Writing about one of the most unique and most understood characters in the Bible must be a herculean task. The reason is that it will take a meticulous study of the scriptures to unlock such a character. But that task is what Oluwafemi Oluwadurotimi Popoola, a Christian scholar, has done. The result of his venture is presented in the book: “Elijah!: The Spirit of the Man Behind the Myth.”
The author holds multiple degrees, including two master’s degrees. He is perpetually searching for understanding of the scriptures.
Published in 2026 by PurpleBloom, in Ibadan, Popoola’s book is a small book about a big biblical figure whose ministry made deep revelations, prophesied pointedly, but remained a mystery. So in the preface, the author tells the reader that he is about to unravel the life of a man who showed up “like a whirlwind” and exited “in a whirlwind, only to appear again for a brief moment to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.” The assignment of the author in this book is to dig up the enigmatic aspects of the biblical prophet Elijah for the enlightenment and illumination of his readers.
Running with his fascination with the prophet Elijah the Tishbite, Popoola writes that his resolve to write the book was triggered by a preacher’s gripping narration of the prophet’s confrontation on Mount Carmel with prophets of Baal as reported in I Kings 18. The fact that such an enigmatic person who could call for fire is so randomly introduced in the Scriptures makes it more compelling. Random introduction of a consequential person who lived a life “off screen” in a way “that the Spirit of God enjoyed to watch and talk about” (p3) must indeed call for attention. And here, the author calls the reader into a more concentrated attention.
In the book, the author marvels that Elijah, despite his access to God (gleaned from his “As the LORD liveth before Whom I stand”), and giving prophecy that had national ramifications, he did not use the fulfilment of his prophecy as a foundation for a new ministry. “Neither did he seek to attract a crowd that would surely have gathered to grant him accolades, reverence and offerings,” (p3) the author writes as he apparently uses that as a scathing lashing at the ministers of today. The author therefore leans on this to condemn contemporary ministers’ penchant for hugging the limelight and desire for headlines.
This seems to show that the author is angry with pastors who draw attention to themselves and revel in self aggrandisement.
Instructively, it would be noted that the next instruction to Elijah was “hide thyself” as reported in the Bible. Today’s prophets would have resisted the instruction to not seek fame, and they would have racked up “likes, subscribes and follows” and used the accuracy of their prophecy for clout, influence “that comes with bragging rights and a well-stroked ego,” he submits. But Elijah did not want any of that. He was content to be all alone in an obscure place and be fed by ravens as he depended on God for sustenance.
In this book, the author charges (p5) his readers to understand that it is necessary to “operate in the spirit of Elijah.” And by this, he means that walking with God and standing before Him are concomitant to understanding the power of God. And that is not a tool for gathering huge followers. And he draws a similarity between Elijah’s refusal to hug the limelight with that of Jesus who never sought popularity with Herod despite the latter’s long desire to see Him. This is the spirit of Elijah, which the author strongly teaches in this book. Consequently, he argues that while a strong prophetic anointing will aways satisfy the demand of the people and draw a following, we should rather seek to stay within the dictates of the Father.
In other words, the author harps on the essence of obedience, his key theme in the book. And he writes that while Elijah obeyed instructions in the Bible, the widow to whom he went after the brook dried up, also obeyed. Consequent upon this woman’s obedience, her household experienced “supernatural sustenance of God.”
In the second of this four-chapter book, the author continues with his theme of obedience. Now Elijah has been instructed to go and show himself to the king. Even though a wanted man, the prophet did not just make himself available, he summoned the king. The author reports that unlike many prophets of today who would seek validation from the number of their followers, Elijah did not recruit followers or a big crowd to go with him before the king. He only made an effort “to ensure that his confidence in God was not tainted with the support of his followers…”, all that mattered was God “had sent him on a message to the king…” It was not about him or his talents or crowd, it was about the message, and the superiority of God.
The author also applies Elijah as a metaphor for defence. In the work (P19), we see Elijah as the Chariot of Israel. Indeed, the author’s subject and his ministry is used to indicate that prophets or pastors are a shield of a nation from danger, destruction and distress. One is left to quip if this can be said of the Nigerian situation.
One of the things that stand out in this book is that the author never downplayed the human side of a prophet so powerful. He writes (p16) that though Elijah was a man of God, he “was still a man and in this moment of his life, he was vulnerable and became afraid.” This story of Jezebel’s threat and Elijah’s great vulnerability is detailed in chapter three. But this thought is discussed in greater detail and in relation to the ministry of Jesus Christ in the fourth (and last) chapter of the book. Here the author avers that the vulnerability of Elijah signalled that his job was done, which was why God instructed him to choose Elisha who would continue to shepherd the nation. Elijah’s confrontation on Mount Carmel is here linked to the fulfilment of Isaiah 61:1 and 2, which culminated in the people turning to, and acknowledging God as supreme in 1 Kings 18:39. The verdict: “This is the purpose of the spirit of Elijah, to turn the heart of the father to the children and the children to the father.” (P28) Thus, the focus of Elijah’s ministry was not discipleship or shepherding of multitude, but of mass repentance. And that message of Elijah is for the church today, to repent from hypocrisy, carnality and filth. And “the assignment is to display the power of God that brings about mass repentance.” (P29)
There lies the kernel of this book. The emergence of those who do not care for followers or human validation, or threat of the state, or reward, but for mass repentance and return to God by the people.
Ultimately, this 30-page book is a text on the personal obedience and selfless ministry of Elijah the Tishbite, but it is also a warning and instructive redirection from the self to God, and a call to repentance. It is a great resource book for all students of Scripture and those who thirst for the work of God.
. Olatunbosun can be reached via 0802-351-7565 (SMS and WhatsApp only) and [email protected].
