1. Birthplace, "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead." 1 KINGS Xvii. 1. "WHO MAKETH HIS ANGELS SPIRITS HIS MINISTERS A FLAMING FIRE. PSALM CIV. 4. BIRTHPLACE, APPEARANCE, AND CHARACTER. THE life of ELIJAH is, in the truest sense of the word, a poem, -an inspired epic. It is surrounded throughout with a blended halo of heroism and saintliness. Though neither angel nor demi-god, but "a man of like passions," intensely human in all the varied incidents and episodes of his picturesque history,-he yet seems as if he held converse more with heaven than earth. His name, which literally means "My God the Lord," or "Jehovah is my God," introduces us to one who had delegated to him superhuman powers; not only an ambassador from above, but the very viceroy and representative of Omnipotence. He announces himself as standing before the Lord of hosts,* as if he were a retainer in the heavenly palace, rather than a citizen of the lower world; coming forth from time to time from his mysterious seclusion to deliver his message, and then retiring again into solitude to wait fresh communications from on high. No one in Scripture story possesses a more thorough individuality; and this is all the more remarkable, as we have only a few broad touches descriptive of his personal appearance, and of his mental and moral character. But these are * 1 Kings xvii. 1. so bold and impressive, that there is no mistaking him. He stands out in massive relief from the sacred canvas. Others of illustrious name, who occupy a far larger share of the inspired page, appear shadowy and undefined in comparison with this illustrious product of nature and grace. He is presented to our view without a note of premonition, ushered at once on the stage of stirring action full panoplied,-in the colossal manhood and maturity of his being. This is all our introduction to him, as he confronts the guilty monarch of northern Palestine: "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand."* We have no antecedents in his history. No reference to ancestry, home, education, father, mother, companion, or friend; and this, too, throughout all the rest of his career, till nigh its close. He appears before us-the Melchizedek of his age-nursed in the wilds of nature for his great and momentous calling. There is a marked contrast in this respect between him and other wellknown names in the roll of Hebrew writers. Pilgrim and wayfarer as he was, with his moveable dwellings and altar, we are familiar with Abraham as "the Father," the patriarchal chief or sheik, surrounded with the hum of living voices and desert tents,—with wife and sister's son and children, slaves and herdsmen-ever ready, when occasion requires, to dispense the rites of Eastern hospitality. In the life of Moses, we come in contact at every turn with the same human relationships and sym * "He comes in with a tempest," says Bishop Hall, "who went out with a whirlwind." |