The life of Elijah

The life of ElijahThe life of Elijah has gripped the thought and imagination of preachers and writers in all ages. His sudden appearance out of complete obscurity, his dramatic interventions in the national history of Israel, his miracles, his departure from the earth in a chariot of fire all serve to that end. He comes in like a tempest, who went out like a whirlwind, says Bishop Hall; the first we hear from him is an oath and a threat. Judgement and mercy were

The life of Elijah has gripped the thought and imagination of preachers and writers in all ages. His sudden appearance out of complete obscurity, his dramatic interventions in the national history of Israel, his miracles, his departure from the earth in a chariot of fire all serve to that end. ‘He comes in like a tempest, who went out like a whirlwind’, says Bishop Hall; ‘the first we hear from him is an oath and a threat’. Judgement and mercy were mingled throughout Elijah’s astonishing career.

It is fitting that the lessons which may be drawn from Elijah’s ministry should be presented afresh to our generation. History repeats itself. The wickedness and idolatry rampant in Ahab’s reign live in our gross 21st century’s profanities and corruptions. False prophets occupy large spheres of influence and truths dear to our evangelical forefathers have been downtrodden as the mire in the streets. A.W. Pink clearly felt called to the task of smiting the ungodliness of the age with the rod of God’s anger while at the same time encouraging the faithful remnant. With these objects he undertakes the exposition of Elijah’s ministry and applies it to the contemporary situation.

Publisher: Banner of Truth
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9780851510415

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Born in Nottingham, England in 1886, Arthur Walkington Pink was converted to Christ while a spiritualist medium. He briefly attended the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois, in 1910, before taking up his first pastorate at Silverton, Colorado. Little-known to the outside world, he pastored other churches in the United States and Australia before finally returning to his homeland in 1934. Settling in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, there he died almost unnoticed in 1952. By that date, however, the magazine he had started in 1922 – Studies in the Scriptures – was feeding several of the men who were leading a return to doctrinal Christianity, including Martyn Lloyd-Jones and Douglas Johnson (founder of Inter-Varsity) and, in book form after his death, his writings became very widely read across the world. The Trust publishes his The Sovereignty of God, Gleanings from Paul, Profiting from the Word, The Life of Elijah, and a number of titles which have been translated into Spanish.

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Extremely well written book, pulling in from all parts of the Bible to explain the ways of God and their application in Elijah's ( and every devout Christian's) walk with God. Most chapters are only 7-8 pages, but it would take several hours to study what Pink has written in each chapter if one proposes to allow Pink's writings to sink in and have future application in one's own life. Pink shows how Elijah had to move from faith to faith and God proved his provisions and protections for Elijah. If one wonders why God chose ravens to feed Elijah, Pink explains. If one wonders why God doesn't just deliver one from trouble, one can see God's reasons why herein. I have only read the first half so far and look forward each day to the change to find what of God's ways Pink will unfold in the next chapter. I choose carefully which Christian books I read, for there are many. I have always loved the prophet Elijah, but I don't really know why. I still don't have a particular reason, but I do know why I love this book. Pink brings so many things I have learned regarding the ways of God into memorable form through the life of Elijah. If you want a life-changing book to be remembered for its impact, this is it if you study it. It has my highest endorsement. Brigadier