During this period, both kingdoms were under the rule of Omri family: in the north, Queen Jezebel was in power, and she ruled the kingdom of Israel with autocracy and tyranny; In the south, Athaliah, the daughter of Jezebel, took part in politics and controlled her husband King Joram and the kingdom of Judah. They were all devout followers of Phoenician Baal and Asherah. The two countries strongly recommend Baal to set up temples, altars and statues for different gods and support a large number of Baal prophets and priests. Jezebel also pursued a policy of religious terror, established a religious court, exiled and executed those who refused to believe in the sun god, killed God's prophets and loyal servants, forced the whole country to change its religious beliefs, made the idols of foreign gods prevail, and prevented God's power from developing everywhere.
At this time, the prophets Elijah and Elisha, representing God and man, stood up and bravely fought against the rulers who promoted paganism and firmly defended the purity of Israeli religion.
In the fierce struggle, they created many miracles, which were widely circulated among the people.
Elijah the prophet was a Tishbite. He has thick hair, fierce sex and a stubborn and lonely temper. He travels in the desert all the year round, and his whereabouts are erratic. He often appears unexpectedly in front of people, making predictions and giving warnings. When people did not fully understand his profound meaning, he had mysteriously disappeared without a trace.
Just as Ahab's royal family forced people to worship Baal, the prophet Elijah suddenly appeared in front of Ahab, king of Israel, and announced to him that God would punish him: within two or three years, it will not rain or fog in Israel unless I go out and pray to heaven. Then he disappeared mysteriously.
From that day on, Israel suffered from drought and water shortage, and famine spread everywhere. King Ahab blamed Elijah and sent people everywhere to look for him. However, according to God's will, Elijah has crossed the Israeli plateau, hid in Kiribati on the east bank of the Jordan River, and lived in a humble hut by the stream. There is no shortage of water to drink, but there is no food to satisfy hunger.
God understood Elijah, told the crow to give him something to eat in time, and told him, "You won't be hungry. Look at the sky. " Elijah looked up at the sky and saw a flock of crows flying far away, some with bread in their mouths and some with meat in their mouths. They flew to him one by one, throwing bread and meat at him with their mouths open. These faithful little angels of God do this every day, once in the morning and twice a day.
The drought was so severe that the water in Gilead Creek dried up, so Elijah had to leave there and go to the city of Zarephath in Sidon. When he arrived at the city gate, he felt thirsty and asked a woman who was collecting firewood, "Sister-in-law, please give me some water to drink."
The woman looked at him and said, "All right, come with me." She took him home, ready to go into the house to get water.
"Please bring some cakes." Elijah made another request because he was hungry, too.
The woman stood firm and sighed, "Oh, my God! Aren't you embarrassing me? I have nothing to eat for you. At present, our orphans and widows have only a handful of flour and a little olive oil left. Today I went out to collect some firewood to make the last cake. After eating this meal, I have to wait for starvation. "
Elijah saw that her face was sad and full of sorrow, so he prayed to God secretly, and then said to her, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, go and bake your bread. Just, you have to bake me a cookie first, and leave the rest of the noodles and oil to your mother and son, okay? " The woman nodded and did it. After Elijah confirmed that the woman's heart was particularly kind, he immediately told her: God has promised that the noodles in your bowl and the oil in your bottle will be inexhaustible until the day when God rains. Sure enough, the woman found that the flour in the bowl and the oil in the bottle could not be used up every day, and the mother and son were always full.
Elijah lived in the home of an orphan and widowed mother. After a while, the child suddenly became seriously ill and stopped breathing. The widow was heartbroken and cried and blamed Elijah: "Ah! My God, you are punishing your servant, but all this is bad luck brought by Elijah. "
When Elijah saw it, he quickly carried the child upstairs and put it on the bed in his room. He prayed anxiously and loudly to God: "My merciful and omnipotent God! Why did you bring disaster to this poor widow? She has always been very kind to me. She is a good person who is kind to the prophet of God! " Elijah fell on the dead child three times, put his heart on the child's heart and prayed to God repeatedly: "Lord, my God! I pray you to bring the child's soul back to the child's body. " God promised that the child would recover his heartbeat quickly and wake up slowly. Elijah happily ran downstairs with the baby in his arms, gave it to his mother and said, "Well, your precious son is still alive."
The widow, who was anxious because of excessive sadness, was pleasantly surprised. She hugged the child tightly, crying and laughing, and said to Elijah with tears in her eyes, "I know that you are the real messenger of God, and you are talking about the voice of God."
