During a funeral for the late Rep. Elijah Cummings, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Cummings—like the prophet he was named after—used God’s power to stand against Jezebel. Somewhat uncharacteristically, Clinton—a lifelong Methodist who is often private about her faith—spoke eloquently about faith, justice and prophets during her eulogy.
“It is no coincidence, is it, that Elijah Cummings shared a name with an Old Testament prophet, whose name meant in Hebrew ‘The Lord is my God’ and who used the power and the wisdom that God gave Him to uphold the moral law that all people are subject to—and because of it, all people are equal,” Clinton said. “Like the prophet, our Elijah could call down fire from heaven. But he also prayed and worked for healing. He weathered storms and earthquakes, but never lost his faith. Like that Old Testament prophet, he stood against the corrupt leadership of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. And he looked out for the vulnerable among us. He lifted up the next generation of leaders. He even worked a few miracles.”
Clinton also began her remarks by quoting Psalm 118:24.
“This is the day the Lord has made,” Clinton said. “Let us rejoice and be glad in it, because this is the day for the homegoing celebration of a great man, a moral leader and a friend.”
Other Democratic leaders, including Nancy Pelosi and Bill Clinton, also spoke at the funeral. During his eulogy, former President Barack Obama referenced Jesus’ parable of the Sower and praised Cummings’ “prophetic voice” and heart for the vulnerable.
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