The Life of Elijah

by Arthur W. Pink

From one generation to another, the servants of the Lord have sought to edify their fellow-believers by commenting on the Old Testament narrative. In such ministries expositions of the life of Elijah have always been prominent. His sudden appearance out of complete obscurity, his dramatic interventions in the national history of Israel, his miracles, his departure from earth in a chariot of fire, all serve to captivate the thought of preacher and writer alike. The New Testament sustains this interest. If Christ Jesus is the Prophet "like unto Moses," Elijah, too, has his New Testament counterpart in John-the greatest of the prophets. And even more remarkably, Elijah himself in living person reappears to view when, with Moses, he stands on the mount of "the excellent glory," "to speak of the strife that won our life with the incarnate Son of God." What a superb honor was this! As Moses and Elijah are the names which shine in dual grandeur in the closing chapters of the Old Testament, they likewise appear as living representatives of the Lord's redeemed host-the resurrected and the translated-on "the holy mount," their theme the exodus which their Savior and Lord was to accomplish at the time appointed by the Father.Arthur Walkington Pink was an English Christian evangelist and Biblical scholar known for his staunchly Calvinist and Puritan-like teachings. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was the verse, Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death, ' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus.

Genres: Theology, Biography, Christian, Religion, Faith, Ebooks, History

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Arthur Walkington Pink was born in Nottingham, England on April 1, 1886 and became a Christian in his early 20s. Though born to Christian parents, prior to conversion he migrated into a Theosophical society (an occult gnostic group popular in England during that time), and quickly rose in prominence within their ranks. His conversion came from his father's patient admonitions from Scripture. It was Proverbs 14:12, 'there is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death,' which particularly struck his heart and compelled him to renounce Theosophy and follow Jesus.

Desiring to grow in knowledge of the Bible, Pink migrated to the United States to study at Moody Bible Institute. In 1916 he married Vera E. Russell, from Kentucky. However, he left after just two months for Colorado, then California, then Britain. From 1925 to 1928 he served in Australia, including as pastor of two congregations from 1926 to 1928, when he returned to England, and to the United States the following year. He eventually pastored churches Colorado, California, Kentucky and South Carolina.

In 1922 he started a monthly magazine entitled Studies in Scriptures which circulated among English-speaking Christians worldwide, though only to a relatively small circulation list of around 1,000.

In 1934 Pink returned to England, and within a few years turned his Christian service to writing books and pamphlets. Pink died in Stornoway, Scotland on July 15, 1952. The cause of death was anemia.

After Pink's death, his works were republished by the Banner of Truth Trust and reached a much wider audience as a result. Biographer Iain Murray observes of Pink, "the widespread circulation of his writings after his death made him one of the most influential evangelical authors in the second half of the twentieth century." His writing sparked a revival of expository preaching and focused readers' hearts on biblical living.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pink on Elijah Is Strong Medicine for Sin-Sick Souls

The Life of Elijah is my first in-depth foray into the works of A. W. Pink. Pink is not for the faint of heart; his writings are strong medicine for what ails humanity. Perhaps a biographical study like this one is a great way to be introduced to him and his theology. His study of Elijah has many penetrating insights that will benefit the reader.

His style is similar to the Puritans who explore the truth of a verse like a fine diamond, repeatedly commenting on the many theological facets of its beauty. The reader may not find every facet equally worthy of his or her time, but perseverance will yield rich rewards for your own devotional life and message preparation. A solid Pink quote is worth its weight in gold.

Here are a few...
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Spiritual death was spread over everything, and it looked as though Satan had indeed obtained complete mastery of the situation.
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It is only by retiring from the public view and getting alone with God that we can learn our own nothingness.
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Every servant that God deigns to use must pass through the trying experience of Cherith before he is ready for the triumph of Carmel.
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Instead of a river God often gives us a brook, which may be running today and dried up tomorrow. Why? To teach us not to rest in our blessings, but in the Blesser Himself.
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The path of obedience can only be trodden as faith is in exercise.
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He who puts God first will always find Him with him at the last.
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There is nothing wrong in a child of God holding a position of influence if he can do so without the sacrifice of principle.
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Those who by their sins provoke God’s wrath are the real troublers, and not those who warn them of the dangers to which their wickedness exposes them.


