At some point, during his time as a judge, Samuel, under divine guidance, established a training institute, for the purpose of guiding and preparing individuals for the prophetic ministry. This so-called “School of the Prophets” emphasized spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, and study of the Torah.
Hundreds of years after Samuel’s death, Elijah the Tishbite emerges as a leader of the School of the Prophets. In his first appearance in the pages of Scripture, he confronts Ahab, the wicked king of Israel. Empowered by God to speak, Elijah declares: “There shall be no dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” Essentially, in response to apostasy, attributable to Ahab and his wife Jezebel, God permits the land to be overcome by a severe drought.
After Elijah makes this declaration, God spirits the prophet away. And first by a hidden brook, and then in a foreign city, God hides him from the king and queen who want to kill Elijah.
Lamentations 3:22-25 affirm that belief in God’s mercy and faithfulness is the key to a restored relationship with God. Forgiveness is possible even for...
The 28 chapters of the Acts of the Apostles provide a wide variety of compelling characters, both good and bad. Acts includes apostles, prophets,...
The Northern Kingdom of Israel, under the rule of Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri, was marked by idolatry, wickedness, and political instability. These kings...
