Topical Encyclopedia The extraordinary rain that followed a prolonged drought during the reign of King Ahab is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, illustrating God's power and the fulfillment of His word through the prophet Elijah. This event is primarily documented in 1 Kings 17-18.Context and Background The reign of Ahab, king of Israel, is marked by widespread idolatry, primarily due to the influence of his wife, Jezebel, who promoted the worship of Baal. In response to Israel's apostasy, God sent the prophet Elijah to declare a severe drought as a divine judgment upon the land. Elijah proclaimed, "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, causing significant hardship and famine throughout the land of Israel. During this time, Elijah was miraculously sustained by God, first at the brook Cherith and later in the home of a widow in Zarephath (1 Kings 17:2-24). The Confrontation on Mount Carmel The turning point came when God instructed Elijah to present himself to Ahab, promising to send rain upon the earth (1 Kings 18:1). Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel to demonstrate the power of the true God. The prophets of Baal failed to elicit any response from their god, but when Elijah prayed, the LORD answered by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice (1 Kings 18:20-39). The Return of Rain Following the victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah told Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain" (1 Kings 18:41). Elijah then went to the top of Mount Carmel, where he bowed down to the ground and prayed earnestly for rain. He sent his servant seven times to look toward the sea, and on the seventh time, the servant reported a small cloud rising from the sea (1 Kings 18:42-44). In response to Elijah's persistent prayer, the sky grew dark with clouds, the wind rose, and a heavy rain began to fall, ending the long drought (1 Kings 18:45). This extraordinary rain was a testament to God's mercy and faithfulness, as well as the power of prayer and the authority of God's prophet. Significance The extraordinary rain after the drought in Ahab's reign serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over nature and His willingness to forgive and restore when His people turn back to Him. It underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands and the futility of idolatry. This event also highlights the role of prophets in communicating God's will and the effectiveness of fervent prayer in bringing about divine intervention. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 18:45And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library A Prophet's Strange Providers The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus 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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