ELIJAH AND ELISHA - 3

Elijah’s victory on Mt. Carmel ended with the slaying of 450 prophets of Baal. His ministry spanned Canaan from the Brook Cherith near his birthplace (1 Kin.17: 1-7) to Zarephath where he performed the miracle that sustained the widow and her son, and to as fare south as Mt. Horab in the Sinai Peninsula. In Samaria Elijah denounced King Ahab’s injustice against Naboth of Jerzeel  (1 Kin. 21:17-29). Near Jericho Elijah separated the waters of the Jordan River to cross over and subsequently was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kin. 2: 1-12).

Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy in the Jordan River (2 Kin. 5:1-9) and led the blinded Syrians to their defeat at Samaria (2 Kin. 6:8-23). In Damascus, Elisha prophesied the death of King Ben-hadad of Syria and the succession of Hazael as King of Syria.

Miracle of the Rain

1 Kings 18:41-46New International Version (NIV)

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” 

42 So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

43 “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.

“There is nothing there,” he said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

44 The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”

45 Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.

46 The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

18:41-45 Much can be learned about prayer from observing Elijah. First, even though we have a promise for God’s provision, we are not to stop praying for its fulfillment (v.41). Secondly, we see one of the postures of prayer as we read that he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees     (v. 42). Third, we learn the importance of persistence in prayer as we read that Elijah prayed seven times (v. 43). And fourth, we understand the necessity of faith as we pry by realizing that Elijah believed his prayer was answered before the answer actually came (vv.44, 45). James 5:17, 18 explains that the prayer of a Christian can be as effective as the prayer of Elijah.

18:45 The coming of the rain was the final proof that Baal was impotent and that the Lord God of Israel was supreme.

18:46 Elijah was divinely empowered by the hand of the Lord to outrun Ahab’s chariot from Carmel to Jezreel, a distance of approximately 25 miles. The phrase "the hand of the Lord" is a formula that refers to the divine inspiration of the prophets and probably is an indirect reference to the Holy Spirit. Here Elijah was supernaturally strengthened by the Spirit of God to do a miraculous feat.

Janet Thomas
Founder/President/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts