Elijah (Elias or Elia, Hebrew Eliyyahu), Hebrew prophet who ranks with Moses in #saving the religion of #Yahweh from being *corrupted by the nature -worship- of #Baal (idols). Elijah’s name means “Yahweh IS my God” The story of his #prophetic career in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reigns of Kings Ahab and Ahaziah (1Kings17–19, 2Kings1–2). Elijah claimed that there was no -#reality- except the #God of #Israel, stressing monotheism to the people with possibly unprecedented emphasis. The Israelite king Omri had *allied himself with the Phoenician *cities of the *coast, and his son Ahab was married to Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre and Sidon. Jezebel, with her Tyrian courtiers and a -large contingent- of -pagan- priests and prophets, #propagated her native religion in a “sanctuary” built for -Baal- in the royal city of Samaria. This meant that the Israelites -accepted- Baal as well “as” Yahweh, putting -Yahweh- on a “par” with a -nature-god- whose “supreme manifestations” were the “elements and biological fertility, celebrated often in sexual immorality.” Jezebel’s *policies- intensified the *gradual #contamination of the religion of #Yahweh by the Canaanite “religion of *Baal,” a -process made easier by the weakening- of the Israelites’ “faith in Yahweh.” Elijah was from Tishbe in Gilead. The narrative in (1Kings) relates how he suddenly appears during Ahab’s reign to proclaim a #drought in “punishment of the cult of Baal” that Jezebel was -promoting- in Israel at “Yahweh’s expense.” Later Elijah meets 450 prophets of Baal in a contest of strength on Mount Carmel to determine which deity is the true God of Israel. “Sacrifices” are placed on an altar to Baal and one to Yahweh. The pagan prophets’ “ecstatic appeals” to Baal to kindle the wood on his altar are #unsuccessful, but -Elijah’s prayers to Yahweh- are #answered by a fire on his altar. This outcome is taken as decisive by the Israelites, who slay the priests and prophets of Baal under #Elijah’s #direction. The drought thereupon ends with the “falling of rain” symbolizing #repentance and #redemption.X
Besides emulating the character of God, truthtelling is critical for a flourishing society. Therefore, except in rare circumstances, God mandates it. Though God’s command would be a sufficient motivation, theologians and philosophers have identified other reasons as well. Authentic Communication Requires Truthtelling.
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