Here are a few rich theological insights...
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But why should not God supply the water in a miraculous way, as He did the food? Most certainly He could have done so. He could have brought water out of the rock, as He did for Israel, and for Samson out of a jawbone (Jdg 15: 18-19). Yes, but the Lord is not confined to any one method, but has a variety of ways in bringing the same end to pass. God sometimes works one way and sometimes another, employing this means today and that tomorrow, in accomplishing His counsels. God is sovereign and acts not according to rule and rote. He ever acts according to His own good pleasure, and this He does in order to display His all sufficiency, to exhibit His manifold wisdom, and to demonstrate the greatness of His power. God is not tied and if He closes one door He can easily open another.
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This does not necessarily mean that the Lord had acquainted her [the widow of Zarephath] with His mind—the sequel plainly shows otherwise. Rather do we understand those words to signify that God had appointed it in His counsels and would effect it by His providences—compare His, “I have commanded the ravens to feed thee” (1Ki 17: 4). When God calls any of His people to go to a place, they may rest assured that He has fully provided for them in His fore-determined purpose. God secretly disposed this widow to receive and sustain His servant.
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But this widow must first be proved, as later another Gentile woman was proved by the Lord incarnate (Mat 15: 22-28). God would indeed supply all her need, but would she trust Him? So often He allows things to get worse before there is any improvement. He “waits to be gracious.” Why? To bring us to the end of ourselves and of our resources, till all seems lost and we are in despair: that we may more clearly discern His delivering hand.
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And her eyes were not on God (any more than ours are till the Spirit works within us!) but upon the barrel, and it was now failing her; consequently there was nothing before her mind except death. Unbelief and death are inseparably joined together.
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Here we see Elijah dwelling safely in the humble abode of this poor widow. Though the fare was frugal, yet it was sufficient to preserve life in the body. There is no hint that God provided any variation of diet during those “many days,” nor any intimation that the Prophet became dissatisfied with being required to eat the same food over so long a period. This is where we obtain our first glimpse of how he conducted himself within the family circle. Blessedly did he exemplify that divine precept, “Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content” (1Ti 6: 8). And from where does such contentment proceed? From a submissive and peaceful heart which rests in God: subject to His sovereign pleasure, satisfied with the portion He is pleased to allot us, seeing His hand both in providing and in withholding.
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“And it came to pass”: that is, the predetermined counsel of Jehovah was now actualized. The fulfillment of the divine purpose can neither be retarded nor forced by us. God will not be hurried either by our petulance or our prayers. We have to wait His appointed hour, and when it strikes, He acts—it “comes to pass” just as He had foreordained.
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“And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts” (1Ki 18: 5). As a straw in the air reveals the direction of the wind so these words of Ahab indicate the state of his heart. The living God had no place in his thoughts, nor was he exercised over the sins which had called down His displeasure on the land. Nor does he seem to have been the least concerned about his subjects, whose welfare—next to the glory of God—should have been his chief concern. No, his aspirations do not appear to have risen any higher than fountains and brooks, horses and mules, that the beasts which yet remained might be saved. This is not evolution but devolution, for when the heart is estranged from its Maker its direction is ever lower and lower.
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“Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?” This is not to be regarded as an unmeasured outburst, the petulant expression of a sudden surprisal, but rather as indicating the wretched state of his soul, for “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” It was the avowed antagonism between evil and good: it was the hissing of the Serpent’s seed against one of the members of Christ: it was the vented spite of one who felt condemned by the very presence of the righteous. Years later, speaking of another devoted servant of God, whose counsel was demanded by Jehoshaphat, this same Ahab said, “I hate him, for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil” (22: 8). So far, then, from this charge of Ahab’s making against the character and mission of Elijah, it was a tribute to his integrity, for there is no higher testimony to the fidelity of God’s servants than their evoking of the hearty hatred of the Ahabs around them.
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There was no “if” in the mind of the Prophet: he knew full well that Jehovah was the one true and living God, but the people must be shown the untenability and absurdity of their vacillation. Religions which are diametrically opposed cannot both be right: one must be wrong, and as soon as the true is discovered, the false must be cast to the winds. The present-day application of Elijah’s demand would be this: if the Christ of Scripture be the true Saviour, then surrender to Him; if the Christ of modern Christendom, then follow him. One who demands the denying of self, and another who allows the gratifying of self, cannot both be right. One who insists on separation from the world, and another who permits you to enjoy its friendship, cannot both be right. One who requires the uncompromising mortification of sin, and another who suffers you to trifle with it, cannot both be the Christ of God.
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The Lord is a jealous God, demanding our whole affection, and will not accept a divided empire with Baal. You must be for Him or against Him. He will permit of no compromise. You must declare yourself. When Moses saw the people of Israel dancing around the golden calf, after destroying the idol and rebuking Aaron, he stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me” (Exo 32: 26). O my reader, if you have not already done so, resolve with godly Joshua, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (24: 15). Ponder those solemn words of Christ’s, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad” (Mat 12: 30). Nothing is so repulsive to Him as the lukewarm professor: “I would thou wert cold or hot” (Rev 3: 15)—one thing or the other. He has plainly warned us that “no man can serve two masters.” Then “How long halt ye between two opinions?” Come to some decision one way or the other, for there can be no compromise between Christ and Belial.
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Since He has given such proof of His existence, such demonstrations of His mighty power, such manifestations of His character, such a revelation of His will, all unbelief, indecision, and refusal to give Him His rightful place in our hearts and lives is utterly inexcusable. Then let Him be your God, by surrendering yourself to Him. He does not force Himself upon you, but condescends to present Himself to you. He deigns to offer Himself to your acceptance, bids you choose Him by an act of your own will. His claims upon you are beyond dispute. It is for your own good that you should make Him your God—your supreme Good, your Portion, your King. It is your irreparable loss and eternal destruction if you fail to do so. Heed, then, that affectionate invitation of His servant: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom 12: 1).
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And what was the Lord’s response to such gross ingratitude on the part of His servant? Did He now turn from him in disgust, as deserving of no further consideration from Him? Well He might, for despising grace is no ordinary sin. While grace does not make light of sin—as the sequel here will make evident—if sin were able to thwart grace it would cease to be grace. As grace can never be attracted by well-desert so it is never repelled by ill-desert. And God was dealing in grace, sovereign grace, with the Prophet.
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There is yet another direction to which this “behold” points us which has escaped the notice of the commentators, namely, the kind of service which the angel here performed. What an amazing thing that so dignified a creature should be engaged in such a lowly task: that the fingers of a celestial being should be employed in preparing and baking a cake! It would appear a degrading task for one of those exalted beings which surround the throne of the Most High to minister unto one who belonged to an inferior and fallen race, who was undutiful and out of temper. To leave a spiritual occupation in order to prepare food for Elijah’s body—how debasing! Well may we marvel at such a sight and admire the angel’s obedience in complying with his Master’s order. But more, it should encourage us to heed that precept and “condescend to men of low estate” (Rom 12: 16), to regard no employment beneath us by which we may benefit a fellow creature who is dejected in mind and whose spirit is overwhelmed within him. Despise not the most menial duty when an angel disdained not to cook food for a sinful man.
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This last comment totally captures Pink’s unique style! He enjoys every facet of the diamond. He explores every limb of the tree. He follows every path of the trail and only rarely does he do so to chase rabbits.

