Leadership Lessons

Out of nowhere, at one of the most critical times in Israel’s history, an unknown prophet steps onto the world stage and courageously halts a wicked culture in its tracks. Up until 1 Kings 17, Elijah is unknown to the Bible reader. Suddenly, and with no pompous introduction, we read:

"And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, 'As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these many years, but according to my word.'"
(1 Kings 17:1)

In 1 Samuel 4, we see the children of Israel doing the unthinkable, fighting the superior Philistines without God’s help. After a clear defeat, they decide to try again, but this time the Israelites take the Ark of the Covenant with them into battle. They refuse to ask the young prophet, Samuel, what they should do; instead, they lean on their own wisdom and thinking. Not only do they once again face a crushing defeat at the hands of the Philistines, but they also lose the Ark of the Covenant as well.