Topical Encyclopedia The miraculous event of rain caused by the prophet Elijah is a significant narrative in the Old Testament, illustrating God's sovereignty and the power of prayer. This event is primarily recorded in 1 Kings 17-18, where Elijah, a prophet of the Lord, plays a pivotal role during a time of spiritual and physical drought in Israel.Context and Background The account unfolds during the reign of King Ahab, who, influenced by his wife Jezebel, led Israel into idolatry, worshiping Baal, a Canaanite deity associated with rain and fertility. In response to this apostasy, God sent Elijah to declare a drought as a divine judgment upon the land. Elijah proclaimed to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word" (1 Kings 17:1). The Drought The drought lasted for three and a half years, a period during which Elijah was sustained by God through various means, including being fed by ravens and later by a widow in Zarephath (1 Kings 17:2-16). This severe drought underscored the impotence of Baal and highlighted the power of the God of Israel, who alone controls the elements. The Confrontation on Mount Carmel The climax of this narrative occurs on Mount Carmel, where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal to a contest to demonstrate whose deity is truly God. After the prophets of Baal fail to elicit a response from their god, Elijah prays to the Lord, who answers by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice prepared by Elijah. This miraculous event leads the people to acknowledge, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39). The Return of Rain Following the victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah tells Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain" (1 Kings 18:41). Elijah then ascends to the top of Mount Carmel, where he prays earnestly for rain. He sends his servant seven times to look toward the sea, and on the seventh time, the servant reports a small cloud rising from the sea. This cloud grows into a great storm, bringing an end to the drought as "the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain" (1 Kings 18:45). Significance The miraculous rain caused by Elijah is a testament to the power of prayer and the faithfulness of God. It serves as a reminder of God's control over nature and His willingness to respond to the prayers of His faithful servants. This event also reinforces the futility of idolatry and the supremacy of the God of Israel over all false gods. Elijah's role as a prophet is further solidified through this miracle, as he acts as an intermediary between God and the people, demonstrating the effectiveness of fervent prayer and unwavering faith. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 18:41-45And Elijah said to Ahab, Get you up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. Nave's Topical Index Library The Inexhaustible Barrel Lives of Faith and Trust Letter xxii. To Eustochium. part ii Resources What is Joel's Army? | GotQuestions.orgHad it ever rained before the Flood in Noah's day? | GotQuestions.org Who was Elijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Rain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Rain of Christ in the Communication of his Graces Rain of the Doctrine of Faithful Ministers Rain: (Destructive) of a Poor Man Oppressing the Poor Rain: (Destructive) of God's Judgments Rain: Answer to Prayer For, Promised Rain: Canaan Abundantly Supplied With Rain: Contingent Upon Obedience Rain: Designed For: Making Fruitful the Earth Rain: Designed For: Refreshing the Earth Rain: Designed For: Replenishing the Springs and Fountains of the Earth Rain: Divided Into: Overflowing Rain: Extraordinary: After Long Drought in Ahab's Reign Rain: Extraordinary: After the Captivity Rain: Extraordinary: During Wheat Harvest in the Days of Samuel Rain: Extraordinary: Plague of, Upon Egypt Rain: Extraordinary: Time of the Flood Rain: Forty Days of, at the Time of the Great Flood of Noah Rain: Frequently Withheld on Account of Iniquity Rain: God Causes, to Come Down Rain: God Exhibits Goodness in Giving Rain: God Exhibits Greatness in Giving Rain: God Sends Upon the Evil and Good Rain: God should be Feared on Account of Rain: God should be Praised For Rain: Impotence of Idols Exhibited in not Being Able to Give Rain: Miraculously Caused by Elijah Rain: Miraculously Caused by Samuel Rain: North Wind Unfavorable To Rain: Not Sent Upon the Earth Immediately After Creation Rain: Occasioned by the Condensing of the Clouds Rain: Often Impeded Travelling in the East Rain: Often Succeeded by Heat and Sunshine Rain: Promised in Due Season to the Obedient Rain: Rainy Season in Palestine is in the Ninth Month, Corresponding to December Rain: Storm and Tempest often With Rain: The Appearance of a Cloud from the West Indicated Rain: The Earth Will Never Again be Destroyed By Rain: The Former, After Harvest, to Prepare for Sowing Rain: The Lack of Causes the Earth to Open Rain: The Lack of Dries up Springs and Fountains Rain: The Lack of Occasions Famine Rain: The Lack of Removed by Prayer Rain: The Latter, Before Harvest Rain: The North Wind Drives Away Rain: The Plague of, Upon Egypt Rain: The Rainbow often Appears During Rain: Thunder and Lightning often With Rain: Withheld for Three Years and Six Months in the Days of Elijah Rain: Withheld, in Answer to Prayer Related Terms Thunder-flames (8 Occurrences) |
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