In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I continue our series Also Featured in the Cast—where we explore the lesser-known people surrounding the great figures of Scripture. Today, we look not at Elijah himself, but at those who stood around him: Ahab, Jezebel, and Elisha.

Ahab saw Elijah as a troublemaker—proof that when culture descends into wickedness, righteousness is seen as disruption. Jezebel went further, viewing Elijah as a mortal enemy, a threat to her idolatrous power. Yet Elisha saw Elijah as a mentor to admire, serve, and ultimately surpass.

We live in a world much like theirs—where standing for truth may make us “troublemakers” to a corrupted culture. But like Elisha, we must pray, “Lord, give us a double portion.” May God raise up bold, Spirit-filled believers who will stand unafraid in this generation.

– Dr. Mark Rutland