The Sojourner of Gilead


This, and the following article are briefs on two of the major prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures. It is my prayer that the Lord, by His grace, will use them to His honor and glory and to serve His purpose, whatever that may be. So, I commend these short purviews to God and to the Word of His grace which is able to build us up.

"For whatsoever things were written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope" (Romans 15:4).

The Hebrew Scriptures and Bible contain stories of some of the greatest men and women the world has ever known. Many walked out of obscurity onto the world's scene from various occupations - kings, scholars, scribes, builders, farmers, shepherds, fishermen, publicans and tent-makers. What was the defining point that made some Bible greats - absolutely the greatest?

One of the most memorable and certainly the most beloved and revered person known to the Jewish people is Elijah the Tishbite. I have also chosen him from several, because Elijah is one of the greatest believers that ever lived; and though he never penned even one book in the Bible, Elijah's message is what Scripture is all about. His message, and especially his Elijah Message, which will be dealt with at a future date, speaks to earth's inhabitants living in the closing days of this Age of Grace.

If Elijah were to approach one of us on any busy street in the United States today, his appearance would be accepted as - well, as unusual. Elijah was what we would call a mountain man. He would look quite at ease with a black bear at his side. (I can very easily picture him as a kind of Grizzly Adams). His dress and appearance are mentioned in II Kings 1:7-8 as being a hairy man wearing a garment of black camel's hair girded with a leather belt about his waist. His dress and lifestyle focused on his separation and devotion to the Lord. This tells us that spiritual priorities and values controlled his life.

He was a sojourner with the character and garb of a sojourner and known to be separated from the accepted lifestyle of his day. Elijah was unconcerned with the routine of daily living. He was a man willing and able to pack up, pick up, and proceed at a moment's notice if God told him to do so.

The copyright of the article The Sojourner of Gilead in Messianic Judaism is owned by Virginia Marin. Permission to republish The Sojourner of Gilead in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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