Elijah

Elijah the Tishbite appeared suddenly in Scripture, announcing to wicked King Ahab that there would be no rain in Israel except at his word. For three years, drought gripped the land while Elijah was sustained first by ravens at the brook Cherith, then by a widow in Zarephath, for whom he miraculously provided flour and oil and raised her son from the dead.

The dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel stands as one of Scripture's most powerful scenes. Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to a contest: each would prepare a sacrifice, and the god who answered by fire would be proven true. After the pagan prophets failed despite hours of frantic prayer and self-mutilation, Elijah drenched his sacrifice with water, prayed simply, and fire fell from heaven, consuming everything. The people cried, "The Lord, he is the God!"

Yet shortly after this triumph, Elijah fled in terror from Queen Jezebel's threat, wanting to die. In his depression, God met him gently, providing food, rest, and finally the revelation that God was not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a still small voice.

Elijah's ministry included anointing his successor Elisha and pronouncing judgment on Ahab's house. His departure was as dramatic as his ministry: a chariot of fire separated him from Elisha, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. He later appeared with Moses at Jesus' transfiguration.