A Prophet Like Moses?: A Narrative - Theological Reading of the Elijah Stories

Since rabbinic times, the resonance between the Moses stories and the Elijah stories had been regularly noted. Taking into account that Deuteronomy 18:18 promises Israel a 'prophet like Moses', this resonance compels an evaluation of Elijah, holding Moses as the benchmark. Here, scholarship struggles with paradox. At Horeb Elijah fails in the critical prophetic task in intercession. Yet his service as prophet is affirmed beyond doubt in his iconic whirlwind-and-chariots-of-fire exit. How are these to be reconciled? Is Elijah a prophet of Mosaic fibre or not? This work offers a strikingly different approach to the Elijah stories. Dharamraj employs the narrative critical method to offer a close reading of the text - a reading that is singular in its sensitivity to the inner - biblical exegesis mediated by the Moses parallels. Such an approach opens up intriguing possibilities in interpretation. Here, her analysis of the dramatic and difficult discourse of the earthquake-wind-fire-'still, small voice' theophany at Horeb is notable. So also, is the case she carefully builds for whether Elijah emerges as the hoped for 'prophet like Moses'.