Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty men with his fifty. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” But Elijah answered the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. Again the king sent to him another captain of fifty men with his fifty. And he answered and said to him, “O man of God, this is the king's order, ‘Come down quickly!’” But Elijah answered them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight.” Then the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king.

The progression is so interesting. 1-ordered summons and a demonstration of the power of the LORD, 2-repeated ordered summons and a repeated demonstration, 3-an approach in humility and acknowledgement that Elijah is a servant of the LORD resulting in a messenger of the LORD directing Elijah to respond to the request.

The lesson to me is that I must always remember that I am called to be an Ambassador of the Kingdom of God and that my direction must come from there. Yes, I must obey those whom the LORD has placed in authority but only to the extent that they are in accord with the word of God.