• Jacob Chanikuzhy

When the child was born, the angels hovered over the baby. They then wrapped the baby in fire, feeding it with flames! This description is not about any divine child in Greek or Roman mythology. It is an extra-biblical story about the prophet Elijah. This infancy narrative best suits the highly inflammable character of the prophet Elijah. Elijah was through and through a fiery prophet (1 Kings 17-19). In his wrath against the idolatrous King Ahab and the kingdom of Israel, he shut the heavens and brought drought to the kingdom of Israel. He called down fire from heaven to consume his sacrifice. In the end, he was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot. He was a nightmare for the worshippers of Baal. His prophecies meant doom and gloom for the idolaters. Confronted with the wicked King Ahab of Israel, he prophesied that dogs would lick up his blood. In the same vein, he prophesied to the idolatrous queen Jezebel that her flesh would be meat for the dogs. All in all, Prophet Elijah had such passion for Yahweh that he declared that he was “very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts” (1 Kings 19, 10).

Elijah was conscious of his zeal for the Lord of Hosts. But at the same time, he underestimated other people’s affinity for God. He thought that he was the only prophet of Yahweh who remained in the Kingdom of Israel. It was a blatant lie! So, God disagreed with him. It is against this background that the Jewish tradition of the Elijah’s chair originated. The Jews would set an additional chair when they perform circumcision on a baby. This chair is kept empty for Elijah. The idea is that Elijah should have a chance to witness the people’s faithfulness to the covenant, of which circumcision is proof.

The miracle-working fiery prophet Elijah was also, at times, a weary prophet. When Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him, the prophet froze with fear. In his deep desperation, he pleaded with God to take his life. Anger, fear, frustration, despair, depression… Elijah knew it all.

The miracle-working fiery prophet Elijah was also, at times, a weary prophet. When Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him, the prophet froze with fear. In his deep desperation, he pleaded with God to take his life. Anger, fear, frustration, despair, depression… Elijah knew it all.

The story of Elijah is also the story of divine providence. When Elijah fled from King Ahab, God arranged for ravens to bring bread and meat to Elijah. Ravens were considered as unclean birds. Still, it was these unclean birds that God chose to take care of his beloved prophet. Again, when the wadi from which the prophet drank water dried up, God prepared a gentile widow to feed the prophet with bread and oil. These stories illustrate the power of God to bring help to his servants from unexpected quarters. Unclean and predatory birds were moved to do a clean and life-saving act. When it comes to the feeding of his servants, God can make even ravenous people provide for their needs. A widow is a synonym for helplessness. Nevertheless, in God’s providence, she became a beacon of hope for the prophet.

Some extra-biblical stories about Elijah communicate the theme of God’s providence and justice. One famous story is related to Rabbi Joshua ben Levi, who was a friend of Elijah. He once wandered with the prophet Elijah. The duo first entered the house of an old couple, who owned an old cow. The poor couple treated the guests with whatever dainties they had at home. Next morning, as they left, the prophet Elijah prayed that the cow would die. They travelled further and visited the home of a rich man. He scolded them and admonished them not to disturb people by begging for food. As they passed the compound wall of the rich man, the wall started to collapse. Elijah then prayed that the wall be restored. Thereupon, Rabbi Joshua ben Levi asked the prophet for an explanation of his acts. The prophet replied that the angel of death had come to take the wife of the old man, and he then prayed to God to take the old cow instead. There was a treasure hidden in the collapsing wall, and Elijah restored it through prayer so that the wicked rich man might not obtain it. These stories teach that believers should not be disturbed by what appears to be the misfortune of the pious and the fortune of the wicked. The divine providence rewards his servants in unfathomable ways.