Chapter 307 of 1163

2 KINGS 1

“What kind of man was it?” (v. 7) is a key question. The messengers described Elijah’s physical appearance, but they left out the most important thing. Elijah was “a man with a nature like ours” (James 5:17), but he was also a “man of God” (vv. 9–13). The physical description in verse 8 is incidental, yet that is what most people emphasize in their lives.

He was guided by the Lord. Elijah knew what was happening because he listened to God’s voice (Ps. 25:4–5, 14). We today do not hear an audible voice, but we have His Spirit within us and His Word before us.

He glorified the Lord. The very idea of the king going to a false god for help! Elijah wanted Ahaziah to know that Jehovah alone was the true God and that the king had better bow humbly before the Lord.

He trusted the Lord to care for him. Elijah was one man against fifty-one soldiers, but the Lord protected him. Had the soldiers completely forgotten the fire that came down on Mount Carmel? The third captain humbled himself, and God spared him and his company.

He did the Lord’s will. He delivered the message to the king as he was commanded to do.

Can God’s people today be men and women of God? Certainly! Ponder 1 Timothy 6:10–12 and 2 Timothy 3:14–17.

The Man of God

The title “man of God” was given first to Moses (Deut. 33:1), then to Samuel (1 Sam. 9:6–7), Elijah (1 Kings 1:9–13), Elisha (2 Kings 4:9), David (2 Chron. 8:14), and Timothy (1 Tim. 6:11). You need not be a prophet to be a godly person, nor do you display your godliness by calling down fire from heaven (Luke 9:51–56). God wants us to use “coals of fire” and turn enemies into friends (Rom. 12:14–21).

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