturgical calendar |
Christianity |
Christian |
Lutheran |
Lutheranism |
Christian feasts |
biography |
hagiography |
saint |
commemorations |
lectionary |
exegetical theology |
Aardvark Alley
+ The Holy Prophet Elisha +
14 June, Old Testament

After the prophet
Elijah defeated the priests of Baal and then fled Jezebel's wrath, The Lord came to him on Mount Horeb. He told him to anoint new kings of Syria and Israel. He also commanded Elijah to anoint "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, (
1 Kings 19:16)" a member of the tribe of Issachar, to replace Elijah as the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C.
During Elijah's final days on earth, Elisha refused to leave his mentor's side. Elisha asked Elijah to grant him a final blessing, saying, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me. (
2 Kings 2:9)" Once he saw the elder prophet taken up into heaven, Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and assumed the prophetic office (
2 Kings 2:1-14).
Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, foreshadowing the miracles of God's own son. Among these, he cured the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (
2 Kings 5:1-27), fed a multitude of hungry men (
2 Kings 4:42-44), and restored life to the son of a Shunammite woman (
4:8-37). A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means "my God is salvation."
Tags: Elisha |
Elijah |
Naaman |
prophet |
prophecy |
Shunammite woman |
Bible |
Old Testament |
Bible history |
Church Year |
liturgical calendar |
Christianity |
Christian |
Lutheran |
Lutheranism |
Christian feasts |
biography |
hagiography |
saint |
commemorations |
lectionary |
exegetical theology |
Aardvark Alley
+ The Holy Prophet Elisha +
14 June, Old Testament

After the prophet
Elijah defeated the priests of Baal and then fled Jezebel's wrath, The Lord came to him on Mount Horeb. He told him to anoint new kings of Syria and Israel. He also commanded Elijah to anoint "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, (
1 Kings 19:16)" a member of the tribe of Issachar, to replace Elijah as the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C.
During Elijah's final days on earth, Elisha refused to leave his mentor's side. Elisha asked Elijah to grant him a final blessing, saying, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me. (
2 Kings 2:9)" Once he saw the elder prophet taken up into heaven, Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and assumed the prophetic office (
2 Kings 2:1-14).
Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, foreshadowing the miracles of God's own son. Among these, he cured the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (
2 Kings 5:1-27), fed a multitude of hungry men (
2 Kings 4:42-44), and restored life to the son of a Shunammite woman (
4:8-37).
A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means "my God is salvation."
Labels: biography, christianity, commemorations, elijah, elisha, hagiography, lutheranism, old testament, prophet
+ The Holy Prophet Elisha +
14 June, Old Testament