His approach reminds me of “the Doctor” - Martyn Lloyd-Jones. It is very devotional fare while remaining expositional in the process.

I hope these excerpts are sufficient to convince you that reading Pink is worth your time. If you plan to study the life and ministry of Elijah do so with A. W. Pink by your side. You will be glad you did as will your hearers.

[booklady · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fully expected to give this book a four- or five-star rating and were it just for the exegesis on the Life of Elijah, I might be able to do so. Unfortunately, the author has a genuine hatred for Catholics which he hinted at once when he was talking about all the Christians Queen Mary murdered, referencing Mary I of England, glossing over all those murdered by her father, Henry VIII, and brother, Edward VI, who ruled before her and her sister, Elizabeth I, who ruled after. But they only killed Catholics, and as I was to learn later in Mr. Pink's book, we aren't real Christians. Catholics are like Jezebel and apparently, we deserve her fate. He did not have a nice thing to say about us. As I only listened to the book and don't have the words, I can't relay them, but the reference to the evil queen of the Old Testament who died the grizzly death foretold by Elijah of being eaten and having her blood licked up by the dogs suffices.

Aside from this rather jarring hostility, Mr. Pink's writing is excellent. I learned quite a bit and I was considering buying a copy to read it again. It is heavily didactic, but he is trying to make the point that the Protestant churches of his time were straying from strict Biblical teaching. That doesn't bother me as I prefer preachers to tell what we need to hear, not necessarily what we want to hear. (Don't like it? Go home and watch TV, I say.) Personally, I want to go to Heaven and that means we have to find and travel by the narrow path, which in turn means we need good firm preaching!

