Pentecost 12 2024

The heroic champion of God’s cause is found in our first reading this morning running for his life. Elijah lived at a time when paganism and false worship ruled the day. True worship was in decline and the political leaders were notoriously corrupt and acted wickedly. Many purportedly speaking the Word of the Lord were doing so falsely. Does all this sound familiar? And yet, the Prophet Elijah confronted and stood his ground against wicked King Ahab. He had faced down 850 pagan prophets of Baal and Asherah on Mount Carmel and saw to their deaths with his sword. But that was before. In the light of evil Queen Jezebel’s threats Elijah’s heart melted like wax, his legs took off running, and he despaired of his life.