After the prophet
Elijah defeated the priests of Baal and then fled Jezebel's wrath, The Lord came to him on Mount Horeb. He told him to anoint new kings of Syria and Israel. He also commanded Elijah to anoint "Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah, (
1 Kings 19:16)" a member of the tribe of Issachar, to replace Elijah as the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C.
During Elijah's final days on earth, Elisha refused to leave his mentor's side. Elisha asked Elijah to grant him a final blessing, saying, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me. (
2 Kings 2:9)" Once he saw the elder prophet taken up into heaven, Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and assumed the prophetic office (
2 Kings 2:1-14).
Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, foreshadowing the miracles of God's own son. Among these, he cured the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (
2 Kings 5:1-27), fed a multitude of hungry men (
2 Kings 4:42-44), and restored life to the son of a Shunammite woman (
4:8-37).
A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means "my God is salvation."
Labels: biography, christianity, commemorations, elijah, elisha, hagiography, lutheranism, old testament, prophet
Elisha
14 June, Old TestamentElisha, son of Shaphat of the tribe of Issachar, was the prophet of God to the northern kingdom of Israel ca. 849-786 B.C. Refusing to leave his mentor's side during Elijah's final days on earth, once he saw the elder prophet taken up into heaven, Elisha took up Elijah's mantle and assumed the prophetic office (
2 Kings 2:1-14).
Like Elijah, Elisha played an active role in political affairs. He also performed many miracles, such as curing the Syrian army commander Naaman of his leprosy (
2 Kings 5:1-27) and restoring life to the son of a Shunammite woman (
4:8-37). A vocal opponent of Baal worship, Elisha lived up to his name, which means "my God is salvation."
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+ Saint Mary, Mother of God +
15 August, New Testament
The honor paid to Saint Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus Christ our Lord, God, and Savior goes back to the earliest days of the Church. Indeed, it goes back farther: Even before the birth of her Son, Mary prophesied, "From now on all generations will call me blessed. (
Luke 1:48 ESV)" Confessing her as "Mother of God" also confesses that the One whom she bore was and is, indeed, true God.
The New Testament records several incidents from the life of the Virgin: her betrothal to
Joseph, the
Annunciation by the angel Gabriel that she was to bear the Messiah, her
Visitation to Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist, the Nativity of our Lord, the visits of the shepherds and the magi, her
Purification and the Presentation of the infant Jesus in the Temple at the age of forty days, the flight into Egypt, the Passover visit to the Temple when Jesus was twelve, (
Matthew 1:16,18-25;
Matthew 2;
Luke 1:26-56;
Luke 2); the wedding at Cana in Galilee and the performance of her Son's first miracle (at Mary's intercession, see
John 2:1-11), the occasions when observers basically said of Jesus, "How can this man be special? We know his family!" (
Matthew 13:54-56;
Mark 6:1-3;
Luke 4:22; see also
John 6:42); an instance when she came with others to see Him while he was preaching (
Matthew 12:46-50;
Mark 3:31-35;
Luke 8:19-21); and her presence at His crucifixion, where Jesus commended her to the care of His Beloved Disciple (
John 19:25-27). Mary was also present with the apostles in Jerusalem following the Ascension, waiting for the promised Spirit (
Acts 1:14). Thus, we see her present at many of the chief events of her Son's life.
Besides Jesus, only two people are mentioned by name in the Creeds. One is Pontius Pilate, Roman procurator of Judea from 26 to 36 AD. Knowing that Jesus was crucified by Pilate's order pins down the date of His death within a few years, certifying that we are not talking "once upon a time," like worshipers of some mythical god. His death is an historical event, something that really happened.
The other name in the Creeds is that of Mary. They say that Christ was "born of the virgin Mary." That is, they assert that he was truly and fully human, born of a woman and not descended from the skies like an angel. Jesus was not a spirit temporarily cloaked in a robe of human-seeming flesh.
Telling us that His mother was a virgin excludes the theory that Jesus was an ordinary man who was so virtuous that he eventually, at His baptism, became filled with a "Christ Spirit" by God. His virgin birth attests that He was always more than merely human, always one whose presence among us was in itself a miracle, from the first moment of His earthly existence. In Mary, Virgin and Mother, God gives us a sign that Jesus is both truly God and truly man. Emphasizing this point, the
Council of Ephesis in AD 431 officially titled her
Theotokos (God-bearer) and rejected and condemned the title
Christotokos (Christ-bearer).
Ask the Pastor comments on the distinction in
Blessed Virgin Mary: Mother of God.
We know Little of Mary's life except as it intersects with the life of her Son; this is appropriate. The Scriptures record her words to the angel Gabriel, to her kinswoman Elizabeth, and to her Son on two occasions. The only recorded saying of hers to "ordinary" hearers is her instruction to the servants at the wedding feast: "Do whatever he [Jesus] tells you. (
John 2:5 ESV)" Perhaps this should be the summation of her message to the world. To this day, she reminds us, "Listen to Jesus. Pay attention to my Son. Do as He says."
She didn't seek the regard of others on her own behalf. If our honor for the Blessed Virgin doesn't turn our attention from her to the One whom she bore and suckled, to the Word made flesh, then we may be certain that it is not the blessing that she seeks. A right regard for Mary always directs us to Him who made her womb His first earthly dwelling-place.
In different parts of the Church, the date is remembered in various ways. Roman Catholicism celebrates the
Assumption of Mary and claims that she was taken, body and soul, to heaven. However, I've found contradictory teachings in the Roman Church, arguing whether she was translated in the manner of
Enoch or
Elijah, if she died and was resurrected on earth and then taken to heaven, or if her dead body was taken and then rejoined with her soul in heaven.
Meanwhile, Eastern Orthodoxy celebrates the
Dormition of the Theotokos. It claims that Mary certainly died but that when Thomas visited three days later, her body was gone from the tomb. As to whether the body will be kept in heaven until the general resurrection on the Last Day or already rejoined with her spirit, Orthodoxy will not make a final dogmatic pronouncement.
In the rest of Christendom that follows a sanctorial calendar, the general belief seems to be that she likely died and awaits the resurrection with all others who departed in the Faith. See
Jesus, Mary, and Martin for more on Lutheran teachings concerning the Virgin, including citations from Martin Luther and the
Lutheran Confessions.
LectionPsalm 34:1-9 or
Psalm 45:10-15Isaiah 61:7-11Galatians 4:4-7Luke 1:46-55Collect of the DayGrant, we humbly pray, O Lord, to Your servants the gift of Your heavenly blessing that, as the Son of the Virgin Mary has granted us salvation, we may daily grow in Your favor; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
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