The Drought Ends
June 10, 2019
Commentary
When it was obvious that the prophets of Baal had failed, Elijah invited all the people to come near and observe what he would do. Elijah gathered the crowd around him as he repaired the altar that had been torn down (v. 30). He used 12 stones to represent the tribes of Israel as he rebuilt the Lord’s altar (vv. 31-32). Then Elijah dug a trench around the altar and poured water on the sacrifice (v. 32). Twelve barrels of water were poured over the sacrifice (vv.33-35). The purpose of this soaking, of course, was to show everyone present that the burning of the sacrifice that was to take place was not a natural phenomenon or a trick but was a miracle.
Then Elijah prayed a very brief prayer (vv. 36-37). Instantly fire … fell from heaven (lightning), consuming the sacrifice, wood, altar, and even the surrounding soil and water. Spontaneously the crowd cried out in amazement (v. 38). When the watching people saw this, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord He is God; the Lord He is God” (v. 39). Elijah commanded that the wicked prophets of Baal be taken down to the Cation Valley where they were put to death (v. 40).
Ahab rode off down the mountain to celebrate the end of the drought by eating and drinking, but Elijah walked back up the mountain to pray for rain. We also read that Elijah prayed and it did not rain for three and one half years. Then he prayed and it rained. As a result many in the nation of Israel served the living God again.
Application
Just like in Elijah’s day there may be times when I must call on the Lord for courage when the enemy moves in like a roaring lion. When it seems like all odds are against me I can know that when I’m following the Lord I’m in the majority.
1 Kings 18:30– 46 (NET)
30 Elijah then told all the people, “Approach me.” So all the people approached him. He repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down. 31 Then Elijah took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of tribes that descended from Jacob, to whom the Lord’s message had come, “Israel will be your name.” 32 With the stones he constructed an altar for the Lord. Around the altar he made a trench large enough to contain two seahs of seed. 33 He arranged the wood, cut up the bull, and placed it on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four water jars and pour the water on the offering and the wood.” 34 When they had done so, he said, “Do it again.” So they did it again. Then he said, “Do it a third time.” So they did it a third time. 35 The water flowed down all sides of the altar and filled the trench. 36 When it was time for the evening offering, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and prayed: “O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. 37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are the true God and that you are winning back their allegiance.” 38 Then fire from the Lord fell from the sky. It consumed the offering, the wood, the stones, and the dirt, and licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground and said, “The Lord is the true God! The Lord is the true God!” 40 Elijah told them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Don’t let even one of them escape!” So they seized them, and Elijah led them down to the Kishon Valley and executed them there.
41 Then Elijah told Ahab, “Go on up and eat and drink, for the sound of a heavy rainstorm can be heard.” 42 So Ahab went on up to eat and drink, while Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel. He bent down toward the ground and put his face between his knees. 43 He told his servant, “Go on up and look in the direction of the sea.” So he went on up, looked, and reported, “There is nothing.” Seven times Elijah sent him to look. 44 The seventh time the servant said, “Look, a small cloud, the size of the palm of a man’s hand, is rising up from the sea.” Elijah then said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up the chariots and go down, so that the rain won’t overtake you.’” 45 Meanwhile the sky was covered with dark clouds, the wind blew, and there was a heavy rainstorm. Ahab rode toward Jezreel. 46 Now the Lord energized Elijah with power; he tucked his robe into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.