Beginning Tomorrow Today - By Timothy Sherman

Was it not reported to my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets ofthe LORD, how I hid one hundred men of the LORD's prophets, fifty to a cave, and fed them with bread and water? And now you say, 'Go, tell your master, "Elijah is here."' He will kill me!" Then Elijah said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely present myself to him today" (1 Kings 18:1-15). Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him. Then they said to him, "Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley." And he said, "You shall not send anyone." But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, "Send them!" Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him." (2 Kings 2:15-17). Elijah is the most well known prophet in Scripture for his reputation for translating often. Who could forget the story of his being translated, or taken up, in a whirlwind in a flaming chariot with flaming horses? As the "Prophet of Fire," he was commonly known for unusual appearances, disappearances, and translations. Obadiah, King Ahab's personal servant, loved the true prophets of God and had a relationship with Elijah. He secretly hid the prophets that were Elijah's spiritual sons in caves from the evil king and queen oflsrael, Ahab and Jezebel, who sought to kill them. Elijah suddenly appeared to Obadiah to send him to Ahab with a message. Obadiah was afraid that ifhe went to Ahab and told him to meet with Elijah that Elijah would be translated to another place, and Obadiah would be in trouble with the king for Elijah's disappearance. Elisha, who caught Elijah's mantle of double portion abili ties, replacing him, was mockingly taunted by rebellious young men with the words, "Go up, Baldy," referring to a mocking challenge for him to transport as his father, Elijah, had. They were destroyed for mocking the Spirit of God. These translations of Elijah were com monly spoken of and rumored in surrounding nations. Elijah never 71