So, if you want to learn about Elijah or St. Elijah as the Carmelites like to call him, this is a good book to check out, but be forewarned about the author's prejudice.

Four stars for the exegesis, one star for bitter words the author writes about his fellow Christians and 2.5 stars overall. Rounded up to 3 stars out of Christian charity. We have to take into account the time in which he lived and let bygones be bygones. We are brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

And as I wrote when I first started reading this book, St. John of the Cross is called the Father of the Carmelites, but St. Elijah is looked up to as our founder. Alternately mysterious and real, bold and fearful, saintly and ordinary, he is a standout figure in the Old Testament and New, revered by Jews and Christians alike. The Reverand Pink held him in high esteem and combined, biographical exegesis, with pastoral dialectic and encouragement. Recommended with reservations.

[Mwansa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur Pink delivers yet another Masterful work with this book. He digs deep into the scriptures with lessons from the life of Elijah that are nothing short of gold mined out of a very rich mine. There is more to the life of the prophet Elijah than meets the eye and after reading the book I am convinced that there is a lot more left to be gleaned in there. Like the Ruth picking up the left over grain in Boaz's fields we too will find that what we collect is so much more than we expected.

This book shows a man who had faith in God. Elijah was committed to going where God said and when God said to go. Elijah is introduced to us with a major showdown with the wicked King Ahab and one would think that this would be the beginning of a ministry in the spotlight but instead it is followed by God sending him into the desert by himself. Elijah followed this out of obedience to God in spite of what we would think is conventional wisdom.

There in the desert Elijah was looked after in amazing ways but with only enough to take him from day to day and even in that he was faithful and is not seen to grumble. How often do we grumble when God chooses not to show us anything beyond the immediate future and our situations are much less troublesome than that of Elijah. This book shows what it means to live a life of obedience to God. It is a hard life but there is so much blessing in there as we see more and more of God and his faithfulness with every passing day. The book ends with you wondering whether you would be willing to go through what Elijah did if you would get to experience what he experienced.

[Jeremy Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting life. Elijah. A W Pink walks us through the life of this great prophet. Everywhere in the Bible this man is mentioned ( old or New Testament) is touched and examined by Pink. He draws lessons we all can learn …whether you are a preacher a minister of Christ or an ordinary citizen of heaven. Pink leaves you with a high view of God and a real sense of Elijah weakness and humility. So many emotions of the prophet are laid bare…exhilaration and joy sadness and disappointment, depression and suicide ( or wanting to die). Highly recommended. It left me wanting to be more bold for Jesus even though I may feel like the only one who love Christ.

[Timothy Smallwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hesitated to start this book, because of time constraints! No one on earth has mastered saying the same thing seventeen times quite as well as Pink. That being said, this book was different and I am so glad that I read it. It was very beneficial and very well balanced. It might have been the best book I’ve read about Elijah outside of the Holy Bible. It has a few moments of Calvinism trash in it, but the richness found in the rest of the book more than made up for the small amount of time picking out the weeds.

Special note: I read this in the Logos program on my iPad. Continuous scroll was a blessing and the screen layout was nice.

[Billy]

Enjoyed it greatly

[Beth Halverson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

This book is a must-read for every Christian. I know I'll even want to go back and read it again before long.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elijah's courage in the face of the prophets of Baal &how he stood for God when it didnt' seem like anyone else was, was something I always admired. Just recently, I was blessed to go to Israel and to see Mt. Carmel where Elijah stood alone. Seeing the ground and imagining what it might have been like just made me appreciate God sharing this story with us in the Bible, because even Elijah showed his human frailty and how God supported and helped his prophet.

Pink does a fantastic job looking at Elijah's story and his life. He carefully compares other scripture to help draw some conclusions which make a lot of sense about not just Elijah but the Lord and the why and how behind the storyline.

I strongly recommend this biography and commentary to anyone wanting to learn more about not just this servant of God, but God Himself and the good news that He planned a way to save everyone through His son, Jesus.

[Chase Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would highly recommend this masterful work by AW Pink. It is both insightful and sanctifying to view the prophet of God’s life through the eyes of Pink and the spiritual wisdom and intelligence he has to offer. Exploring the multi-faceted life of Elijah in his triumphs and failings stands as a model for godliness today. Furthermore, the life of Elijah shows the faithfulness and tense care of our sovereign God. Even amid the fire and slaying of the false prophet on Mt Carmel we see the Lord’s faithfulness to His people. Especially interesting to me, was Pink’s insight into resting period of Elijah near the brook directly preceding the confrontation of Ahab and his false prophets of Baal. Take up and read and be edified!

[Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twenty-first century readers at first will be unfamiliar with writing style of this author who received his training in the first half of the half of the prior century. But keep at it: there are some real jewels hidden in this sometimes ponderous text.

Here's one from chapter 28 on page 236: "When God begins to deal in grace with one of His elect, He continues dealing with him in grace, and nothing in the creature can impede thou outflow of His lovingkindness."

See what I mean?

Read all of the book; get familiar with the author's repetitions and cadences and you'll benefit from the work. I did.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and pastoral look at the life of one of the Old Testament’s most we’ll known prophets. After reading the gospels, I wanted to learn more about what exactly the Jews were anticipating when they were expecting “Elijah”. In this book, Pink not only explores the typological aspects of Elijah’s ministry, but also examines how he was, in the words of James, “a man like us” who was sustained by God’s grace and not his own spirituality or power. On the whole this is a great and encouraging look at the life of faith and the shape of un-self-reliance.

[Dawn Dishman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good exposition on the life of Elijah. I’ve read and heard many things about this Old Testament prophet and this author did an excellent job connecting us to Elijah and his life of faith from centuries ago.
I did not agree with everything A.W. Pink wrote about the state of Christianity and the greater Body of Christ during his lifetime, but was challenged and convicted by his in depth study of Elijah and how relevant it is for me today.

[Emily Nilsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was nice to listen to (audio version) during COVID while I have been church-less. I felt like I was getting little sermons and was “getting stuff out of it.” That said, not knowing much about Pink, I was hoping this would have been exegetical vs. expositional. Like most expository teaching, I felt like some of his reads on the passage were convenient to fit his own pre-established views. The focus was primarily on application and not a whole lot about the scriptures. Like many 1950s preachers, he kept talking about this “degenerate age” and kept catastrophizing the present in order to draw parallels with the times of Elijah. I don’t know that this was necessary as we can still get messages without resorting to hyperbole.

[Kristafee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was well read. The narrator did not put me to sleep and kept the book exciting with inflection and tone. The topic was great. It gave a good in-depth look Elijah's life and a panoramic view of what was going on in the day and explained actions and traditions that he dealt with. His life is amazing.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of the ministry of the prophet Elijah. This looks at more of the scriptural aspects of Elijah's story and a little of the theology that is drawn from it. For more theology and practical applications, look at Rushdoony's commentary on Elijah in his work "Chariots of Prophetic Fire".

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

[WDTurner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insights. A little verbose

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic look at a singular prophet. Worth rereading every few years.

[Bud Hewlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing! Overly wordy and preachy. I was hoping for more parallels between Elijah and John the Baptist.

[Trevor Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good meditation on the life of Elijah. This could be a 4 if I gave it more time.

[Dave Aiken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A W Pink always studies Biblical subjects exhaustively and in the light of scripture. This is a great work, an in-depth study,easily understood and a blessing to any God seeker.

[Ida Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good information but I was sooo bored listening to it.

Falling asleep and all.

[Matt Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faithful exposition. Great application. A great resource in my sermon preparation for a series on Elijah and Elisha in the Spring 2023.

[Juan Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

De lo mejor del autor

[Lindee Goodall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough, almost tediously so.

[Iris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I"ve read by A W Pink and I finished reading it within a week because I had the time at hand (was in bed rest for more than a week) and also the desire to read what was next was so intense, but this is one of those books that needs to be savored as a daily devotion. A prayerful study of this book along side the Holy Scripture would deepen one's spiritual walk with the Lord as there are practical lessons on every single page! I wonder how churches would not embrace A W Pink as their pastor, and then realize that he was probably chosen of God for his writings. I learnt a great deal on God's providence, protection, His way of operating and truthfulness of His word was strengthened in my heart. Before I picked this book up I was half way through reading J I Packer's "Knowing God" which I haven't completed yet as I write this. I'm so joyful for The Holy Spirit timed it so well, for affirming some great truths of the attributes of God that I was meditating upon.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great and in-depth look at the complete story of Elijah's life. It is not often that you find a book written in this way that follows a character in the Bible rather than books and chapters. Pinks style is quite dogmatically reformed and his words are quite challenging.

[Lady Safari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

This is the first book that I am listening/reading from AW Pink.
The content has been clearly studied in depth and I was blessed to have listened to this book!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read.