Use the ministries of Elijah and Elisha to discuss the importance of making right decisions at the right time

A prophet is a person called and sent by God to proclaim His will to His people. Key characteristics include:

• A messenger of God who interprets and communicates the divine will
• Inspired by the Holy Spirit to reveal God's message
• A watchman, seer, and intercessor for God's people
• Not teaching new things, but reminding people of their responsibilities under the Sinai covenant

Prophets receive God's message through direct inspiration, visions, dreams, and by applying Scripture.

Elijah's Context

Elijah (meaning "The Lord is my God") was from Tishbite in Gilead. He was called by God during the evil reign of King Ahab of Israel, who introduced Baal worship through his Phoenician wife Jezebel. This led to syncretism—mixing true worship of Yahweh with worship of pagan gods.

Elijah's Courageous Decisions

1. Announcing the Drought (1 Kings 17:1)

When Elijah saw the whole nation turning away from Yahweh to Baal, he made the bold decision to confront the king directly. He announced that there would be no dew nor rain except by his word. This was a courageous stand against the king's idol worship, proving that Baal was not the god of fertility and rain.

2. The Mount Carmel Contest (1 Kings 18:18-40)

When the famine became severe, Elijah made another crucial decision—he arranged a contest on Mount Carmel between the prophets of Baal and himself. He ordered King Ahab to bring the 450 prophets of Baal. When Baal failed to answer by sending fire from heaven, Elijah mocked them, then prayed to God, who sent divine fire that consumed the sacrifice. Elijah then made the difficult decision to slaughter all the prophets of Baal to eliminate idol worship in Israel.

3. Confronting King Ahab over Naboth's Vineyard (1 Kings 21)

When Ahab took Naboth's vineyard through murder and deception, Elijah courageously confronted the king directly, asking, "After murdering the man, are you taking over his property as well?" He pronounced God's judgment on Ahab's family.

4. Confronting King Ahaziah (2 Kings 1)

When Ahazijah consulted Baalzebub instead of Yahweh, Elijah made the bold decision to announce his death sentence. When the king sent soldiers to capture him, Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume two groups of fifty soldiers, demonstrating God's power.

Elisha (meaning "My God is salvation") succeeded Elijah and continued his work. He performed many miracles showing courage in addressing societal problems.

Elisha's Courageous Decisions

1. Purifying the Spring Water (2 Kings 2:19-21)

When the people complained about bad water and unfruitful land, Elisha made the right decision at the right time—he took salt, placed it in a new bowl, and threw it into the spring in God's name, purifying the water.

2. Confronting the King of Samaria (2 Kings 6-7)

When the king threatened Elisha's life, he responded courageously with God's prophecy that food would be available for a shekel by the next day. When the Assyrian army surrounded the city, Elisha prayed for God to blind them and lead them into Samaria. When the king wanted to kill the captives, Elisha courageously forbade it.

3. Healing Naaman (2 Kings 5)

When the Syrian commander Naaman came seeking healing, Elisha made the countercultural decision to instruct him to wash in the River Jordan seven times—a simple act requiring humility and obedience. Naaman hesitated, but his servants persuaded him, and he was healed.

4. Recruiting King Jehu (2 Kings 9-10)

Elisha courageously instructed a prophet to anoint Jehu as king, leading to a holy war that destroyed Omri's house and eliminated Baal worship in Israel.

Both Elijah and Elisha demonstrate that courage involves making timely decisions:

Key Lessons

• Courage means acting when action is needed—not delaying when God's work requires attention
• Right decisions require faith—Elijah and Elisha acted on God's promises, not on circumstances
• Timing matters—the prophets acted when situations were ripe for change
• Courage involves risk—both prophets risked their lives for God's work

In everyday life in Tanzania, making right decisions at the right time is essential—for example, a small business owner at Mnazi Mmoja or Buguruni market must decide when to buy stock at lower prices during the harvest season rather than waiting until prices rise during scarcity. Similarly, a farmer in Morogoro must decide when to plant crops after the seasonal rains begin, understanding that delayed planting can lead to crop failure and loss of investment. Just as Elijah and Elisha acted boldly when they saw problems developing, Tanzanians today need courage to make timely decisions in their families, businesses, and communities.