“…the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, ‘Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.'” 1 Kings 18:1
Dear Ones:
It had not rained in Israel for three years. This was in great part because of Ahab, the son of Omri, and king of Israel, who “…did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him.” (1 Kings 16:30) He had married Jezebel, “…the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians, who went and served Baal, and worshipped him.” (v.31) In great part, because of the influence of Jezebel, Ahab “…did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.” (v.33) Then came Elijah on the scene, a prophet sent by God, who lived, and stood before God, declaring His word. The word of the Lord came to Elijah, and he declared to Ahab: “…there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to My word.” (17:1) Why did God send such a prolonged drought upon the land? Was it just a judgement for the sin of Ahab and Jezebel, and the people? Or was there another reason?
The spiritual condition of the people at that time had become perhaps as dry, and arid, as the land. When Elijah, directed by God, confronted Ahab, he did so to make a breach in the wall of prevailing unbelief, and lack of commitment, of the people at that time. It must be said that it was a very difficult time, for Jezebel had killed several of the prophets of the Lord, her intention being to eliminate them all. The people were certainly fearful of her tyrannical acts of defiance against God. God leads Elijah to tell Ahab to assemble all the people to Mount Carmel, along with the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Perhaps Ahab thought that this would be the final stand of Elijah, so he complied. When the people were assembled, Elijah said to them: “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him; but if Baal, the follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21) The spiritual condition of the people is seen by their response: “And the people answered him not a word.” It is then that Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal, who fail miserably in their efforts to call down fire upon their sacrifices. Elijah then prays before the people, declaring: “…let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word.” (v.36) By the intervention of the fire of God falling from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the people fell down and declared: “The Lord, He is the God; the Lord He is the God.” What we see here is a breach of God’s design in this resolute, resistant wall of unbelief. Once this breach was made, and faith again began to rise, God would send forth the rain, abundance of rain. Why? Is it just for the blessing of the people? No. It is primarily the confirmation to the people that He is the sovereign God, the only true God, worthy of worship, but also the God who gives His blessing, and life, in abundance. Jesus made this so very clear when He said, ” I am come that they might have LIFE, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (Jn. 10:10)
God had given to Elijah the promise, “…and I will send rain upon the earth.” (18:1) After the victory over the prophets of Baal at Carmel, Elijah told Ahab, “…there is a sound of abundance of rain.” (18:41) Elijah would then go to the top of Carmel, fall on his knees, and pray seven times, waiting for the fulfillment of the promise of God. This occurred on the seventh supplication, for his servant perceived a small cloud coming up out of the sea. The soon result was that, “…there was a great rain.” (v.45) God gave rain in abundance.
Dear Father, Thou hast promised to pour water upon the thirsty soul, floods upon dry ground. Do this today, according to Thy word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad