The Lord commanded a man of God [160] from Judah to go to the city of Bethel. King Jeroboam was standing at the altar offering incense when the man of God arrived.
Elijah was a prophet from the town of Tishbe in Gilead. Elijah said to King Ahab, “I serve the Lord God of Israel. By his power, I promise that no dew or rain will fall during the next few years. The rain will fall only if I command it to fall.”
Elijah answered, “Lord God All-Powerful, I have always served you the best I can. But the people of Israel have broken their agreement with you. They destroyed your altars. They killed your prophets. I am the only prophet that is still living. And now they are trying to kill me!”
The Lord used every prophet and every seer [205] to warn Israel and Judah. The Lord said, “Turn away from the evil things you do! Obey my commands and laws. Follow all the Law that I gave to your ancestors. [206] I used my servants the prophets to give this law to you.”
You were very patient with our ancestors.\par You let them mistreat you for many years.\par You warned them with your Spirit.\par You sent the prophets to warn them.\par But our ancestors {\cf2\super [58]} didn’t listen.\par So you gave them to people in other countries.\par
From the day that your ancestors left Egypt to this day, I have sent my servants to you. My servants are the prophets. I sent them to you again and again.
Then the Lord said to me again, “Gomer {\cf2\super [24]} has many lovers. But you must continue loving her. Why? Because that is like the Lord. The Lord continues loving the people of Israel. But they continue to worship other gods. And they love to eat raisin cakes.” {\cf2\super [25]}
“After this I will pour (give) my Spirit\par on all kinds of people.\par Your sons and daughters will prophesy. {\cf2\super [21]} \par Your old men will dream dreams.\par Your young men will see visions. {\cf2\super [22]} \par
‘God says:\par In the last days,\par I will pour out (give) my Spirit {\cf2\super [25]} \par on all people.\par Your sons and daughters will prophesy. {\cf2\super [26]} \par Your young men will see visions. {\cf2\super [27]} \par Your old men will have special dreams.\par
But I must not become too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me. So a painful problem {\cf2\super [45]} was given to me. That problem is an angel from Satan (the devil). It is sent to beat me and keep me from being too proud.