Elijah: A Man Like Us: How an Ordinary Person Can Make an Extraordinary Difference

by David Roper

Have you ever stopped to think that you might be a lot like the prophet Elijah? It's true. He was a simple, rural man with no particular skills, but oh how God used him! From the miracle of endless bread, to holding back the rains, to the resurrection of the widow's son, Elijah's life was full of the wondrous evidence of God's sovereign mercy. But he also stood up to Jezebel's prophets of the false god, Baal, with many other powerful acts of obedience to God, and ultimately he was swept away on a chariot into heaven. Are you as willing to serve? Author and pastor David Roper retells the prophet Elijah's story in a way that still resonates as each chapter touches you with Elijah's humanity and eagerness to serve God. In Elijah—A Man Like Us you'll find insightful questions to make this edition a treasure, a personal challenge, and a great Bible resource.

Genres: Christian

208 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, like any good book, tells a story and not only tells you about Elijah and his God..if used as a tool, it can help show you who you are and who YOUR God (or god) is.

My book is all marked up with underlinings and notes in the margins. Sometimes I even ran out of space to write my notes.

Who was Elijah? Merely a man God used in an amazing way. He knew about the "Valley of the shadow" that Psalm 23 talks about. Spiritually, Elijah knew that place intimately. This book reminded me of God's merciful heart even wanting to save wicked king Ahab. It reminded me that no efforts, great or small, done under God's leading, are ever wasted or insignificant. In the final chapter, it speaks of Elijah passing the mantle on to Elisha and the words washed over me like healing rain. God doesn't force us into His service. He wants us to look at what He is offering and for us to count the cost. God doesn't bind us up and drag us into drudgery and slavery, it is to be answering a divine call from Him..but He gives us the choice to serve or remain where we feel safe, known and we know what to expect.

Finally, during the final trip that Elijah and Elisha made together, I had tears in my eyes. Elisha had become Elijah's spiritual son and he would not leave his father to leave this world alone. The three times Elijah tried to make him stop and stay behind reminds me of the tradition of the Jews to try three times to discourage a convert before they embrace their conversion. It is never to be forced...and this shows the love between these two men of God. Elijah was as complete as a man could be in the end - God even provided a son of the heart - an heir.

This book strengthened my faith from the inside out. It challenged me to trust God - the God who does not demand my trust, but who always blesses it. It reminded me of Heaven's math: God+me=majority.

[Telma Frege · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I needed a book that showed me Elijah as a human, a man like us, not the almost mythical character that we paint of him in sermons. Elijah was a regular man with an extraordinary passion for God, and that's what made the difference. And since God is the same today, He can surely use us for His Glory as He used Elijah.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best character study books I've read in a while. I received great encouragement from this look at Elijah's life. Written simply yet profoundly, it challenges the notion that we always have to be doing something for God. Roper shows how Elijah rested (sometimes unwillingly) and how he went through seasons where God did not speak and did not have work for him to do. The idea is that we must always be available, ready and willing for God to use us at any time and any place. This will definitely be marked as a re-read for me and I will be recommending it to many people.

Favorite quotes: "It could be that your entire life will find its meaning in one person whom God wants you to touch in some significant way - or in one event in which he yearns to make himself known."

"Life gets exciting when we give God permission to chart the course. He takes us where others have never gone before and where we've never thought we could go. He leads us beyond anything we could ever ask or think, beyond our wildest dreams. He takes the smallest events and turns them into momentous occasions."

"God will not allow you to waste your life. He will tell you what to do, and he will see to it that you bear fruit for him."

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only reason it took as long as it did to read, was that I did the study as well. I also re-read chapter 5 immediately after finishing it - it was that good! This is a book that I will definitely re-read. It made me think. The study guide really helped me dig deeper.

[Stephanie Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Faith is the means by which we grasp spiritual reality and bring it into the realm of our experience.” 🥰
“Though nations conspire and people plot against you, God is between you and all opposition.” 💖

[JoDee Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an impacting book! David Roper brings Elijah's story to life and helps readers to draw practical applications for living in today's world.