In the third drought year, God instructed Elijah to tell King Ahab that God wanted rain to alleviate the drought. This time, Elijah performed miracles, called for heavenly fire, burned sacrifices, destroyed Baal's prophets, priests and believers, and rained heavily to nourish the earth. When Queen Jezebel heard this, she flew into a rage and decided to kill Elijah. Elijah is ready. He went to the wilderness and walked towards Mount Nai in the holy mountain west. Because of the long journey, fatigue and hunger, he couldn't walk any more, so he sat down under a Luo Teng tree to have a rest.
People calm down and have a lot of thoughts. He thinks he is the only surviving prophet. If he is exhausted or starved to death, won't it all be over? At this moment, sadness and despair haunted him, and he gradually fell asleep gloomily. At this time, he seemed to see an angel descending from the sky, patting him on the shoulder kindly and saying, "Get up and have dinner." He woke up with a start, opened his eyes and saw a scone and a bottle of water beside him.
At the moment, his stomach is hungry, and he wolfed it down quickly. After that, he fell asleep under the Luo Teng tree. In his dream, he saw an angel coming to him again, patted him on the shoulder with concern and said, "Get up and eat." So Elijah woke up again, still with a scone and a bottle of water. He sat up and ate and drank as usual. Elijah dreamed the same dream over and over again, eating and drinking the same food, eating and sleeping, and feeling alert. He walked for 40 days and nights to Mount Sinai, the holy mountain where Moses met God and accepted the Ten Commandments. Elijah wanted to tell the Lord about the world and accept the mission entrusted to him by God.
He lives in a cave. In the dark cave, he suddenly heard a slight questioning voice: "Elijah, what are you doing here?"
Elijah realized that it might be the voice of God. He immediately replied, "I am acting for the God of all peoples. I told my Lord God that Israel has fallen. It broke the Covenant, destroyed your altar, killed your prophets, priests and servants who worshipped you. Now I'm the only one left. I rebelled against them and got back at them, but they were after me and wanted my life. I don't know what to do. Seek the guidance of almighty god. "
The voice came again: "Come out of the hole and stand in front of me!" " "Elijah just walked out of the cave, and suddenly the wind suddenly blew, flying sand and stones, and nothing was heard except the" roaring "of the mountain wind and the" rumbling "of the rolling stones. He was eager to hear God's instructions, so he looked everywhere. Unexpectedly, a mountain fire rose sharply and burned the whole of Shan Ye, but nothing was heard except the sound of trees burning. After a while, the fire went out and the storm abated. Elijah was very happy because then he heard a calm and weak voice. He knew that it must be the voice of God, and the servant could not face God directly. He quickly covered his face with a cloak.
God asked him again, "Elijah, what are you doing here?" Elijah repeated what he had said before.
The calm and small voice said to him, "you don't have to despair and worry." You are not alone. I left 700 people among the Israelites, who did not worship Baal or yield to power. Go back to the task I told you. " Hearing this, Elijah was greatly encouraged and comforted, because he was not alone, and his congregation of 700 people, like him, stubbornly protected God despite Jezebel's blows and threats.
Elijah was ordered to return to Israel. He found Elisha first. Elisha is a young and honest farmer. He is one of 700 people who are loyal to God. He bravely refused to worship Jezebel's idol Baal.
From a distance, Elisha is driving 65,438+02 cows to farm in his father's field. God gave Leah a signal. Elijah walked down the road from the farmland and came to Elisha. At first, Elisha was a little strange, but when he saw the prophet take off his coat and put it on his shoulders, he immediately understood what the prophet meant. This is a religious ceremony to establish an heir. He solemnly took the coat and expressed his willingness to accept the hint and call of the prophet. However, he pleaded, "Teacher, let me say goodbye to my parents."
Elijah looked at him and said, "All right, you go." Elisha's parents are honored and very supportive of their son's decision. They also slaughtered cattle to celebrate and entertain Elijah and other villagers.
Elisha followed Elijah and looked after each other, old and young. Elisha respected and loved Elijah as his father. Elijah also likes this sincere young man and helps and teaches him like his own son. However, time and tide wait for no man. After all, Elijah is old and God wants to take him to heaven. Elisha followed closely and came to Jordan with fifty prophets who had sent him. Elijah took off his coat to draw water, and the river naturally parted. The two of them could cross the river, while the others waited by the river.
After saying goodbye, Elijah said to Elisha, "Before I leave you, you can ask me what you want."
Elisha asked the prophet to convey his aura and strength.
Elijah said, "What you ask is not easy to get, but when I ascend to heaven, if you can see me, you will get it. If you can't see me, you can't get it. "
They walked and talked all the way. Suddenly, a strong wind blew. Several fire horses fell from the sky, pulling a train with flames and separating them like a whirlwind. Elijah boarded the train. As soon as the whirlwind passed, the illusion disappeared and Elijah disappeared.
Elisha cried sadly, "My father, my father! Israeli chariots and horses! The protector of the Israelis! " He grieved for Israel's loss of the most powerful protection for all its troops and chariots. He tore his clothes and picked up the coat that had fallen from Elijah.
When he returned to Jordan, he also drew water with his cloak and beat it at the water's edge, saying, "God, where is the God of Elijah?". The river naturally parted and let him cross the Jordan River.
As soon as the 50 prophets saw Elisha, they fell down before him and said, "You have Elijah's aura and strength!" " "Since then, Israel has always regarded Elisha as the successor of the prophet Elijah.
Elisha inherited the teacher's ability to reverse Gan Kun. He can predict the future, know the enemy's strategy, make the river cut off, make the water float, and cure all diseases. ...
In Syria, there was a commander named Naaman, who was highly valued by the king. He is brave and good at fighting. He once invaded and plundered Israel, and his wife's little slave girl was an Israeli girl who was brought to Syria that year. The little slave girl gradually found that the grand marshal's house was filled with a depressed and sad atmosphere. The noble and glorious marshal's wife often sighs, and the respected marshal is silent all day long. What is the reason? Later, she learned that Naaman had terrible leprosy, and his condition was getting worse and worse, but there was no cure without medicine, and he would die of this incurable disease sooner or later. The little slave girl sympathized with them. She remembered the legend she heard about Elisha in her hometown, so she found her mistress and said her thoughts: "Master, I heard that there is an all-powerful prophet named Elisha in Samaria. As long as you can see this prophet, he will definitely cure the marshal's illness. "
Hearing the news, the marshal's family seemed to have seized a lifeline and suddenly became full of vitality. Naaman made a request to the king, who agreed and wrote a letter to the king of Israel. Naaman brought a letter and his entourage, 30,000 pieces of silver, 6,000 pieces of gold and 65,438 +00 sets of exquisite clothes. He set out overnight and went to Samaria to see the king of Israel, and delivered a personal letter from the king.
The king of Israel opened the letter and wrote, "I sent my servant Naaman to you. After reading the letter, I hope you can cure him of leprosy. "
The king of Israel lost his temper with his servants and shouted, "How can I cure him of leprosy?" Who does he take me for? I'm not God. Obviously looking for an excuse to make trouble. "
When the news reached Elisha, Elisato sent a message to the king, saying, Why are you worried about this? Ask him to come to me. When he came, he knew that there was a prophet in Israel. "
Naaman got on his horse and whipped it, so he came to Elisha's house to inquire. The door opened and a servant came out of the room and said to him, "The prophet told you to take a bath in Jordan. After seven baths, your body will be reborn. "
When Naaman heard this, he seemed to be thrown a pot of cold water on his face and said angrily, "How much hope I have! I thought the prophet would come out to meet me, stand before his god, pray, look at my affected area, shake hands back and forth, and treat the disease with heart. Now, send a servant to deal with me and let me take a bath in the Jordan River. If so, isn't the river in Damascus better than the river in Jordan? Why should I work so hard to run so far? " He was very angry, whipped his horse and turned away.
On the way, several attendants advised, "Master, we are here for medical treatment. You might as well do as he says, take a shower first, why refuse others? " On second thought, Naaman was right. What's wrong with bathing in the Jordan River? Even if it can't be cured, it won't hurt. So he went down to Jordan and washed seven times in a row. When he walked ashore for the seventh time, he was surprised to find that his muscles were as clean and smooth as a child's body. Joy came from heaven, but Naaman was too happy to speak. He made a special trip to visit the prophet Elisha with his entourage, gold, silver and clothes. "Now I know that the God of Israel is the God of the whole world. Please accept the gift of the servant. "
Elisha refused to accept the gift. He said, "I stand before the living God and swear that I will not accept gifts when I heal." Naaman begged again and again, but the prophet refused. Finally, Naaman made a very special request, asking the prophet to give him some dirt. He said, "From now on, I will not make burnt offerings to other gods. When I get home, I will stand on this dirt and offer a burnt offering to the Lord God. " Elisha agreed to his request and wished him a safe journey.
Later, the king of Syria went to war with Israel, and he and his servants discussed where to camp. It was a military secret, but Elisha knew all this and told the king of Israel. The king of Israel ordered the strengthening of the defense in this area to guard against the ambush of Syrians. In this way, every time the Syrians discuss the plan, news leaks out. They were very surprised. After verification, it was confirmed that Elisha did it. So the king sent a great army to Dothan, where Elisha lived, to capture him. Because it was dark, they surrounded the city first.
Early in the morning, Elisha's servant found this situation and reported to his master in a panic: "Teacher, no! The Syrian army surrounded our city. "
Elisha said quietly, "Don't be afraid, there are many more of us than them." With that, he prayed to God to open his servant's eyes. Then, the servant saw that his master was surrounded by trains and horses. He cried happily, "Ah! Teacher, it's amazing that you still have so many elite strange troops! I can rest assured now. "
Seeing the enemy's army coming, Elisha prayed to God and blinded the enemy's eyes. Elisha told them they were going the wrong way and promised to take them to the place they were looking for. In this way, all the dazzling troops followed Elisha into Samaria. Elisha prayed to God again and opened their eyes. These soldiers looked at each other scrawled, puzzled, wondering if this place was right or wrong.
The king of Israel also asked Elisha inexplicably, "How dare they hit me? Do you think we should kill them? "
Elisha replied, "No! Don't kill them, feed them and let them all go home. " The king of Israel held a sumptuous banquet and invited them to eat and drink. It's over. Send them home. Affection and power make Syrians respect and fear, and never dare to invade Israel at will again.
But after a while, they sent troops to besiege Samaria for a long time, so that the city was short of food and things, and the people came to the tragic situation of bartering. The king of Israel blamed Elisha and wanted to send someone to kill him to avoid genocide.
Elisha accepted the king's censure and disposal and told everyone, "Don't worry, just wait, and Samaria will return to normal tomorrow. At that time, you will have enough food and goods, and everything will turn to safety. "
People wait for miracles to happen. The next day, a spy reported urgently: "The Syrians all evacuated, because they heard that the Egyptians and Hittites jointly attacked their country, so they left a lot of food and goods and hastily abandoned the camp and returned to China." These things lifted the disaster in Samaria in time and saved the people struggling for death.
Soon after, King Benhada of Syria became ill and sought medical treatment everywhere. He was told that Elisha, the prophet of Israel, was in Damascus. You can ask him for help. Hearing this, the king was overjoyed. He quickly sent his minister Hazael to see Elisha with gifts and seek medical advice. Hazael met Elisha, introduced the king's illness, and asked whether Wang Neng could be cured. "
Elisha replied, "According to God's will, this king will surely die. But you can comfort him when you go back and say that his illness will be fine. " Elisha stared at Hazael. Hazael felt the prophet's eyes stiff and cold, and suddenly, glittering and translucent tears rolled out of his eyes.
He was afraid and asked strangely, "dear prophet, what's the matter with you?" Why are you crying? "
Elisha dried her tears and replied, "Because I know that you are hardened to bring great disaster to Israel. You will burn down their houses, destroy their fortresses, slaughter their young and middle-aged people, smash their children to death, cut open the stomachs of pregnant women, and do many tyrannical and cruel things that hurt the Israeli people. "
Hearing this, Haxue was scared into a cold sweat. He was afraid and confused, and asked, "Prophet. Why do you say that about me? What am I, but like a dog being ordered by others, how can I do such a big thing? "
Elisha sighed and said, "You will do it, because God told me that you will be king of Aram."
Hit the nail on the head, Haxue's heart moved. He returned to King Benhada with a feeling of anxiety. The king asked, "What did the prophet say about my illness?"
Haxue replied: "He said that your illness will be fine." That night, Haxue stayed up all night. The next morning, he suffocated the king with a blanket soaked in water, secretly usurped the throne and became king on his own. After Hazael became king, he practiced tyranny at home, attacked Israel many times abroad, occupied cities, burned and looted, and committed all kinds of evils. He is a cruel monarch and invader.
In the unfortunate weather, Elisha unfortunately got an incurable disease. King Jehoahaz, who was in power at that time, went to see him and cried, "My father, my father! The protector of Israel! " Cry very sadly.
Elisha comforted the king and told him to take up his bow and arrow. He drew a bow at Syria through the window and only listened to the arrow "Brush!" Go through the window with a bang Elisha immediately said, "This is God's arrow, and he will use it to attack Syria. You will fight the Syrians in Yafu until victory. " Then he asked the king to pick up another arrow and said to him, "My king, you hit the ground with this arrow." The king obeyed, knocked three times and then stopped. Elisha said regretfully, "What a pity, why did you only hit the ground three times?" This shows that you can only defeat Syria three times. You only need to fight five or six times, and you can completely defeat Syria. "Later, King Jehoahaz won only three wars with Syria and never destroyed Syria.